 |
|
From Mary's Desk
|
|
When I meet new people and tell them where I work, I often get the question, "The Montana Community Foundation, what's that?" When I first started working for MCF, that question seemed a bit daunting. It felt like we did so many things for so many different constituents that there was really no one-liner, let alone a 30-second elevator speech that could possibly encompass MCF. As we've continued to focus on our goals and mission however, things continue to become clearer and easier to articulate.
While MCF is many things, one of those key components is being the agent of the philanthropist in service to Montana. Simply put, we help philanthropists make the most of their generosity, ensuring their gifts are impactful. The Montana Office of Gift Planning has encountered nearly every situation you can imagine when it comes to charitable giving. We've had the pleasure of working through nearly every scenario possible when it comes to complex gifts. Some scenarios are straightforward; some are unbelievably complicated. Regardless, MCF finds creative ways to help philanthropists which ultimately helps the nonprofit organizations across our great state.
What is MCF? While it isn't the whole story, being the agent of the philanthropist in service to Montana is definitely one of our most important areas of focus.
Sincerely,
Mary K. Rutherford, MA, CFRE
President & CEO
|
|
10 Questions for the Board - Ed Eck
|
|
Just who are these wonderful folks that give so much back to Montana through their work with MCF and beyond? Let's find out!
1. Where are you from originally?
Lewistown, MT.
2. What's your "real" job outside the foundation?
Retired professor/attorney.
3. What's your favorite hobby/what do you do with your free time?
Travel.
4. If you had to choose a different profession, what would it be and why?
5. What's something not very many people know about you?
I have a strong interest in the Holocaust, which interest has been enhanced by reading and visiting former concentration camps in Poland, Latvia, Germany, as well as museums and memorials in Europe and the U.S.
6. What are three things you can't live without?
Relationships, food, and shelter.
7. How did you first get involved in the nonprofit sector?
My parents set an example of involvement and encouraged me when I was a boy.
8. If there was one thing you wanted people to know about MCF, what would it be?
MCF has a dedicated staff and leadership whose mantra is to help "a million of their best friends" in Montana.
9. What's your favorite place in Montana?
Placid Lake.
10. What's your favorite thing about Montana/Montanans?
Montana's geographic diversity.
|
|
Nonprofit Spotlight: HAVEN
|
|
For more than 38 years, HAVEN has served survivors of intimate partner violence in Gallatin County, Montana. One in 3 women and 1 in 7 men experience domestic violence in their lifetime. The CDC estimates that there are 20,000 survivors living in Gallatin County alone, and about 247,500 in the state of Montana. HAVEN is committed to reducing the incidence and minimizing the impact of domestic abuse on families and communities. We provide emergency shelter, crisis intervention, on-going support and advocacy, referrals, and education. We envision a community knowledgeable about domestic abuse, fully engaged and committed to the safety and well-being of its members.
In an effort to break the cycle of violence in Montana, HAVEN has built upon the work of its founders to provide legal advocacy, counseling, teen dating violence prevention, a survivor speakers' bureau and much more. HAVEN works with almost 1,000 survivors of intimate partner violence annually, providing resources and support to empower these survivors to become leaders in our community.
Beyond providing emergency intervention services and therapeutic programs for survivors, HAVEN has launched programs that work with communities to address domestic violence at all levels. These programs intervene early, providing teens with the tools they need to have healthy relationships throughout their lives. As a result of this comprehensive approach, we are seeing a paradigmatic shift from a culture in which violence is normalized to a culture in which all community members support survivors and hold abusers accountable.
All of HAVEN's programs rely on the empowerment model. Based on our knowledge that domestic violence is rooted in the abuser's need for power and control, we understand that our participants have had their power taken away from them. We believe that the loss of power and control is one of the most damaging aspects of domestic violence. The empowerment model trusts that victims of domestic violence have the ability to help themselves. As advocates, we place ourselves in a position to provide the support victims need to improve their own situation. Advocates bring emotional support, a thorough understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence, and knowledge of the available community resources and social services. Participants bring strength, the desire to change their situation, and a unique set of skills and experiences. We work together to find a path for the participant to safely exit an abusive relationship and move towards a nonviolent and stable future.
|
|
Thank you Havre!
We had a wonderful June board meeting in Havre. Our social event was well-attended at the beautiful Havre Historic Post Office. A very special thank you to everyone who joined us and also to the Hill County Community Foundation and Great Falls Area Community Foundation for presenting to our board.
|
|
Generosity at Work
It's not a typo! Just like April, May had 29 grants totaling more than $157,000! That's an incredible figure representing support for Montana's nonprofit organizations. Thank you to the generous donors who make this granting possible!
If you want to put your generosity to work, visit the Giving section of our website to learn more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
