Meeting the Moment: How the Greater Good Fund Strengthens Linn County
One of the Community Foundation’s greatest strengths lies in its ability to respond to community needs and opportunities as they change. This work is made possible by the Greater Good Fund, which helps nonprofits meet our community’s evolving and unanticipated needs – today and for generations to come.
At its heart, the Greater Good Fund is an unrestricted fund that empowers the Community Foundation to strengthen Linn County with flexibility and foresight. Over our history, these funds have been used for grantmaking, disaster response, community initiatives, and the Community Foundation’s work to support nonprofit excellence and sustainability.
Donors who give to the Greater Good Fund recognize the power of collective action and trust the Community Foundation to be a good steward of those community assets. They also recognize that the future holds challenges and opportunities that we cannot predict.
Grantmaking for the Greater Good
The flexibility of the Greater Good Fund made it an enormous asset during the 2008 flood, the 2020 derecho, and the COVID-19 pandemic. But even when there are no disasters, the Greater Good Fund provides more than $1.5 million each year for local nonprofits for operations, innovation, sustainability, and other community priorities.
“Nonprofits in Linn County are working every day to improve our community,” said Joe Heitz, Vice President of Community Impact. “Grant programs supported by the Greater Good Fund invest in sustainability and innovation at these vital organizations.”
Working Together for the Greater Good
The Greater Good Fund thrives on contributions of all sizes and allows donors to create a legacy of giving that supports the community beyond their lifetime.
Many donors appreciate the Greater Good Fund option for giving:
“I have been blessed by this community that I have worked and raised my family in. I want it to continue to be a vibrant place into the future.”
– Chris Casey, Fund Holder
“Unrestricted grants give unlimited flexibility for the Community Foundation to provide funding and support as needs arise in the community in the future that cannot be predicted at this time.”
– Gordon and Jann Baustian, Fund Holders
“We have given through the Community Foundation for many years, and we are delighted to help meet the needs of the community. Unrestricted giving is an excellent way to support our community.”
– Duffy and Belva Schamberger, Fund Holders