FOUNDING INVESTOR CIRCLE

Anonymous (4)
Sharon Black
The Caldwell Family
Herb & Kathe Cook

Anne Dean
Malcolm Dorn
Grace Dumenil
Hugh Ferguson
Joe & Cindy Hill Finnie
Rocky Friedman
Teresa & David Goldsmith
Matthew & Tara Henery
Mike & Jane Henery
Suzanne Lagoni
Carla Main & Brad West
Kristin Manwaring Insurance
Associates, Inc.
Kristina Mayer
Bruce & Teri McComas
Carol McGough
Carolyn & Jon Muellner
Kristen Nelson
Dr. Henry & Karen Nichols
Michelle Sandoval & Marty Gay
Satterberg Foundation
Schneider Family Fund
Sam & Berry Shoen
Brent Shirley
Quimper Foundation
Martha & Loretta Trolen Atkins
Fund of the New Mexico
Community Foundation
Vince & Mary Ann Verneuil
David & Ruth Whitney
Scott & Jennifer James-Wilson

WOMEN WHO CARE

GIVING CIRCLE

Anne Schneider, Co-Chair
Ruth Merryman, Co-Chair
Jane Henery
Gay Eisenberger
Teri McComas
Carol McGough
Theresa Goldsmith
Rachel Gaspers
Mary Ann Verneuil
Kay Goetz
Darlene Durfee
Marilyn Staples
Gail Boulter
Kris Mayer, Facilitator

CURRENT FUNDS

JCCF Community Endowment

Administrative Operating Fund

Dr. and Mrs. H. Kennith Carter Designated Fund

NWMC & WBF Historic Vessel Sustainability Endowment Fund

Port Townsend Public Library Foundation Restricted Endowment Funds

Jefferson Land Trust Stewardship Fund

Jefferson County Technical Trades Endowed Scholarship

University Women’s Foundation Scholarship Fund

Jefferson County Historical Society Barbara Marseille Endowment Fund

Barbara Marseille Endowed Arts Scholarship

This electronic newletter is part of JCCF website. You can click on any Header to receive more indepth information.

JULY 2009 NEWSLETTER

A MESSAGE FROM VICE PRESIDENT BRUCE MCCOMAS......

This has been a busy winter and spring for Jefferson County Community Foundation (JCCF). This mid-year report is focused on the “under the radar” activities of JCCF, which are many and varied. Assuring long term funding of nonprofit organizations is certainly a focus of JCCF, but another important mission is to assure the health and sustainability of our nonprofit sector. Through education and mentoring, JCCF is insuring that our community nonprofits will not only survive, but thrive in the coming years. The economic downturn of the past year has demonstrated that organizations, especially in low density rural communities, must be strong, resilient, and tuned in to the emerging needs of the community. Those that are will weather the storm, and go on to become much stronger organizations.

As always, we invite your participation, ideas, and feedback. There are many ways to invest and be involved in the community. JCCF is, after all, our community foundation and it will be what we make of it. Read on! We think you will be impressed!

Jefferson County Nonprofit Alliance(JCNA)

JCNA, the educational arm of Jefferson County Community Foundation, has just completed the spring series of Networking Sessions to nonprofit organizations in our community. Over 100 people participated, providing opportunities for community nonprofits to come together, share, and learn ways to strengthen their organizations. The Alliance draws from a wide range of professionals in nonprofit organization and philanthropy to share knowledge in the areas of donor relations, board development, fund development, marketing and communications. We solicit feedback from participants to plan topics which are relevant and timely, and are currently in process of finalizing the fall 2009-10 schedule.

Carla Main, a JCCF Founding Investor, serves on two nonprofit boards and has attended several Networking Sessions. "The Networking Sessions offered by Jefferson County Community Foundation has given me the opportunity to meet other committed board members and learn of the impressive work accomplished by their organizations," says Carla. "We have a chance to learn from one another and problem solve together. Each session also offers the opportunity to take back important new information to our respective boards. I hope to participate in many more networking sessions and encourage other board members to do the same."

Asold out one-day workshop on Board Development was held in January. The workshop, presented by Laurie Wolf, Vice President of The Foraker Group in Anchorage, Alaska, was so successful that a second workshop is being planned for August 15, 2009. If you are interested in attending, sign up here.

2009 Grantmaker’s Forum

The goal of the Grantmaker's Forum is to not only award deserving grant proposals, but to provide a meaningful educational experience for those nonprofit organizations who wish to improve their grant writing skills. The Forum starts with a “mini workshop”, followed by grant review. Consequently, the organizations that attend the Grantmaker’s Forum win in knowledge, even if their grant is not chosen to be funded. The focus of 2009 was on developing strong project objectives and outcomes. $2000 grants were awarded to Port Townsend Marine Science Center for inquiry-based teacher training and Northwind Arts Alliance for the Arts in Aging Program. The grants represent the third annual distribution from the permanent community endowment of the Jefferson County Community Foundation.

JCCF Highlight: Fiscal Sponsorships:

Fiscal sponsors are 501(c)(3) charitable corporations that give unincorporated groups whose missions are aligned with their own a tax-exempt temporary home. The fiscal sponsor is paid an administrative fee for services rendered to the sponsored program. Although sponsored programs are not completely independent, they are legally part of the sponsor organization; they nevertheless retain programmatic autonomy and often have separate advisory boards making their strategic decisions. Sponsored programs are responsible for their own fundraising.

