Ten Weeks to Make a Difference
As the season changes from summer to fall, children are back in school, cool mornings fade into warm fall
afternoons, orchards and pumpkin patches open for the season, and the sun sets just a little earlier each day. All these early signs tell us the busiest time of year is approaching.
Within weeks, we’ll be celebrating Halloween, planning Thanksgiving, and beginning shopping for all sorts of gifts. Preparing for the perfect Christmas holiday will be well underway, and before you know it, 10 weeks will have passed and it will be 2027.
I apologize if that thought gives you a little anxiety. It makes my heart beat just a bit faster, too!
But these same 10 weeks are also a time when generosity and philanthropy shine. As we prepare for the holidays, we have an opportunity to think about what matters most to us and how we want to support the people, organizations, and causes that make Faribault a better place to live.
Year-end giving looks different for everyone. Maybe you’ll volunteer your time peeling potatoes for the Community Thanksgiving meal at the Eagles or ring the bell for the Salvation Army at Hy-Vee or Fareway. Your time is valuable, and giving it is a wonderful way to say, “This cause matters to me!”
Financial gifts are another way to show that you care. Large or small, all gifts matter. It might be the extra change in your pocket dropped into a collection basket or a $10 bill from your wallet because that’s what you have on hand. These spontaneous acts of generosity are wonderful, and our community benefits from them every day.
But what if we also took a little time to plan our giving?
Perhaps that means setting up a recurring donation, making an annual commitment to a favorite cause, or talking with a trusted financial advisor about charitable giving through your investments. Qualified charitable distributions and required minimum distributions may offer opportunities to give, depending on your circumstances and overall financial plan.
And when you finally make that New Year’s resolution to put an estate plan in place, consider including the charities that mean something to you. A thoughtful plan today can help support the causes you care about for years to come.
There is no single right way to give. What matters is finding the approach that fits your life, your values, and your hopes for Faribault. And sometimes, a conversation is all it takes to discover possibilities you haven’t considered.
If I can help ease any stress during the upcoming season, I will! Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, and I can cook and bake pretty well, so call me if you need a recipe or a tip. I don’t love shopping, so I probably won’t be much help to you there!
What I truly love is helping people plan for the things that matter to them, including giving and philanthropy. The Faribault Foundation can help you explore ways to support the causes you care about, whether you want to make a gift today or create something that will benefit Faribault for generations to come.
As the year winds down, I invite you to consider not only what you want to give, but what you want your giving to accomplish. If you’d like to talk through the possibilities, please call me at 507-805-8800 or email laurabock@faribaultfoundation.org. There is no obligation and no need to have all the answers before we talk.
One more thing! The Faribault Foundation has a new home at 10 3rd Street NE, near the Faribault Post Office. Our sign is on the building, so you can’t miss us. We’ve thoughtfully prepared our cozy 781 square feet for coffee and conversation, and you’re welcome to stop in anytime.
The next 10 weeks will fly by. Between the holidays, the gatherings, and the many demands on our time, I hope you’ll find a few moments to think about the difference you want to make. I’d love to help you explore how to make it happen.
I look forward to seeing you!
Laura Bock is the Executive Director of the Faribault Foundation and can be reached at (507) 805-8800, laurabock@faribaultfoundation.org or 10 3rd Street NE, Faribault MN 55021
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