We've been busy every day with end-of-the year gifts. I'd say we're probably where we were last year. . . a normal year. - Jean LaCross, St. Mary School

Tough economic times have not made their way to local non-profit organizations as contributions continue to come in, particularly at year’s end.

“We’ve been busy every day with end-of-the year gifts,” said Jean LaCross, development director for St. Mary School. “I’d say we’re probably where we were last year … a normal year.”

She believes that education and church are a “priority” for many, which adds a certain stability to fundraising efforts.

A common thread has developed this year among three organizations who were contacted: more, yet smaller contributions.

“We’ve seen an upswing in alumni contributions,” LaCross said.

This year, the Catholic school received $10,000 to establish an endowed scholarship fund in memory of the late Jerome and Winifred “Winnie” (Peplinski) Zeits. The Lake Leelanau couple had six children graduate from St. Mary, and Winnie served for many years as chair of the annual parish chicken dinner. She was known for sloppy joes served to dinner work crews.

The money invested will generate earnings through dividends and interest and will be used to help students attend the private K-12 school.

“We awarded $63,000 in scholarships last year, from a variety of sources,” LaCross said.

Leelanau Conservancy officials also note that there’s been no decline in gifts received.

“Things look good,” said Susan Price, director of finance and administrator of the Leland-based Conservancy. “We’ve not seen a decline in the flow of contributions. People have been very generous.”

In recent years, Price has noticed a trend in gift-giving and contributions to her organization.

“Instead of giving gifts to one another at Christmas, we’re seeing people take the money they would have spent on a gift and make a contribution,” Price said. “When times are tough … when there’s war and poverty, their contribution is something tangible. It’s their hope for the future … seeing the work we do in Leelanau County is their peace.”

Anne Shoup, Conservancy director of charitable contributions, said the gift-giving practice is a national trend.

“People are overburdened. There’s been a change in thought about giving. With our troops abroad giving so much, people want to make sure they’re giving something back,” Shoup said.

The Conservancy’s Leelanau Preservers program has grown in popularity since its creation in 2002. Donors can preserve land in a child’s name or give a gift to friends or family who live far away, but have Leelanau in their hearts. As a result of the contribution, the gift recipient becomes a “Leelanau Preserver.” Over the years, the Conservancy tracks the total acres that have been preserved. When contributions reach the one-tenth acre mark ($500,) a personalized hand-made tile is mounted on our Preservers Circle in the Village Green in Leland.

Northport is home to one of the longest-standing community foundations in the state. The Leelanau Township Community Foundation was established in 1945 with one $35,000 contribution from Francis Haserot in memory of his long-time friend and business partner, G. Marsten Dame.

“We’ve had more individual donors,” said foundation director Merry Hawley, adding the contributions for 2007 are on par with those received last year. “We’ve had a lot more first-time donors.”

The organization was very busy this year with four new projects: the Smalltown Design Initiative, the Wastewater Treatment Initiative, the Early Childhood Initiative, and the Northport Promise.

The design project funds Michigan State University students who have been developing plans for a new look in the village. Through a series of input sessions, landscape architecture students are developing conceptual drawings to guide future development. The wastewater initiative was established to help low-income village residents hook into the Northport/Leelanau Township sewer system.

The two other efforts are aimed at attracting and keeping students in Northport School. The Early Childhood Initiative is focused on supporting the Leelanau Children’s Center in Northport. The Northport Promise offers financial support for post-high school studies for students who have attended Northport School.

“We have just under $3 million in assets,” Hawley reported.

Members of the Suttons Bay-Leelanau County Rotary Club have taken advantage of a matching gift program offered through Rotary Charities of Traverse City. Contributions to local non-profits are matched up to $250 per year. Some $10,700 in donations, about the same as 2006, were parlayed into $21,400 raised for local charities.

Among the groups benefiting from the program this year were the Leelanau Conservancy, the Suttons Bay-Bingham Fund, ShareCare of Leelanau, the Leelanau Historical Society, and the Cherryland Humane Society.