Published Dec. 24, 2009                                                         

CMF offers chance to match donated funds
Those giving to some Hinsdale nonprofits this season should consider
their donation doubled

By Christine Cuthbert
ccuthbert@thehinsdalean.com
 

   The end of the year is always a time when local nonprofits reach out to their donors for contributions.
   The holiday season is a time of giving and most organizations are looking for a boost during the fourth quarters. Donors also can include the contribution on their 2009 taxes.
   In an attempt to inspire the community to give and encourage nonprofits to raise additional funds, Community Memorial Foundation has challenged its partner organizations — including four Hinsdale agencies — to raise $7,500 in new or increased gifts before Dec. 31 and they’ll match the contributions.
   “Our communities are only as strong as our nonprofits,” said Tom Fuechtmann, a program manager for CMF. “This is our attempt to encourage the community to support the work of our nonprofits and the betterment of the community.”
   The grant challenge began in 2006 as an annual opportunity for nonprofits to raise $10,000 in 12 months and have the funds matched. This year CMF chose to do an end-of-year push and offered workshops for grantees on planned giving and major gifts. Hinsdale Community Services, the Robert Crown Center for Health Education, The Wellness House and The Community House all are participating in the matching donation program and have been reaching out to their donors for support.
   Along with putting information about the program in their annual appeal letters, which have been going out to constituents over the past few weeks, nonprofit leaders are reaching out to board members and staff.
   “We informed our staff of this opportunity and many of the staff also increased their annual gift or gave a gift for the first time due to the opportunity for The Community House to get a match on their contribution,” said Theresa Forthofer, executive director of The Community House. “The majority of our trustees have already honored our request and have increased their gift. They appreciate the opportunity the Community Memorial Foundation has provided us and the opportunity to double their contribution.”
   Wellness House also has included information about the fund matching in its annual appeal letter, and director of finance Marie Fahrenbach is confident they’ll see a full match.
   Susan Fritz, executive director of Hinsdale Community Service, said the contribution from CMF helps her organization bring in a lot more money, which is needed in the general operations fund.
   “It’s very motivating for donors to know a portion will be matched,” she said. “It will really help us bring in some additional dollars which are so needed right now.”
 

— Making a difference is a yearlong partnership between The Hinsdalean
and Community Memorial Foundation, whose mission is to measurably improve
the health of people work live and work in the western suburbs.