Strengthening Communities Through Smarter, More Resilient Giving
Partner with the Foundation to expand your charitable giving portfolio to support the community in times of need.
By Aurea Gerard, Director of Philanthropic Advising
Many people are not fully aware of the extent to which nonprofits shape everyday life in our communities. From social services to education, healthcare and the arts, nonprofits touch nearly every aspect of quality of life.
Minnesota has more than 31,000 nonprofit organizations, and Minnesotans give nearly $3.4 billion to them each year. These organizations often become even more essential during periods of economic uncertainty, when demand for services tends to rise just as resources can feel more constrained.
Even the possibility of a downturn can influence financial decisions, including charitable giving. It is natural to feel more cautious. At the same time, history shows that community needs often increase during challenging economic periods — making it important to stay engaged in philanthropy.
As you think about your charitable giving this year, this may be a good moment to step back and consider not only where you give, but also how you structure your giving for long-term impact.
In these cases, donors and fundholders should consider expanding their portfolios of giving to include contributions to a community foundation. This can take several forms, each of which plays a meaningful role.
Operating Support
Some donors choose to support the community foundation’s initiatives.
The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation offers immediate giving options to respond to the urgent challenges of our community, such as our Community Sharing Fund that supports individuals and families facing short-term financial setbacks; Rapid Response Fund supporting Minnesotans during moments of civic, environmental and social disruption; and Community Leadership Fund that provides support to strengthen civic infrastructure by supporting our role as a convener and connector.
This type of support helps ensure that the Foundation can continue serving as a trusted resource — connecting donors to causes, responding to emerging needs and stewarding charitable funds with care and expertise. It is an investment not only in today’s giving, but also in the long-term strength of the philanthropic infrastructure in our community.
Support for Grant programs
Contributions to unrestricted or broadly focused funds allow the Foundation to respond quickly and thoughtfully to the most pressing challenges facing our communities.
During periods of chaos or economic strain, this flexibility can be especially powerful, enabling support to reach the people and organizations that need it most, at the moment it matters most.
A Hybrid Approach
In many cases, donors adopt a dual strategy — continuing to support favorite organizations directly or through the community foundation’s grant programs while also allocating a portion of their giving to the community foundation itself.
This approach can help balance personal philanthropic interests with broader community impact, creating a more resilient and adaptable giving strategy.
The Foundation’s unique role is what makes these approaches effective. Our team maintains deep knowledge of local needs, works closely with nonprofit partners, and is positioned to deploy resources where they can do the greatest good over time.
Expanding your portfolio of giving in this way can provide an added layer of confidence. You can continue supporting the causes you care about while also strengthening our ability to respond and make a difference across the state — now and in the years ahead.
We are excited to work with you as you consider how your philanthropy can support both immediate needs and lasting impact for our entire community. To learn more about how we can be of support to you on your giving journey, contact your Philanthropic Advisor or a member of our Gift Planning team at 651.224.5463 or philanthropy@spmcf.org.
About the Author
As Director of Philanthropic Advising, Aurea Gerard is responsible for leading the Foundation's dynamic team of philanthropic advisors. In her role, Aurea partners with donors to help them reach their philanthropic goals and deepen their engagement with the Foundation.
Aurea joined the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation in 2012 and brought with her a wealth of experience in the nonprofit sector. Aurea studied at the University of Saint Thomas and holds an associate's degree and a bachelor's degree in business administration and metaphysical science. She also holds a master’s degree in metaphysical science.
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