Investing Privately
2008-03-12 16:29:00
The recent announcement by the Jessie Ball duPont Foundation that it would partner to invest $500,000 into the community of Port St. Joe should be welcome news for those hoping to turn some economic tides in the county.
The foundation announced that it was partnering with another Jacksonville-based foundation to place half a million dollars in "seed" money to fund non-profit community development efforts in Port St. Joe.
The fund would be separate and in no way impact the donations the Jessie Ball duPont Foundation has made for decades through designated churches and the garden club in the community.
By partnering with another foundation, the trustees of the foundation have established a vehicle to fund philanthropic efforts in the community.
And Gulf County is home to fewer than 10 non-profit organizations with revenues in excess of $25,000.
This is precisely where the foundation is aiming its money, to try to establish the kind of "non-profit infrastructure" as put by fund president Sherry Magill, "that larger communities rely on to support" quality of life issues in the community.
As state and local governments deal with budget shortfalls - shortfalls in the sense that gouging taxpayers is becoming tougher all the time - the victims are too often the fabrics of the safety net and such private investment aimed at that net is to be applauded and matched.
Programs for seniors, health care, affordable housing, economic development, a vibrant arts culture, these are the kind of initiatives that have been most hurt by government belt-tightening.
In any case, however, the county has become little more than a spoils system borne of single-member districts and commissioners as concerned about holding onto seats of power as making a difference for the whole.
So the private investment of an entity such as the Jessie Ball duPont Fund is welcome in these trying economic times.
There is no shortage of fine minds and small groups who are formulating ideas and taking a hard look at how to change the landscape.
The fact that fewer than 10 non-profits with revenues of over $25,000 exist, however, spotlights the kind of hand that will be needed to make some of those visions become reality.
And already burdened taxpayers should not be footing the bill.
On a far more grassroots level, consider the Supporters of St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge.
This is a group, just a year old, which has taken up the slack of budget cutbacks on the federal level.
While the staff at the refuge has been cut in half over the past five years, in the past year the "friends" in the private sector have formed a large and growing, vibrant group that has undertaken considerable work in improving public access to and management of the refuge.
Group members have helped carve trails, monitor wildlife programs and generally support, with money, time and energy, the kind of management of the refuge that government has decided is down the list of priorities, probably because there is not enough pork - of the fiscal, not wild hog variety - involved.
As the president of the group said during a recent annual meeting, this is a challenge for the Baby Boomer generation, to give back, to do what government is unwilling or unable to do or should not be doing, depending on one's political point of view.
Much is the same with a group of local citizens who are examining and attempting to formulate solutions and potential action plans on a variety of economic development issues.
Steadily they have dissected the county's situation from an economic standpoint and they should be cheered for their initiative and stick-to-it-iveness.
Much has been learned, much work remains, but they are doggedly and carefully looking at the issues from all angles.
And we could add in the efforts to restore the Centennial Building, the so-far flailing efforts at economic development and affordable housing, as well as those who work largely behind the scenes to provide for the elderly and the needy.
This is where the answers are going to come, from the private sector.
Looking for answers in the meeting room of the Board of County Commissioners has become akin to viewing one's self in a carnival mirror - all distortion and lack of semblance to reality.
The Jessie Ball duPont Foundation has provided a valuable step forward, an investment in the talents and spirit of this community.
It should be taken as a challenge to other "haves" with a stake in the community, as well as testament that while there may be dark clouds hovering overhead, there are those who see bright things ahead.
The foundation announced that it was partnering with another Jacksonville-based foundation to place half a million dollars in "seed" money to fund non-profit community development efforts in Port St. Joe.
The fund would be separate and in no way impact the donations the Jessie Ball duPont Foundation has made for decades through designated churches and the garden club in the community.
By partnering with another foundation, the trustees of the foundation have established a vehicle to fund philanthropic efforts in the community.
And Gulf County is home to fewer than 10 non-profit organizations with revenues in excess of $25,000.
This is precisely where the foundation is aiming its money, to try to establish the kind of "non-profit infrastructure" as put by fund president Sherry Magill, "that larger communities rely on to support" quality of life issues in the community.
As state and local governments deal with budget shortfalls - shortfalls in the sense that gouging taxpayers is becoming tougher all the time - the victims are too often the fabrics of the safety net and such private investment aimed at that net is to be applauded and matched.
Programs for seniors, health care, affordable housing, economic development, a vibrant arts culture, these are the kind of initiatives that have been most hurt by government belt-tightening.
In any case, however, the county has become little more than a spoils system borne of single-member districts and commissioners as concerned about holding onto seats of power as making a difference for the whole.
So the private investment of an entity such as the Jessie Ball duPont Fund is welcome in these trying economic times.
There is no shortage of fine minds and small groups who are formulating ideas and taking a hard look at how to change the landscape.
The fact that fewer than 10 non-profits with revenues of over $25,000 exist, however, spotlights the kind of hand that will be needed to make some of those visions become reality.
And already burdened taxpayers should not be footing the bill.
On a far more grassroots level, consider the Supporters of St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge.
This is a group, just a year old, which has taken up the slack of budget cutbacks on the federal level.
While the staff at the refuge has been cut in half over the past five years, in the past year the "friends" in the private sector have formed a large and growing, vibrant group that has undertaken considerable work in improving public access to and management of the refuge.
Group members have helped carve trails, monitor wildlife programs and generally support, with money, time and energy, the kind of management of the refuge that government has decided is down the list of priorities, probably because there is not enough pork - of the fiscal, not wild hog variety - involved.
As the president of the group said during a recent annual meeting, this is a challenge for the Baby Boomer generation, to give back, to do what government is unwilling or unable to do or should not be doing, depending on one's political point of view.
Much is the same with a group of local citizens who are examining and attempting to formulate solutions and potential action plans on a variety of economic development issues.
Steadily they have dissected the county's situation from an economic standpoint and they should be cheered for their initiative and stick-to-it-iveness.
Much has been learned, much work remains, but they are doggedly and carefully looking at the issues from all angles.
And we could add in the efforts to restore the Centennial Building, the so-far flailing efforts at economic development and affordable housing, as well as those who work largely behind the scenes to provide for the elderly and the needy.
This is where the answers are going to come, from the private sector.
Looking for answers in the meeting room of the Board of County Commissioners has become akin to viewing one's self in a carnival mirror - all distortion and lack of semblance to reality.
The Jessie Ball duPont Foundation has provided a valuable step forward, an investment in the talents and spirit of this community.
It should be taken as a challenge to other "haves" with a stake in the community, as well as testament that while there may be dark clouds hovering overhead, there are those who see bright things ahead.
