Jeffrey G Yost
President & CEO of the Nebraska Community Foundation |
Dear
Friends,
Effective grant making can be the “margin of
excellence” your hometown needs.
Grant making. What is it? Why
is it important? Why
should I care? These are good questions, and important ones, for you as an
affiliated fund leader to consider and learn about.
With pressures on government to cut
spending and taxes, local governments are being forced to
eliminate key programs we want but can’t afford.
The future of our hometowns may rest on finding
alternative methods to finance and sustain vital programs and
facilities.
The transfer of wealth, and potential
charitable gifts to sustain our hometowns, is a ray of hope.
In rural Nebraska, we estimate $94 billion will be
transferred from one generation to another in the next 50 years.
This transfer is already peaking in 24 Nebraska counties.
We encourage affiliated fund leaders to consider what a
difference just five percent of this transfer could make.
In a county of 5,000 people, it could mean building
endowments of over $30 million. With a five percent annual payout, this would mean $1.5
million in grants each year. How can you invest this money to create a “margin of
excellence” for your hometown? [Note: See the estimate for your county at: http://www.nebcommfound.org/wealthanalyses.htm].
Fifty-six (56) affiliated funds, in 46
different counties, now have $5.7 million endowed and another
$12.8 million of known expectancies and pledges. This $18.45 million is a nearly three-fold increase over
the $7.9 million at the end of 2001.
These community endowments are being raised
for a myriad of purposes: libraries,
schools, scholarships, swimming pools, museums, fire and rescue
equipment, fairgrounds, historic preservation, children and
families, the elderly, community centers, health care and
wellness, preschool programs and daycare. And the golden ring--an unrestricted endowment fund.
With some endowments, grant making will be
straightforward. But
with others, choices will be necessary.
Foundation staff members Doug Friedli and Jana Jensen are
available to lead a discussion with you and your colleagues on
effective grant making and the difference it can make for your
hometown. They can
be reached at dougfriedli@nebcommfound.org
or janajensen@nebcommfound.org.
Ultimately, good grant making is good fundraising.
Please call on any of us to help you enhance and sustain
your hometown.
Jeffrey G Yost
President & CEO
|
