Trustmark’s Post

Today is National Day of Giving also known as Giving Tuesday! Celebrated every Tuesday after Thanksgiving, Giving Tuesday celebrates generosity and the giving spirit. Today is a great day to focus on those who need our help like charities, families, and community centers. There are a multitude of ways that we all can celebrate based on our individual means. You can join the global movement by making blankets, donating, setting up collections, and volunteering. This year, ECCO is continuing in our people-first mindset, EC[COnnection], by contributing to local utility customer assistance programs. We understand that utilities are a necessity that provides basic needs to our communities and have committed to lending a helping hand to those who need a little extra help. #ECCO #EquipmentControlsCompany #GivingTuesday #ECCOnscious #ECCOnnection

🌟 Embrace the Power of Giving Tuesday! 🌍 As we navigate the week, let's pause and reflect on the impact we can create together. Tuesdays are not just about productivity; they're about giving back and making a difference. 💙 Philanthropy isn't just for the wealthy—it's a mindset that anyone can adopt. Consider how you can maximize the impact of your dollars. Whether it's supporting local charities, education initiatives, or global causes, every contribution counts. Let's leverage our resources to create positive change. Small actions can lead to significant results, and by joining forces, we can make a lasting impact. 💪 Remember, it's not just about the amount you give, but the intention behind it. Share your insights and experiences on #GivingTuesday, and let's inspire each other to be a force for good. Reach out to your PNC Private Bank Hawthorn’s Philanthropy & Impact Team and together, we can build a brighter future. ✨ #Philanthropy #MakeADifference #MaximizeImpact Avery Fontaine Heather Falmen Keatley Scroggins, JD, CFRE Emily Schreiber, CAP®, CFRE Nicole Palmer

Independent Sector recently released a report with data comparing the state of advocacy and civic engagement in the nonprofit sector today vs 20 years ago. Currently, only 32% of nonprofits know that they can support or oppose federal legislation, including policies like expanding the universal charitable deduction to incentivize donations for more taxpayers. Advocacy is critical to addressing the systemic inequities that directly affect the daily work of nonprofits, and the communities in which they work. Public policy plays a large role in shaping the ecosystem in which nonprofits - especially small, local ones - operate. We look forward to learning more and diving into a longer-term conversation within the sector and with our local partners around ensuring their voice is heard. https://lnkd.in/epwWdbUT #Advocacy #Nonprofit #PublicPolicy #SystemsChange

Another #BoardMemberSpotlight celebrating our Vice-President, Allison Blankenship! ... Get to know Allison: How and why did you become involved with United Way? -I started volunteering as a loaned executive when I first learned about United Way from one of the former staff members. It was an easy way for me to contribute to what I feel is a very worthy cause. What is one word you would use to sum up the United Way's work? -Essential What is one thing about United Way you think people do not know but should? -That 99% of money donated stays in Lee County, and local volunteers go through a long allocations process to determine funding for all of the nonprofits supported by United Way. You can rest assured that United Way is a good steward of all money received. What would you say to someone who is considering investing in the United Way? -Your investment -- whether time or money -- will contribute toward lifechanging and necessary assistance to the lives of local children, seniors, families and individuals. Everyone deserves to have their most basic needs met, and United Way makes it easy to be a small part of that assistance and to support the real heroes: our local nonprofits. What is your favorite thing about the Lee County community? -The people!

We are excited to share this article that our Founder and CEO, Tawnia Wise, CFRE, wrote for Fundraising & Philanthropy Magazine! In nonprofits, there is a false dichotomy between fair pay and being a good steward of donor funds. Paying low salaries actually hurts your nonprofit's mission. "When a nonprofit’s leadership uses being “good stewards of donor dollars” as a justification to underpay employees, they are denying that employees are the bedrock of the mission. Without them, there is no mission work." #fundraising #changemakers #dogoodbetter #nonprofitleadership

Legal Q&A of the month! Q: A donor has recommended a grant to an organization on a hate group list, but the organization is a 501(c)(3) public charity in the IRS records. How should our foundation handle this request? A: This can be tricky to handle as the organization is technically a permissible grantee as a 501(c)(3), which is why we’ve recommended community foundations adopt a values-aligned philanthropy policy to help frame their decision making. Instead of relying on a designation by any single watchdog organization to vet potential grantees, community foundation boards can set a policy that aligns with what they believe to be the unique values of the communities they serve and represent. Grant recommendations are then evaluated to determine whether the prospective grantee engages in activities that are not consistent with those stated values. You can read more about this in our Values-Aligned Philanthropy resources: https://bit.ly/3ZrvK4u Want to dive deeper, or have any other legal questions? Members can reach out to our team directly with any questions.

Hot take Best Lawyers: An award that celebrates lawyers that meet a minimum number of hours spent annually providing probono legal services, mentoring and training junior lawyers, supporting non-profits or charities with fundraising or board commitments, or volunteering in community, and that display a high level of professional excellence. Call it Virtuous Lawyers. Recipients need not pay to play. Our industry is not want for ego boosts, but it is starved for community contribution motivators (and we have so much to give). If we get 1,000 signatures on a petition will you do it?

I am excited to share this article that I wrote for Fundraising & Philanthropy Magazine! In nonprofits, there is a false dichotomy between fair pay and being a good steward of donor funds. Paying low salaries actually hurts your nonprofit's mission. "When a nonprofit’s leadership uses being “good stewards of donor dollars” as a justification to underpay employees, they are denying that employees are the bedrock of the mission. Without them, there is no mission work." #fundraising #changemakers #dogoodbetter #nonprofitleadership

Happy #NationalNonprofitDay! As a social impact professional, I know first hand how vital nonprofits are in supporting communities. Their work contribute to the well-being of society and provide necessary resources for a brighter future. In recognizing nonprofits’ ongoing efforts to serve the local community, Edison International has released the 2022 Community & Economic Impact Report that highlights the company's support of these wonderful organizations. How can you support nonprofits? ✅ Donate: Nonprofits run on donations and grants, which can be competitive and hard to come by. Give if you can or start a fundraiser - even better if your company matches your donations (like Edison!). ✅ Volunteer: Find an organization that you're passionate about and give your time and skills to help. ✅ Engage: Promote the organization on social media and tell your friends and family about the great work they are doing. http://edison.com/impact #futureisbright #nonprofits #communityengagement #corporatephilanthropy

Planned giving is a game-changer for nonprofit sustainability. I've seen firsthand how it transforms fundraising strategies and supports missions for generations. Nonprofit friends, let's make legacy building a priority. Check out how LifeLegacy can simplify the process and elevate your planned giving programs! #NonprofitFundraising #PlannedGiving #LegacyGiving #EstatePlanning #LegacyBuilding