Nancy Van Milligen: Philanthropy is Democracy in Action
The past few months have offered plenty of topics for conversation around the Thanksgiving dinner table. Our unseasonably warm November weather, for example. The Cubs’ World Series win. And, perhaps accompanied by some heated discussion, the recent presidential election.
As divisive as it was, this year’s election uncovered a common sentiment among Americans: dissatisfaction with the status quo.
Beyond casting our votes, we as average citizens have little control over government action. That can sometimes make us feel helpless and frustrated. Thankfully, there is another way to make your voice heard: by giving to your community.
Our elected officials cannot know all of the needs in our communities or the best ways to address them. Add in politics and limited resources, and many of the causes we care about often end up underfunded or ignored.
As citizens, we can make our voices heard by stepping in to fill those gaps with our own time, talent and treasure. We can take back our power by educating ourselves about local needs and spreading the word to others. Your giving reflects your priorities for our country and our community. It is democracy in action.
Giving is also an effective means for social change. Private giving is faster and more adaptable than government action. It can be individualized, innovative, and even experimental, while also taking the long view and working to address complex challenges that may take decades to resolve.
Here at the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, we help community members like you find and support causes you care about. With your support, we also bring together community partners and experts to learn about local community challenges and to develop innovative, collaborative solutions. Here are just a few examples of what these efforts have made possible in our community:
- Nearly 100 students at Title I schools in Dubuque and Jackson Counties will be able to see the white board this year thanks to free eye exams and glasses provided by the Vision To Learn mobile eye clinic. This fall, the pilot program will expand to serve as many as 2,000 kids throughout Eastern Iowa.
- Since August 2012, more than 434 students who dropped out of high school have returned to complete their educations thanks to Re-engage Dubuque, a program support by the Foundation’s Project HOPE initiative.
- Nonprofit organizations will meet the most urgent needs of our region thanks to $7 million in 2016 grant awards and endowment payouts from the Community Foundation and its rural affiliate foundations.
This holiday season is the perfect time to consider how you would like to support your community. Now that you have shopped until you dropped on Black Friday and supported local retailers on Small Business Saturday, celebrate Giving Tuesday on November 29 by giving to causes you care about. Our online giving center at http://www.dbqfoundation.org/givingcenter makes it easy to learn about and support nearly 200 nonprofits throughout our region.
Our responsibilities as Americans don’t end when we leave the voting booth. Each of us has the opportunity to be the change we wish to see in the world. Together, we can create greater good today and for years to come.
Van Milligen is President/CEO of the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque. Her email address is nancy@dbqfoundation.org.