Promoting and Facilitating Philanthropy
The Foundation promotes and facilitates philanthropy by serving as a Grantmaker, a Donor Service Organization, a Fundraiser, and a Community Leader.
Grantmaker
The Foundation operates a broad grants program to multiple grantees which is not limited to a single focus or cause or exclusively to the interests of a particular constituency. Each year we award some grants from discretionary resources, through an open and competitive process that seeks to address the changing and unmet needs of Washington County.
Donor Service Organization
The Foundation works to educate and engage donors in identifying and addressing community issues and grant-making opportunities. We accept and administer a diversity of gift and fund types to meet the varied philanthropic objectives of our donors and the needs of Washington County. Also, we provide individual assistance and research services to donors regarding area nonprofits.
As a service to donors, we maintain on this website a searchable database of more than 100 registered 501(c)(3) local charities, which have been vetted by the Foundation and which participate in our annual giving event WCCF Gives. Through the Community Snapshot website, Storybook website, as well as several printed and electronic publications, we help to educate donors regarding effective programs being offered by local charities.
Fundraiser
The Foundation utilizes a comprehensive development plan to secure contributions from both individual and institutional donors. Development strategies include annual appeals, major gift solicitation, planned gift solicitation, and capital campaigns. Over the years, the Foundation has received many gifts of appreciated securities, several gifts of gas royalties, numerous bequests, as well as several IRA qualified charitable distributions. We have also received two real estate gifts, one that was maintained for the Foundation’s charitable purposes, and one that was sold at auction. The Foundation owns several life insurance policies, insuring the lives of specific donors and whose proceeds are targeted to specific charitable goals. The Foundation has been the beneficiary of several charitable remainder trusts, and received and owns several Real Estate Limited Partnerships.
Community Leader
The Foundation works to identify and address community issues and opportunities and also serves as a leader and convener. We provide various educational programs and technical assistance to area charities.
Since 2013 the Foundation has hosted WCCF Gives, a county-wide giving event free to eligible charities serving Washington County to secure unrestricted financial support. Contributions received are increased by a percentage of a $100,000 bonus pool.
We also administer the Storybook website which seeks to educate the community about the important work being done by charities in Washington County through storytelling. Stories are shared in various printed and electronic publications. There is no cost to charities for participating in the Storybook project.
In 2023 the Foundation launched the Community Snapshot website, a continual community needs and assets resource, also free to all participants. It includes an overview of the community's needs as well as the most pressing needs of individual nonprofits.