Local couple makes $500,000 gift to establish the Gold Country Wildlife Rescue Fund at PCF

December 8, 2017 – The year 2017 has proven to be the busiest in Gold Country Wildlife Rescue’s 26-year history. In addition to moving into the former Placer County Animal Services facility in North Auburn, thousands of injured and orphaned animals have already arrived at the Wildlife Intake Center in need of their help.

From an orphaned bobcat kitten found shivering in a rainstorm to an enormous snapping turtle found wandering a golf course, many in Placer County understand the value and the difficulty of the work involved to provide wildlife with a second chance at life, and without the support of generous donors Gold Country Wildlife Rescue (GCWR), a nonprofit organization, wouldn’t be able to survive.

All of this growth for the organization has been recognized by one local couple who have long held a love of nature and wildlife as well as supported many groups that have touched them and their family personally. Preferring to conduct their philanthropic interests under the radar and to remain anonymous, they recently stepped up in a big way to support GCWR by starting the Gold Country Wildlife Rescue Fund at Placer Community Foundation with a gift of appreciated stock valued at approximately $500,000.

“The donors are long-time supporters and when they saw the GCWR open its new shelter earlier this year, they wanted to provide them with lasting support and hoped that by establishing the fund at Placer Community they would increase philanthropy to this cause that means so much to them,” said Placer Community Foundation CEO, Veronica Blake.

“We spoke with our financial advisor, accountant and attorney and all of them suggested making this gift thru the Placer Community Foundation.  It was a good idea every step of the way” noted the donors, “Our parents instilled in us that it was a good thing to donate to local causes.  Its especially exciting when you get reports on how your donation is making a difference….it gives you chills”.

“This generous gift comes at a perfect time for us,” says Sallysue Stein, GCWR Founder and Board President.  “We have seen our animal census grow at the rate of 15% annually for the last several years, leading to increases in our operating expenses.  As our organization matures and evolves to handle the increased demand, having a fund to help us meet this expense burden is a huge benefit.”

This fund is managed by the Foundation and is held in its long-term investment pool. Grants of $20,000 from the fund will go to GCWR to support their annual operating budget of $250,000.

Placer Community Foundation is honored to carry out their wishes and has been a supporter of the Gold Country Wildlife Rescue for decades.

Those wishing to contribute to the endowment can do so online here, sending a check to Placer Community Foundation, PO Box 9207, Auburn CA 95604 with GCWR on the memo line, or by calling the Placer Community Foundation at 530.885.4920 for non-cash gifts (appreciated stock, etc).