Category: Donor Resources

If you’ve supported a particular charitable organization for many years, and perhaps even served on its board of directors, you are likely familiar with some basic concepts of “trust-based philanthropy,” even if you didn’t know that’s what it is called.

As a consistent supporter of the nonprofit organizations you love, you know an organization’s chances of success are greatest when its leadership and talented staff can deploy resources in the ways they believe will best fulfill the mission. This, in turn, sometimes translates into an organization placing a high value on what are called “unrestricted” donations, meaning that the organization can use the dollars where they are needed most.

At Whidbey Community Foundation, we are honored to talk with donors and fund holders every single day about favorite causes and how best to support those causes, whether through a donor-advised fund, an unrestricted gift to the community foundation, a legacy gift to particular organizations or to the community foundation itself, and everything in between.

If your email inbox—and even your actual mailbox—is any indication, year-end must be right around the corner! You’ve likely already started to get reminders, tax tips, charitable giving strategies, and appeals from organizations you care about. It can be a lot! The good news is that thoughtful year-end giving does not have to be complicated. Whidbey Community Foundation can help you sort through the noise, coordinate with your tax and financial advisors, and focus on the decisions that really matter.

“Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” — John Lennon

You’ve certainly heard that well-known quote. But have you thought about it in the context of your charitable giving? It’s common to create a charitable giving plan during a particular season of life. Perhaps you established a donor-advised fund after selling a business, included charitable gifts in your estate plan when your children were young, or began supporting favorite causes after retirement.

At the community foundation, we are honored to work with many families across multiple generations. Quite frequently, parents and grandparents share with us their hopes of passing along to the next generation more than just financial assets. They want to pass along values, encourage generosity, and foster a lifelong commitment to community.