One of the newer donor advised funds at the Otsego Community Foundation is the Cwik Holly by Golly Fund, started by Michael and Terri Cwik. Let’s learn a few facts about this fund.
Why did you decide to help others through the Otsego Community Foundation?
The Community Foundation provides us with a link to the charitable organizations we want to provide assistance to.
What are the areas of interest that you would like the fund to impact?
We are particularly interested in funding that provides education opportunities for our young people. We’re also interested in funding that provides assistance to the animal shelter. We have been welcomed into this community since we first moved here, so we would like to fund areas that gives back the love that we felt, like Alpenfest.
Who or what inspired your charitable values?
Since my wife, Terri, and I love living in this community, and we were welcomed from day one, we wanted to give back. Making a difference is very important to both of us.
If this fund is named in honor or in memory of someone, please tell us about that person.
This fund is named after our labradoodle Holly and Holly is named after Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Holly is a very social animal. She gets along with dogs, cats and anybody she comes in contact with, which is kind of like how my wife and I feel about this community. She’s also great at keeping the deer out of the yard, but not so good with chipmunks.
Tell us about an experience you’ve had with funding from your donor advised fund.
To see the joy and excitement from the recipients of the funds at the Giving Together event made all the difference in the world. It is an incentive for me and my wife and to continue to grow our donor fund so we can continue to make a difference.
What would you tell others who are thinking about starting their own fund?
If you want to make an impact in our community, the Otsego Community Foundation is the way to go. It is well-managed and it provides many, many links to organizations’ in need of your help.
Please include any additional information you’d like to share.
We are involved in the community as members of Kiwanis. We love participating in Alpenfest, as well as providing administrative help to Boy Scouts Troop 1.
“The OCF connects people who care to the causes that matter and the Cwik Holly by Golly Fund is a perfect example. It is a donor advised fund, which is one of our most popular products and a great option for those who want to be engaged with their local philanthropy. Donors come to us with a wish and we help them make it come true.” noted Dana Bensinger, OCF Executive Director.