Family hiking on dirt road in Tuscany

Family Ties, Giving Back & Making a Difference

Sarah NavranIndividual & Family Giving

There’s something special about sharing experiences with your family, whether it’s the one you were born into or the one you’ve chosen. The joy of these shared moments creates meaningful bonds and unforgettable memories. In addition to annual vacations or life milestones, consider adding family philanthropy to the list of experiences. Giving as a family unites multiple generations through a …

Inspiring Generosity on Grandparent’s Day

Sarah NavranIndividual & Family Giving

Grandparent’s Day is dedicated to honoring grandparents and their meaningful role in families. Every year, this holiday reminds us to take the time to recognize the undeniable impact grandparents have on our lives. Oftentimes, grandparents are caregivers, teachers and mentors for families. They can also be the best playmates, adventure buddies and advice-givers. At the Community Foundation, we have helped …

What’s Next After Opening Your Donor-Advised Fund? Grantmaking!

Sarah NavranIndividual & Family Giving

After establishing your donor-advised fund and setting charitable assets aside for philanthropy, it’s time to get to the fun part, grantmaking. Now, you can use the funds from your donor-advised fund to support your favorite nonprofits. As your trusted partner to support your grantmaking, we are here to help. Director of Donor and Corporate Services Brian Motl breaks down some …

Navigating Disaster Relief Philanthropy

Sarah NavranCommunity Foundation News, Corporate Charitable Giving, Individual & Family Giving

In the face of disaster, communities worldwide rely on the generosity and compassion of individuals willing to lend a helping hand to those in need. Disaster relief granting from donor-advised funds plays a critical role in providing immediate and long-term assistance to communities impacted by devastating events. Many often wonder what the disaster relief process looks like and how this …

Make Summer Count: Explore the Opportunities of Family Philanthropy

Sarah NavranIndividual & Family Giving

Whether going on a trip or hosting a backyard barbecue, summer is an excellent time for families to connect and make memories. Another activity families can do together this summer is philanthropy. Taking time to explore your family’s philanthropy can be a great way to build stronger relationships while contributing to something meaningful. Here at the Community Foundation, we work with many …

Building a Philanthropic Playbook – Part Three: Putting Together the Puzzle

breiby@growyourgiving.orgIndividual & Family Giving

Part III – Putting Together the Puzzle “Not everything that counts can be counted – and not everything that can be counted counts.” – Albert Einstein What counts when determining whether you will give to a nonprofit organization? What matters to you most? Is it the mission? Is it how they deliver programs and services? Is it who they are …

Building a Philanthropic Playbook – Part Two: Less is More

breiby@growyourgiving.orgIndividual & Family Giving

Part II – The Less is More Approach “I want to do fewer things, that are the right things, and I want to do them better.” – Unknown Regardless of asset size, all donors have limits to their time and monetary contributions. Not all things you value or want to engage in are attainable with meaningful impact. Rather than trying …

Building a Philanthropic Playbook – Part One: Building Clarity and Setting the Foundation

breiby@growyourgiving.orgIndividual & Family Giving

I often joke with people that in my former life, I was a college soccer coach because many people don’t understand what the job of collegiate coaching really entails or how the job connects to the work of countless other professions. During my time in college athletics, I also started my own sport psychology consultation business after working under some …

Grantmaking in the New Year

breiby@growyourgiving.orgIndividual & Family Giving

As we’re settling into a new year, some of us may be leaning into new routines and rhythms in an effort to better ourselves, our families, or our communities. As you’re fine-tuning your plans and vision for 2023, consider what your philanthropic goals look like and how you might alter your giving moving forward. Here’s a short list of things …

Tell Family Stories This Holiday Season

peterson@growyourgiving.orgIndividual & Family Giving

The act of storytelling and story keeping is an important piece of understanding and knowing ourselves and others around us. The stories we tell and the stories we hear transcend generations and shape who we are today. Many of our formative memories often involve the holiday season. Why? Families are often focused on creating special memories and traditions, and for …