By Ron Rocky Coloma
A new Guam charity group aims to help residents facing unexpected hardships and support nonprofits that lack the funding to meet community needs, with its founders pledging to match up to $10,000 in donations at a fundraiser tonight.
Dot and Ranger Miller, owners of Biba's Bar in Tumon, established the Guam Gives Foundation to connect donors with individuals, families, and organizations in need of assistance.
The foundation will launch its capital campaign with a dueling-piano show from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday at Biba.
The Millers said their goal is to raise $10,000 from the community, which they would match personally, creating a $20,000 starting fund.
“We want to build a pool of charitable funds that allows us to provide assistance when opportunities or urgent needs arise, rather than having to organize a separate fundraiser every time someone needs help,” the founders said.
The foundation plans to consider referrals from community members, nonprofits and individuals, assessing needs and existing resources before determining assistance. Its guidelines include verifying requests and accounting for the distribution of donations.
The Millers also pledged to cover administrative expenses themselves so all charitable contributions can go toward community assistance.
Their idea grew out of charitable work at Biba, which opened two years ago. Although they intended to donate part of the business's monthly profits, they found some nonprofits could not accept proceeds generated by a drinking establishment.
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A fundraiser for a friend named Frankie further shaped their plans. People who had never met him contributed after learning he needed assistance.
“We realized there were people who needed help, people who wanted to help, and an opportunity to connect the two,” the founders said.
Guam Gives is intended to complement existing organizations rather than duplicate their services. Potential assistance could include support for families experiencing financial emergencies, career training opportunities or additional funding for nonprofit programs.
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Donors will be able to designate contributions for particular causes or allow the foundation to decide where funds are most needed.
The Millers acknowledged that local businesses and residents already receive frequent fundraising requests. They said the foundation must demonstrate its value while making fair decisions about limited resources.
Another priority is encouraging recipients to help others when possible, whether through volunteering, mentoring or other contributions.
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“Whenever appropriate, we want those who receive assistance to find a way to pay it forward,” they said.
The founders chose a dueling piano show for the campaign kickoff to bring people together through music and encourage contributions of different sizes.
Beyond Tuesday's event, the foundation hopes to develop partnerships with businesses and nonprofits and maintain funding for future requests.
“Ultimately, we’d love for Guam Gives to become a trusted resource for both people who need assistance and people who want to make a difference,” the founders said.
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