Great donation page.

Traverse City Health Clinic has a great donation page for on-line giving. Compelling and really tells the story.

http://www.mykeytocare.org/ to see it.

Botanic gardens continue to grow

Traverse City Record Eagle
Posted: Sunday, December 28, 2014 8:30 am

BY SARAH ELMS selms@record-eagle.com

TRAVERSE CITY — The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park will be blooming come spring, thanks to recent grant awards.

Board Chair Karen Matte Schmidt said officials and volunteers spent the last three years building the infrastructure at the garden near the Grand Traverse Commons so they can turn their focus toward planting in 2015.

"This is going to be a major year for the garden," Schmidt said.

The largest project will be planting a 4,000-square-foot walled garden at the site of a 115-year-old horse barn. The barn was torn down in 1957, but the 9-feet-high walls remained.

"This past summer we had those stone walls restored," Schmidt said. "This will be the year when we bring in the topsoil and plant that garden, and that's really exciting."

A $16,800 grant from the Stanley Smith Horticultural Trust will allow the garden's board to hire a part-time horticultural specialist to oversee their planting plans.

Officials plan to finish landscaping around the new visitor center and create new rain gardens in addition to completing the walled garden project.

"We knew we would need a horticulturalist to work with us at that time," Schmidt said.

A $6,000 grant from the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation will help pay for three rain gardens in low areas along the garden's trails to help filter rain water and prevent erosion.

Click here for article

Library director to retire

Traverse City Record Eagle - 30 December 2014 

Posted: Monday, December 29, 2014 9:15 pm

BY SARAH ELMS selms@record-eagle.com

TRAVERSE CITY — Traverse Area District Library's director will retire after five years in Traverse City and more than 40 years in the field.

Metta Lansdale  started as director in November 2009. She spent 20 years as a medical librarian in Ann Arbor and led the Chelsea District Library and Royal Oak Public Library before moving to Traverse City.

She's been on a medical leave since May and officially will retire on Wednesday to focus on her health.

"Metta has been an outstanding director for the library," said board Chairman Tom Kachadurian. "She has just revolutionized this library."

Lansdale sees her biggest accomplishment as updating the electronic check-out system and remodeling the main branch's circulation department.

More - Click here . Subscription may be required.

Arts Minigrants to regional charities

                                     

 

Media Release

For Immediate Release

Contact:      Mary Gillett, Regrant Coordinator           

                   231.883.8388           

                   mgillett@chartermi.net  

 

FY15 Minigrants Benefit 14 Local Arts & Cultural Organizations - Part of FY15 MCACA Grants Awards NorthSky Nonprofit Network/Rotary Charities Administers Region 2 Regrant Funds

DECEMBER 22, 2014- TRAVERSE CITY ---  Fourteen arts & cultural groups from five counties in northwest Michigan have been approved for minigrant funds through the Michigan Council for the Arts & Cultural Affairs (MCACA) Regranting Program for local projects  and professional development planned between January 1 and September 30, 2015.  The organizations will share $30,900 in total funding.  An additional $3,100 will be awarded for organizational development in February 2015, for a total of $34,000 in minigrant support. The MCACA regrant program is administered locally through NorthSky Nonprofit Network in Traverse City.  

MORE - Click here

Goodwill Doing Good Works

TC Ticker - 25 December 2014

by Ross Boissoneau

For Lauren Harmstein, every day is a gift. The single mother of two young children has survived job loss, homelessness, and divorce. This Christmas, she’s living in a stable home and working at a job she loves -- and she credits Goodwill for saving her and her family.

 It was just three years ago that things were falling apart for Harmstein. She was pregnant and staying at home to care for her young son when her husband lost his job. With no income, they fell behind on their bills and turned to the Goodwill Inn when all other doors were closed to them.

As the only shelter in the region that allows a family to stay together, the Inn kept the family close and provided hope. Harmstein’s daughter Loralei was born, and the Inn’s structured environment eased the transition for her son.

