The recent special State Legislature session, the continuing budget drama in our nation’s capitol, and the painful budget processes completed by our city and county governments sent a compelling message about the dire financial straits our governments are facing.
Taxpayers have made clear that they are unwilling to increase taxes and government can’t continue to fund many of the organizations that provide the services the community needs and wants, just when the need for those services is increasing dramatically.
This is alarming news for the many people and institutions that depend on government financing. What to do?
Fortunately, help is at hand. And we private citizens and foundations are that help.
Against this somber backdrop, National Philanthropy Day last month was a reminder of how important philanthropy has become to our communities. The need for creative philanthropy is more urgent than ever.
We are a compassionate and generous people, willing to step up and contribute when the need is great. It’s not only the wealthy who come forward.
According to the IRS, taxpayers in the lower brackets typically contribute more of their income to charities than those in the upper brackets.
And there are many wonderful nonprofit organizations ready to respond to the growing need, if only we provide the means.
Every year during the holidays all of us receive a bumper crop of invitations to contribute to worthwhile organizations.
Accountants send their clients reminders to make charitable contributions before the end of December, in order to take advantage of tax deductions which may not be as favorable next year. All of us face the daunting task of deciding which organizations to support, and how best to support them.
Most of us have our favorites – the Red Cross, Cancer Research, the United Way, our One Call for All (the famous red envelope), college alumni funds, churches, libraries and so on.
But there are many other institutions with lower profiles and more specialized local programs important to the quality of life in our communities – schools, theaters, museums, food banks, symphony orchestras, the opera and ballet, environmental protection organizations, and many more.
But how can we know which are the most effective and efficient, which will make the best use of contributions?
One way is to support nonprofit organizations whose mission is to make grants to other nonprofits. We can count on The United Way and One Call for All to distribute the funds they collect in their annual campaigns directly to the non-profits on their published lists.
Another way, to achieve a longterm and sustainable impact, is through a community foundation.
The privately supported Bainbridge Community Foundation (BCF) raises funds through significant gifts from donors and makes grants to support the long-term needs of Bainbridge Island.
The Kitsap County Community Foundation does the same and makes grants to the entire county.
Both Foundations carefully invest the funds they receive to ensure the long-term availability of resources to help recipient organizations address urgent, unanticipated needs and achieve their strategic goals.
And both foundations offer a variety of endowment and other charitable fund options to match the desire of donors/investors to give back to their communities in a meaningful, directed way, with the option to leave a permanent legacy for future generations.
Check out their websites at www.bainbridgecommunityfoundation.org and www. www.kitsapfoundation.org.
The need is there. The opportunities to help meet that need are legion. Help in finding the best way for each individual or business to give is available.
What better way to celebrate the holidays than make a significant donation to your favorite charity.
____________
Chris Snow is a former City of Bainbridge Island council member and currently serves the
Bainbridge Community Foundation as a board member.
