If you are interested in involving youth in philanthropy, visit The Council of Michigan Foundations (CMF). CMF has had a successful project involving Youth Advisory Committees in grant processes. These YACs have started their own programs, been involved in training and devised best practices. Sample documents are available at the website.
Posted by Myrna Meadows, NRS, International Falls
Showing posts with label philanthropy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label philanthropy. Show all posts
Monday, July 12, 2010
Friday, November 27, 2009
Another way to give
Have you heard of Leave a Legacy? In west central MN we now have 4 communities with a Leave a Legacy presence. In a nutshell, Leave a Legacy is an initiative or public awareness campaign to get people thinking about how they can give back to their communities by giving to charitable organizations. Besides cash contributions, people can leave legacy gifts through bequests, trusts, gifts of stock, personal property, land or retirement plans.
In Alexandria, Fergus Falls, and now Breckenridge/Wahpeton groups of nonprofits worked together with the help of West Central Initiative and myself as the local Nonprofit Resource Specialist at Bremer Bank (hswitt@bremer.com) to promote this concept by developing a local brochure that accountants, attorneys, bankers and financial planners can use with their clients.
In Wahpeton, ND last week the local chapter sponsored a training for accountants, attorneys, bankers and financial planners in the morning, followed by a noon lunch and a fundraising training for the local nonprofits in the afternoon.
The Transfer of Wealth to the next generation by 2052 in the U.S. is expected to be between $41-136 trillion dollars!
To see the study commissioned by the Impact Institute go to www.impactgiveback.org/pdf/wealthtransfer.pdf. Leave a Legacy is one tool that can be used to raise awareness and encourage people to plan their giving and leave gifts to their favorite charities. Why not consider one in your community!
Posted by Holly Witt
NRS, Alexandria Charter
In Alexandria, Fergus Falls, and now Breckenridge/Wahpeton groups of nonprofits worked together with the help of West Central Initiative and myself as the local Nonprofit Resource Specialist at Bremer Bank (hswitt@bremer.com) to promote this concept by developing a local brochure that accountants, attorneys, bankers and financial planners can use with their clients.
In Wahpeton, ND last week the local chapter sponsored a training for accountants, attorneys, bankers and financial planners in the morning, followed by a noon lunch and a fundraising training for the local nonprofits in the afternoon.
The Transfer of Wealth to the next generation by 2052 in the U.S. is expected to be between $41-136 trillion dollars!
To see the study commissioned by the Impact Institute go to www.impactgiveback.org/pdf/wealthtransfer.pdf. Leave a Legacy is one tool that can be used to raise awareness and encourage people to plan their giving and leave gifts to their favorite charities. Why not consider one in your community!
Posted by Holly Witt
NRS, Alexandria Charter
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Thanksgiving Week
It’s the week of Thanksgiving so I’m thinking of gratefulness and thankfulness. One of the things that comes to mind is last week’s successful campaign through GiveMN.org. In one day 38,778 donors raised over $14 million helping 3,434 nonprofits in the state! Today I see that Land O Lakes and Kare 11 are donating $1 to alleviate hunger for every click on their website. Check this out at www.landolakesinc.com.
Then I remembered a session I attended at the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits - Minnesota Council on Foundations Conference earlier this month that also gave me cause to think about giving and being grateful for what I have. Rachel McDonough, a financial planner, told us that the average income in the U.S. is $50,000, and that puts us in the top 1% of income in the WORLD. The average American family is wealthy in comparison to people in many Third World countries. She asked the question "how much is enough?" As I thought about that question and my own life, it made me consider how much more I could give.
Right now, nonprofits need our help – not to help themselves but to help those they serve. So you might ask yourself the same question, "how much is enough for me?"
I am thankful to live in state and a country where people and businesses are generous in giving, both their money and their time. If you would like to check out national stats on volunteerism and giving, go to Independent Sector for more information.
Oh, and Happy Thanksgiving!
Posted by Holly Witt
NRS, Alexandria Charter
Then I remembered a session I attended at the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits - Minnesota Council on Foundations Conference earlier this month that also gave me cause to think about giving and being grateful for what I have. Rachel McDonough, a financial planner, told us that the average income in the U.S. is $50,000, and that puts us in the top 1% of income in the WORLD. The average American family is wealthy in comparison to people in many Third World countries. She asked the question "how much is enough?" As I thought about that question and my own life, it made me consider how much more I could give.
Right now, nonprofits need our help – not to help themselves but to help those they serve. So you might ask yourself the same question, "how much is enough for me?"
I am thankful to live in state and a country where people and businesses are generous in giving, both their money and their time. If you would like to check out national stats on volunteerism and giving, go to Independent Sector for more information.
