You Too Can Be A Philanthropist

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We at the Cook Family Foundation are proud to be philanthropists, but we don’t want to be the only ones.  On Giving Tuesday, December 3 this year, you too can be a philanthropist and help raise up those who do good work in our community. 

The literal definition of a philanthropist is lover of humanity.  The word derives from the Greek verb “philos” which means love and “anthropos” which means humankind.  A person who practices, or believes in, philanthropy is a philanthropist.  

Andrew Carnegie, “The Gospel of Wealth”

Often, when we think of a philanthropist, we think of a man towards the end of a successful business career who makes a decision to give back to the place of their upbringing or advance a cause near and dear to their heart.  The 19th-century industrialist, Andrew Carnegie, who donated the funds to build the library in Owosso (and much more), often comes to mind. For us, we think of Donald Cook, who translated his success at Wolverine Sign Works into the founding of the Cook Family Foundation (see a video here that tells his story).

But times have changed, and we strive to be a more egalitarian society where all can participate in strengthening our community.  Philanthropy and democracy go together, and neither should be the arena of only the wealthy. Giving Tuesday is an opportunity where everyone who has had even a modest amount of good fortune can give back, or pay it forward, or help those in need.

Giving Tuesday was born in 2012 out of an aspiration to encourage generosity around the world, and to use the open tools of social media to inspire individual actions of philanthropy.  These can include financial donations, but Giving Tuesday also appreciates the fact that volunteer efforts and acts of kindness also promote a more generous society and stronger communities.  

In Shiawassee County, for the third year in a row, local nonprofit organizations have come together on Giving Tuesday under the banner of #raiseUPshiawassee to improve our communities.  We have a strong collection of locally-based groups committed to missions which serve the residents of Shiawassee County, whether they be young or old, in crisis or seeking enrichment, or care about history, the environment, or animals.  All of them are worthy of your support.

Perhaps less obviously, the collaboration of #raiseUPshiawassee also demonstrates that none of us alone is as good as all of us together.  Three organizations–the Shiawassee Community Foundation, the United Way, and the Cook Family Foundation–serve as the coordinators of our local Giving Tuesday effort, but the effort is driven by collaborate efforts of Shiawassee-based nonprofits. In addition, the Shiawassee Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership have engaged area businesses in this philanthropic endeavor. Working together, community organizations, local businesses, and caring citizens can make a real difference in Shiawassee County, and beyond.

December 3, 2019

In our country, we champion individual achievement, but we also know that when we jointly commit to a common goal we can accomplish even more. Giving Tuesday takes individual acts of kindness and charity and powers them up to create a society of generosity. And locally, #raiseUPshiawassee shows that the value of small donations are greater than the sum of the individual parts. Last year, 588 philanthropists made donations on Giving Tuesday to local nonprofits and together we raised $73,086 to make our community a better place. Next week, we hope you too can make a gift to one or more of our local groups and show your love for humanity and the place where we live. You can learn more about specific initiatives and make a donation to one (or all) at www.raiseUPshiawassee.org. You can also find volunteer opportunities at www.ShiawasseeServes.org.  

And as we start the holiday season, we give thanks for the people who have a love for humanity and reach out with acts of kindness and generosity. Won’t you be one of them?

Non-Profits Need to Diversify Fund Sources

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Fortunately, economic times in Shiawassee County have improved in the past few years, and several of our local organizations have successfully raised more donations. Still, many of our fellow residents face financial or personal struggles, and our community still needs further investments in youth, the arts, and our natural environment. We count on nonprofit organizations to improve the quality of life for all Shiawassee County residents.

Unfortunately, some disturbing economic, demographic, and policy trends may not bode well for the future ability of local nonprofits to raise funds to serve our community. Giving is down. National numbers show that charitable giving declined in 2018, for the first time ever since the Great Recession of 2008-09 . Data from a sample of several thousand nonprofits show that giving has continued to decline in the first half of 2019.

National data of course does not necessarily reflect what’s going on in Shiawassee County, but research shows that many large nonprofits are relying on fewer very large donations and grants, while smaller gifts and the number of donors decreases. In other words, says the Nonprofit Quarterly, “fewer households of moderate means are giving at all while more of the money being given comes from those who are extremely well off. This is bad news for small community-based nonprofits.”

Demographic trends are not promising either, as many older, long-standing supporters of nonprofits are passing, or moving, away. Younger donors may have money to give, but they lack a tradition of giving, may not know our local organizations well, and give in different ways rather than writing an annual membership check. Finally, the tax laws are not helping. The 2017 changes in the tax code may have spurred the economy, but it eliminated the need or opportunity for many households to itemize tax deductions, and thus the tax benefits of a large year-end gift are not as appealing for many individuals.

How should nonprofits respond to the changes in giving trends? First, by preparing now for the future. Times may currently be good, but the demographic and tax factors are not likely to improve soon, and if we encounter an economic downturn, giving may drop precipitously. It would be a good time for every nonprofit to review its revenue sources and be sure they are diversified in ways to weather any storm that may come. If a nonprofit is largely dependent on grant funding, now is the time to build a broader base of individual giving. If an organization depends on a few key donors or events for support, it might be wise to spend some time on the GrantStation database at the Owosso library looking for grants.