Aided by the Goodwill's case managers, Harmstein’s husband found a new job and the family found new, affordable housing. But just when things were looking up, Harmstein was dealt another blow when her husband left.

“When my husband left I found my way to Michigan Works,” says Harmstein, who also learned about Goodwill’s Hospitality Job Training Program. It’s a paid training experience where she eventually learned about food safety and the food service industry.
She graduated with a ServeSafe Certification and landed a job with Press On Juice, where she’s part of the crew producing fresh-squeezed juice blends.

“I’ve been there since October. Kris [Press On Juice owner Kris Rockwood] was looking for someone that had that certification.”
Rockwood says Harmstein is an inspiration to her. “She's unbelievable. Lauren was very open to learning and talking with me about the way the day-to-day business is run,” says Rockwood. “Using her training and experience, she was able to recommend changes that helped improve my business."

Harmstein says with support from Goodwill, she was able to pay off the debt attached to her divorce in just five months.

“My stepping stone was Goodwill. Working with the Goodwill Inn team helped me realize that I do have value. I just needed a little encouragement. I know I’m heading on the right path.”

Daughter Loralei is now a lively three-year-old, and next year begins school. That’s when Harmstein is looking to perhaps go back to school herself; she’s considering attending NMC this fall or next.

“My passion is healthy eating, teaching people how to eat healthy on a low budget,” she said. “To be healthy in mind, body and spirit starts with (good food).”

Harmstein is thinking positively these days, which she admits hasn’t always been the case. “I’m very optimistic. I was really down for many years. It took a while to figure out what I wanted to do.

“I thought very little of myself. Now I know I can grow and do better. Goodwill helped me set goals. It helped me get a home. It works.”

The Gift of Smart Tax Planning | FPC Investment Advisory, Inc.

Reposted from Planned Giving Design Center
Written by Bijan Golkar, CFP®
 

Smart tax management has always been a good way to help grow and preserve your wealth. But now it's even more powerful.

The reason: Federal income tax changes that took effect in 2013 have raised the rate for those with high incomes. As a result, every dollar that you save in taxes is worth more than it was just a couple of years ago. With that in mind, we'd like to offer five strategies to help you keep more of what you earn.

1. Keep the cash, give securities. More click ...FPC Investment Advisory, Inc. | The Gift of Smart Tax Planning

Strategic Giving: 5 steps to get the most bang from your philanthropic buck

From Planned Giving Design Center author Bruce DeBoskey provides specific ideas on how to give more effectively.


Following these five key steps will help you get the most "bang" for your philanthropic buck.


1. Engage family and determine the reasons for giving.
People engage in philanthropy for many valid reasons — including
gratitude, theology, altruism, recognition, influence, tradition, tax
planning, legacy creation, passing values to the next generation, social
pressures and guilt. Engaging family members across the generations in
meaningful discussions about what motivates your giving is an essential
first step to developing a strategic giving plan.


More click below ....

Strategic Giving: 5 steps to get the most bang from your philanthropic buck

New Director Named At Father Fred

December 23, 2014: TC Ticker

The Father Fred Foundation has named its new executive director. Deb Haase replaces Dr. Rosemary Hagan, who is retiring from the Foundation and returning to pastoral ministry. Haase has been with Father Fred since 2006, first as a volunteer and then as the client assistance administrator. "Our board conducted a thorough review process of many very good applicants for the executive director role at the Foundation," says board President Mike Witkop. "After many in-person interviews it became apparent that Deb was the right person. Her dedication and knowledge of our organization were key factors in our decision." Prior to working at the Foundation, Haase worked at Immaculate Conception Middle School and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Middle School. Permalink

YMCA names new director

BY SARAH ELMS selms@record-eagle.com | Posted: Monday, December 22, 2014 4:04 pm

TRAVERSE CITY — The Grand Traverse Bay YMCA will have a new leader in place before the end of the year.

