What does it mean to you when someone makes a promise? According to a specific definition, a promise is a declaration assuring that one will or will not do something…it is a vow. Sometimes promises are made lightly with no real follow-through, but if sticking to the pure definition of the word, promises are never to be broken. How does this relate to the Community Foundation? CRCF is largely based on the solid foundation of a promise, which is evident each and every time a donor walks through the Foundation doors.      

 

To be a little more specific, the Community Foundation is an endowment-building organization. Donors and area non-profit organizations come to CRCF and establish endowment funds that serve to benefit a certain aspect of the community forever. When an endowment is established, that fund is invested for growth year after year and provides more and more benefit to the community each year. When looking at this endowment-building concept a little closer, the promise aspect comes into play.

 

When a donor establishes a fund, he/she is asked to sign a fund agreement, which serves as a contract between CRCF and the donor. It is a contract that states the charitable wishes of the donor and binds CRCF to fulfill those charitable wishes. In essence, CRCF is making a promise to the donor that as long as there is need in the community and the donor’s fund exists to serve that need, the need will be forever served by CRCF. This is a strong bond between CRCF and the donor. The Foundation is being entrusted with financial resources and the obligation to direct these resources where they are needed most.

 

This relationship between donor and CRCF is one that is not taken lightly. For 29 years, the many past and current Board and staff members of the Community Foundation have viewed the organization with a people-first agenda. While growth is important to any organization, as it is to CRCF, growth is not possible without support of the community and specific individuals within it. But dollars and cents are not the bottom line. Building and fostering relationships are of the utmost importance to the CRCF Board and staff. In most cases, people who walk through the Foundation’s doors might start as “donors” but quickly become “friends,” striving to achieve same mission the CRCF Board and staff look to achieve.

 

So, this all brings us back to the idea of a promise. In time, CRCF Board and staff will change, and the community will inevitably change, as well as the people within it. However, the one thing that will always remain constant is the promise made between CRCF and the people who support the organization. As long as there are needs in the Chautauqua Region, and as long as there are charitably-minded citizens who wish to address those needs, the Foundation’s promise to do so will forever remain intact. The Community Foundation Board and staff thank all of our donors…or better yet, we thank our “friends” for your gracious and continued support. We promise to continue serving you, as you serve the Chautauqua region.