2014 was a very good year for philanthropy. Both nationally and in Montana. Giving USA reports donations in the United States achieved an all-time high of $358.38 billion, a 7.1 percent increase over 2013. This increase represents an increase across all four categories of donors - individuals (up 5.7 percent), foundations (up 8.2 percent), bequests (up 15.5 percent) and corporations (up 13.7 percent). Likewise, eight of the nine major categories of giving (where these donations went) also increased, with the arts/culture/humanities seeing the largest percentage increase at 9.2 percent and religion still topping the list at $114.9 billion representing 32 percent of all giving.

The national numbers are staggering. Sometimes they're difficult for us to comprehend. At Montana Community Foundation, we have also experienced a significant positive change in charitable giving with a more than 55 percent increase in contributions from FY14 to FY15. One thing we've focused on is building relationships with individuals. Many lament, "Montana doesn't have as many big private foundations as other states." While that is true, we also know that over 80 percent of the charitable gifts made in America come from individuals. We're working with local communities and local nonprofit organizations to capture a portion of the enormous intergenerational transfer of wealth occurring here in Montana. That's why we created the Montana Office of Gift Planning nearly a year ago. That decision is paying off and making a tremendous difference for Montana communities.

While we cannot predict the future, we can identify some trends. The first is that high-net-worth households have been making very large gifts to nonprofits. Since the number of total gifts hasn't seen a significant increase, this trend helps account for the increase in total giving. Another trend is accountability and transparency. Donors and regulatory bodies are asking nonprofits to be more accountable with where and how funds are used. In turn, nonprofits are offering greater levels of transparency, self-evaluation and reporting. And finally, one trend nonprofits must acknowledge and respond to is the increase in online, mobile and social giving. The philanthropic world isn't immune to the rapid pace of technology. A strong online and mobile presence and participation in crowd-sourced funding events such as Give Local are key to future success.

We're also looking to the future. Montana Community Foundation's board will be meeting this week in Bozeman to deliberate on our next big steps to benefit Montana. We'll share those decisions with you as they're made through Infinity. Your philanthropy matters. We are honored to be your partner in the process.

*Data based on the Giving USA 2015 Annual Report
 

Sincerely,

Mary K. Rutherford, MA, CFRE

President & Chief Executive Officer

Mountain guide. I love to be outside, be active, and analyze risk. I love introducing people to places that change their ways of thinking and their awareness; time in the mountains does both. 

I'm running a 50K trail race called "The Rut" in Big Sky this September...and I've never raced more than a 5K fun run.

Ice cream, family and spending time outside.

As a high school science teacher, I was constantly reaching out to the community arranging field trips, pulling in guest speakers, and asking for help to bring experience and enlightenment to my students. Through that process, I realized how rewarding it is to bring different community members together to increase our connection to each other and inspire our collective impact. This eventually led to my founding of Ecology Project International.

It takes the collective and intentional work of all of us to create vibrant Montana communities, and that is why everyone has a stake in MCF.  

I don't get there often enough, but when I sit in the Boiling River outside of Gardiner, it feels like a little slice of heaven.

There's something here that brings us all together, that gives us shared perspective and some common vision. The wide open spaces, the resilience that the place demands, and the beauty all combine to create a work ethic and gratitude that I love about Montana and Montanans.

Many local businesses are participating in "Round Up for Open Land", with the kick-off during Montana Open Land Month. Proceeds will be split between Travelers for Open Land, Gallatin River Task Force and Big Sky Community Corporation -- a triumvirate of Montana assets: open land, water and trails.

In short: anyone and everyone -- businesses, visitors, community groups, youth -- is encouraged to get involved in Montana Open Land Month. Attend an event, or create an event. Share photos and artwork for prizes. Connect via social media. And best of all: get outside and celebrate what you love most about this "Big Sky, Open Land" state!

Learn more at www.openlandmt.org