Many people reach a point in their lives when they feel inclined to give back. They do so for a number of reasons, all very personal to them. What is important to you? We ask our clients to all ask themselves this question before making a decision about how they want to make their charitable impact. Perhaps you feel strongly about a particular cause, or an organization that has touched your life in some way. Maybe you want to create a legacy and set an example that inspires others to give.

For as many motivations as there are to give, there are ways to give. The key to having a rewarding giving experience is finding the best fit. That's where the Community Foundation of Lakeland comes in. Our experienced staff and volunteer board of community leaders continually seek out emerging needs and opportunities, and target dollars for the greatest impact. At the same time, we partner with families and individuals to provide a secure, efficient and highly personal way to accomplish their charitable goals.

Giving away money is easy. Giving it away wisely is hard, but extremely satisfying work. Even small amounts of money, well placed, can matter. By aligning your charitable giving and volunteer work with your values, life experiences and interests, you can make a meaningful difference in the community. And we can help.

The following services have been developed to help you, our donor, better reach your charitable goals.

Administrative Support – Foundation staff provide administrative support for all funds, including reviewing proposals for funding and making recommendations; handling all correspondence, ensuring appropriate tax and legal documents are submitted; and maintaining grant records. Each fund is reviewed in our annual audit and included in the tax return for the Foundation.

Personal Donor Service - The CFGL works with each of our donors to help them discover their charitable giving objectives, and to help them meet those goals efficiently. Contact our full-time donor relations director to see how she can help you make giving easier and more satisfying.

Inform Lakeland (Non-profit Database) - This extensive database, which will be available in the Fall of 2007, will provide you with all of the information you need on local non-profits to make an informed giving choice. Simply log on to www.cfgl.org and search for organizations and/or programs by name, category or keyword.

Impact Lakeland (Donor Grab Bag) – The CFGL will each year provide donors with a menu of programs in need of funding in the Lakeland community via the Donor Grab Bag. Each program in the grab bag will be reviewed and approved by the CFGL’s grants committee before being sent to donors to ensure that only well thought out projects that have met specific standards will be considered.

Grant Follow-Up - We can make sure your dollars are being used effectively by asking the agencies you grant to to provide follow-up reports. These reports are requested at 6 and 12 months after implementation of the program.

Grants Committee - This dedicated committee researches grants and organizations extensively so that you can give your money knowing it will make an impact and be monitored closely.

Donor/Community Social Events – Throughout the year, the CFGL will hold social events for our donors. Each February, the CFGL will honor a donor whose life has had an impact on the charitable giving world in the Lakeland community at our Annual Legacy Event.

Newsletters/Annual Report – CFGL newsletters update donors on special events and the latest philanthropic news; and our annual report, published in The Ledger, provides the community with important information about the CFGL, our donors (if anonymity is not requested) and the impact our donors are making in the community.

Website – The CFGL’s website provides donors with the most up to date news, event specifics, and fund information.

Agency Review - If you are interested in a particular agency or field of interest, but don’t know much about it, we can collect all the information you need to make an informed decision about your involvement. We can also monitor programs and grants.

Agency Tours – Throughout the year, and upon request, the CFGL will provide donors with “behind the scenes” access to agencies through agency tours. Donors may request specific agencies to tour and view current programs of interest.

Educational Programs - Four times a year, the CFGL will offer programs to educate community members on current needs in the Lakeland area or current trends.

Giving Guide/Philanthropic Goal Planning - The Giving Guide will help you answer the question “what is important to me?” and assist your family is developing a philanthropic mission. Staff is trained and available to assist you and your family in this process.

Quarterly Fund Statements - These reports keep you updated on the status of your fund. Along with giving your current fund balance, it will tell you any contributions made to the fund and the grants you made out of your fund during that quarter.

Planned Giving Assistance - To assist you in meeting your charitable goals, we are pleased to provide you with information on charitable-giving techniques, such as planned bequests, trusts and annuities.

Legacy Society – The Legacy Society is an exclusive group of CFGL donors who have made plans to leave money to the foundation after their deaths, either through a bequest in their will, a trust, an annuity, or a life insurance policy.

Endow Lakeland – Endow Lakeland is a community initiative designed to educate Lakeland about the importance of planning for the future, as well as starting now to help local charitable organizations build an endowment that will protect their essential programs. Our staff is trained to help local agencies utilize various giving vehicles to build an endowment, as well as participate in a matching program.

Giving Circles – Giving Circles are ways that various individuals in the community can come together with other people who share a charitable interest, and fund programs that benefit that field of interest. Currently, we have active giving circles for Women’s Philanthropy and the Hispanic Community. If you would like more information about these giving circles, or would like to start a giving circle to support an issue or field you feel passionately about, please contact our office at any time.