Jay Buckmaster will take over as executive director Dec. 29. He replaces longtime director Tom Van Deinse, who left the organization unexpectedly in August.

Club officials remain tight-lipped about Van Deinse's departure, citing confidentiality in personnel issues even after backlash from Y members who pushed for more transparency.

Buckmaster comes to Traverse City with several other YMCA management positions under his belt. He worked at Ys in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, Milwaukee and Wichita, Kansas, before accepting his most recent position as Senior Group Vice President for the Tampa Metropolitan YMCA.

Grand Traverse Bay YMCA Board President Lynn Schultz said Buckmaster stood out "head and shoulders" from other applicants. There were 62 initial candidates, and board members narrowed that to three top contenders with help from YMCA of the USA consultants.

Buckmaster opened a new 105,000-square-foot facility in Wichita, a similar project to the Grand Traverse Bay Y's facility that opened in September, Schutlz said.

"He's very personable, full of energy and excited about our future," Schultz said. "He's as excited as we are."

Buckmaster replaces Carolyn Helmlinger, who served as interim director

"We are all just very excited to have new leadership," Schultz said. "We're confident he's the guy."

Buckmaster could not be reached for comment.

SHY ABOUT ASKING FOR MONEY?

Chronicle of Philanthropy
11 December 2014

FUNDRAISING TIPS FOR CHARITY LEADERS SHY ABOUT ASKING FOR MONEY
by Maria Di Mento 

As a part of the article, “Fundraisers find painless ways for nonprofit leaders to raise money.”

Cultivating philanthropists and asking for donations can be tough for even the most seasoned fundraisers. Nor nonprofit leaders who are thrust into the role, raising money can be fraught with anxiety or distaste.

But there are ways to get beyond the discomfort and learn to enjoy working for donors, say nonprofit leaders:

•          If you feel uncomfortable asking for money, don’t do it. Instead, talk about your nonprofit’s mission and its successes. Then let the development officer do the asking.
•          When requesting a donation, remember that you are not asking for yourself but the people and programs your organization services.
•          Know and follow the highest standards of fundraising ethics.
•          When cultivating a donor, sometimes it is better to talk less and listen carefully to what the donor is telling you about his or her interests.
•          Know every aspect of your organization’s needs and as much detail as possible about donor’s interests and other causes they support.

Click here – subscription based.

The math why we do planned giving now....

CALL US 800.490.7090

But We Need The Money Now! Who has time to pursue planned gifts when cash is needed now? People who know these numbers, that's who: The average time from inception to maturity for a planned gift is 7-10 years (that's only a few years longer than most campaign pledge periods). The typical capital gift target is 20 times larger than a donor's largest annual fund gift. The typical completed planned gift is 200 times the size of a donor's largest annual fund gift. Your planned giving prospect pool may be as much as 5 times larger than your capital pool. Do the math and you will make time for planned gifts.

Obama signs IRA legislation

American Council on Gift Annuities - 19 Decemeber 2014
from an email newsletter they sent out.

Today, President Barack Obama signed legislation to reinstate retroactively the IRA charitable rollover. While the timeline for making IRA charitable rollover gifts is tight (the reinstatement expires January 1, 2015), it is not too late to let your donors know that they still have time to take advantage of this gifting opportunity. The provision allows each IRA owner who is 70 1/2 or older to make direct transfers of up to a total of $100,000 per year to one or more qualified charities. The IRA charitable rollover is tax-free and not included in adjusted gross income. For more information and planning thoughts, please watch the video presentation from Emanuel J. Kallina II, J.D., LL.M., Managing Member of Kallina & Associates, LLC and ACGA Board member.

As a reminder, the IRA rollover provision excludes IRA transfers to fund charitable gift annuities.

