Indian River Community Foundation Vice Chairman Neill Currie and wife Linda opened up their spectacular Bay Drive home last Thursday evening as hosts of the IRCF Annual Reception, celebrating the philanthropy of its fund holders and founders.
As guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, they admired the sweeping panoramic views of the Indian River Lagoon from the three breathtaking vantage points of the home, which the couple completely renovated before moving into it in 2015.
“I’ve rowed past this spot but didn’t know who owned it,” said Chris Ryan, attending as an IRCF fund holder through his family foundation and two Vero Beach Rowing funds. “I wouldn’t have a foundation without the Community Foundation; it’s too massive an undertaking. The key is they enable people with small groups to deal with all the tax aspects and paperwork and seamlessly handle all the investments. It’s awesome.”
“Over the years I’ve been involved with lots of philanthropic stuff, but I’ve got to tell you, this is a unique city, a unique area and unique board,” said Neill Currie during a brief presentation. “Thank you so much for your involvement to get the Community Foundation where it is and remain involved to get it to the next level.”
“The trajectory of this organization is really powerful,” said board Chairman Scott Alexander, who also acknowledged IRCF founders, who provided capital to launch the foundation, fund holders, current and past board members, former executive director Kerry Bartlett, members of the Alma Lee Loy Legacy Society, who providing charitable legacies through their estates, and to Ellie McCabe, who provided incubator space during their critical first eight years.
“On July 1 this year we begin an 18-month period celebrating the Indian River Community Foundation’s 10th anniversary,” said IRCF CEO Jeff Pickering. Harkening back to 2008, he referenced the nationwide housing crisis, high local unemployment and the Dodgers’ surprise departure.
“I think the eight most important words that were uttered that year was the question that attorney Robin Lloyd asked Ann Marie McCrystal and Rick McDermott, and that was, ‘Would you like to start a Community Foundation?’ And they said yes.”
Founders initially raised about $1.75 million to build an organization focused primarily on “building a better community through donor-driven philanthropy.” To date, the IRCF has taken in roughly $70 million and has awarded $40 million in grants; 83 percent of those to local nonprofits.
“We continue to be one of the most active grant-making foundations among all community foundations around the country; last year we were number seven,” said Pickering. “Twenty-six percent of our assets went out the door in grants. That’s bigger than most community foundations as a percentage of our assets and we’re very proud of that.”
Thanks to strong leadership, the IRCF received National Standards Accreditation in 2016, recognizing its accountably, transparency and effectiveness.
“We’re extremely proud of what we’ve done and we’re really excited about the direction that we’re headed. Our board is super-focused on our business and our business is philanthropy.”
Pickering commented that their new IRCF logo symbolizes the bridges connecting the community and also represents the spark behind donors’ philanthropic objectives.
“As we look to the 10th anniversary and the years to come, we’re going to be asking, ‘What sparks your generosity?’ We hope to engage in many more conversations about the future of what we can do together with our philanthropy.”
