Philanthropy: the desire to benefit humanity; a desire to improve the material, social and spiritual welfare of humanity, especially through charitable activities.
Getting involved, helping out, and speaking up are cornerstones of America. Nonprofits ensure richness to the fabric of our community through their positive impact on culture, the arts, heath issues, social services, civic matters and educational endeavors.
Often business owners have to overcome the question: How can I participate in philanthropic giving? Giving can be seen as a cumbersome and difficult task that involves fielding a lot of questions from different organizations and making giving decisions that can leave out nonprofits that are doing great work. While some businesses incorporate their professional and personal values into a strategic giving plan, other companies just want to “help the community” and want to see the results of their dollars put to good work.
Giving to a granting organization like Swift allows a business owner to generally support the community and a wide range of organizations, providing the business owner with an easy way to support the community that does not have them choosing sides between the organizations their friends, family or employees would like them to support.
Also, many foundations have simple and easy ways for employers and their employees to get involved. At Swift, for example, giving is simple. We have convenient ways for employers and employees to get involved.
•Donate monthly directly from your checking, savings, or credit card account.
•Employers can match employee giving. If something is not already set-up, Swift can mail you quarterly statements of employee donations.
•Become a member. Volunteering in the community puts a face on the giver and helps businesses make connections.
Swift grants have funded a wide variety of projects from public art, playgrounds, peer mediation programs to prevent school violence, and community kitchens to feed the homeless, to medical equipment for clinics and life saving rescue equipment.
Year after year, our organization has been blessed by many businesses that have stepped forward with in-kind gifts and event sponsorships. The money goes directly back to the community in social and health services, cultural, education and the arts. Giving to a granting organization like Swift can take some of the confusion out of giving for business owners and ensure their money is professionally stewarded into programs that mean the most to the community.
More than $4 million in Swift grants have been awarded to more than 1,200 projects and organizations in Southwest Washington since 1975. Gabriela Laddusaw is the managing director of Swift, and Debby Dover is the vice president of marketing. Laddusaw can be reached at 360-619-4498, or visit www.swiftgrants.org.
