People love to reach out to others if they can. People, without a nickel to their names will give. Whether it is in the DNA of an American or something that is innate in all human beings, it doesn't matter. Our impulse is to help.
Despite the slump in the U.S. economy in 2008 people are for the most part continuing to donate money and goods. At the same time it remains a challenge for people who live paycheck to paycheck.
InBlaine County has about 140 501c3 non-profit organizations. Less than a quarter of these actively solicits donations through fundraisers and mailings. Both methods can be effective. In an area known for both the wealth of some of its residents and for its caring nature, the Wood River Valley might seem like an ideal place to set up shop.
But competition has become daunting. In the summer, several competing fundraising activities can take place the same weekend. On July 7, as the Sawtooth Botanical Garden held its annual Garden Tour, the Lee Pesky Learning Center was holding its annual Scavenger Hunt. In early August, the Sun Valley Summer Symphony was active, the Northern Rockies Folk Festival was up for the 31st year and the YMCA held its annual fundraiser with special guests Smothers Brothers.
"We made a decision long ago not to have an event, but to just send out letters," said Carolyn Nystrom, the executive director of Hospice and Palliative Care of the Wood River Valley. So far their strategy has worked. Along with their tireless work in the valley, they run a kids camp for survivors each summer, for free, all through donations.
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Non-profits who throw high-end fundraisers include The Sun Valley Center for the Arts Wine Auction, The Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley, The Advocates for Survivors of Domestic Violence, Camp Rainbow Gold's annual Share Your Heart Ball, and the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation's Wild Game Dinner.
Jenny Busdon remembers when she came up with the idea of holding a benefit for Galena Lodge. It was the only game in town, she said. She recalled how stunned the hippie cowboy types were when she suggested they have a proper dress-up fundraiser. Since then she's seen the non-profit game wax and wane. After 13 years she finally called off another of her projects, the Gourmet Ski Tour, that supported the North Valley Trails due to low turn out.
Just as with the Gourmet Ski Tour, once a beloved event, Environmental Resource Center Executive Director Craig Barry has seen a downward turn in participation for the organizations premiere events such as the Community Clean Sweep held every spring.
"We usually raise upwards of $20,000 for clean sweep, primarily through business, but we've seen downward turn in sponsorship dollars," he said. "We're also looking for community support for the third Sustainability conference in October. Sixty percent of the kids in our Eco-Camp are on scholarship. We want to make sure that we can meet those demands."
Memberships go a long way to support the wide variety of programs, such as the ERC's Wild connections for young people and continued recycling efforts, Barry said. The ERC also employs two AmeriCorps members.
"Those costs have gone up significantly," he said. When the ERC began hosting AmeriCorps members it cost them $4,600. The current cost is now $6,000, which the ERC provides to the federal program for an 11-month long position. They are paid this stipend through AmeriCorps.
"It's a challenge for these folks," he said. "One of the biggest challenges is housing. People in the community could provide housing for these people. It would be a huge help."
Whether it's housing or making the rent, each non-profit works to reach that magic goal of sustainability within five years. One of the newer groups, La Alianza, recently held a fundraiser that made only a quarter of their goal. Without more support the multi-cultural organization could face closure before it's had a chance to be affective.
"Since we are a new organization, we need to grow our donor base," said La Alianza's interim executive director, Rebecca Hornbach. "Right now we don't have any committed multi-year donors, which we really need, because it takes a non-profit about five years to become financially stable."
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Blaine County and its cities annually receive requests by non-profits to contribute in kind funds to their organizations that provide services for its citizens.
In 2007, for example, a total of $27,000 was allocated by the city of Ketchum, at the discretion and recommendation of the mayor and subject to council approval. These organizations included nexStage Theatre, Wood River Hospice, Advocates of Survivors of Domestic Violence, Sagebrush Equine Training Center for the Handicapped and Crisis Hotline.
"In 2008, this was cut to $1,000, funding only Blaine County School District Education Foundation for its "substance-free" senior class graduation party," Ketchum City Councilman Larry Helzel said. "There was simply no money in the city budget to supplement these organizations' budgets, and they will have to make up the difference via enhancing their own fundraising efforts."
They were advised by city administrator that the funds would not be available this year as the city attempts to tighten its belt.
And it's not just Ketchum but the other cities as well, Helzel said. "These are worthy organizations. They will need the support of the people more than ever."
Large "operational" entities such as Mountain Rides, the Chamber and Visitor's Bureau, the Housing Authority and Ketchum Community Development Corporation rely on government subsidies to fund themselves. Helzel said the underlying principle is that revenues coming into cities through property taxes or a local option tax, should underwrite the support for these organizations.
The smaller entities don't have that luxury however.
"Economically this summer seems to have been hit hard with gas and food prices going up so drastically, together with such a drop in the housing market," Busdon said. "In saying this, though, we have received some very good contributions for our projects at Galena Lodge. Our Harriman Trail tea was a huge success. We raised more money than ever due to the anonymous donor matching the funds we received from some generous ladies. So, I am holding tight and hoping that our benefit in January will beat this past one. I guess we are fortunate that it has remained fairly steady for us—and can honestly say how pleased we are that this is so, especially considering the economic climate presently."
Most organizations won't know for sure until next year what 2008 really looked like. Many are taking their financial pulse based on membership.
"Donation amounts seem to be smaller than they were when we sent out our appeal last year," Blaine County Hunger Coalition Executive Director Jeanne Liston said. "However, that was immediately after the Castle Rock Fire and I think people were in the right frame of mind to contribute to a cause at that point."
Though the Sun Valley Center's wine auction made slightly less money this year than last, the amount was insignificant. What was important was that for the second year in a row, more than $1 million was made for its educational programs and scholarships.
Of course there are winners.
"We really feel that we had our best event in the past 10 years," Wood River Community YMCA Development Associate Hallie Kelly said. "We raised almost a half million dollars for scholarships and financial assistance during the 10th Annual Classic event in early August. We found our donors to be as generous as ever"
Kelly said a big fundraiser such as the Y's Annual Classic ensures that none of its 6,000 members, of whom 65 percent receive financial assistance through an "Open Doors Policy," will ever be turned away from the YMCA due to an inability to pay.
Vanessa Crossgrove Fry, the executive director of Citizens for Smart Growth said her organization hasn't seen much of a hit this year. In fact, this week the organization will move to a larger and more centrally located office in downtown Hailey.
"With all non-profits it's a challenge," she said. "Our budget is small. But we had people even step up their support this year. Maintaining membership is really key."
Craig Barry prepares for recycling efforts for Wagon Days. The Environmental Resource Center’s bio-fuel truck is used to help with recycling at special events. The organization worked more than 35 events during summer alone. Photo by Willy Cook
