Donations or Dishes? Setting Up a Charitable Wedding Registry

By Keely Schallock, Development Assistant, Charities Review Council

Oh, the wedding registry – I never knew it would be such an emotion-inducing, controversial beast.

My fiancé, Aaron, and I met as long-term volunteers at The Working Boys’ Center in Quito, Ecuador. We have spent the four years since organizing events in the Twin Cities to support and remain connected to the families there. So when planning our wedding, it only seemed appropriate to somehow honor the organization that brought us together and provided such a strong foundation for our relationship.

We considered making a donation in lieu of wedding favors, or sending the money collected from a “dollar dance” at our reception to the organization. After much deliberation, we found the idea of the donation gift registry to work the best for us. Little did we know, it wouldn’t necessarily work the best for everyone.

We are fortunate to have many material belongings, and there is very little room in our 700-square-foot apartment for a “might need/want/use someday” stockpile. But, while our dear family and friends understand the importance of The Working Boys’ Center in our lives, we quickly realized they also wanted to be able to contribute items to help us build our home together. Ultimately, we came up with a solution to honor our own expectations, values and desires, and those of our loved ones too.

We contacted the director of the Working Boys’ Center and she set up a link on their website (http://www.workingboyscenter.org/). We included a note with our invitations, explaining our story and offering guests the option to make a donation in honor of our wedding. We also registered for a few key traditional gift items that we know will serve us well for years to come. This information was included on our shower invitations.

With just a few days to go until the big day, we are so excited to have received a matching set of dishes we picked out from my generous aunts and uncles. We also love the crystal cheese knob, whirly-pop popcorn maker, and personalized photo album unexpectedly given to us from wonderful friends. And, we are extremely touched that so many of our wedding guests have already donated hundreds of dollars to the school in Ecuador, where it all began.

If you are getting married, celebrating a birthday, or another life milestone, consider donating your time or resources to your favorite charity in honor of your guests. As a guest, perhaps you might purchase a GiveMN gift card or make a donation in honor of your loved one’s special occasion.

Most importantly, know that there are many options in the world of gift registries these days, and finding the one, or perhaps a combination of a few, that works the best for you is a roller coaster worth riding.

Volunteers: Growing within the Sector

Every year nonprofits across the country celebrate National Volunteer Week to recognize the millions of dedicated individuals that make our sector possible. Here at the Charities Review Council, the process of working with, training, and learning from our volunteers is a critical component to our organizational culture and values. Perhaps the best part of working with volunteers is not the direct benefit they provide your organization during their time of service, but watching them grow within the sector and their own career as they explore new opportunities.

We love staying in touch with our former volunteers and are constantly amazed at the impressive things they are doing within the sector. A few of our past interns have shared an update on what they are doing and how volunteering has played a role in their growth. The impact volunteers have on our sector is a hard concept to quantify, but stories like these make it as clear as day.


Callie Johnston

Describe your current job, volunteer activities, etc.
I am currently a Senior Associate Director of Individual Giving at the University of Chicago Medical Center. That means that I’m a major gifts officer, with a special focus on cancer—I work with individual donors to help inspire and facilitate transformative gifts in support of cancer research, education, and care. I volunteer on the Development Committees of Camp Kesem National (the very first nonprofit I worked with, as a student at Notre Dame) and Erie Family Neighborhood House, here in Chicago, to advise on fundraising strategy. I also really enjoy volunteering twice per month on The Night Ministry’s Mobile Outreach van, which provides basic health services and community to homeless populations around Chicago.

How have your past volunteer experiences played a part in what you’re doing currently?
The Charities Review Council taught me so much about the nonprofit sector (in Minnesota and beyond) and what it means to practice accountability to a donor and community. As a professional fundraiser, I am acutely aware of the extent to which our donors value and expect accountability from me and the organization. As a donor, I know how to check out the organizations I am supporting to ensure that they’re stewarding my funds correctly. I just wish that Illinois had resources as comprehensive and user-friendly as the Charities Review Council!

