Winter Social Giving Update: Announcing Localogy as Our Featured Partner
Each quarter, we choose an organization that is near and dear to our hearts as our Pledge 1% recipient. The Pledge 1% movement challenges companies to donate 1% of their revenue, product, or employee time (or all three) to support local nonprofit organizations. This quarter, we are excited to announce Localogy as our Pledge 1% recipient.
“It's important to us that we give back to the world that supports us. Pledge 1% makes it easy to honor that commitment by making sure that we are always donating to charitable causes, whether a little or a lot, in good times and bad.” – Tavis Malcolm, Founder of Morrison Outdoors
Localogy is an incredible organization focused on sponsoring local programs that help people become active participants in making their communities more vibrant and connected. We sat down with David Hitchison, Executive Director of Localogy, to learn more about the organization's mission and the programs it offers to the community.
How did Localogy get started, and what is your mission?
Localogy was founded in 2008 to support the Sangre de Cristo Youth Ranch. SCYR is a month-long ranch and wilderness residential summer camp. The camp has provided immersive outdoor experiences to diverse youth for over 40 years--totally free of charge. After starting Localogy, we soon discovered that other local charitable organizations could also benefit from sponsorship. Our mission is to move people and communities from passive consumption to being active producers of local livelihoods and culture.
Our community faces challenges that are persistent and complex. Resilient solutions are best achieved through a holistic approach. Localogy is a cross-sector collaborative of charitable initiatives serving northern New Mexico. By sharing resources, Localogy empowers passionate people to focus their efforts on creating the maximum impact. Our projects originate organically and are led by members of the communities they serve. These grassroots programs are responsive to emerging needs and are most efficient in delivering authentic solutions.
Why is it important for families and youth to participate in programs and events that promote the active production of local livelihoods and culture?
Folks want to lead a good life. These days, we can get distracted from what is truly important. Many people feel disconnected from nature, from community, and from themselves. It can seem that the quality of our lives is out of our control.
Everything that really matters to us—the food we eat, how we teach our children, our relationship with the land and water, the stories we share, the health of our bodies and the strength of our friendships—is ultimately ours to determine. Average people can be great stewards when they are active participants in these vital systems. This is especially true for the rural communities we serve.
Every one of our actions and our inactions is a choice. When those choices directly impact our lives locally, we are as qualified as any expert to make wise decisions. Yet it is easy to imagine that we are helpless and alone.
We have the power to shape our lives. Our community holds the answers. Localogy invites youth and families to experience resiliency by creating it themselves. Our programs put people in charge of their destiny.
What programs, events, or resources do you provide for the community?
Localogy sponsors day camps, overnight summer camps, after school programs, living history projects, arts and cultural events, filmmaking, food sovereignty development, economic development, health and wellness services, substance abuse prevention, animal welfare, local journalism, workforce development, and watershed restoration, to name a few. If a project will help our community be more vibrant and more connected, we are eager to help people make it a reality.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
We are impressed with Morrison's commitment to giving back. Much of my time as director is spent searching for funding to keep our programs going. It was a great surprise to get the call from Morrison Outdoors, and to learn that our value is being recognized with their 1% pledge. I hope the customers feel great about supporting the good work of Localogy.
In support of this incredible organization, we are directing a portion of every sale made in January, February, and March to help Localogy support excellent programs and opportunities that help communities flourish.
We believe everyone should feel a deep connection to nature and their community, and we are proud to support organizations that share this mindset! Check out the Localogy website for more information on their mission, along with current programs across Northern New Mexico.
