Woods Charitable Funds boosts charitable organizations
To boost donations during a sluggish economy, many charitable organizations are hiring or contracting with development directors.
Of the 14 grants awarded to tax-exempt organizations by the Woods Charitable Fund on Tuesday, three will support the work of development directors.
"During these years when the stock market hasn't been as lucrative as it has in the past and businesses haven't been experiencing the profits they once might have, there's not as much giving out there," said Pam Baker, executive director of the Woods Charitable Fund.
To grab a bigger slice of a smaller philanthropic pie, many organizations are hiring fund-raising experts. They promote the organization, ask for money and show the public why their programs are important. They keep databases of donors and their interests. They show benefactors how to write their organization into a will, Baker said.
The Lincoln Children's Museum won a grant to hire a development director. The museum needs donations because admission fees fail to cover expenses.
Its managers do not want to raise admission, which is $5 for most people, because that could prevent the less-fortunate from visiting.
"We're not going to deny a child the opportunity to come here and learn," said Cindy Ryman Yost, executive director of the museum.
Jessica Greenwald is the museum's new director of philanthropy and external relations.
"It's really about being an ambassador to the community and telling people how important their support (is)," she said. "And how it impacts organizations like us and how without them we wouldn't be able to do what we do for the children and the community."
Reach Andrew Nelson at 473-7395 or anelson@journalstar.com.
Of the 14 grants awarded to tax-exempt organizations by the Woods Charitable Fund on Tuesday, three will support the work of development directors.
"During these years when the stock market hasn't been as lucrative as it has in the past and businesses haven't been experiencing the profits they once might have, there's not as much giving out there," said Pam Baker, executive director of the Woods Charitable Fund.
To grab a bigger slice of a smaller philanthropic pie, many organizations are hiring fund-raising experts. They promote the organization, ask for money and show the public why their programs are important. They keep databases of donors and their interests. They show benefactors how to write their organization into a will, Baker said.
The Lincoln Children's Museum won a grant to hire a development director. The museum needs donations because admission fees fail to cover expenses.
Its managers do not want to raise admission, which is $5 for most people, because that could prevent the less-fortunate from visiting.
"We're not going to deny a child the opportunity to come here and learn," said Cindy Ryman Yost, executive director of the museum.
Jessica Greenwald is the museum's new director of philanthropy and external relations.
"It's really about being an ambassador to the community and telling people how important their support (is)," she said. "And how it impacts organizations like us and how without them we wouldn't be able to do what we do for the children and the community."
Reach Andrew Nelson at 473-7395 or anelson@journalstar.com.
Copyright © 2002-2008 Lincoln Journal Star. All rights reserved.