6 Ways To Give Back In 2014 And Beyond
December 29, 2014 
Photo courtesy of Rachel Taylor Photography.
As the year draws to a close, it’s common to look back and count your blessings.
It’s also a great opportunity to reflect on ways that you could contribute to others who aren’t as fortunate, and to give back to the industry that supports your livelihood.
So, listed here are some (tax deductible) opportunities for you to contribute money to causes that reflect the spirit of the industry by December 31.
America In Bloom
America in Bloom’s (AIB) programs are implemented solely with volunteer effort, not just from its board, staff and judges, but by the thousands of volunteers in participating towns and cities. The AIB program is making a difference all across America.
Ninety-three percent of all contributions go directly to programming costs; the remaining 7 percent assist with administrative costs and fundraising.
Support AIB using its secure online donation form.
American Floral Endowment
The American Floral Endowment (AFE) is an independent, nonprofit organization that funds research and scholarships in floriculture and environmental horticulture for the benefit of retailers, growers, wholesalers, importers and allied trade organizations.
AFE has sponsored much of the modern research that benefits the industry, from funding studies on pest and disease control to marketing and media research. For more than 50 years, AFE has awarded more than $14 million to floral industry research, educational grants, scholarships and internships. AFE awards are acclaimed by universities and help with tenure decisions for young researchers.
There are several different ways to make a planned gift to AFE. Visit the AFE website to learn more about ways to support the industry.
Bee And Pollinator Stewardship Initiative Fund
The Stewardship Initiative includes the following steps:
- Developing a bee and pollinator stewardship program that improves the circumstances surrounding pollinator health concerns
- Funding research that will help answer key scientific questions that support the stewardship program
- Spreading the word to horticulture industry communities and customers about how the program has a positive impact on pollinators and still allows the industry to mitigate the spread of invasive pests that threaten the natural environment
In addition to financially supporting this initiative now, you will have other opportunities to embrace bee and pollinator stewardship and help spread the word as the initiative produces results.
This initiative is in partnership with SAF, AmericanHort and the Horticultural Research Institute. Together, SAF, AmericanHort, AFE and HRI are committed to working together to assure that this is an all-industry effort. Make a donation at the American Floral Endowment website or the Horticultural Research Initiative website.
Horticultural Research Initiative
Gifts ensure an enduring source of capital to promote, protect and preserve the nursery and landscape industry. Donations made to the Horticultural Research Initiative (HRI) support HRI’s efforts to fund research primarily through its competitive grants program.
As a landscape and nursery industry information clearinghouse, HRI reduces research duplication by encouraging investigators to examine the same problem from different angles. This makes better information and more resources available to the researchers. And it helps HRI dollars to go twice as far.
HRI donors support a better environment, quality plants and production practices while supporting those that get to the root of biological and practical business issues – the research community.
Donate to HRI by visiting its website.
Society of American Florists’ Political Action Committee (SAFPAC)
The three core principles on which the SAFPAC Board of Trustees bases its decision on whether a political candidate qualifies for SAFPAC funds are: issues, outreach and electability. Each measure has many questions that the SAFPAC Trustees and the Government Relations staff look at when assessing a candidate.
Your donation is critical to the success of SAF’s Government Relations campaign. Before donating, download the Prior Approval form and donation form to get the ball rolling and support the industry’s only political action committee. Once this form is completed, you’ll be able to donate to SAFPAC and directly influence elections across the country.
Start donating by filling out the form on the SAF website.
War Child Canada
GGS is offering to match donations to War Child Canada. In her blog, President Leigh Coulter writes:
“Two thirds of adults in the world have assets worth less than $10,000, and world poverty is felt most severely by the very young and further compounded by war.
“I am fortunate to call the founders of War Child Canada my friends. I know the passion and personal commitment they make to do whatever possible to help the innocent victims of war. As medical doctors and humanitarians, they are deeply concerned with health and wellness. By providing access to education, opportunity and justice, War Child gives children in war-affected communities the chance to reclaim their childhood and break the cycle of poverty and violence.”
Learn more about War Child Canada and how you can contribute at the GGS website.
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