Celebrating 40 Years of Heartfelt Service in Bryan, Texas
In the bustling city of Bryan, Texas, something special is happening at Fries Financial Services. This year marks a significant milestone for the company—they’re celebrating 40 years of dedicated service to their clients and the community. Rather than just throwing a lavish party to commemorate this achievement, Fries Financial Services has decided to do something truly impactful that reflects their gratitude and commitment to the area that has supported them for decades.
A Pledge to Give Back
This year’s celebration was filled with excitement and purpose. At a recent charity event held in Bryan, the company raised an impressive $143,579 for ten local nonprofits. This amazing amount came from a unique initiative where Fries Financial Services pledged to match the funds raised by these organizations during their own fundraising efforts. It’s an incredible way to double the impact of their hard work and commitment!
Meet the Benefiting Nonprofits
In March, Fries Financial Services handpicked ten deserving nonprofits to receive matching grants for 2024. These organizations include Brazos Valley Meals on Wheels, The BEE Community, Unlimited Potential, OnRamp, The Reach Project, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, BCS Together, BUILD Command Team, Elevate Ukraine, and The Texas Ramp Project. Each chosen group was responsible for hosting their own fundraising event, with Fries Financial Services standing ready to match every dollar they managed to raise.
A Community Effort
Denise Fries, the owner of Fries Financial Services, expressed her admiration for the hard work of these charities. “It was very humbling to me to see how hard all of these charities work on a daily basis and yet took the time to have a fundraiser,” she shared. “It’s very meaningful to me because while we like to work with our clients and get the pleasure of working with them, we also get a lot of pleasure out of being able to assist the local charities that do so much to make Bryan-College Station a great place to live.”
Continuing a Tradition of Philanthropy
This focus on philanthropy isn’t new for Fries Financial Services. Since the company was founded in 1984, they’ve raised over $1.3 million for various charitable causes. This year’s effort is just another reflection of their ongoing commitment to the community. They believe that the selected charities represent the diverse needs and passions found throughout the Brazos Valley.
Empowering Nonprofits with Knowledge
Besides raising funds, Fries Financial Services wanted to empower these nonprofits to tackle fundraising from a fresh angle. They hosted workshops that educated the organizations on how to effectively secure donations from IRA accounts. This is a less-known but powerful fundraising strategy, especially as only about two percent of small charities are actively looking to reach donors over the age of 70 for contributions from their IRAs. Denise emphasizes the benefits, stating, “This is a big tax saving to the donor, as well as a large donation to the charity.”
Building a Culture of Giving
The commitment to give back is about more than just the money raised; it’s about creating a culture of generosity and strengthening the relationship between local businesses and the communities they serve. Fries Financial Services understands the importance of nurturing social ties, believing that a thriving community benefits everyone.
Looking Ahead
As Fries Financial Services sails into its next 40 years, the company remains focused on making a meaningful impact in Bryan. Their recent efforts will undoubtedly inspire both individuals and organizations in the community to think about how they can contribute to the greater good. In a world where every bit helps, there’s no doubt that these local charities are making Bryan a better place to live.