The Gary C. Butler Family Foundation is an organization founded on the principals of providing financial and volunteer support to not for profit organizations whose core services fall within one or more of our defined focus areas; wildlife and land conservation within the United States, youth empowerment, and the betterment and protection of women, children and families. I have been fortunate to have enjoyed a long and successful business career at ADP and now post retirement my goal is to leverage these successes in an enduring and impactful way. Charitable trusts, especially those centered around family interests like our foundation, have good reason to blog as it can be an important vehicle to help us gain insight into potential grantees we seek to serve but also to better understand how past grantees are utilizing our funds. Additionally I believe blogging can be a great way for charitable trusts to reach numerous audiences in the following ways:
Highlighting Your Message
More than a mission statement, a blog allows you to fine-tune your message. By blogging about a variety of subjects, you provide clarity to yourself and potential grantees about the causes you desire to support. Worthwhile organizations often go without funding because of the daunting grant application process. With a refined message, charities will know immediately if they are within the scope of your interest.
Improving Visibility
A blog provides ready-made content that is critical in improving page rank and driving traffic. Each blog post gives search engines one more way to find you. Posts can also be shared via social media to a wider audience likely to rally to your cause, ultimately benefiting the goal of the foundation, which is to give.
Raising Awareness
By showcasing your family foundation and past grantees via blogging, you naturally raise awareness for your interests and the charities you select. Since charities depend on donations, extra press is often all they need to attract more donors by being more visible and subsequently remaining viable. .
Establishing More Personal Relationships
Charitable trusts often have an image of untouchable men and women in business suits sitting in the proverbial ivory tower. Yet that is often far from the truth. As an example, our family foundation consists of myself and my two adult children and we support causes and organization that matter individually to us. What could be more personal than that? Writing a blog can also give trustees or grantees an opportunity to show their personal side and the passions they support. It’s a very good reminder to outsiders and potential grantees that grants are made from and to people.
Inspiring Others
What better way to inspire others than to showcase the enrichment you and others achieved through philanthropy and charitable giving? A blog is an ideal vehicle to rally others that may wish to contribute or may give birth to new charities or trusts that support causes important to you.
Leaving a Lasting Legacy in Words
Most charitable trusts seek to leave a legacy of philanthropy long after the founders are gone. A blog allows you to carry that message one step further by also leaving a lasting legacy of words. Just knowing that your words of today will be around to inspire generations to come is reason enough to start blogging.
I hope this first entry blog has been informative about what our foundation is all about, and ultimately how our shared experiences can be a benefit to us all. I look forward to continuing the dialogue.
The Gary C. Butler Family Foundation is a private charitable trust started by Gary C. Butler in 1998. The Foundation provides grants in areas and locales that reflect the charitable interests of the foundation trustees and their families.
