Guest Commentary | Donor-funded grants boost local arts and animal welfare programs
Everyone has a charitable cause near and dear to their hearts. Hunger, literacy, poverty, mental health, housing and the environment top many lists. Other individuals focus their passion on specific demographics, like seniors, veterans, women and children.
No cause is more or less important than another. If it’s important to you, then it’s important.
Knowing how to act on that passion is another matter. Where do you start? Who do you trust? How do you know your dollars are actually making a difference?
Collaboratory brings people and organizations together around shared goals. The foundation’s philanthropic work aligns with three priorities - workforce and education, community infrastructure, and health and wellness — but that’s just the start. Donors can also establish a fund that reflects the causes and social issues they are most passionate about. Sometimes those causes don’t fit neatly into a box or cannot be solved by any single organization. That’s exactly where field-of-interest funds come into play.
One example, Collaboratory’s philanthropic team works with generous individuals who are passionate about the arts and want to enhance cultural opportunities across the region. Meanwhile, another passionate group of animal lovers wanted to improve the lives of dogs, cats and other animals.
The result?
Established by donors and managed by Collaboratory, the Arts and Animals field-of-interest grants have deployed $90,000 this fall to 14 local, mission-focused nonprofit organizations that enrich, enhance and enlighten our community:
• Alliance for the Arts
• Arts Bonita
• Caloosa Humane Society
• Cape Coral Animal Shelter and Veterinary Clinic
• Florida Repertory Theatre
• Guardians of Florida Animal Rescue
• Gulf Coast Humane Society
• Gulf Coast Symphony
• Haven on Earth Animal League
• Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary
• The Animal Refuge Center
• The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, CROW
• The Fort Myers Community Concert Association
• The Music Foundation of Southwest Florida
Southwest Florida is home to hundreds of impactful nonprofits led by incredibly talented teams, many more than reflected in the list above.
Some are well-known, larger organizations with leadership who regularly share stories of success with the masses.
Others are small-but-mighty operations on shoestring budgets, yet manage to generate an enormous return on investment thanks to hardworking staff and dedicated volunteers. Each one of these community-focused organizations deserve praise, celebration and support.
Anyone can cut a check and be on their way. The donors who funded the Arts and Animals grants approached Collaboratory seeking a philanthropic partner to identify and honor local nonprofits that prove their value every day by creating measurable impact in the community. They wanted a partner who knew the landscape and could ask tough questions about outcomes, finances and impact. Most of all, they wanted a partner who would ensure every dollar landed where it would do the most good as part of their legacy.
That is the value of a field-of-interest fund. You don’t have to vet the applicants or track the results. You bring us what you care about and we help build the structure around it and ensure the organizations stay accountable to the results.
If you’re passionate about a cause, get involved.
Go volunteer.
Go donate.
If there’s a cause you can’t stop thinking about, start a conversation with our team. We’ll listen, we’ll do the homework and we’ll help turn your ideas and generosity into true impact.
Dawn Belamarich is president and CEO of Collaboratory, a regional community foundation and convener committed to coordinating solutions to the region’s most pressing social challenges.