PORT TOWNSEND — Norm Rice, CEO of the Seattle Foundation and two-term mayor of Seattle from 1989-1997, recently spoke about “Trends in Philanthropy” to more than 80 supporters of the Jefferson County Community Foundation at RainCoast Farm in Port Townsend.
Rice said that there is a greater trend for donors to “give while they live” instead of saving it all to pass on as a legacy gift or endowment.
“While people still want to give in ways that benefit their communities in the future, they want to be personally connected to the causes they care about in the here and now, and they often do that through both financial gifts and volunteerism.”
Rice added that the Seattle Foundation is seeing a growth in family philanthropy.
Parents and grandparents, he said, are encouraging children to learn about needs in their communities and to discover ways they can be involved in the solutions.
Rice sees community foundations like JCCF as consultants and conduits for this type of strategic giving.
“We are grateful to Mr. Rice for donating his time to speak at our event,” said Carla Caldwell, JCCF executive director.
“As one of the largest community foundations in the country, the Seattle Foundation is generous in its support of smaller foundations like ours.”
After Rice’s presentation, Karen Ciccarone, board member of two Port Townsend-based groups, JC MASH, a nonprofit providing free medical care, and The Boiler Room, a downtown coffeehouse and youth center, spoke about a $6,000 seed grant from JCCF that leveraged other community support to create a free mental health clinic for homeless and at-risk teens.
The Boiler Room will make referrals, and JC MASH will administer the program.
“I can only say that if this clinic saves just one youth, the impact will be immeasurable,” said Ciccarone.
David Goldsmith, board member and former Jefferson County administrator, also spoke to the JCCF gathering about the role of government and nonprofits in solving community problems.
For more information, visit www.jccfgives.org or phone Carla Caldwell at 360-385-1729 or email her at Carla@jccfgives.org.
