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The Dripping Springs Community Foundation recently announced a 2023 fundraising drive to increase its support of local charities.
DSCF awards monetary grants to Dripping Springs-area nonprofit organizations. Since its inception 23 years ago, the foundation has provided 62 grants totaling more than $175,000 to local charities. Recently, however, the DSCF has restarted its fundraising efforts due to rising community needs.
“Our organization is unique in the sense that it’s the only charity in Dripping Springs whose mission covers the entire community — all areas,” DSCF President Robert Musgrove said. “And what we’re seeing is that our town’s needs are continuing to grow. It’s camouflaged by all the prosperity but the organizations that we help with our grants are seeing more activity.”
“Helping Hands Food Pantry is getting more people coming in for food, animal rescue centers are full, [and] we’re seeing an increase in the need for mental health services,” he continued. “So, there’s still a lot of need out there that we can’t meet unless we grow. Because of that, we’ve set a goal of raising $300,000 in additional funds for our main endowment fund over the next three years.”
Musgrove said that in the previous week, DSCF had provided grant money to the Dripping Springs Education Foundation, The Friends Foundation, the Women’s Center, CASA and Project Graduation.
“The grant for the DS Education Foundation was to help them provide mental health services to [Dripping Springs ISD] faculty and staff,” he said. “Likewise, we’ve provided grant money to Samaritan Center which provides licensed professional counseling in trauma, recovery, anxiety and codependen-55 cy
“The list goes on and on, and we’re helping in increasingly diverse areas,” Musgrove added.
“For example, we recently provided funds to LOPE, a charity that helps atrisk racehorses find new purpose while inspiring young people through horsemanship education.
It’s a unique combination of animal rescue and mentoring our kids.”
DSCF has already raised slightly over $200,000 towards its $300,000 goal.
“We’ve been very fortunate that many of the people who already know us — such as former board members, community leaders and local business owners — have so generously, and quickly, supported our call to action,” Musgrove said.
Two contributors to the 2023 DSCF fundraiser are DSCF’s founders, Bob and Susan Richardson.
“When Robert [Musgrove] contacted us about raising funds, we knew we had to help,” Bill Richardson said. “The need is even greater now, with all our growth, than it was when we founded DSCF almost a quarter century ago. We also know that DSCF is unique in that it steps back and evaluates the community at large, and by doing so, helps special groups or situations that might not get funded otherwise.”
In addition to its main endowment fund, DSCF also has several donor advised funds with which it also funds local charities.
“Donor advised funds are perfect for families with specific areas of interest that they want to support,” Musgrove said, “[This way, they] can be part of a family legacy of giving.”
DSCF is completely volunteer-run.
“Our volunteers are giving our efforts broad reach across our community because of their deep historical involvement with Dripping Springs,” Musgrove said. “We do not pay for professional fundraisers. All our people are unpaid volunteers, and they all do it because of their deep love for Dripping Springs.”
Board Member Penny Johnson, who was recruited three years ago, said she joined the organization because of its unique and hyper-local focus.
“We touch so many things,” Johnson explained. “For example, we serve as the agent and fiscal agent for the new skatepark, which will be built on Founders Memorial Park. By teaming up with us, we afforded them the ability to take donations as a 501(c), which are tax deductible to the giver.”
Potential donors seeking to make a contribution to DSCF are asked to contact Musgrove directly at (612) 390-1242, musgrove_ [email protected], or the following board members: Jorge Babot at (707) 373-1709, [email protected]; Penny Johnson at (512) 858-5620; or John Pacheco at (512) 773-7419, jhn_pchc@yahoo. com.
The DSCF board also includes volunteers Janet Holland (Treasurer), Kathy Mixon (Secretary), Pay Hyde, Chris Marcum, Marilyn Miller, Laura Payne and David Swincher.
Dripping Springs Community Foundation is A 501(c)(3) organization dedicated solely to charitable works in the Dripping Springs area. Contributions are tax deductible. For more information visit dscommunityfoundation. org.