Wineries Of Old Mission Donates $8k To Nonprofits

December 22, 2014: TC Ticker

The Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula (WOMP) are donating more than $8,000 to northern Michigan nonprofits this holiday season, proceeds from their annual Day of Giving event held on December 13. Each winery donated 15 percent of tasting room and online sales to the nonprofit of their choice. Here's the list: 2 Lads Winery: $500 to Food Rescue of Northwest Michigan Black Star Farms: $330 to Traverse Health Clinic Bowers Harbor Vineyards: $350 to TART Trails Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery: $500 to the Father Fred Foundation Chateau Grand Traverse: $750 to the Women's Resource Center Peninsula Cellars: $500 to Gift of Live Michigan Hawthorne Vineyards: $676 to Mariposa Pathway Chateau Chantal: $700 to American Red Cross of Northwest Michigan In addition, WOMP as a group is donating an additional $500 to each of the selected nonprofits. Permalink

Donations in the name of loved ones offer unique holiday gifts

Grand Traverse Insider Published: Monday, December 22, 2014

By Kristine Morris

Contributing Writer

Photo by Kristine Morris Wings of Wonder, the organization that serves to rehabilitate injured and ill raptors and return them to their natural environment, can use extra help this holiday season

REGION – During this holiday season, it’s good to remember those who have suffered losses or are in need. And what better gift can there be than one that honors its recipient with a donation to a worthy cause in their name? Here are a few suggestions:

More - Click here

NorthSky Publishes Nonprofit Needs Assessment for Northwest Lower MI

From NorthSky weekly e-blast | 19 December 2014

NorthSky Publishes Nonprofit Needs Assessment for Northwest Lower MI

 

Rotary Charities of Traverse City and its capacity building program, NorthSky, collected information from nonprofits in the 10-county region during 2013 and 2014. According to the report, area nonprofits need to focus on bolstering four areas: leadership, collaboration, capacity and resources. 

Click here for download of report

Philanthropy as Key Ingredient to American Capitalist Economy - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly

December 5, 2014; San Francisco Chronicle


<Forwarded from Planned Giving Design Center, 19 December 2014>



Ronnie J. Phillips is an economics professor at Colorado State
University and an expert in entrepreneurial economics. His take on
economics shows in a recent opinion piece that categorizes philanthropy
as “the backbone of American capitalism.”


In 2002, Phillips co-authored a piece
with Zoltan Acs of George Mason University contending that the
combination of entrepreneurship (“the creation of wealth”) and
philanthropy (“the reconstitution of wealth”) distinguished American
capitalism from other forms of capitalism. The usual theory is that
capitalist wealth generates and stimulates philanthropy, but they wrote
that philanthropy contributed substantially to American prosperity
through knowledge creation and entrepreneurship. It’s a theory that
makes sense for Phillips, who has spent time as a research fellow with
the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, American philanthropy’s preeminent
supporter of entrepreneurialism.


In his new op-ed, Phillips suggests that “Spending and giving stem
from very different motives, yet both are crucial to maintaining the
vitality of a capitalist economy.” He writes that in addition to
entrepreneurial activity, “the other essential component of American
economic, political and social stability is philanthropy—that is,
distribution of wealth.” In other words, philanthropic altruism isn’t
standing in contrast to capitalist self-interest, but altruism, like
self-interest, contributes to the creation of opportunity and progress.
The excess returns of self-interest that create immense wealth flow into
philanthropy, which creates opportunities for future generations.


More - click below

Philanthropy as Key Ingredient to American Capitalist Economy - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly

“Out of the Box and Onto the Bottom Line” - 1/2 Day Workshop

From an email ...

January 9, 2015 - Half-day Workshop

Friday 8-12 noon

Traverse City Country Club

“Out of the Box and Onto the Bottom Line”

Creative and innovative thinking tools and techniques to generate "out of the box" ideas and improve decision-making and problem-solving.

Featuring International Creative Coach and Author John Canfield.

REGISTER NOW before the holidays so you won't miss a great opportunity to learn some creative thinking tools that you will draw from for a lifetime! FREE BOOK included with registration. ($15.00 Value) 

WHAT PAST PARTICIPANTS HAVE SAID ABOUT THIS WORKSHOP WITH JOHN:

"Worth the time and cost. At least a half-dozen ideas I can implement next week."

