Lives Saved Because of Funds Raised
Animal welfare has changed dramatically since 1989, and Oregon Humane Society has been at the forefront of this transformation. Every step forward for animals has had one thing in common—the funding to make it happen. OHS is fortunate to have a diverse range of fundraising programs, including monthly giving, Autos for Animals, Charitable Checkoff, and more. Most of these programs can be traced back to one of OHS’ most dedicated and innovative fundraisers: Gary Kish, Vice President of Planned Giving & Strategic Initiatives.
Now, as Gary concludes his career at OHS, we look back at some of the most transformative—and sometimes unusual—moments in OHS’ fundraising history, and reflect on the lessons learned for the future ahead.
An Intel 286 and Ringing Bells
Gary arrived at OHS in 1989 for a trial period. After taking a grant writing class and working a variety of jobs, he reached out to OHS’ Executive Director with a bold proposal: “Give me six months to grow your fundraising programs and if it works, I’ll stay. If it doesn’t work, you can fire me.”
Gary got to work and quickly realized that OHS needed to increase its number of annual donors and also diversify the ways people could donate to help the animals. In addition to applying for grants, Gary created some of the programs that are still critical sources of funding for OHS today.
Using the latest technology—an Intel 286 computer—Gary sought to capture donor information and establish relationships with supporters. He recognized that stewardship was the foundation for growth.
Every dollar represented a win for the animals. “Our business manager would ring a desk bell each time we received a check for $100 or more,” recalls Gary.
As OHS built up a variety of revenue streams, Gary also advocated to purchase property adjacent to the shelter on Columbia. This early investment in real estate still benefits OHS today.
Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way
Marketing was key to expanding the number of planned gifts and bequests coming to OHS.
“I saw the marketing efforts that big institutions put toward bequests and was confident promoting planned gifts would work for OHS,” says Gary.
Early campaigns not only targeted individuals, but also lawyers who advised clients with estate planning. Tongue-in-cheek ads stood out in the staid publications read by the legal profession and highlighted a unique challenge when estate planning: “What happens to the pets?”
The ads also highlighted a solution to this issue: one that was created by Gary in 1994. The Friends ForeverTM program guaranteed that by including OHS in an estate plan, OHS would welcome any enrolled pets and find them a new home. This concept resonated with donors who did not have a trusted friend or family member who could care for their pet(s), and it reassured them that their pet(s) would not be euthanized in a shelter.
Friends ForeverTM got a boost from two pieces of legislation that OHS worked to pass and that put the program on solid legal ground. First, a bill exempting pets from probate, which allows for the expedited transfer of legal ownership from the owner to OHS to the adopter. A second bill transformed pet trusts from honorary trusts to being legally recognized and enforceable.
Most importantly, Friends ForeverTM has provided peace of mind.
“I’ve heard from people who work in hospice about how thankful their patients are for OHS’ Friends ForeverTM program,” adds Gary. “Being able to provide peace of mind for patients with beloved pets is priceless.”
A Freezer Full of Cash and the Friday Surprise
Bequests are as individual as the people who leave them—no two are exactly alike. Over the years, OHS has received some truly unique estate gifts ranging from homes, artwork, jewelry, a wheat field, and mineral rights.
In many cases, houses left to OHS in an estate plan are not empty. OHS’ Planned Giving team has spent countless days, nights, and weekends clearing out homes, arranging how to get the best price for the belongings, and working with real estate agents to sell property. All this diligent work is to honor the person who left the property to OHS and ensure the maximum amount of money goes to help shelter animals.
After more than 30 years of receiving bequests, there are still some truly unusual items Gary’s team has come across that really stand out.
“About six years ago, OHS was named the personal representative of an estate which included a house. As we were clearing out the house, we discovered $30,000 in the freezer,” says Gary. “We took that as a lesson and always check the freezer in any house that is left to OHS.”
Another surprise for Gary and his team that has become a trend over the years is what has been called the “Friday Surprise.”
“We don’t know why, but we often received the biggest checks in the mail on Fridays,” says Gary. “Knowing our donors care so much about the animals is always such a nice way to end the work week.”
Lessons Learned
During his time at OHS, Gary has handled more than 1,100 bequests resulting in more than $127 million. While these numbers are impressive, the real impact lies in the number of animals saved from the funding he has secured.
“Our attorney commented that other than attorneys and judges, Gary’s been involved in more charitable bequests than any other person in Oregon,” says Kathryn Karr, OHS Manager of Planned Giving. Kathryn has worked with Gary for more than a decade and will be serving as the interim leader of Planned Giving.
“This work has taught me two important lessons—one personal and one professional,” says Gary. “First, have an estate plan to make things easier for your friends and family. Second, the key to making any fundraising program successful is stewardship—thank your supporters, personalize your messages, and keep donors updated on the impact of their gift.”
Gary’s work will leave a lasting mark on OHS and provide resources for pets and people well into the future. His true legacy lies in the 2,300 planned gifts totaling more than $230 million that OHS expects to receive in the next 50 years. Historically, OHS receives advanced notice of only one-third of the estate gifts received – meaning the impact of Gary’s work could easily triple over the next few decades.
Everyone at OHS is deeply grateful for all that Gary has done and for his legacy of compassion, dedication, and innovation.
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