Seward County Develops an Affiliated Fund with Nebraska Community Foundation
For Immediate Release to Seward County independent and Milford Times | September 16, 2019
A group of Seward County citizens have joined a group of forward-thinking citizens across Nebraska who are encouraging philanthropy to create a brighter future for their areas.
These local volunteers have launched the Legacy Fund for Seward County as an affiliated fund of Nebraska Community Foundation. Now part of a statewide movement to spearhead community development and create future prosperity, the Fund is seeking to build a robust, permanent unrestricted endowment to benefit residents of Seward County. “There has long been a need for an unrestricted endowment fund in Seward County for residents and local alumni to give back to the various projects across the county,” said John Owens, recently elected as Chair of the Seward Community Fund Advisory Committee (FAC). “This fund enables anyone to make a tax-deductible contribution that will perpetuate our way of life in Seward County.”
For over 25 years, the Nebraska Community Foundation (NCF) has been networking communities statewide in providing proven strategies for community development through local charitable gift-giving. NCF is a Nebraska based 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation that is an accredited member of the Council on Foundations, meeting the most rigorous standards of philanthropy.
The Seward County Chamber and Development Partnership (SCCDP) led a team from across the county to search for the best ways to provide more community gift giving. “Individuals can only do so much,” said Jonathan Jank, SCCDP’s President & CEO. “Although Seward County has countless charitable organizations and non-profit organizations, there is a need for an endowment fund to meet unrestricted opportunities. Giving to an unrestricted endowment means putting dollars to work for communities not just for today, but forever.”
The affiliation with NCF connects Seward County with hundreds of small Nebraska organizations within a network for promoting the best gift-giving practices.
“The Legacy Fund provides an opportunity to unite together and align resources for growth and development for generations to come. It’s a real exciting time for our county to prepare for the future together,” said Shane Baack, FAC Vice-President. “We hope that the Legacy Fund will increase the spirit of giving throughout the county and spark an increased culture of generosity.”
The FAC will be sharing ways for community members to give back to the area and will seek input from the public for local projects and programs to consider. “This can be a win-win for all of us,” said Ron Petsch, FAC Secretary. “The funds that are given to the Legacy Fund for Seward County stay in the county and can be tax-deductible gifts of cash, grain, land, or other commodities. Gifts such as bequests, required minimum distributions from IRA’s, highly appreciated securities, paid up life insurance policies, etc. may also provide tax advantages. Donors are encouraged to consult with their CPA’s, tax advisors, legal counsels to select one or more ways to make such gifts. We’ve never had anything like this locally that embraces the entire area.”
To learn more about the Legacy Fund for Seward County, the Nebraska Community Foundation and to support the work of the local fund advisory committee, visit www.sewardcountylegacy.org.
About Legacy Fund for Seward County
The Legacy Fund for Seward County is dedicated to the improvement and long-term viability of the Seward County residents. The volunteer FAC will actively work to increase charitable giving and will award grants to local worthy causes and projects that are addressing emerging needs and future opportunities in the county-wide community. When the amount of earnings from invested funds in NCF reaches $22,500, the FAC will request grant proposals from 501(c)(3) organizations located in Seward County. This will enable the FAC to select recipients for the disbursements from the dividends earned. Established in 2019, the Legacy Fund for Seward County is an affiliated fund of Nebraska Community Foundation.
About Nebraska Community Foundation
Nebraska Community Foundation unleashes abundant local assets, inspires charitable giving and connects ambitious people to build stronger communities and a Greater Nebraska. In the last five years, 41,776 contributions have been made to NCF and its affiliated funds. Since 1994, NCF has reinvested $323 million in Nebraska’s people and places. For information, visit NebraskaHometown.org.