The Foundation just completed its fifth year in operation. Much has been accomplished, and many lives have been positively affected. The year 2016 was our most impressive yet, with total gifts raised exceeding $3 million — $1.525 million in current gifts and $1.546 million in deferred giving. Below is a summary of the funds that benefitted from the current gifts. Please note: numbers are rounded.

Zest For Life: Capital Projects $ 1,258,130
Resident Assistance $ 1,450
Zest For Life: Programs $ 18,970
General – Unrestricted $ 155,221
Employee Assistance $ 91,700

Deferred giving in 2016 was equally as impressive, exceeding $1.5 million in intended gifts. Donors to deferred giving are those who have identified the Plymouth Harbor Foundation in their estate plans in some way, thus joining the MacNeil Society. In 2016 alone, we welcomed 13 new MacNeil Society members, bringing our total members to 39. Interest in giving to the various projects and programs of the Foundation continues to bring in new donors.

In 2016, 47% of residents, 85% of board members, and 70% of management staff participated in giving to the Foundation. We are sincerely grateful to these participants. Finally, a measurement used throughout the country in effectiveness of any philanthropy program is the amount of money it costs to raise $1. The national average is 20 cents. Our cost for 2016 was 9 cents.

You can find a complete summary of giving in our 2016 Impact Report, which will be released at the end of March. Thank you to everyone for a great year!