NEWS & NOTES

OPPORTUNITIES

2024 Lodi Community Foundation Grant

The deadline for the Lodi Community Foundation (LCF) grant opportunity is fast approaching! Review the information and apply by Friday, October 11th at 55:00 PM (PST). There is a total of $20,000 for the 2024 grant program available in grant increments up to $5,000! Learn more and apply on our site at lodicommunityfoundation.org.

This grant opportunity is aligned with the LCF's passion to build a stronger community through leveraging its own resources. The LCF Grants Program is funded from its Field of Interest Fund designed to support special projects, programs and/or initiatives serving residents in our community.

"Granting to a community is an investment in its future, fostering growth, resilience, and a shared sense of purpose that benefits everyone." John Ledbetter

Extended - Agency Endowment Matching Program

The offer to participate in an Agency Endowment Matching Program has been extended into 2024 - while funds are available. This is an excellent benefit for Lodi nonprofits to establish or grow an endowment and receive matching funds up to $10,000!

Endowments provide nonprofits with the ability to better manage financial assets, forecast for future budgeting and operational needs, and be in a position to navigate new challenge surrounding as well as times of growth. View brochure for information.

An endowment fund ensures sustained growth and allows for strategic planning -- giving organizations the flexibility to fund essential programs and initiatives well into the future.

SUCCESSES

HONORING SHEILA WISHEK

Earlier this summer a one-time grant was approved by the Lodi Community Foundation (LCF) Board of Directors to honor Sheila M. Wishek’s past giving. The grants were provided through Ms. Wishek’s Donor Advised Fund at LCF, which was closed upon her passing.

It was the Lodi Community Foundation's honor to present each of the following organizations with a check for $2,500:

Children’s Home of Stockton
Hospice of San Joaquin
Hutchins Street Square Found.
Lodi Boys & Girls Club
Lodi Community Foundation
Lodi House
Lodi Memorial Hospital Found.
Lodi Public Library

LOEL Senior Center
Salvation Army, Lodi Corps
San Joaquin Historical Society
St. Anne’s Church
St. Anne’s School
The Woman’s Club of Lodi
WOW Science Museum, Inc.

Additionally, Lodi Community Foundation is pleased to share that a Sheila Wishek Legacy Fund is being developed that will continue to support the community in ways that would have made Ms. Wishek proud.

Ms. Wishek was a quiet philanthropist who made a significant impact by giving generously to the communities and organizations she cared deeply about. She preferred to stay out of the limelight, choosing instead to let her actions speak for her, supporting causes with humility and a genuine passion for making a difference. Sheila Wishek was generous in her lifetime to the Lodi community that gave her so much.

FUND HIGHLIGHT

PREVAIL (Formerly Women's Center of San Joaquin) - Phoebe Watts Endowment Fund

We are proud to share the work of PREVAIL (Pioneering Restoration and Elevating Voices of Advocacy, Idealism and Leadership -- formerly Women's Center) and the incredible good they do for women and children of San Joaquin County. PREVAIL is the primary provider of free, confidential services and shelters specifically designed to meet the needs of homeless and runaway youth and victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.

In addition to doing good for all of San Joaquin County, PREVAIL has a specific fund at Lodi Community Foundation that directly supports Lodi residents in need of the services they provide -- the Phoebe Watts Endowment Fund.

The Board of Directors of PREVAIL (formerly the Women's Center) may use the endowment for any purpose consistent with their mission, as long as the money 1) is not used for day to day operations, and 2) is used to benefit victims in Lodi area by providing a service that they otherwise would not have, that empowers them and enables them to be independent and self-sufficient.

We encourage our readers to learn more about PREVAIL and look at all they do for the women and children of our community. The list is incredible and includes things like providing food and clothing, support groups, life skills training, and even an emergency shelter.

Consider being a part of this organization's goals by donating to the Phoebe Watts Endowment Fund and follow them on their social media pages both on Instagram and Facebook. They would be thrilled for the new followers - let them know that Lodi Community Foundation referred you!

LCF and PREVAIL reminds you that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October 17th: Wear Purple to show your support

of victims of domestic violence.

Several nonprofits and public agencies choose Lodi Community Foundation as a partner to house their charitable funds. LCF offers a variety of funds for individuals, families, businesses, community organizations and public agencies. We can help you choose the fund that best accomplishes your goals for giving. You can set up your fund with cash, appreciated property, real estate or other assets. Take advantage of a limited time Agency Endowment Matching Program when establishing your new fund.

If you know someone interested in learning more about Agency Funds or other fund options, reach out to LCF at (209) 910-3523 or visit our website.

MORE GOOD READING

Article Courtesy of the Eskin Fundraising Training, LLC, October 2024 Issue

ENCOURAGING EVERYDAY GIVING

Andrew Dunckelman, Deputy Director, Philanthropic Partnerships,Gates Foundationcalls for five investments in the tools and technology that enable giving, for “flexible capital to experiment and invest in relational fundraising,” and more:

(1) Invest in campaigns that reinvigorate giving norms and nurture generosity. Campaigns like GivingTuesday have been shown to have a 500-times charitable return on investment. The newer BackBlack campaign is calling attention to -- and closing -- funding gaps for Black-led non-profits. 

(2) Support pro-giving policies in partnership with non-profits. Public policy is vital to foster charitable giving. Even within the limits placed on foundation advocacy, grant makers can do much to support non-profits that are working to create a legal environment in which philanthropy thrives.

(3) Support research, data collection, and analysis that powers giving. Missing, outdated, or incomplete data often hinders effective fundraising.

(4) Support digital tools and technologies that enable giving. Digital technologies have revolutionized the way we give -- and it’s likely just the beginning.

(5) Give grants to strengthen non-profits’ everyday donor development efforts. To sustain and attract more donors, non-profits need the talent, resources, and flexible capital to experiment and invest in relational fundraising.