Part of what makes Metro EDGE such an impactful organization is our members’ commitment to philanthropic engagement. 2017 was the year of #DareToInspire, and for the first time Metro EDGE partnered with the Metro Chamber Foundation’s Inspire Giving program, an endowment fund that seeks to support and grow the spirit of giving by enabling every individual to become a life-long philanthropist through the creation of an annual gift.
EDGE dared to, and raised, even more funds than we have in past years for a local non-profit. EDGE raised over $10,000 for Inspire Giving and volunteered over 300 hours for the 2017 Inspire Giving Grant recipient, Lilliput Families. We partnered with Lilliput to beautify their facilities and upgrade to ADA compliance; the parking lot and entrances to their Citrus Heights Family and Training Center. This will empower Lilliput to continue as a vital contributor to the wellbeing of children and families in Sacramento region.
Inspire Giving provided a $10,000 grant and worked in collaboration with EDGE, the Metro Chamber Foundation, the Metro Chamber, and the business community to provide in-kind donations and volunteer services to complete this project. As Donnie DeBolt, of Lilliput Families put it, “Receiving the Inspire Giving grant was by far the greatest opportunity that came our way in 2017 and we know that it is a gift that will keep on giving for years to come!”
This year, EDGE will take giving to the #NextLevel and build on our support of Inspire Giving through volunteer opportunities with Inspire Giving’s 2018 grant recipient and by continuing to fundraise for the endowment that directly supports Inspire Giving’s commitment to making a social impact in the Sacramento region. Our goal in 2018 is to raise funds for Inspire Giving, as well as encouraging EDGErs to donate directly to the endowment fund — allowing our philanthropic impact to grow!
What's in store for 2018?
In partnership with Inspire Giving, Metro EDGE will again be leading the volunteer efforts on Inspire Giving’s annual project. We are excited to announce Grid Alternatives as the 2018 Inspire Giving grant recipient.
We will be partnering with Grid Alternatives to support their job readiness program through skills based volunteer opportunities, marketing support, and expansion of their employer network. This will empower Grid Alternatives to continue as a vital contributor to the region’s workforce. Inspire Giving will provide a $10,000 grant and work in collaboration with EDGE, the Metro Chamber Foundation, the Metro Chamber and the business community to provide in-kind donations and volunteer services to complete this project. There will be multiple opportunities for volunteering and giving in the coming year.
Stay tuned for more information on the 2018 project and opportunities to get involved!
More about Inspire Giving
As a member of the Inspire Giving Fund, individuals have the opportunity to combine their donation with others to create an endowment — a cooler and more impactful way to give! Each year, all individuals who have invested in Inspire Giving collaboratively select, via a voting process, how the endowment’s income will be distributed to a charitable organization within the Sacramento region.
An awardee is announced during the Metro Chamber’s Annual Dinner in January. In addition to a monetary investment, members may also volunteer their time and resources in aid of the chosen project each year. In 8 years, Inspire Giving has donated $85,000 in grants to 8 non-profits, leveraging an additional $1,000,000 in volunteer and in-kind services.
