Donor Spotlight - Christine Kraatz
Longtime Sun Valley resident Christine Kraatz has always believed in the importance of giving locally. But until she and her daughters established a donor advised fund with Spur in 2021, she didn’t feel truly knowledgeable about nonprofit needs in the Wood River Valley.
“I saw Spur mentioned in the paper and it piqued my interest,” Christine recalls. “I wanted to know all the possibilities for giving here, and Sally and her team are so connected. They have been an invaluable resource in guiding my family’s philanthropy.”
Christine shared her interests and goals for giving with the Spur team, who then helped connect her to local organizations and advised on giving decisions. Through Spur, Christine has been able to support initiatives in education, health and human services, and the environment, among others. Spur’s close connections with area nonprofits and leaders mean they are aware of each organization’s ongoing initiatives as well as urgent needs that bubble to the top of the community’s list of priorities.
One such recent critical need was fundraising for the new early childhood center at the Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood. When Christine was approached to consider donating to this cause, she said yes immediately. “Although I’m not personally seeking these services myself,” she explains, “I can see that the lack of childcare in the valley is a huge and thorny issue. Everything is connected: the valley is strapped for workers, and if people can’t find childcare, they can’t work. I was so pleased to be asked to support this initiative and be able to contribute.”
Christine acknowledges that she might not have known how to address this issue were it not for Spur. She says it’s an added benefit of her relationship with the community foundation: that Spur offers ideas and makes people aware of needs, but ultimately leaves giving decisions up to each donor. “I like being involved in directing my money through the community fund, but I also like the idea of being spontaneous when something urgent arises,” Christine says. “Yet I’ve never once felt pressured to give in a certain way, and you can’t put a value on that.”
With more new faces in the valley every year, Christine believes Spur is a wonderful resource for learning about the broad landscape of nonprofits and the complex web of community priorities. She appreciates the ease of giving through Spur, and the fact that there are no associated fees. “Knowing that 100% of my money goes to supporting the work I am passionate about is so important,” Christine says. “I’m grateful to Spur for leading the way on living and giving generously in the Wood River Valley.”
To learn more about Spur and its Donor Services, click here, or contact Anna Parker at anna@spurfoundation.org.
Article by Lindsay Boeger