~A Welcome Message from Foundation Leadership ~

Jeffrey G Yost
Executive Vice President of the Nebraska Community Foundation

Dear Friends,

It is my pleasure to provide you with the Nebraska Community Foundation Update. This electronic newsletter is intended to provide you with heartwarming stories and proven strategies for building your community foundation fund and strategically investing in the future of your hometown.

The Nebraska Community Foundation and its affiliated funds have continued to grow very rapidly. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2003, the Foundation had total assets of over $17 million, a 25% year-over-year increase. In the 10-year history of the Foundation, over $35 million has been reinvested in communities and projects throughout Nebraska.

Most gratifying is the growth of community foundation fund endowments. Fifty-six (56) community-based affiliated funds are now raising community endowments to benefit community improvements ranging from health care to libraries to parks and recreation to leadership and community economic development efforts. These 56 funds now have combined endowments of $5.69 million and 35 expectancies estimated to total over $12 million. Endowments can be the “margin of excellence” for your community above and beyond what can be done with annual giving and local government tax revenues.

Please let us know how we can help you and your fellow community leaders to sustain the future of your hometown.

Jeffrey G Yost
Executive Vice President

~ Affiliated Fund Accomplishments & Activities in the News ~

« Plattsmouth Community Foundation on Success Road »
As published in the Plattsmouth Journal on 3/13/03
Plattsmouth Community Foundation has come far since its creation in the fall of 2000, said Nebraska Community Foundation development director Doug Friedli. READ This Article

« Brown County Foundation Holds its Annual Meeting »
As printed in the Ainsworth Star Journal on 3/26/03
The Annual Meeting of the Brown County Foundation was held March 4 at the Ainsworth Senior Center. READ This Article

« Nebraska Legacy Legends: Shickley Meets Fund-raising Challenge with Gusto »
As printed in the Colfax Co. Press of Clarkson on April 23, 2003
Even the Little Engine That Could might learn something from Shickley. READ This Article

« Foundation Nears Initial Goal »
As printed in the Keith County News of Ogallala on April 23, 2003
It is a gift that will far surpass their lifetimes, a gift that will keep on giving to the community for years to come. READ This Article

« Nebraska Legacy Legends: Boettchers Plan for Spencer's Future »
As printed in the Colfax Co. Press of Clarkson on May 14, 2003
The original prairies of Nebraska survived blizzards, droughts, floods, and fires because the roots of the plants they comprised reached as deep into the earth as a man is tall. That kind of solidity as much defines many native Nebraskans as it does our historic grasslands. READ This Article

« $41,570 Awarded to Valley County Projects From Wozab Trust on Friday, May 16 »
As printed in the Ord Quiz on May 21, 2003
Organizations from Arcadia, Ord, Comstock, and North Loup are among the 23 recipients of $41,570 from the John and Alyce Wozab Trust. READ This Article

« Too Good an Offer to Pass Up - Southwest Communities are at a Critical Point in History »
As printed in the McCook Daily Gazette on May 24, 2003
Thursday night in Trenton — just before the start of the Memorial Day weekend — 34 people from 10 different Nebraska towns turned out to talk about community foundations. READ This Article

« Anonymous Donors Raise Speculation »
As printed in a recent issue of the Nebraska Humanities Council Newsletter
Two donors who wish to remain anonymous have given the Nebraska Humanities Council a wonderful gift. The council and six other organizations have been identified as the recipients of the earnings on a $250,000 trust established with the Nebraska Community Foundation. READ This Article

~ Board Member Perspective ~

Janet Krotter Chvala,
NCF Board Member from Atkinson

« “There’s No Place Like Home!” »

Jan is an attorney with offices in O’Neill and Atkinson. She provides estate-planning expertise to her clients in North Central Nebraska. Her husband is a teacher/coach at Atkinson West Holt School and they have 2 children, ages 9 and 5. She joined the Board of the Nebraska Community Foundation in November 2002.

READ Jan's remarks titled: “There’s No Place Like Home!”

~ Best Practices of Local Community Foundations ~

« ALUMNI - Don't Forget the Alumni! »
Former residents are often an overlooked resource for donations and planned gifts. Red Cloud and Shickley found former residents willing to make a Legacy Challenge. READ This Article

How do you get out-of-town Alumni to give?