“Well worth my time. Best seminar I’ve attended!”

“Loved it. Blew away my belief that I couldn’t be creative.”

“Found it enlightening, good use time and fun to boot!"

“I can do this. I can apply this in my real life, at work and at home.”

What better way to start the new year than a lively, interactive workshop where you'll generate ideas and strategies you can implement immediately. Bring current work issues and learn and "work" at the same time! At this time of year, what about giving yourself or someone else the gift of professional development for 2015?

LEARN MORE OR REGISTER HERE

Presenter:  John Canfield, Creative Coach, Facilitator and Author of "The Good Thinking Series"

John Canfield has recently presented this seminar to companies in Austria, Brunei, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Washington DC, and other US locations.  This is a rare opportunity to hear this international speaker in Traverse City!

BRING YOUR TEAM!

This seminar is most effective when intact work teams attend together to address current, real problems  RIGHT IN THE SESSION while learning to practice and apply the creative and innovative thinking tools.  

                                                                                        FREE BOOK!

That's why we're giving a $10 per ticket discount when you purchase 3 or more tickets to this workshop from your organization! 

So bring your work issues and bring your team!

Tickets:  $69 or ($59 with multiple ticket discount)

(Includes Free $15 book!)

TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR OUR NEXT CEO SPEAKER SERIES PRESENTATION!

Friday, February 13, 2015  11:15-1:00 PM

"Rising From the Ashes - Leading Through Adversity"

Matt Davis, CEO, Armor Express

Learn how Matt built a strong team, made difficult decisions and persevered in the face of numerous obstacles as he had led Armor Express through start up to now capturing an impressive 20% of market share.  Armor Express has helped save numerous lives across the country and around the world through their protective body armor. Matt will also talk about how they use many of the lean principles reflected in our featured book "Lean Turnaround"  as part of their growth strategy. These lean strategies can be applied in all types of organizations and industries.  Register now.

Mark Your Calendars so you don't miss our up-coming speakers:

April 10, 2015 | Lou Anna K. Simon, President, Michigan State University

June 12, 2015 | Neal Ronquist, Publisher, Traverse City Record-Eagle

The Leadership Lunch Club is the creation of Center for Coaching & Leadership Development.

LLC is an outstanding program and concept of using local leaders to interact with national leadership topics for the benefit of the regional profit and non-profit leadership.

   

Purchase A Ribbon And Help Conquer Cancer

TC Ticker -

December 19, 2014

Thanks to all of our Ticker readers who've been purchasing ribbons to honor a friend or loved one who's faced cancer for the upcoming Conquering Cancer issue of the Northern Express! With every dollar of every ribbon going to the Munson Cancer Patient Needs Fund and the McLaren Northern Michigan Cancer Survivorship Program, we want to keep the momentum building. To purchase a ribbon bearing the name of someone you love to be printed in the upcoming January 12 issue for just $20, click here. Together we can raise awareness and help benefit some great causes here in northern Michigan! Permalink

Community Foundation doles out nearly $200K in grants

Record Eagle, 19 December 2014, online edition
BY SARAH ELMS selms@record-eagle.com
Posted: Thursday, December 18, 2014 3:45 pm

TRAVERSE CITY — Love In the Name of Christ, a cooperative organization between local churches and assistance agencies, can launch a transportation outreach program, thanks to a $4,000 grant.

The program will help pay for gas, car seats and one-time emergency repairs for people who need transportation to hold employment or make it to critical doctor's appointments, said Tim Hamilton, the organization's executive director.

Love, INC is one of about 40 organizations in Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau counties to benefit from the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation's latest round of grants.

The foundation's board members approved $198,773 in awards for the fall grant cycle. A large portion — $74,260 — was allocated from the Youth Endowment through the Youth Advisory Council.

