Charities report uptick in donations
In a year dominated by international and national disasters, charitable giving and philanthropy in Eastern Washington still showed steady gains, according to two reports released this week.
Both Foundation Northwest and Spokane County United Way announced a boost in gifts, mirroring a national trend in increased giving.
The United Way announcement of $1.7 million in allocations marks the first increase in three years, though the nonprofit remained well below its high of $2.4 million in 2002.
At United Way, allocations dropped in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Some nonprofits feared that the media attention on national and international disasters last year would further draw resources from local agencies – an assumption that did not appear to be reflected in the reports.
“I think it increased people’s awareness to contribute locally,” said Jerrie Allard, vice president of community impact for the Spokane County United Way.
In Kootenai County, United Way allocations increased by $45,000 this year, to $280,000.
Foundation Northwest, whose assets have more than quadrupled in the past decade, announced that it distributed $2 million in charitable gifts this year to human service, education, arts and community development groups, among others.
“With the generosity of individuals plus wise investments, we’ve been able to grow significantly in the past five to 10 years,” said Mark Hurtubise, president and CEO of the community foundation.
In the past three years, the foundation’s assets grew at a rate of 10.8 percent annually, topping more than $47 million, Hurtubise said. Contributions, which can be skewed by exceptionally large private gifts, grew more than $1.4 million last year – the third consecutive year of increase.
Across the Pacific Northwest, a similar trend has emerged after several years of decreased donations.
“The news is very good news,” said Aggie Sweeney, CEO of the Seattle-based Collins Group, which manages 35 different gift campaigns in the Northwest. “What we’re seeing locally is an indication of confidence in the economy.”
High-profile disasters such as Hurricane Katrina may have actually spurred local donations, Sweeney said.
Some nonprofits have also emphasized a more personal approach to giving, allowing philanthropists to advise or recommend how the money be spent.
“More and more people are getting engaged in life-planning, and (philanthropy) can bring phenomenal joy to an individual,” Hurtubise said.
Foundation Northwest, which serves 20 counties in Eastern Washington and North Idaho, actually saw increases in philanthropy in the early 2000s as other agencies struggled.
At United Way, this year’s allocations increased 3.5 percent. The money went to support social and human service programs operated by 31 agencies in Spokane County.
United Way’s local chapter relies on more than 60 volunteers who help distribute the money through the nonprofit’s community fund, according to a press release from the agency.
“Our volunteers are the great strength of our organization,” says John Tombari, chair of the Spokane County board of directors. “These local volunteers make sure that the money people invest in United Way goes to meet the most important needs in our community.”