BARBARA KOCH

1) Why do you give? 

My husband, David, and I firmly believe that our treasures are a gift from God. Since God has entrusted us with his gifts, we need to be good stewards of them. We feel deeply about our responsibility to make these gifts count. We discuss our giving together, but while we give some gifts as a couple, we also give some gifts as individuals to organizations in which we have a personal interest. 

2) How do you choose which organizations to give to?  What do you look for in a charity?

The first thing I do is look at a charity's mission to make sure it meshes with mine. I focus on the care and support of the whole person, the body, mind and spirit, which gives me a broad range in which to contribute. Sometimes that means providing food, good housing and a way to get to work. Then I often start by volunteering when I can, because then you can see where the needs are, and you get more enthusiastic by seeing what needs to be done. 

3) How do you decide how much to give?

I try to be generous. I see the need and then I determine how much I need to give to make a difference. I often make pledges that are over three, four or even five years. These are significant, well thought-out gifts. 

4) Do you have experience working with a charity organization?

I’ve been on the board of every organization that I give to regularly. Even when I leave the board of an organization, I try to stay active by helping them raise funds. I like to give dinners and lunches, so that others can learn about the charities that I support. 

5) What advice would you give to other donors?

Become enthused about giving and work at it a little harder. Don’t limit yourselves to one or two charities. Have a “slush fund” for giving to a new cause so that you can get to know other worthwhile organizations.

6) What has been your best giving experience? 

The best results always come when I can see the results of my work and my financial contributions. For example, I recently worked on a fund raising drive for the greater Minneapolis Council of Churches. It funded a center for families on the Minneapolis North Side. The Center is designed to be a hub for immigrant West African families and will help direct them to other agencies in town that can help them become established as well as find a home and work.

7) Any particularly bad giving experiences?

A few times, organizations that I’ve worked with have had a bad experience with some mismanagement, but in every case, when new management came in, the problem was fixed. 

8) Has the Charities Review Council been useful for you?

The Council has been helpful to me and my charitable activities because it helps keep the charitable organizations that I support up to speed. We are always looking for a better way to serve people and the Council’s site helps us do that.