It is hard to imagine what Vero Beach would be like today were it not for the philanthropic and volunteer support of caring individuals who have set the standard for future generations. Today, new residents are drawn to the area as much by the outstanding cultural institutions and charitable initiatives as by the temperate climate and casually elegant lifestyle.
Helping to guide those philanthropic endeavors have been members of the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Indian River County chapter, who are currently gearing up for a 10th Anniversary National Philanthropy Day Celebration honoring “Philanthropists of the Decade.” The event takes place 5:30 p.m. Nov. 17 at Riverside Theatre.
In 2006, while then members of a Tri-county Treasure Coast AFP chapter, Kerry Bartlett, now managing director, Bob Carter Companies, and Lenora Ritchie, executive director, The Robert F. and Eleonora W. McCabe Foundation, recognized that local philanthropy had grown to the extent that it warranted its own chapter.
They were obviously right – the chapter quickly grew from 16 charter members to 80 members today, and has been recognized eight times by AFP International as a “Ten-Star Chapter,” the highest designation a chapter can receive.
“We jumped from that initial membership to 30 members before we could blink an eye. And the next thing we knew, we were hitting these milestones and were recognized as one of the fastest-growing chapters in the country,” says Ritchie. “I think that speaks to the level of commitment that this community has to philanthropy and also to ethical fundraising practices. We’re making sure that we’re working for the benefit not only of our individual institutions but the benefit of the whole community and honoring our donors’ wishes in the process. As fundraisers, there’s a huge fiduciary responsibility to your donors and your organization to make sure that you’re stewarding those private funds properly.”
At this year’s National Philanthropy Day event, rather than present individual awards, the local chapter will celebrate a decade of philanthropy, honoring those who have contributed financially and through countless hours as volunteers to the organizations which make this community unique.
“We’re going at it as – What if philanthropy did not exist in Indian River County? What would the county be like?” says Peggy Gibbs, development manager, Habitat for Humanity and co-chair of the event with Shannon Bowman, executive director, Childcare Resources.
“It wouldn’t be the desirable spot that we’ve got today, and that’s all because of not only the donors but the committed volunteers who give of their time to make a difference,” she adds. “We want to recognize nonprofit organizations, too. Many of the nonprofits have changed drastically over the last 10 years and we’re going to spotlight some of them; where they were 10 years ago and where they are today.”
“It’s going to focus on the impact and the outcome that charitable donations have made in the community, and the award recipients over the last 10 years,” says Ritchie. “There’s going to be a lot about community outcomes; that we’re a better community today because of the philanthropic investment these people made.”
“From the donor prospective, many more donors are looking to be partners with nonprofits when they make significant contributions. That means they are there for a longer term rather than the more traditional charitable givers,” says Bartlett. “There is something in the community that those philanthropists are passionate about. They can’t make the change themselves, so they look to make an investment with a nonprofit which can help them fulfil that philanthropic dream. That’s a very different mindset from what we experienced five or 10 years before.”
Ann Marie McCrystal, a founding member of VNA of the Treasure Coast in 1975, and an active board member of VNATC and the VNA & Hospice Foundation, has been a member of several AFP chapters over the years as the organization expanded; moving up the coast from Miami to Palm Beach and the Tri-County Treasure Coast before becoming a charter member of this chapter.
Noting that the pursuit of philanthropic dollars has become a more competitive environment, McCrystal adds, “I feel that the quality of people who are involved in fundraising has become more sophisticated. I also think donors have become a lot more sophisticated in wanting to know more about the organizations that they are contributing their philanthropic dollars to. They want more accountability and sustainability. They want to know that when they give money that every dollar is accounted for and distributed to those who need it. Fundraising has become an art.”
“Donors are becoming more educated about giving. They have seen the impact that philanthropy can have on a community and they want to be a part of that,” says Bartlett. “As a professional fund development person, that has caused me and others to look at our process differently. It’s a huge responsibility to help philanthropists realize their dreams; there are much higher expectations. It has caused our sector to increase effectiveness; it has raised the bar on expectations. The nonprofit sector has risen to the occasion if you will. These philanthropists have caused the nonprofit sector to become even better.”
“It’s become such a big part of our community culture, that when people move here and see what others are doing they are inspired to engage on a civic and philanthropic level. That’s what makes our community so special,” says Ritchie. “The Chronicle of Philanthropy reports that over $200 million is contributed annually in Indian River County. And when you think about it, it’s not only money invested in charities in the community; it’s also an economic driver. The nonprofit sector in Indian River County is an important part of our community’s economic diversity.”
AFP members include nonprofit fund development professionals, executive directors and board members, as well as nonprofit organizations and for-profit businesses that support fundraising. With education one of their main missions, they schedule experts to speak to members, volunteers and other nonprofit staff who might interact with donors, providing guidance on their roles and responsibilities.