HARRISBURG (Oct. 28, 2024) – In this “spooky season,” there is a lot of talk about what we’re all afraid of – witches, vampires, and zombies, for instance. At the Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC), they encounter some more mundane fears, namely, folks who are afraid or unsure how to get started with their philanthropy goals.

It’s understandable for those looking to establish a legacy to be cautious – after all, in many cases, they have spent a lifetime obtaining assets or disposable income. That’s why the first step in speaking with potential philanthropists is for TFEC to sit down and listen to them.

“The key is to sit down, face to face with prospective donors, find out what they want, and TFEC can tailor our many options to their goals. Listening to donors lets us figure out their needs, and how we can help people plan for their legacy in the future,” says Kirk Demyan, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at TFEC.  “We not only invest in the local community, but we also are a convener – we know the community nonprofits in Central Pennsylvania, and we can connect philanthropists with local nonprofits who are fulfilling the missions they care about.”

It's a common misconception that only the uber-wealthy can become philanthropists – that is not the case at TFEC. “You don’t need billions of dollars to make an impact in your community,” says Demyan. “We can start working with prospective donors and nonprofit organizations no matter their current monetary status. After all, philanthropy isn’t just about money, it’s about what else you can give to the community.”  

For more than 100 years, TFEC has been helping donors invest in their communities and creating lasting legacies. The goal at TFEC is to invest in perpetuity, establishing a true legacy so that a philanthropist’s initial investment can continue to provide grants for decades to come.

By listening to philanthropists' needs and helping them along every step of the process, TFEC seeks to make legacy-creating as painless as possible. For many people, taking the first step to learn more is the scariest part.

“There are so many ways we can help individuals support their community,” says Demyan, “and donors can be as involved – or as hands-off – as they’d like to be.”

If you’re interested in learning more about TFEC, please visit www.tfec.org. Even if you’re a little scared!

The Foundation for Enhancing Communities
TFEC has been a pillar in the community for over 100 years, managing charitable funds, assets and investments from companies and individuals and facilitating the growth and distribution of philanthropic dollars. The foundation’s mission is to inspire giving by partnering with donors to achieve their charitable goals and strengthen local communities by investing in them now and for future generations.