On the recordNovember 17, 2011
Mr. President, I rise today in honor of National Community Foundations Week. This week, we recognize the millions of Americans who have joined together to make their communities a better place through donations of their time and resources. The generosity and willingness of individuals to work together for the common good has been a hallmark of the American character since our Nation's founding. Every day volunteer organizations across the country make substantial contributions to our Nation's well-being in countless areas--from education and the arts to economic development and environmental protection. Many of these associations are community foundations--local charitable organizations formed to provide financial support to valuable programs across their communities. Last year alone, community foundations gave approximately $4 billion to various local nonprofit activities. Led by private citizens, community foundations provide effective support to communities across the United States, often supplementing both public and private programs to provide their friends and neighbors with the maximum level of support necessary to build strong and vibrant communities. With 700 community foundations across the Nation, they are one of the fastest growing forms of philanthropy in the United States. One such community foundation which exemplifies the virtues of charity and giving back is the New York Community Trust.…
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