There is a lot to think about when relocating to a new community. You start with the day-to-day basics like mail, utilities and phone service and then move on to explore deeper community and social connections. Once you’re settled in, you’re likely to begin thinking bigger picture. How can you help your new community grow stronger and be more successful? How can you give back in meaningful ways? You may want to volunteer your time or donate money to local or state causes. Here are five tips to help you get started.
1. Decide what you care about the most
There are so many great causes and organizations that need support, so start by asking what matters most to you personally. Do you want to champion arts and literary programs? Protect the environment? Support access to affordable housing? Provide scholarship funds? Help animals?
2. Find Out What Your New Community Needs Most
Every community has strengths and opportunities. If you do a little digging, you may discover some needs that were not on your radar. It may be that your new community has a lot to offer in an area you’re passionate about, but needs help in another. Keep an open mind and explore your options.
3. Set Goals for Giving
If you’re interested in making a financial donation, start by answering the following questions: Do you want to support one charity or many? Do you want to give now or set up a gift that will take affect after your passing? Are you interested in leaving a personal or family legacy? Do you want to make a one-time gift or set up a donation that provides an income stream from an appreciated asset? Your answers will help you take the next steps.
4. Work with Trusted Advisors
Community and financial advisors can help you make informed decisions about how you give back to your new community. Comprehensive charitable planning requires professional management, meaningful and personal community connections, and attractive tax advantages. You and/or your trusted advisors should be familiar with community needs, organizations and state tax laws.
5. Get to Know Your Local Community Foundation
Community foundations are grant-making public charities dedicated to improving the lives of people in a defined local geographic area. More than 750 community foundations operate in urban and rural areas in every state in the U.S. They bring together the financial resources of individuals, families, and businesses to support effective nonprofits in their communities. Community foundations play a key role in identifying and solving community problems and their teams of experts can provide as little or as much support as you need. From researching local needs and causes to match your interests, to managing your entire charitable investment portfolio, your local community foundation team can partner with you to make a difference in your new hometown or state.
This message is brought to you by The Oregon Community Foundation
The Oregon Community Foundation works with individuals, families, businesses and organizations to create charitable funds — more than 2,000 of them — that support the community causes they care about. These funds support the critical work that nonprofits are doing across Oregon. Through these funds, OCF awarded more than $108 million in grants and scholarships in 2016.
