About Our Grant Leverage Program
In the spring of 2003 AAACF initiated a Grant Leverage Program. We contacted a number of AAACF supporters
with the request to consider supplementing our proposed grants to area nonprofits. The many positive responses
we received resulted in our being able to leverage our grants by fully 100 percent in the spring
'03 grantmaking cycle.
Gifts came in all sizes and from a variety of sources: individuals, private foundations, service organizations
and corporate giving programs. Some gifts were designated to support the specific programs and others were
unrestricted to be used where most needed at the discretion of the Distribution Committee.
The Grant Leverage Program will continue in 2004 in an ongoing effort to meet the needs of the community and
encourage philanthropy through our general grantmaking program. Donors interested in joining in this special
initiative are encouraged to contact the Foundation at (734) 663-0401.
WHY DID THEY HELP?
We asked some of the donors why they chose to participate in our Grant Leverage Program. Here's a sample
of some of the responses we received:
"Given the economy, I'm aware that most nonprofits are hurting. So a little bit, every little bit, helps. Therefore I quickly decided to give out a little more this year from the donor advised fund than I had anticipated because right now's the time to help."
- Elan G.
"When we set up our donor advised fund at the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, we wanted to be able to support important human services and arts programs in this community that means so much to our family. When Martha Bloom informed us of the grant leverage program, it was the perfect opportunity to use our grant dollars in
conjunction with others to accomplish this objective."
- Doug & Carol W.
"There are so many causes that need support and so it is easy to "pass by" just sending money to the Foundation. However, when a request is made directly to me within my area of interest the cause becomes tantamount to my way of giving. I become part of the heart of things."
- Betty G.
"[This program] appealed to me because it was a refreshingly new approach to fund raising. The itemized requests for additional funds recommended by the Program Director were thoroughly researched by members of the Distribution Committee, so I was certain that they were worthy of support … In the end, I split my funds: half for two familiar organizations; with the remainder to be allocated by the Distribution Committee. Put another way, my gift was 50% status quo and 50% trailblazing. Risk-taking can be so satisfying."
- Mary D.
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