Who Decides Where the Money Goes?
Posted August 22nd, 2008 by adminBlog post by Melissa Nickell, Director, Community Impact Investments
The Community Investment Process is one of the most eye opening experiences I’ve had. I had no idea how many community members were willing to (and do) invest their free time to improve the lives of those around them. All while asking for nothing in return. Over 65 volunteers and over 1,900 volunteer hours spent in three months reviewing applications for accuracy, asking questions, listening to agency presentations, having lengthy discussions and personally visiting every agency applying for funds. It is clear that anyone signing up for this volunteer opportunity is dedicated to improving the community and willing to invest what it takes to make it happen. Even if it means driving over an hour during a snow storm… yes, it’s been done!
I can honestly say that I learned more about the needs of the community as well as the level of care and generosity during the three months of the investment process than I had in the eight years of living in Boise prior to the experience. Every agency offers a different perspective and yet, they all work together. Every volunteer offers a different perspective and area of experience and they also work together as a team to make some really tough decisions. How much are we able to invest and where will it make the most positive impact on the community? This is no easy task when the amount requested is twice as much as the amount available to invest. But the difficult investment decisions are made every year thanks to the time and efforts of those who take on the time intensive opportunity.
One thing I often hear from Review Team Volunteers is how much they have learned and what a great opportunity it is. Although it is a large time commitment, it is also a very rewarding one. And at the end of the day, or I should say at the end of the month, they have helped to ensure that contributions from over 15,000 donors who generously contributed to the Community Care Fund were invested in the best way to help the most people.
