’Tis the season when toys, candies and the latest gadgets fill store shelves, waiting to be wrapped and nestled under the tree. And wonder how the heck you’re going to pay the credit card bills when they arrive in January, when most of the toys have been lost or broken, the gadgets relegated to garage shelves or kitchen cupboards, and goodies have done nothing but expand waistlines.

It’s nice to know there’s another way your gifts can help many others without any of the above side effects, plus a nice tax benefit, either while you’re living or as a legacy after your passing. 

There are two main ways to support community nonprofits. 

• Endowment funds allow those with long-range plans for their money, real estate, stocks and bonds and retirement funds. Endowment funds are invested for growth, with a portion on the income accessible for making grants available. 
  
  
• Non-endowed funds allow people to simplify their annual giving to nonprofits or to become more familiar with the donation process. The full balance is available for grantmaking at any time to support favorite causes.  

Western Colorado Community Foundation - NA, Grand Junction, CO (WCCF) has provided grants, scholarships and tax benefits to donors for over a quarter century. Located at 128 N. 5th St. in Grand Junction, the foundation distributes funds to myriad recipients in seven counties on the Western Slope, including Mesa, Delta and Montrose counties.

According to Kristin Lynch, WCCF’s director of development and legacy giving and a chartered advisor in philanthropy, “Donors who want to have an active role in planning their giving but aren’t sure how to go about it are welcome to meet with us to discuss what and how they want to give.”

Lynch estimated that after 20 years, the interest from an endowment comes close to 100% of the original gift, and then keeps on giving in perpetuity. 

She and members of WCCF’s donor relations team work with more complex, complicated funds and help donors identify and articulate their intentions. 

“We help them think through what they really want to do, from general to specific. No donation is too small, and every one is appreciated,” said Lynch.

Funds have been distributed for hunger relief, conservation and outdoor education programs, affordable housing and shelter for the unhoused, and youth diversion programs for at-risk kids.

Tedi Gillespie, WCCF’s director of grants and community outreach, distributes funds that have been designated for particular reasons, like scholarships and community outreach such as after-school programs for underprivileged students. The Lunch Lizard mobile food truck supports student nutrition during the summer by distributing lunches in neighborhoods.

Montrose Community Foundation - NA, Montrose, CO (MCF) also helps donors make the most of their money, providing scholarships and other support. 

Director Diane Bridges said, “We offer a number of different ways to help nonprofits through endowment funds, donor advised funds and fiscal sponsorships to name a few.”  

The foundation also manages community impact funds which go directly into the community during the fund cycle, plus emergency funding for a major disaster in the city or surrounding areas. 

“We do offer impact grants that are for local non-profits. Our grant cycle starts October 1 and ends December 1 with the funds distributed after the first of the year,” she said.

According to their 2021-2022 annual report, MCF supported funds that benefited Magic Circle Theatre, Community Options’ Memory Maker program, a new playground for children at Haven House, medical equipment at Montrose Regional Health and more.

The foundation also offers ongoing training classes in topics relevant to nonprofit organizations, such as financial management, board training, fundraising, advocacy and strategic planning. 

Scholarships, both partial and full ride, make up part of both foundations’ mission. Some are very specific and donor directed, like support for potential teachers taking classes at a specific university. Others offer money to students who meet the application criteria, without specifying a specific institution or field of study. And some pay for what is not covered by other grants and scholarships students may receive.  

WAYS TO GIVE

Donations to WCCF and MCF programs can be made in person, by mail or online. Learn more about giving to Western Colorado Community Foundation at WC-CF.org, or call 970-243-3767. Give to Montrose Community Foundation online at MontroseCF.org or call 970-249-3900. 

• Cash – The simplest and most common way to gift. Make an online donation to WCCF or MCF and mail your gift along with the fund destination in the memo line. 
• Stock, Bonds & Mutual Funds 
• Real Estate
• Life insurance 
• Life income gifts 
• Retirement accounts 
• Bequests
• Vehicles

Colorado Gives Day is December 5

Colorado Gives Day is an annual statewide movement to celebrate and increase philanthropy through giving. Hundreds of Colorado nonprofits big and small participate, and anyone can donate. The only stipulation is that your giving must be done online at ColoradoGives.org through December 5. You can even schedule a donation so you don’t forget!