Frequently Asked Questions
What is a community foundation?
A community foundation is the only philanthropic organization with a mandate to bring nonprofits and donors together for the task of building community.Only a community foundation can offer donors the flexibility to structure their tax-deductible gifts in a variety of ways to meet their charitable goals.
What is Bandera Community Foundation's mission?
Our mission is to improve the quality of life in our community:
- by working with donors to help them realize their philanthropic goals;
- by working with community leaders to build consensus in what the real priorities are; and
- by creating opportunities for collaboration among nonprofits for the good of the community.
What does BCF do?
- BCF raises money for the community. We do that with fundraising events like Celebrate Bandera.
- We make grants to other nonprofit organizations that are making a difference in our community. Some of the organizations that have received grants from BCF include Helping Hand, the Boys & Girls Club, Kronkosky Library and the Silver Sage Senior Center.
- BCF builds assets. The Disaster Relief Fund is one of six endowed funds invested with BCF for growth, so the money will be there when needed. We hold and invest funds for individuals who want to maximize the value of their charitable contributions.
What has BCF done?
BCF focuses on building the capacity of our nonprofit organizations to carry out their missions, and building consensus about the priorities our community should address. We do that by:
- Assisting area nonprofits with grant writing, strategic planning, endowment building, and board development. Direct results from BCF assistance include over $2,500,000 in gifts and grants.
- Hosting the Nonprofit Resource Center of Texas to do board training seminars.
- Organizing annual Nonprofit Workshops.
- Collaborating with Kiwanis BHS Key Club to initiate Youth Community Services.
For a detailed list of BCF activities, see Achievements.
Why did Bandera Community Foundation change its name?
In 2006, Bandera Regional Community Foundation became the Bandera Community Foundation. Community foundations don't have borders. We don't serve a region. We serve people, wherever they may be when they ask for our help. "Bandera Community Foundation" says what it needs to say. We felt our name should reflect what we are…with the emphasis on community.
What special features distinguish BCF from other types of charitable organizations?
BCF has several characteristics that set it apart:
- Personalized service to create solutions that fit both donors and the charities of their choice. By coordinating grants, matching funds and other resources, BCF can tap into the available sources of funding for a given cause.
- BCF board, committee members and advisers are local folks with strong ties to the community and an in-depth knowledge of local needs.
- BCF has the experience and contacts to help donors and charities unlock the value of gift planning in a variety of forms--stock real estate and collectibles.
- As a community catalyst, BCF brings people and community organizations together to seek solutions to common problems and take advantage of high impact opportunities.
- BCF promotes charitable giving and builds unrestricted endowments--"community funds"--to ensure grants are always available to support the comunity.
- BCF shares information resources, experience and expertise with other nonprofit organizations from fundraising and developing endowments to hands-on assistance with public relations, communications, governance and administrative issues.
What types of local initiatives does the BCF fund?
BCF funding is based on the interests of each donor: community improvement, conservation, education, health care, human services, wildlife protection, the arts, youth development, disaster relief or any other worthwhile cause.
How can a donor structure a tax deductible gift for the community, an organization or a specific cause?
The most popular ways of giving through the BCF include:
