Agenda - 11-05-2015 - 8-a - Community Giving Fund Update

Browse Search

2 county's Combined Giving Campaign, a change that first took place in 2014 and will continue for the upcoming 2015 drive. Most recently the County has begun to connect larger initiatives to the potential provided by the Community Giving Fund. Illustrations include the Family Success Alliance, My Brother's Keeper, and the Veteran's Memorial. In the latter case, efforts were underway to find a suitable donation mechanism for the memorial and ultimately, funds were transferred from another source into the Community Giving Fund to jumpstart the project. Currently, the managing committee for the Community Giving Fund is considering extending outreach about the fund to civic groups active in the County. It is anticipated that this would take place in the form of in-person presentations to a broad range of active civic organizations in Orange County. In addition to its form and content, thought is being given to the timing of such an outreach initiative. FINANCIAL IMPACT: As shown by the attached Financial Dashboard, the Community Giving Fund has raised increased amounts of donated funds annually since its creation. In 2013 $9,386 was raised after the fund was opened with a $10,000 start-up fee. In 2014, $32,611 was raised, and thus far this year, $25,732 has been raised. More is expected to be raised this year from the Combined Giving Campaign and the trend of increased donations at the year's end for taxation purposes. Some significant financial contributions have made possible projects that otherwise may not have been completed. One is the Dog Play/Exercise Area at Animal Services, which was made possible through a donation of stocks totaling nearly $13,000. There is hope that a similar response from the public will help to fund the Veteran's Memorial, where the Community Giving Fund will allow flexible donations of traditional and non-traditional types for the anticipated project, and where those with a strong passion for the Memorial will feel secure that gifts will go toward the intended purpose. To date the Community Giving Fund has been made possible through a partnership with the Triangle Community Foundation. The Foundation required a start-up fee of $10,000 in 2013 and also charges an annual administrative fee of (1%) to manage and oversee the fund. To date, the Foundation has managed the fund very successfully and generated income for the Community Giving Fund. SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: There is no Orange County Social Justice Impact Goal associated with this item. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the BOCC receive the update from staff on the Orange County Community Giving Fund and provide comments and direction as appropriate.