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17 <br /> 1 Bob Marotto, Orange County Animal Services Director, reviewed the following <br /> 2 information: <br /> 3 BACKGROUND: <br /> 4 In 2013, the Orange County Community Giving Fund was created as a mechanism for <br /> 5 residents and others to make donations to the County for specific public purposes. The fund is <br /> 6 County-wide and all departments have an equal opportunity to participate in this purpose. <br /> 7 The creation of the fund was partially in response to feedback that there may be <br /> 8 hesitations on the part of the public to donate to the County's general fund. Of special concern <br /> 9 was that people did not believe that they are able to decide where and how donated money is <br /> 10 used. Additionally, the ability to roll funds over from one year to another was challenging and a <br /> 11 secondary fetter on purposive giving. <br /> 12 The Community Giving Fund, in contrast, contains a structure that guarantees donations <br /> 13 will only be used for the specified purpose for which they are made. It also has an advantage of <br /> 14 rolling funds over from year to year for specific projects and programs that may be long-term <br /> 15 and unable to be completed in a shorter time frame. All donations to the fund are tax-exempt. <br /> 16 The fund has continued to grow annually, in both scope and size, with several changes <br /> 17 being made along the way as the County has become more familiar with its opportunities and <br /> 18 how to most effectively fit them to its needs. One of these has been introducing the ability to <br /> 19 refresh the menu of giving opportunities on a semi-annual basis as needs change and grow <br /> 20 within departments or on the County level. Another has been the introduction of the fund to the <br /> 21 County's Combined Giving Campaign, a change that first took place in 2014 and will continue <br /> 22 for the upcoming 2015 drive. <br /> 23 Most recently the County has begun to connect larger initiatives to the potential provided <br /> 24 by the Community Giving Fund. Illustrations include the Family Success Alliance, My Brother's <br /> 25 Keeper, and the Veteran's Memorial. In the latter case, efforts were underway to find a suitable <br /> 26 donation mechanism for the memorial; and ultimately, funds were transferred from another <br /> 27 source into the Community Giving Fund to jumpstart the project. <br /> 28 Currently, the managing committee for the Community Giving Fund is considering <br /> 29 extending outreach about the fund to civic groups active in the County. It is anticipated that this <br /> 30 would take place in the form of in-person presentations to a broad range of active civic <br /> 31 organizations in Orange County. In addition to its form and content, thought is being given to <br /> 32 the timing of such an outreach initiative. <br /> 33 <br /> 34 RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommended that the BOCC receive the update from <br /> 35 staff on the Orange County Community Giving Fund and provide comments and direction as <br /> 36 appropriate. <br /> 37 Bob Marotto made the following PowerPoint presentation: <br /> 38 <br /> 39 Community Giving Fund <br /> 40 Where We Are, Where We're Going <br /> 41 <br /> 42 History <br /> 43 Started in 2013 <br /> 44 A young endeavor still <br /> 45 Has grown and continues to grow in potential <br /> 46 — i.e. Animal Services dog play yard <br /> 47 Managed by the Triangle Community Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization <br /> 48 — They're able to handle various types of donations <br /> 49 — They receive a small percentage for their services <br /> 50 Stats <br />