With the recent announcement of Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder of Facebook, to give away most of his wealth, attention has been drawn to charitable giving this holiday season.
“People wait until late in their career to give back. But why wait when there is so much to be done?” said Mark Zuckerberg, co-founder, CEO, and president of Facebook. “With a generation of younger folks who have thrived on the success of their companies, there is a big opportunity for many of us to give back earlier in our lifetime and see the impact of our philanthropic efforts.” Echoing his sentiments, the PineBelt Foundation continues to focus on charitable giving at all stages of life.
The holiday season is wonderful time to give back to an organization or charitable cause that you are passionate about. And by giving through the PineBelt Foundation, you know that your donation will work to enhance your community. Whether you are establishing an endowment or scholarship fund or giving to one of our recognized 68 charitable funds, you are creating a better community in which to live.
“Donors love the simplicity of establishing and supporting a fund through the PineBelt Foundation,” said Ed Langton, President of the Board of Directors. “The foundation handles all administrative, legal, accounting and investment matters for the donor. And, if donors open a Donor Advised Fund (one type of Fund at the PineBelt Foundation), they can get a tax deduction before the end of the year, and decide next year which charity to give to.”
Contributions to funds may be made at any time with cash, securities, real estate, or other types of assets. Or, contributions also may be made at a future date through deferred gifts such as life insurance, qualified retirement benefits, bequests, charitable remainder trusts, and charitable gift annuities. This is the time of year to think about what you are passionate about and how you would like to give back.
PineBelt Foundation recently opened an endowment for ARC
The Greater PineBelt Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that connects people with charitable causes that matter to them. “The Pine Belt region has benefited tremendously this year from the charitable efforts of The Greater PineBelt Community Foundation” said Langton. “In 2010 we gave over $300,000 in grants to support various charitable projects.”
Some examples of our funds and the impact on the community include:
> Safety in Numbers Fund – The ADP Leadership PineBelt 2010 class put up house numbers in the Palmer’s Crossing area to assist emergency personnel.
> Operation: Kover Our K-9s – Chris Cook and concerned citizens provided bullet-proof vests to six police dogs.
> Dig A Well Fund started by Harrison St. John built a water well in Africa.
> Angel Face Foundation Fund led by Holliman St. John helped a class attend a school field trip.
> Extra Table led by Robert St. John helps feed the hungry.
> Hearing Maximized led by Dr. Peggy Carlin helped Tegucigalpa’s school for the Deaf in Honduras.
> Numerous Scholarships – over 50 students received $1,000+ in scholarships to schools across the country.
> The Family Y received a $23,500 grant from their endowment.
> The Southern Pines Animal Shelter received a $2,300 grant from their endowment.
> Sumrall Development Fund – to assist the town of Sumrall.
Currently the PineBelt Foundation has endowments for the United Way of Southeast Mississippi and four of their agencies: Domestic Abuse Family Shelter, Association for the Rights of Individuals with Developmental Disabilities (ARC), The Family Y, and DuBard School for Language Disorders.
“Establishing an endowment with the PineBelt Foundation makes financial sense for a non-profit,” said Dan Kibodeaux, United Way Executive Director. “An endowment is invested for long-term growth and the income from the investment is used support the agency’s operations.”
“We are so grateful for all that we have been given and giving back to a charitable organization that you are passionate about is just another way of saying thanks,” added Kibodeaux.
For a complete list of active funds with the PineBelt Foundation or for additional information, please visit www.PineBeltFoundation.org, www.facebook.com/PineBeltFoundation, or call 601.583.6080.