Oh, and Happy Thanksgiving!
Posted by Holly Witt
NRS, Alexandria Charter
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Advocating Philanthropy
The following is an article that appeared in a United Way publication, highlighting the service and commitment of Bremer's Kathy Grochow of St. Cloud:
As Community/Nonprofit Resource Specialist at Bremer Bank, Kathy Grochow has been exposed to all that nonprofit work and community advocacy have to offer. Kathy "Lives United" by championing the cause of inspiring hope and creating opportunities for a better tomorrow.
The Otto Bremer Foundation and Bremer created Kathy's position eight years ago to gain awareness of and become a part of the charitable work being done in the community. Kathy reflects upon this, "after joining Bremer, I learned a lot about philanthropic work. This was because of Bremer's ownership structure and philosophies of giving back to the communities Bremer serves. I feel very fortunate to work for an organization that is committed to building healthy communities and for the leadership of Bremer that is committed to supporting and expanding my unique role within Bremer."
Kathy is a dedicated community advocate who is committed to making this community a better place by offering her positive input, leadership, and concern for the well-being of others. She currently serves on the Training Opportunities Team (TOT), the Strategic Impact Committee, is Chair of the Public Policy Committee, is a member of the United Way Results Team, is Co-Chair of the Bremer United Way at Work Committee, and also has participated in multiple Day of Caring events at Bremer. She has also worked toward increasing the capacity of nonprofit organizations by organizing and facilitating low-cost training sessions and networking opportunities.
In reflecting upon how her work has affected her personally, Kathy feels that, "the impact on me personally has been an increased awareness of what it takes to build healthy communities, the importance of capitalizing on the communities' assets, and a greater appreciation for the importance of strong, committed boards of directors that provide guidance to our nonprofit organizations." Kathy has done much to bring a greater awareness to the community about the importance of working together. How do you "Live United"?
As Community/Nonprofit Resource Specialist at Bremer Bank, Kathy Grochow has been exposed to all that nonprofit work and community advocacy have to offer. Kathy "Lives United" by championing the cause of inspiring hope and creating opportunities for a better tomorrow.
The Otto Bremer Foundation and Bremer created Kathy's position eight years ago to gain awareness of and become a part of the charitable work being done in the community. Kathy reflects upon this, "after joining Bremer, I learned a lot about philanthropic work. This was because of Bremer's ownership structure and philosophies of giving back to the communities Bremer serves. I feel very fortunate to work for an organization that is committed to building healthy communities and for the leadership of Bremer that is committed to supporting and expanding my unique role within Bremer."
Kathy is a dedicated community advocate who is committed to making this community a better place by offering her positive input, leadership, and concern for the well-being of others. She currently serves on the Training Opportunities Team (TOT), the Strategic Impact Committee, is Chair of the Public Policy Committee, is a member of the United Way Results Team, is Co-Chair of the Bremer United Way at Work Committee, and also has participated in multiple Day of Caring events at Bremer. She has also worked toward increasing the capacity of nonprofit organizations by organizing and facilitating low-cost training sessions and networking opportunities.
In reflecting upon how her work has affected her personally, Kathy feels that, "the impact on me personally has been an increased awareness of what it takes to build healthy communities, the importance of capitalizing on the communities' assets, and a greater appreciation for the importance of strong, committed boards of directors that provide guidance to our nonprofit organizations." Kathy has done much to bring a greater awareness to the community about the importance of working together. How do you "Live United"?
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Article: The Changing Role of Philanthropy and Aging
Here is an interesting article I came across this week from Philanthropy News Digest on the topic of boomer volunteering. Enjoy.
The Changing Role of Philanthropy and Aging
by J. Barry Griswell, president, Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines
The excitement was palpable — but, in truth, it had very little to do with the bingo cards in front of us. Early one Tuesday morning, I sat at a table with seven senior citizens, helping them follow the game and mark their cards when letters and numbers were called. When the people at my table won, I helped them choose their prizes.
We were at a Day of Caring at the Principal Financial Group's headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa. I was struck by how much energy my new friends drew from spending time with each other. Indeed, I was amazed by how much joy we can bring others with such a small investment of time and attention.
Read more..
The Changing Role of Philanthropy and Aging
by J. Barry Griswell, president, Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines
The excitement was palpable — but, in truth, it had very little to do with the bingo cards in front of us. Early one Tuesday morning, I sat at a table with seven senior citizens, helping them follow the game and mark their cards when letters and numbers were called. When the people at my table won, I helped them choose their prizes.
We were at a Day of Caring at the Principal Financial Group's headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa. I was struck by how much energy my new friends drew from spending time with each other. Indeed, I was amazed by how much joy we can bring others with such a small investment of time and attention.
Read more..
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