SNAP’s “Ode to Opportunity” lunch in October included no shortage of highlights. Among them was the news of the agency’s new campaign to bolster its endowment fund with attendees at the Spokane Convention Center provided with several compelling reasons to donate.
Make that 50,000 reasons.
Toward the conclusion of the event, an announcement was made that Avista would be donating another $50,000 to the campaign once SNAP reached the $100,000 mark.
At that point on Oct. 27, the drive had generated $55,000 in contributions from individual donors – among them Avista CEO Scott Morris and Senior Vice President Dennis Vermillion stepping up with generous support. Referencing SNAP’s 50th or “golden” anniversary this year, the “Gold Club” campaign began humbly in August to help SNAP add to its sustainability by building up an endowment established in 2012 through the Inland Northwest Community Foundation.
“We talk all the time about our clients becoming more stable and self-reliant,” said SNAP CEO Julie Honekamp. “We feel that it’s important for us to walk that talk. Our endowment fund through the Inland Northwest Community Foundation is one way to strengthen that foundation.”
As a diverse and dynamic nonprofit with over 30 programs, SNAP strives to stay responsive to the needs of the greater Spokane community. Approximately 97 percent of SNAP’s overall budget consists of “restricted” funds, meaning those monies are specifically designated to a certain program or service. When a crisis like last November’s windstorm hits, SNAP needs to have flexible, available funds at the ready.
Having a substantial endowment will help SNAP prepare for the future, giving the agency an opportunity to innovate with housing or with new programs like Spokane Ride to Care. SNAP is also looking to invest in data research and outcomes so we are being as effective and efficient as possible.
“A donation to an endowment is a unique gift,” Honekamp said. “By earning interest, your gift keeps on giving. It provides SNAP with security moving into the future and allows us the ability to face funding challenges if and when they arise.”
With 91 cents of every donated dollar going directly to programs and services, SNAP has one of the lowest overhead administrative costs among nonprofits in the region. A fact that Honekamp says, “speaks to the dedication and overarching priorities of this agency.”
Fulfillment of the $100,000 goal, along with the gift from Avista, would nearly triple SNAP’s endowment total from where it stood at the beginning of the year.
Patrick Lynch, Avista’s director of Community Development and president of the Avista Foundation, said the offer to support the endowment drive is part of SNAP and Avista “providing assistance to those in our community who are most in need.”
“Avista certainly recognizes the critical role that SNAP plays in our community as a leader in educating and empowering our low-income neighbors,” Lynch said. “Avista is proud to be SNAP’s partner on so many community initiatives – from energy assistance to home weatherization to energy fairs to fuel conversions to loans for small businesses, just to name a few. Avista recognizes the critical importance of SNAP’s work and we strongly support its mission.”
Support SNAP’s drive to reach our $100,000 goal and SNAP will receive an additional $50,000 gift from Avista.
Donate Now SNAP’s “Ode to Opportunity” lunch in October included no shortage of highlights. Among them was the news of the agency’s new campaign to bolster its endowment fund with attendees at the Spokane Convention Center provided with several compelling reasons to donate.
Make that 50,000 reasons.
Toward the conclusion of the event, an announcement was made that Avista would be donating another $50,000 to the campaign once SNAP reached the $100,000 mark.
At that point on Oct. 27, the drive had generated $55,000 in contributions from individual donors – among them Avista CEO Scott Morris and Senior Vice President Dennis Vermillion stepping up with generous support. Referencing SNAP’s 50th or “golden” anniversary this year, the “Gold Club” campaign began humbly in August to help SNAP add to its sustainability by building up an endowment established in 2012 through the Inland Northwest Community Foundation.
“We talk all the time about our clients becoming more stable and self-reliant,” said SNAP CEO Julie Honekamp. “We feel that it’s important for us to walk that talk. Our endowment fund through the Inland Northwest Community Foundation is one way to strengthen that foundation.”
As a diverse and dynamic nonprofit with over 30 programs, SNAP strives to stay responsive to the needs of the greater Spokane community. Approximately 97 percent of SNAP’s overall budget consists of “restricted” funds, meaning those monies are specifically designated to a certain program or service. When a crisis like last November’s windstorm hits, SNAP needs to have flexible, available funds at the ready.
Having a substantial endowment will help SNAP prepare for the future, giving the agency an opportunity to innovate with housing or with new programs like Spokane Ride to Care. SNAP is also looking to invest in data research and outcomes so we are being as effective and efficient as possible.
“A donation to an endowment is a unique gift,” Honekamp said. “By earning interest, your gift keeps on giving. It provides SNAP with security moving into the future and allows us the ability to face funding challenges if and when they arise.”
With 91 cents of every donated dollar going directly to programs and services, SNAP has one of the lowest overhead administrative costs among nonprofits in the region. A fact that Honekamp says, “speaks to the dedication and overarching priorities of this agency.”
Fulfillment of the $100,000 goal, along with the gift from Avista, would nearly triple SNAP’s endowment total from where it stood at the beginning of the year.
Patrick Lynch, Avista’s director of Community Development and president of the Avista Foundation, said the offer to support the endowment drive is part of SNAP and Avista “providing assistance to those in our community who are most in need.”
“Avista certainly recognizes the critical role that SNAP plays in our community as a leader in educating and empowering our low-income neighbors,” Lynch said. “Avista is proud to be SNAP’s partner on so many community initiatives – from energy assistance to home weatherization to energy fairs to fuel conversions to loans for small businesses, just to name a few. Avista recognizes the critical importance of SNAP’s work and we strongly support its mission.”
Support SNAP’s drive to reach our $100,000 goal and SNAP will receive an additional $50,000 gift from Avista.
Donate Now