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Gladstone center launches donate link; foundation used for targeted gifts and programs
Summary
The community center added a "donate" button on its webpage; staff said online donations go into the city's general fund but are tracked by program line item and allocated at the next biennial budget, while donors seeking to restrict gifts should work with the Gladstone Community Center Foundation (a 501(c)(3)).
The chair announced that the Gladstone Community Center web page now includes a prominent "donate" link and said she successfully tested the process.
"My donation went through just lickety split," the chair said, noting the convenience for supporters wanting to give by credit card.
Michelle explained how online donations are processed: gifts enter the city’s general fund but are recorded by line item (for example, nutrition, transportation, rentals and community classes). She said those receipts are reviewed in the biennial budgeting cycle and allocated to specific program line items with an approximate two‑year lag.
For donors who want their gift to support a specific program or instructor immediately, Michelle recommended routing those requests through the Gladstone Community Center Foundation, which she described as a 501(c)(3) able to accept and direct restricted donations. Nancy, representing the foundation, said the group regularly funds program costs such as art instructor pay and sponsors events including a Mother’s Day banquet and senior programming.
Board members asked practical questions about visibility and access to donated funds; Michelle said staff will track the receipts and bring allocation details to the next budgeting process. The board encouraged members to promote the donate link and to coordinate with the foundation for targeted gifts.
