Ten Minutes with the Saginaw Community Foundation's Renee Johnston

Mid Michigan Second Wave: The Saginaw Community Foundation has been in existence for 28 years. How has it grown since its inception and what obstacles does it face today?

Renee Johnston: It has grown in assets from $50,000 in the beginning to over $40 million today. Of course, that growth means more relationships with corporate sponsors, stakeholders and volunteers. Philanthropy as a whole has changed since then--there are so many options now. People may see easier ways to meet their philanthropic goals, such as giving directly to a specific agency. This is a challenge, but it's a good challenge. We can only continue to grow by being the vehicle of choice for philanthropy. We are pulled in a lot of directions. It is challenging to be all to all with limited resources because we do not have $40 million at our disposal. It is endowed, and we have only 5 percent interest earned per year at our disposal. We don't allow ourselves to spend all of that because we are building for the future--we'd love to give every student that applied a scholarship but we do not have the resources.

MMSW: Why is the foundation important to people in the Saginaw community?

RJ: There are people who have the wealth to start their own family or private foundation but they may not have an understanding of what kind of commitment that is--we can be that foundation for them. They can set up a donor-advised fund with us where they do not have to accept applications, review them, or fill out paperwork while playing a similar role as they would in their own foundation. For those who do not have that kind of wealth, we can assist them in meeting all of their philanthropic goals.

MMSW: How many donors does the foundation have and what types? How many more do you hope to add in the next year?

RJ: We had 1,291 donors in 2011. We have recent college graduates, alumni associations, middle-class individuals and the wealthy class. As for how many more donors, we don't have a set number. What is really important is the impact we make. It could be one donor that gives us $10 million in a trust or it could be five donors that give us $1 million. It all helps as long as it makes an impact.

MMSW: What are some of the biggest obstacles that Saginaw nonprofit agencies face?

RJ: Some nonprofits receive state or federal funds and because of the economy, those funds are being cut. Those agencies are challenged year after year to provide services that the community relies on them for. Even faced with these challenges, they are survivors.

MMSW: What types of challenges has the Saginaw Community Foundation faced?

RJ: In the past, the struggles were the need to make the community aware of what the Saginaw Community Foundation was and what the foundation did for the community. People were confused at first because some other organizations may have felt threatened by the community foundation's goals.

MMSW: How does the foundation benefit area nonprofits?

RJ: A lot of the agencies have established funds with the Saginaw Community Foundation. It allows them to set monies aside for special needs or emergency needs in the future and we help by providing grant money.

MMSW: The Saginaw Community Foundation website provides information on how to donate, why to donate, types of funds, how funds are used and testimonials. Have your donors found this feature to be an effective tool as they make a decision to give?

RJ: Yes. We get a lot of good feedback from professional advisors who utilize these resources in conversations with their clients.

MMSW: You and your staff convene groups to discuss issues of common concern and initiate new programs. What new programs have you initiated lately?

RJ: One of our programs involves assisting the Northmoor Neighborhood Association to renovate and enhance Deindorfer Woods in Saginaw. This park has been neglected, but we are helping to put in a new playground and parking lot. Many of us spent a lot of time in that park growing up in grade school. We played kickball, played on the swings, and have great memories of Deindorfer Woods.

MMSW: Tell me about a Saginaw nonprofit agency that has fared well despite the recent recession and what part the Saginaw Community Foundation played to help it survive?

RJ: I can't even say there is only one. A number of these agencies are affiliated with the foundation because they had endowment funds, so they really relied on those funds to help make ends meet during the recession. Those relationships helped the agencies and they sometimes looked to the community foundation for consultation.

MMSW: Are there any exciting events coming up?

RJ: Yes. On June 5, there will be an annual celebration where we give out awards and reflect on the past year. This year, the Consumers Energy Foundation has identified the Deindorfer Woods project as one of their 10 recipients across the state to receive a matching grant up to $125,000 in honor of Consumers Energy's 125-year anniversary. We are extremely proud of this.

Editor's Note: This interview was edited and condensed.
 
Kelle Barr is a freelance writer who attended Western Michigan University, majoring in journalism. She enjoys gardening, reading, travel, crafting jewelry and spending time with her family.