More than 100 students from across the five-county region participate in the council. They learn about philanthropy and grant-making and then review applications for services that benefit the youth community.
"They make the recommendations to our board. They really are in the decision-making seat," said Alison Metiva, the foundation's spokeswoman.

Child and Family Services of Northwestern Michigan received 11 grants from the youth endowment, and the benefit reaches all five counties.

"The youth are very supportive of that organization and generally have a real heart for supporting their peers," Metiva said.

Health and human services organizations and programs also received significant funding from Community Foundation grants.


The Traverse Health Clinic received $2,000 toward sustaining its homeless outreach program, which allows a physician and mental health counselor to make weekly visits to the Goodwill Inn.

More - Click here

IRA Charitable Rollover Passed Yesterday

From an email from Crescendo Interactive....

On December 16, the Senate passed HR 5771 which included a one year extension of expired tax provisions retroactive to January 1, 2014. This reauthorizes the IRA charitable rollover through December 31, 2014. Donors age 70 1/2 and older may transfer up to $100,000 from their IRA to a qualified public charity. The transfer will be made free of federal income tax and the gift qualifies for the donor's 2014 required minimum distribution (RMD).

Because your window of opportunity is short for marketing IRA rollover gifts, we recommend that you contact by phone and/or email anyone who has made an IRA rollover gift in the past or expressed interest this year. Keep in mind that it often takes IRA administrators several weeks to process rollover transactions. In order to complete the gift by year end, your donors will need to contact their administrators right away.

Contact them if you are in need of marketing assistance.

"Crescendo Interactive, Inc." <crescendo@cresmail.com>

TC SCORE Celebrates 25 Years - Grand Traverse Insider Page 10

SCORE Celebrates - Click below



Grand Traverse Insider Page 10

Dancers prep for ‘Hoedown Showdown’ - Grand Traverse Insider - Morning Star Publishing

By Karin Beery
Contributing Writer

Photo courtesy of Windborne Photography Brenda Sampson-Welch and Danny Brizard danced for Conflict Resolution Services. The mediation service, which has been in Traverse City for 25 years, has raised almost $20,000 in two months.

View and purchase photos

TRAVERSE CITY – In only two months, SwingShift and the Stars Dance-off for Charity has raised more than $162,000 for six local charities. The dancers are putting on their cowboy boots this month as they prepare to dance to country band Rebooted, all while continuing to raise funds and awareness for their respective charities.

In October, for the second month in a row, the Leelanau Christian Neighbors team of Troy Broad and Pam McCormick won the dance competition, taking the lead with 17.1 points. Close behind are Brenda Sampson-Welch and Danny Brizard, dancing for Conflict Resolution Services with 16.5 points.

Leelanau Christian Neighbors has also led the way with funds raised, bringing in $27,832 in October, raising their total to almost $85,000. October’s featured charities – Conflict Resolution Services and BrickWays Foundation – raised $7,000 and $5,700 each, bringing their event totals to $19,847 and $16,680.

Becky Garland, executive director of Conflict Resolution Services, said the October event exceeded their expectations.

“It was beyond what we expected, and not just in money raised, but in the enthusiasm of the people there and the way the video was received.”

More - Click below

Dancers prep for ‘Hoedown Showdown’ - Grand Traverse Insider - Morning Star Publishing

Local hotel manager honored for work with the homeless - Grand Traverse Insider - Morning Star Publishing

By Mike Norton
Special to the Insider - 14 December 2014

Courtesy photo Kathy Kelly works in her familiar place, behind the front desk at the Sleep Inn & Suites in Acme.

View and purchase photos

ACME – Choice Hotels International has named the manager of a local hotel one of its 2014 “Community Heroes” for working to put local hotels in the front lines of helping homeless families.

Kathy Kelly, general manager at the Sleep Inn & Suites in Acme, was recognized for enlisting her own property and several others in a lodging voucher program for families who need emergency shelter.

