The season of giving is upon us. Unfortunately for many of us the stress of finding the perfect gift while accomplishing a laundry list of holiday musts leaves many of us exhausted and less than joyful. To make gift giving easy and bring meaning back to the holidays the Foundation for Community Partnerships has launched its “22 Days of Giving” campaign, enabling area residents to make a donation to one of its 56 local funds as a holiday gift. This special program is being launched to commemorate the Foundation’s fifth anniversary.
Each weekday in December the Foundation’s website, www.creatinglegacies.org, will feature the work of two of its funds. Visitors to the website can make online gift donations to those funds, to another fund of their choosing or to the Foundation’s Community Endowment Fund on behalf of friends and family members. Those honored with a gift will receive a holiday gift card with information about the fund to which a contribution was made and donors will receive the tax deduction. Wherever possible the Foundation will secure matching gifts so a donation can go twice as far.
The Foundation for Community Partnerships opened its first fund in December 2004, and now represents 56 separate charitable groups from Anne Arundel, Calvert, Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot counties and has more than $1,700,000 in total assets. Touting an impressive record of success – distributing more than $1,660,000 to local charities in its first five years – Foundation Board members praised the many volunteers who invest their time and energy helping others. The Foundation’s success is due in part to its efficient use of funds. In 2008, less than 3% of its budget was spent on administration, so that .97 cents on every dollar went for direct services.
“We strive to be good stewards of the donations we receive,” says Rick Lerner, Chairman and CEO of BankAnnapolis and Foundation board chair. As a testament to his commitment and competence, the Foundation suffered no investment losses in 2008. On average, community foundations lost 30% on their investments last year. The Foundation for Community Partnerships maintains compliance with the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations, the highest standards in place today for U.S. community foundations.
“Our funds are probably better known than the Foundation itself,” comments Wayne Humphries, president. “Adopt-a-Bear, CASA, Partnering for Youth, Price Community Club, and Talbot Interfaith Shelter are just a few of the diverse charities under the Foundation’s umbrella.”
In this time of economic stress, a donation to the Foundation can make a huge impact on the community and make gift giving a lot easier! The Foundation encourages readers to visit the website www.creatinglegacies.org and give the gift of charity this holiday season. Donations can be made directly to the Foundation or to any one of its funds.
For more information, call (410) 758-6677 or visit www.creatinglegacies.org.