In his 1983 hit, Elton John said, “I’m still standing better than I ever did.” The same can be said for our portfolio — still standing, better than ever, after a tumultuous 2020. A year that saw much suffering, pain, strife and death has opened to a 2021 that shows light at the end of the tunnel, despite the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.  As we move into 2021, “picking up the pieces of” our lives, we look forward to recovery and healing on many levels.

With the turmoil caused by stay-at-home orders and the associated employee and business impacts, some may be concerned that our investments have also suffered. Not only did our investments survive, but they have also thrived as we close out 2020 and enter 2021. This reinforces the philosophy the Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees employs: staying the course and not reacting to the winds in the air at any given moment.  Our balanced portfolio continues to be a great option to generate long-term returns. This approach, in turn, generates the capital used to fuel the passion of your giving — giving that is truly making a significant difference in our community.

As we enter 2021, a year of recovery and reset, now is a great time to pause, take a deep breath and contemplate the future direction and impact your charitable course will chart. I encourage you to review our “Time for a Charitable Check-up?” flyer and contact Michelle Hardy, Vice President for Advancement, or Mimi Slade, Advancement Associate, to ensure your charitable goals are achieving your hopes and dreams for the future.

Wishing you a prosperous and generous New Year. Continue to stay safe!

Sincerely,

Kevin Patten
Vice President, Finance and Administration
[email protected], 803.978.7825