“We can’t deny the fact that we have homeless people in our community, or that the face of homelessness has changed in recent years,” she said. “This could easily happen to any one of us. But we in the hospitality industry have a vehicle that can put this issue to bed in our community. And really, hospitality is synonymous with helping people.”

The idea began last winter, on a bitterly cold New Year’s Eve. Kelly was volunteering at a local crisis hotline when she received a call from a homeless mother who was nearly out of gas and needed a place for herself and her two children. All the town’s usual homeless shelters were either full or couldn’t accept families with children.

More - click below

Local hotel manager honored for work with the homeless - Grand Traverse Insider - Morning Star Publishing

Succession planning, funding challenge area nonprofits

December 16, 2014 - Traverse City Record Eagle
BY SARAH ELMS  selms@record-eagle.com

TRAVERSE CITY — Leadership, collaboration, capacity and resources. Those are the four areas that nonprofit organizations in northwest lower Michigan need to bolster, according to the 2014 Nonprofit Needs Assessment.

Rotary Charities of Traverse City, Northsky Nonprofit Network and Networks Northwest officials compiled the report, which is part of a regional prosperity plan for northwest lower Michigan's 10 counties.

Freya Bradford, Rotary Charities' learning officer, said one of the main challenges nonprofit officials face today is dwindling financial resources.

"They're trying to do more with less. Public funding is declining, and they're trying to figure out how to fill those gaps," Bradford said. "It's bringing to the forefront the need to work together in new ways."

The report suggests organizations share positions such as bookkeepers or marketing staff to save money and collaborate more to address common missions and goals.

More - Click here (subscription may be required)

SEEDS To Get National Award

December 16, 2014: TC Ticker

Local nonprofit SEEDS will be presented with a 2015 Project of the Year Award at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. in February at the annual conference of The Corps Network, a national association of Conservation Corps. The project, "GURLS! Corps – Girls United for Resilience, Leadership and Service," was created through a partnership with Child and Family Services of Northwest Michigan to provide opportunities for teenagers aging out of the foster care system and supported financially by the Biederman Foundation. Throughout the summer, the GURLS! Corps worked alongside local women who work for the National Park Service, regional land conservancies and local businesses. They worked with and were mentored by women who are historical architects, farmers, chefs, business owners, skill trades workers and biologists. "We were fortunate to be connected with five extraordinary young women – two of whom are sisters – and we knew that creating a girls-only team with a female team leader would free them of the complicated social pressures that arise when young men and women work together," says Bill Watson, director of youth programs at SEEDS. "The safe space that was created allowed them to share their difficult family backgrounds and really explore and cultivate their own resilience and leadership." Permalink

Non-financial Benefits to Planned Giving

From Planned Giving Design Center Weekly Newsletter

Excellent article asking professional advisers to also remember the non-financial benefits to charitable gift planning. Click here for the article.

I really like these questions for planners:

Top 10 Key Charitable Client Questions for Professional Advisors

1. Are you a family that cares about others beyond the family?
2. Do you care about passing on to your children and grandchildren a legacy of philanthropy and volunteerism?
3. What is the best gift you ever made?  Why?
4. What is the worst gift you ever made? Why?
5. Have you ever thought about what kind of personal legacy you want to leave?
6. Are their things that you are passionate about today - your “annuals” - that you hope will continue forever - your “perennials”?
7. If we can first make sure that you will meet your personal and family financial and lifestyle goals, and to the extent there are additional financial surpluses, what do you want to do with those assets?
8. Have you volunteered during your life, and if so, what did you most enjoy?
9. Looking forward, are there things in society you would like to see change?  Do you have a plan on how you will do that?
10. Are you aware of all the volunteering and nonprofit career resources currently available and how we could use them to match your passions and skills with organizational needs?