Individual donors will remain important to every local nonprofit, not only for the financial support received but because local supporters can be the best ambassadors, advocates, volunteers, and fundraisers for a local organization. Every nonprofit should be looking at the profile and make-up of its donors, identifying opportunities for further fundraising, and taking good care of its best supporters. Keeping a donor is much easier than getting a new one. And if a fundraising method works, keep doing it, and look for ways to make it better.

Change is the only sure thing, so it makes sense for nonprofits to be prepared and look for new ways to gain donors and raise funds. Here are four ideas:

  1. Participate in #raiseUPshiawassee, the local version of Giving Tuesday, the global movement that taps into social media to make generosity go viral. This may not be a major source of funds now, but new donors are younger and tech-savvy, and this is a good way to build a connection with them. Importantly, we need to work together to create a tradition of giving with more people in our community.
  2. Support the United Way. Workplace giving can be a valuable source of funds for some nonprofits, and this funding source shows promise locally with the arrival of the successful and very professional United Way of Genesee County now serving Shiawassee County
  3. Get More from Your Donors. Set yourself up for stock donations and IRA gifts from your biggest donors. There are still significant tax benefits for large donors to give appreciated stocks or direct an IRA pay-out to a nonprofit. It can require some upfront work and promotion, but some of your long-term donors might find this an appealing way to provide a gift.
  4. Estate gifts. Sadly, many long-term supporters of local nonprofits are aging and thus making or reviewing estate plans. Nonprofits should let their donors know that they can include them in their will or name them as a beneficiary of an IRA or insurance policy. Help them build a legacy for a local cause.

The Cook Family Foundation wants to help our community-based organizations be successful. Through our NonProfit Capacity Building program we provide training and technical assistance to local nonprofits to help them review and improve their fundraising tools. A board level discussion of your past, current, and future fund development approaches is a good place to start. As well, our Innovation and Impact grants are designed as investments in nonprofits to help them grow and add new capacity.

Finally, the Cook Family Foundation believes strongly in collaboration and supports efforts like #raiseUPshiawassee that bring nonprofits together to increase charitable support, improve fundraising effectiveness, and allow them to best serve the residents of Shiawassee County. Alone we may be defeated by an economic downturn or other misfortune, but together we can identify and take advantage of the new opportunities that accompany any change or crisis.

Leaders and Best Nominated for Scholarships

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Photo Credit: Michael D-L Jordan/DLP

The Shiawassee County region’s top academically accomplished high school seniors have been nominated for scholarships to the University of Michigan by the Cook Family Foundation.  One of these students will be selected to receive a four-year, full-tuition scholarship from Bruce and Jacqueline Cook.

In order to assist them with their college selection, thirty-four of the nominees recently attended an overnight trip to the University of Michigan where they met with admission officers, took a tour of the campus and stadium, attended a class, and had the opportunity to spend time with students from the Shiawassee County area presently enrolled at the University of Michigan.

“We want to make sure the leaders and the best among local high school students seriously consider the University of Michigan for the next level of education,” said Foundation President Bruce Cook.  “We are committed to the academic success of local students, and are committed to building partnerships with our public schools and our oldest public university.”

Each of the nominees will receive at least a $3,000 scholarship to the University of Michigan from the Cook Family Foundation.  In addition to these nominees, the Cook Family Foundation provides a scholarship to every local student who applies to the University of Michigan, is admitted, and then enrolls.  

If they apply and are admitted to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, the following students will be considered for the Bruce and Jacqueline Cook scholarship: from Byron: Brandon Brozich; from Chesaning:  Julia Bishop, Emma Bohn, Shannon Glaser, Traci Martin, Lauren Mason, Katrina Pursche, and Julia Skaryd; from Corunna: Jaylee Carpenter, Gurleen Chauhan, Elizabeth Norris, and Evan Roka; from Durand: Adrian Eggleston, Drew Jones, Jacob Lockhart, and Haley Zdunic; from Laingsburg:  Anne Claus and Samuel Marshall; from Morrice: Alina Stinson; from New Lothrop: Kerra Hinrichs and Chloe Krupp; from Ovid-Elsie: Madeline Gavenda, Drew Ingraham, Shayne Loynes, Benjamin Maynard, Kaitlyn McGroarty, Ella Sheedlo, and Ezra Valentine; from Owosso: Mason Collard, Kathleen Dignan, Lynnae Gilman, Ashtyn Guru, Avery Peplinski, William Scrimger, Jorden Sowash, and Hannah Walters; and from Perry: Lindsey Bixler, Ryan O’Neill, and Kyah Ribble.

Past recipients of the Bruce and Jackie Cook Scholarship have included Autumn Zwiernik from Laingsburg in 2019, Tyson Moore from Corunna in 2018, Elizabeth Hoornstra from Chesaning in 2017, Mitchell Lawrence from Byron in 2016, Nick Miller from Laingsburg in 2015, Nolan Wendling from New Lothrop in 2014, Emily Feuka from Perry in 2013, Sam Whaley from Perry in 2012, Adam Stewart from Laingsburg in 2011, Valerie Foster from Byron in 2010, 

Adam Dingens from Corunna in 2009, Randy Piper from Owosso in 2008, Dan Frechtling from Perry in 2007 and Kendra Frye of Owosso in 2006.