Happy holidays!
Almost everyone uses that phrase this time of year, but it’s likely that few know that Nov. 15 is National Philanthropy Day and that Nov. 12-18 is Community Foundation Week. Ronald Reagan proposed this holiday in 1986.
I suspect that some in our community may also not know that Manitou Springs has its very own community foundation.
Formed in 2020, the Manitou Springs Community Foundation brings together individuals and organizations to inspire and strengthen community connections, stewardship and well-being. We provide easy access to information and tools to help create and implement individual, family giving or philanthropic plans.
Over the past 20 to 30 years, the concept of philanthropy has changed. It used to be that philanthropy was a tool used by the rich to help reduce taxes and do good work in the community. These days, philanthropy means a lot more and applies to many more people.
After checking a dictionary, I learned that one definition suggests that philanthropy is “the practice of giving money and time to help make life better for other people.” This is exactly what people in and around Manitou Springs do every day.
Who knew that so many people could be called “philanthropists”? The Manitou Springs Community Foundation would like to help support and expand these efforts.
The MSCF is a public charity 501(c)(3) organization managed by a volunteer board of directors. Members include Tweed Kezziah, Laura Neumann, Ann Nichols, Jim Page, Shanti Toll, Susan Watkins and myself.
We are a completely volunteer-run organization and started with a modest $10,000 gift.
As of November 2021, our funds under management (including those specifically allocated through our fiscal sponsorship of the AdAmAn Club 100-year anniversary celebration) and previously funded grants, are almost $450,000.
None of this would be possible without philanthropists like you and your neighbors. More than 100 people and organizations have stepped up to make this possible. We are very grateful for all contributions, large and small.
Our efforts in 2020 and 2021 centered around COVID-19 relief efforts. During the first 60 days of the pandemic, we raised and distributed $145,000, representing $500 grants to 246 individuals who lived or worked in Manitou and were impacted by COVID-19.
We also helped support the great work of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church food pantry, the city of Manitou Springs, the Manitou Music Foundation, the Chamber of Commerce, the First Friday Art Walk, Moonlight Market and the Children of Gaia.
After a running start in 2020 and 2021, the MSCF board has recently begun a three-month process to create a strategy map. This process will help clarify our values, identify how we want to impact the community and define the actions we will need to take.
Key areas we are likely to continue focusing on include donor, grantmaking and community leadership impacts.
We will, of course, share information about our work after it is completed.
The environment is one area of current focus for the foundation. Thus far, we have raised almost $15,000 to be used in collaboration with other community partners to address environmental issues in 2022.
Our primary goal is to help our community deal with the climate crisis and the increasing demands on our fragile environment. Stay tuned for more information or let us know if you’d like to help with this targeted effort.
Please reach out to let us know what you think or suggest how we can be of service to our community. Philanthropy involves all of us working together to build community and make a positive impact for our children, grandchildren and beyond.
And don’t forget to celebrate Giving Tuesday on Nov. 30 and Colorado Gives Day on Dec. 7. You can also check us out at www.ManitouSpringsCommunityFoundation.org.
Happy holidays to all!