Do you have a favorite memory from your time volunteering with the Charities Review Council?
Yes! Besides getting the opportunity to learn from and joke around with Kelly, Amy, Rich and Joan, I valued all of the opportunities I had to interact with the Charities Review Council donors directly. My favorites were the individuals who made relatively modest gifts, but so valued the guidance and leadership of the Council. One of my favorite memories was spending time on the phone with women who painstakingly would go through their list of intended gifts to ensure that they were maximizing their impact.

Fill in the blank: Volunteering is to the nonprofit sector as ____ are to Minnesota.
"LAKES"



Temma Shankman

Describe your current job, volunteer activities, etc.
Gift Planning Officer for the Minneapolis Jewish Federation: Major Gifts $10,000+ and Planned Giving

How have your past volunteer experiences played a part in what you’re doing currently?
I volunteered extensively at health organizations, food banks, the Jewish Federation, and other social service organizations during both of my internships as well as when I was taking nonprofit classes. Based on my passion for our mission and my former career experience, I knew that a Jewish federated giving organization would be a great fit.

Do you have a favorite memory from your time volunteering with the Charities Review Council?
My favorite times with the Council were during its strategic planning process. This experience re-energized my previous skills and served me extremely well in my first position with the Federation (Development - Annual Campaign overseeing two divisions)… and of course, the special time each of you spent with me. I learned so much and I thank you for that.

Fill in the blank: Volunteering is to the nonprofit sector as ____ is to Minnesota.
"Minnesota Nice"



Kristin Rigg

Describe your current job, volunteer activities, etc.
I am working half-time at Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities as a grantwriter. I also sit on the board of a community organization and we are in the process of hiring an Executive Director, which gives me a chance to use what I'm learning in my human resource management class.

How have your past volunteer experiences played a part in what you’re doing currently?
The work I did with the Council was in fund development. It set me on a path to understand the grant process, how to manage a grant calendar, and how to connect grant writing with the mission of an organization.

Do you have a favorite memory from your time volunteering with the Charities Review Council?
I loved how welcoming the staff was to all the interns. We come at various times which could be a disruption to the routine of the staff, but they were always so helpful and supportive. The intern program at the Council is the best around! You allow us to contribute to the mission and gain valuable experience.

Fill in the blank: Volunteering is to the nonprofit sector as ____ are to Minnesota.
"Lakes (volunteers are everywhere!)"




Eric Larsen

Describe your current job, volunteer activities, etc.
I am working to start up an urban farm called Stone's Throw Urban Farm. We grow produce on vacant city lots for sale at the Mill City Farmers Market and through Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). I also volunteer with Listening House of St. Paul, a day shelter and drop in center providing a safe, welcoming place for those on the streets, lonely, or simply looking for a place of community. I also volunteer at Centro, a resource center for Latino families where I work with their senior program.

How have your past volunteer experiences played a part in what you’re doing currently?
My past volunteer opportunities have given me experience in leading and starting up new ventures. Additionally, I've been exposed to a segment of the population that is often forgotten and rejected. Now, I am drawn to working with those populations.

Do you have a favorite memory from your time volunteering with the Charities Review Council?One of my favorite memories was simply sharing lunch together in the conference room, catching up on each other's lives, and sharing stories of travels, family, etc.

Fill in the blank: Volunteering is to the nonprofit sector as ____ is to Minnesota.
"you betcha"

Our Reviewed Nonprofits Make the "Good Karma" Guide

Twin Cities' METRO magazine just released its second annual "Good Karma Guide," aimed at helping locals match their passions with volunteer opportunities. Out of the 32 organizations METRO featured as great ways to get involved in making a positive change in the world, 14 of them have the added benefit of being Charities Review Council “Meet Standards” seal holders! Here’s a shout out to those organizations that have both met all of the Council's Accountability Standards and made it to METRO’s “Good Karma” list:

Aeon
American Refugee Committee
Eco Education
Friends of the Mississippi River
Family Tree Clinic
Jeremiah Program
LifeSource
Minnesota Literacy Council
Minnesota Medical Foundation
National MS Society (Upper Midwest)
Pacer Center
People Serving People
Tubman
Volunteer Lawyers Network