04 Apr Give 365: A way YOU can help solve the funding gap.
In our last article, we saw how our Mastermind McPherson County categories and priorities can be applied to our regular grants cycle. While we’d like to fund every request that could have a community impact, we are still limited by funding. During our fiscal year 2022-23, we received over $1.2 million in grant requests and were able to release $575,342 over that span. An incredible number by itself, but that leaves us with a $645,232 funding gap countywide.
What is our answer to solving this gap? Give365.
Give365 is a gifting program that was originally started as an entry-level program for those just getting familiar with the foundation. Give $1 each day to the foundation ($365 a year) and join other members in deciding what the pooled funding will support. A great concept, but with the growing funding gap we think that the program can be tweaked to further impact our communities.
Think about it like this: If 1% of McPherson County gave $365 annually to the foundation what would that look like?
300 people giving $365 annually = $109,500 towards the gap.
Take half and add it to the dream fund endowment to expand the foundation’s granting capacity, while the other half goes directly towards current grant requests under $5,000. A concept that not only can provide immediate funding for requests today but can also start to close that overall funding gap over time.
With the change, this means that the program will no longer have any time commitments, such as committee meetings or application reviews. Just donate $365 to the Give365 fund and the foundation will take care of the rest!
We see this as the best way for our community members to make a significant impact, by operating as a collective rather than an individual.
Our first goal is to reach 100 Give365 donors before our Philanthropist of the Year ceremony in Nov. Interested in the program? Click here to donate today, or give us a call at 620-241-9070 if you have any questions!
Give365 FAQ:
Why is the program’s immediate funding targeting grant requests under $5,000?
The average grant request for the 22-23 fiscal year was $10,718, 24 requests over the year totaled between $1,000 and $5,000. If Give365 can address these requests that opens the Foundation’s ‘Dream’ Fund to take care of those that exceed this average.
Why do half of the Give365 gifts go to the Community ‘Dream’ Fund:
This fund is our endowment, meaning that all our granting comes from the earnings of investments. Growing the fund will increase what we can grant every year and close the funding gap over time.
2024 is a leap year does that mean I need to give $366?
While we will never say no to the extra dollar, participation in the program will always be at the $365 mark. Give366 doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue!