August and the height of summer is upon us, but it doesn’t seem like past summers most of us remember. The challenges presented by the pandemic, social unrest, and the harsh economic environment have presented us with the opportunity to deeply reflect on our values, priorities and perhaps even the meaning of life.
This reflection has prompted many generous families to consider how they can support the nonprofit causes they cherish so deeply as agencies struggle to continue their important work during crises that don’t seem to be going away any time soon. Simply put, nonprofits, including Seattle Humane, could use a boost right now!
And what better way to boost up Seattle Humane so we can continue saving lives, transferring in animals who are running out of time, completing families, and helping families keep their beloved pets, than accelerating your giving through a Donor Advised Fund (DAF). Donor Advised Funds are frequently used by philanthropists as part of their multi-year giving strategies, allowing for donors to bundle several gifts into one large gift that has greater impact.
If you have a DAF, now there is a chance for your money to go even further through the #HalfMyDAF matching grant challenge. Over $120 billion sits unused in DAFs, and the #HalfMyDAF challenge aims to put these charitable dollars to work immediately, when and where they’re needed most. The goal of the initiative is to spread at least $60 billion from DAFs back into the community this year. Anyone who commits to granting half the money from their DAF to Seattle Humane and other nonprofits before September 30, 2020, gives us the chance to be one of 150 nonprofits to get a matching grant of up to $25,000. The more people who nominate our organization, the better our chances!
Recently, we reached out to donors who typically provide DAF gifts to let them know about the #HalfMyDAF challenge. In response, we received gifts from several supporters who typically donate from their DAFs at the end of the calendar year, accelerating their giving during a critical time for Seattle Humane. We asked, you listened, and you gave! And because you did, we are continuing to care for homeless animals through our expanded Foster Program, and doubling down on our efforts to keep pets with their families through our Pet Food Bank, newly-launched Community Medicine Program, and the assistance available through our Pet Resource Center.
Take the #HalfMyDAF challenge today and your summer will brighten up knowing you’ve helped the animals who need us most. To learn more about how to create a DAF, #HalfMyDAF challenge, or how incredibly important your support is to Seattle Humane right now, contact Scott Fraser, Esq., Major and Planned Giving Director, at scott@seattlehumane.org or (425) 373-5387.
