During the week of Nov. 12-18, Renton Community Foundation will join more than 700 community foundations across America for Community Foundation Week to tell the stories of lives changed and communities transformed through philanthropy.
During the week, Renton Community Foundation will hold a board retreat to determine how to most effectively address some of the priority areas of need, such as homelessness, hunger, or at-risk youth.
“Renton Community Foundation works every day to help address the most pressing issues facing our community,” said Larry Warren, foundation president. “In a down economy, with limited resources and a growing need for services, we are more determined than ever to bring our community partners together to find innovative and effective solutions to some of our most challenging social problems.”
Community foundations are independent, public entities that steward philanthropic resources from individual donors to local nonprofits. The Renton Community Foundation manages more than 40 individual charitable funds, and $6 million.
Last year, the foundation granted more than $400,000 back to the community to address a broad array of community needs. In addition, the foundation has been instrumental in supporting the efforts of Friends of Renton Schools, a group dedicated to raising money to support academic achievement.
The foundation also awards 10s of thousands of dollars in scholarships each year, and conducts the annual Circle of Giving Campaign, which raises and distributes money to the Renton School District and local charities.
“Community foundations represent one of the fastest-growing forms of philanthropy in the country,” says Lynn Bohart, executive director. “Every state is home to at least one community foundation. However, not every local community has one. We are fortunate to have a very successful one right here in Renton.”
For more information about the Renton Community Foundation, or how to establish a charitable fund, visit www.rentonfoundation.org or call 425- 282-5199.
