Gordon Watanabe had always been impressed with The Omaha Community Foundation.  Maybe too impressed.

He'd heard about some of the Foundation's larger projects and assumed it wasn't for people like him.  "I always thought you had to give a million dollars to be there," Gordon said.  "I thought it was much more elite."

When he and his wife, Joy, decided to learn more about the Foundation, they realized it was for people exactly like them.  "I think it could be for anybody," Gordon said.

The Watanabes use a donor advised fund for gifts of all sizes, from significant donations to charities that are close to their hearts - to checks here and there for $100.  The account allows them to be more thoughtful about their giving; they can donate appreciated stock to their account, and then recommend grants over time to any number of charities.  And the Foundation staff is always on hand for guidance.

"Even if you don't consider yourself to be 'a big player,'" Gordon said, "it can be kind of nice to think about your smaller donation being part of a larger effort in the community.  We're part of a group of other people who have the same philosophy as we do - to make Omaha better."

For more information, call (402) 342-3458.