Needed: Gifts For Teen Assistance Program

December 13, 2014: TC Ticker

The Salvation Army – Traverse City is in particular need of gifts for teens this holiday season for its Christmas Assistance program. Some good gift ideas include $25 gift cards for Visa, Mastercard, Old Navy, The Gap, or Aeropostale. Gift cards to local book stores, movie theatres or for food are also appreciated. Gifts may be dropped off at The Salvation Army Community Center at 1239 Barlow. Permalink

Hagerty Names Its Nonprofit Partner

What a great example .... December 12, 2014: TC Ticker

TART Trails has been selected as Hagerty's 2015 Nonprofit Partner, the company announced at an annual celebration last night. TART will receive a financial gift of $25,000 as well as employee service and pro bono consulting to boost the organization's capacity. "TART shares in our commitment to economic development," says McKeel Hagerty, president and CEO. “We share a common vision to provide healthy, accessible trail systems to benefit residents in the Grand Traverse region with a concentration on driving infrastructure that will help our increasingly linked communities grow. Our employees anticipate being able to work side-by-side with the organization’s leadership in 2015 to leverage additional resources and, together, positively impact our community.” TART participated in a competitive review process for the partnership. It is the second year of Hagerty's Annual Nonprofit Partner program. The selection of its nonprofit partner culminates a year of giving by Hagerty, which has generated more than 10,000 hours of service to communities in which the company operates. Year-end giving included the adoption of 97 elementary-aged students in the Traverse City Area Public Schools for Christmas. Hagerty also held donation drives for various nonprofits at its Traverse City headquarters and at its offices in Denver, Canada and the United Kingdom. Permalink

Reminders to give

 

Remember to remind your prospects and donors of different ways of giving other than cash which they may be able to use to support your organization.  This reminder appeared in the Grand Traverse Pavilions Neighborhood News: Week 12/14 - 12/20/2014.

Rotary Awards $585k To Area Groups : News : The Ticker

Rotary Charities of Traverse City has announced the recipients of its
fall grant cycle – including $50,000 awards to ArtCenter Traverse City
in support of its merger with Crooked Tree Arts Council, the Traverse
City Film Festival toward projection equipment for the Bijou, Inland
Seas Education Association for program support, Habitat for Humanity for
capacity building and Stoneshouse (Dann's House) for programming.

More ...

Rotary Awards $585k To Area Groups : News : The Ticker

Leelanau Christian Neighbors in the running for $20K grant - Grand Traverse Insider

Photo courtesy Scott Walker.  Leelanau Christian Neighbors has been named a contestant in a National Food Pantry Holiday Makeover and needs public votes. The organization runs food pantries in Suttons Bay andNorthport; a Baby Pantry; Blessings in a Backpack, which provides foodfor at-risk schoolchildren over the weekends; and the Neighborhood Assistance Ministry for families with financial emergencies.

The contest is sponsored by the Walmart Foundation. Shown (from left) are:Blessings in a Backpack volunteers Cindy Daniel, Marcie Lindo, Jennifer Loud and Moonyeen Fitch.

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Leelanau Christian Neighbors in the running for $20K grant - Grand Traverse Insider - Morning Star Publishing

Talent of local students helps support Habitat project, mission - Grand Traverse Insider

Courtesy photo
Student-built stud-walls that were pre-constructed at the Career-Tech Center construction trades program indoor construction bay weredelivered to the Habitat for Humanity Depot Development property on
Tuesday, Dec. 2. 

TRAVERSE CITY – Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District Career-Tech Center students have been engaged in a community buildingproject with the Habitat for Humanity Depot Development property in
Traverse City for the past several weeks.

On Tuesday, Dec. 2,students and community volunteers will engaged in another phase of the construction process with the delivery and installation of student-built stud-walls that were pre-constructed at the Career-Tech Center (CTC)construction trades program indoor construction bay.

“In the days ahead, the Depot neighborhood in Traverse City will witness continuedprogress through the skill and talent of our youth which is nurtured byprofessional instructors and partnering business mentors at the TBACareer-Tech Center,” said CTC construction trades instructor Tom Sensabaugh.


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Talent of local students helps support Habitat project, mission - Grand Traverse Insider - Morning Star Publishing

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