JCCF currently has two Fiscal Sponsorships:

Port Townsend Farmer’s Market: Through fiscal sponsorship, JCCF provides Port Townsend Farmer’s Market with charitable donation accounting, oversight, and back office support while their 501 C3 is in process. This lively and important economic driver is part of the sustainable food network in Jefferson County. The JCCF board is pleased to support an organization which is such a vibrant part of our community. www.ptfmhome.blogspot.com 

LOOK-BOTH-WAYS Foundation: Founded in 2006, LOOK-BOTH-WAYS is a leading provider of online safety curriculum and services. Based in Port Townsend, LOOK-BOTH-WAYS approached JCCF to be a fiscal sponsor during their application process to become a 501 C3. After reviewing the organization, their work and mission, it became apparent to the JCCF board that this is an organization worthy of fiscal sponsorship. Staying safe online involves understanding the various risks that exist and learning actionable skills; LOOK-BOTH-WAYS has developed a comprehensive program which will make all of us, young and old, who use and rely on the internet much safer. www.ilookbothways.com

What Legacy Giving Can Mean:

When we first met with Chris Hale 6 years ago to talk about the needs of the community based upon current and emerging demographics of Jefferson County, we knew we had met someone who could make a difference to the success of JCCF and the community. An epidemiologist who had collected data for the state of Washington, she was bright, articulate, and had the statistics to back her up. She alerted us to the levels of poverty in Jefferson County, especially among young families. She made us aware of the shift of population to an older population that would stress our ability to provide living/housing options as well as new opportunities in healthcare, recreation and other social services. She helped us understand that we not only needed to build a community endowment, but encouraged us to make collaboration and education the centerpiece of our foundation. What we did not anticipate was just how meaningful her contribution to JCCf was going to be. When Chris died in 2007, she left an unrestricted legacy gift to Jefferson County Foundation. Because of her caring for the community and support of JCCF, we are able to move ahead, even these most difficult financial times. Never underestimate what legacy giving can mean to your community. Please consider JCCF in your estate planning. It truly is the gift that keeps on giving for generations to come.

County Volunteer Database:

One of the needs identified by nonprofit organizations through JCNA networking sessions was that of a mechanism for gathering and maintaining a collective volunteer database. Human resources are in demand and most organizations spend a considerable amount of time seeking volunteers. JCCF is working with the Volunteer Center of Clallam County to bring a County Volunteer Database to Jefferson County. This two-county collaboration is being supported by a generous grant from First Federal.  The first organizational meeting is scheduled for July 9, 2009.

Keeping JCCF Financial House in Order:

A financial review was completed this winter by Clark Nuber & Associates. Though a significant expense, the review was necessary to assure our investors, stakeholders, and funders that Jefferson County Community Foundation is on solid footing. We were pleased that Clark Nuber partners and staff were very complimentary of our work and felt that we are well positioned for the future. This review will be an asset as JCCF goes towards substantial funding for future community projects.

Why Invest in a Community versus Private Foundation?

With the market down and expenses up, many private foundations are turning to their community foundation partners for new options.  Some of the benefits a community foundation can offer donors include:

• Flexibility. Some donors have non-cash assets that they would like to convert to charitable use, either during their lifetimes or by charitable bequest. Community foundations can accept securities, including closely held stock, mutual fund shares, IRAs, 401(k) and 403(b) plans, life insurance, land, charitable lead and remainder trusts, and private foundation assets. Commercial gift funds cannot necessarily handle the same array of assets.

• Donor intent. Giving through a community foundation, a donor can support a specific cause, a favorite nonprofit organization, an educational institution, or a religious entity. A board of directors provides legal oversight for all grants. At Jefferson County Community Foundation, donors may support organizations within Jefferson County or outside the area.

• Professional assistance. Any community foundation, ours included, welcomes the opportunity to work with a donor's attorney, CPA, or other financial advisor to facilitate the donor's desired legacy. This is a mutually beneficial partnership.

• Tax deductions. Gifts to community foundations qualify for higher deductions compared with private foundations: up to 50 percent of adjusted gross income on gifts of cash, compared with 30 percent for private foundations.

• Flexible grant payouts. Private foundations are required to pay out 5 percent minimum of net asset value annually. In contrast, a community foundation consults with each donor to determine the size and frequency of grant payouts.

• Ease. Giving through a community foundation, a donor has none of the hassles of a private foundation: start up costs, excise tax, tax returns, accounting. Investments are handled with highest degree of professionalism; Jefferson County Community Foundation assets are managed by Greater Tacoma Communtiy Foundation.

• Grantmaking expertise and due diligence. For donors concerned with local issues, JCCF helps to identify and assess grantees, provide input on community needs, and ensure that recipients are qualified and effective. The Foundation can help donors identify a grantmaking strategy and leverage their gifts with the resources of others to address Jefferson County needs. Commercial gift funds do not typically offer such personalized advice. Private foundations must arrange and support their own grantmaking.

• Acknowledgement or anonymity. Gifts made from donor advised funds can be made privately or publicly, as desired.

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