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Introduction Giving Opportunities Methods of Giving FAQ Newsletters Foundation Board Staff Contact Us |
Question: What's the difference between the Foundation, the Benevolent Fund, and the Annual Campaign?
Answer: The Foundation is the "friend and fundraising arm" of Porter Hills. We were established in 1995, and have our own 501(c)(3) charitable status. We act as an "umbrella" over several charitable funds, including those designated for Benevolence Care Assistance.
Our "Annual Campaign" is an organized set of efforts we make throughout the year to raise funds for our programs. The majority of annual campaign gifts is to one of our Benevolent Funds. But donors may designate gifts to any fund.
Question: What is an endowed fund?
Answer: Generally speaking, an endowed fund is an account whose principal balance is always preserved. An endowed fund may be set up for any purpose. Only the income earnings may be used to fulfill that purpose.
There are also "board-designated" funds. These function like endowed funds, but the principal may be spent with the approval of the Governing Board.
Question: What is Benevolence Care Assistance?
Answer: Benevolence Care Assistance is financial aid for residents who can no longer pay for the full cost of their care at Porter Hills.
Question: Who is eligible for Benevolence Care Assistance?
Answer: Benevolence Care Assistance is available for those meeting the following criteria:
The resident lives in an area of Porter Hills licensed by the State of Michigan:
- Porter Hills Village: Health & Rehabilitation Center, Harmony Hall, Catered (Assisted) Living, and the Home for the Aged (Village Center)
- Cook Valley Estates: GREEN HOUSE Homes
- Meadowlark Retirement Village: Adult Foster Care (Catered Living)
Question: How many residents are helped each year?
Answer: It can vary from year to year. But on average, between 30 and 40 different residents get Benevolence Care Assistance in a given year.
Question: How much care has been granted since 1970?
Answer: From April 1970 to June 30,2008, we have granted over $8.5 million in Benevolence Care Assistance.
Question: How much will be needed in the next few years?
Answer: This can be hard to estimate. What we know is that medical advances and high-quality care are expensive. Plus, our dollars just don't go as far as they used to. This means more and more Porter Hills residents are outliving their savings.
Our projections show a need this year (2008/2009) of over $400,000. We don't know what the future holds, but we know with some certainty that need will increase each year.
All of these estimates also depend on Medicaid reimbursement rates and other variables beyond our control. We know that ensuring we can keep pace with projected need is going to take some hard work.
Question: How can I help?
Answer: You can help by giving to the Benevolent Fund. Your gift will make a big difference in the lives of our residents, both now and in the future.
Question: If I decide to give, where will my dollars go?
Answer: You might like to think of the Benevolent Fund like a filing cabinet. Each of our communities has its own "drawer," or account, within the overall fund. You may designate your gift for use at any community you wish. We place undesignated gifts in a General Benevolent fund.
Question: Can my gift be made in memory or in honor of someone I care about?
Answer: Absolutely! Such gifts are a wonderful way to honor a loved one. (We acknowledge all memorials and honoraria in our quarterly newsletter.)
Question: Where do memorial and honorarium gifts go?
Answer: They are deposited into the Benevolent Fund, unless you tell us to do otherwise.
Question: Besides the Benevolent Fund, what other financial needs does Porter Hills face?
Answer: The Foundation seeks to raise money for a number of programs. All of them fall outside of Porter Hills' annual operating budget. Check out our Opportunities for Giving page for more information.
Question: How can I make a gift to Porter Hills?
Answer: There are three easy ways for you to give:
One: Use your credit card to give online. It's fast, safe, and secure! Click here.
Two: Use your credit card to give by phone. You can reach our office at
(616) 949-4975 ext. 20415, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.
Three: Print our donation form and mail it to us with your personal check. Click here to print form.
Please make your check payable to "The Porter Hills Foundation." You can mail it to us at: 4450 Cascade Rd. SE, Ste. 200, Grand Rapids, MI 49546.
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