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Charities wonder about future of giving Terror-relief drive could hurt their efforts By JONEL ALECCIA Never mind the 550 mailed invitations, the months of planning, the weeks of details. At the Southern Oregon Humane Society last week, no one had the heart to hold a fund-raiser. Late Sept. 11, hours after terrorist attacks on the East Coast, the agency agreed to postpone its annual MAGIC gala planned for Sept. 14. "We felt that with what was going on in the world, it wasn't time to be celebrating for the Humane Society," Executive Director Bill Templeman said. "It was almost like we felt we would be taking advantage of this tragic event." The gala, which last year raised more than $30,000 of the organization's $290,000 budget, has been rescheduled for November. But the move highlights a delicate and difficult situation for the estimated 300 nonprofit agencies in Southern Oregon. In the aftermath of national tragedy, public generosity has flooded relief efforts with donations. But will the tide of funding mean less for local sources later? Or will it compel area donors to open ever wider their hearts and their pocketbooks? Not even those involved know for sure. Stephanie Soares-Pump, director of Southern Oregon Drug Awareness, wonders whether the public capacity to give will be quickly exhausted. Experts estimate that private donations make up 80 percent of nonprofit giving. "I have mixed emotions," Soares-Pump said. "I'm giving to the national relief effort, and I think we all should. But then I put on my SODA hat and I think I'm going to be doing more grant writing than I ever have before." Competition for local funding is already fierce and it's likely to get fiercer, said Soares-Pump, who must raise her entire $330,000 budget anew each year. "I watch the news and I think most of this is giving out of their pockets and so that won't stop the normal giving," she said. "But then I look at corporations giving huge sums of money and I think, 'Oh, we are in trouble.' " Other nonprofit representatives believe the generosity will stay steady and may, in fact, build on itself. At United Way of Jackson County, Sept. 11 was the first official day of the agency's annual fund-raising effort. Last weekend marked its annual Day of Caring. And today is the kickoff for the public effort to raise $1.1 million for the agency. "The call to give to charity is uniquely American," said Dee Anne Everson, executive director of United Way. "Right now, the call is greater. I honestly believe that when the call is greater, we respond greater. ... I think they just dig deeper." That sentiment was echoed by officials at the local Salvation Army, which has raised some $3,500 so far, with every cent heading toward the national relief effort. Capt. John Van Cleef said he's not concerned that will mean less for his agency later. "I'm not worried," he said. "First, I don't mean to sound simple, but I believe God will provide for our needs. Second, what we're seeing is an outpouring above and beyond and it's the heroic trait of our country." The tragedy may have made some people more aware of the vital work nonprofits perform, said Dick Hanlin, executive director of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Rogue Valley. "I think a lot of people are looking with thanks and gratitude at the things we do have in place," he said. "People have come up to me to say they are thankful that we are doing things like not having the TV on, that we're doing things to keep the kids distracted in the face of this tragedy." At the Arts Council of Southern Oregon, which barely made its $149,000 budget last year, director Lyn Godsey said her mission speaks for itself. "Maybe I'm a Pollyanna, but I think people give because they want to help your organization," she said. "My sense is that it's not going to be 'I've got X amount of dollars I'm going to donate, but I gave it all to disaster relief in New York City.' " At least one large area funder shares her view. Bill Thorndike, an officer with the Oregon Community Foundation, believes that the depths of public generosity have yet to be plumbed. "Maybe this will trigger in some folks the light that says, 'We really do have to take care not only of our local community, but the world,' " he said. "If anything, it might enhance philanthropy as we go forward." Some area nonprofits might see a decline in their funding, Thorndike acknowledged. But, he said, those with strong missions and organizations will continue. "Chances are, there are nonprofits that need to evolve in some area. Maybe they will place blame where it doesn't necessarily belong," he said. Those that survive will face a formidable task, said Templeman, of the Southern Oregon Humane Society. Nonprofit agencies do the grassroots work of the world, creating and sustaining programs that change attitudes. "All nonprofits, no matter what we do, we ultimately affect people. Our mission includes animals, but it's how we as people care for them. We're educating people to become more humane and treat all living beings with respect." Reach reporter JoNel Aleccia at 776-4465, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.