126 grantees benefit from designated and other funds held at the Foundation
Craig Woods, Departmental Director of Advancement & Philanthropic Innovation, signs one of the almost 200 checks sent on Aug. 13.
Every August, staff at the Humboldt Area Foundation + Wild Rivers Community Foundation (HAF+WRCF) prepare to carry forward the good work of community members past and present who have established funds at the Foundation. This year $1.3 million went out to 126 unique grantees for community needs as wide ranging as children’s sports equipment, hospice care, churches, libraries, music and art programs.
Of the more than 900 funds managed by HAF+WRCF, approximately 133 include provisions for “annual payouts,” which do not involve an application process or a competitive grant review cycle. Instead, donors who established the funds identify the organizations or causes they wish to support, often through a bequest gift in their will or trust. The Foundation carries the responsibility to ensure each grant is distributed according to the donor’s intent year after year. With the oldest funds at HAF+WRCF dating back to the mid-1970s, this can mean consistent annual support for decades. Staff also conduct due diligence on designated grantees to verify that organizations remain active, are in good standing, and continue to be eligible to receive charitable funding.
All hands (and paws) on deck to get money out the door to our community, thanks to the hard work of Ness Tenorio, Savannah Sonia and Mochi.
“For our nonprofit partners, Annual Payout grants mean reliable support that gets sent out automatically, allowing them to dedicate more resources to their programs and less to administrative work,” says Meredith Knowles, Director of Grantmaking. “These grants reflect the trust our donors place in local organizations and strengthen the relationship between community generosity and community impact.”