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Why ? A Community Foundation ? • <br /> If Community Services and Recreation is to meet the public's increasing demands <br /> for more and better services and facilities, it must begin to search out new <br /> sources of funding. Existing tax sources for capital and operating funds <br /> are still generally inadequate, Federal, State, and County aid in the form of <br /> grants is on the way out. <br /> It would seem,therefore,that community services and recreation agencies must begin tc <br /> look for private sources to help provide the additional funds necessary for <br /> establishing and maintaining a broad-based and balanced financial program. In a <br /> number of communities, private generosity alone makes services possible. In <br /> hundreds of others, private funds have made it possible to carry on recreation <br /> activities and services which public officials are unable or unwilling to support <br /> fully with public funds. <br /> A foundation may be defined as a nongovernmental nonprofit organization having <br /> a principal fund of its own, managed by its own trustees or directors, and <br /> established to maintain or aid social, educational, charitable, or other activities <br /> serving the common welfare. It enjoys privileges with respect to taxation and <br /> continuity of existence not accorded to 11noncha.ritable" trust funds. <br /> A White Bear, Community Foundation would be a corporate form of foundation which <br /> is required in Minnesota. - The Foundation will be both "supportive-reactive". <br /> responding to proposals and requests presented to them, and "change-oriented". <br /> moving out, seeking, and determining community needs. • <br /> Examples of what a Foundation could raise funds for: <br /> A senior citizens van <br /> A lighted softball field <br /> Trailers or vans for mobile playground programs <br /> Furniture for a senior citizens lounge <br /> New boards for a hockey rink or paint for old boards. <br /> Gymnastics equipment. <br /> A nature trail. <br /> A recreation program for the handicapped. <br /> A health information fair. <br /> Special telephones for hearing impaired. <br /> Sponsor of youth athletic programs. <br /> Scholarships. <br /> Demonstration projects. <br /> Concerts in the parks. <br /> Flower shows. <br /> Endless <br /> The bottom line. The real value of a fund raising program is citizen participation. <br /> No one likes to pay taxes, but many people do like to make charitable contributions, <br /> the benefits of which are visible to them. Providing opportunities for private givi: <br /> to a public, non-profit foundation is a positive way to involve citizens in the <br /> activities of the community services and recreation programs, at a time when citizen: <br /> have little good to say about government. Donors become friends, and friends • <br /> become supporters and allies. <br />