On May 4 the Boulder Daily Camera published Josh Silberstein’s and Clare Clurman’s letter to the Editor regarding our community’s current philanthropic needs. In case you missed it, here is the letter.
Monday, May 4, 2020
Open Forum
COVID-19
Community needs are urgent
As our community grapples with simultaneous public health and economic crises, families and individuals countywide are struggling to adjust to stark new realities: from working at home to layoffs, from kids adapting to online classrooms to worrying about our elderly loved ones, to the growing number of our neighbors experiencing hunger and homelessness.
In response, local nonprofits are stepping up boldly to fill the ever-widening gaps. But the needs of the most vulnerable in our community are great – and urgent – even as the nonprofit sector is challenged by drastic drops in government and private support.
We know the power of philanthropy to transform. And we know that now is the time for philanthropists everywhere to be transformational in their support. It’s in that spirit that we call on other local funders to come together in solidarity for Boulder County’s nonprofit sector, and to increase their payouts promptly – with as few restrictions as possible.
And it’s in that spirit that we urge you to give locally, generously … and now, perhaps despite the natural inclination to conserve. Because the proverbial rainy day is upon us.
As we all empathize with the overwhelm and overload of our nonprofit partners, we must also be morally responsible and responsive to them – and to the increasing number of our fellow residents they serve. Donor-advised funds are one way to effectively disburse philanthropic capital reserves to meet the tsunami of emergency needs – without affecting one’s personal finances.
While we shelter in place to varying degrees, there’s still much we can accomplish, because together we can transform desperation into hope, innovation and resilience.
JOSHUA SILBERSTEIN, CEO SOCIAL VENTURE PARTNERS BOULDER COUNTY
CLAIRE CLURMAN, BOARD CHAIR SOCIAL VENTURE PARTNERS BOULDER COUNTY
Boulder
