2019 ECCF Summer Newsletter

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES

(2019 - 2020)

Karl Murch, Chair Linda Danielson, Vice Chair Laurie Klinkhammer, Secretary Dale Wood, Treasurer Kim Bodeau Linda Danielson Philip Happe M.D. Chris Hasenberg Jeff Kowieski Tom Larson Sherry Mohr Tim Pabich John Satre Sarah Stokes R. Thomas Toy Laura Talley, Past Chair

THANK YOU TO OUR PAST TRUSTEES Suzanne Ashley Lois Krause Leland Mayer M.D. Wayne Peters Mark Faanes, Past Chair

2019 NEW FUNDS

MESSAGE FROM LAURA TALLEY, Chair of the Board of Trustees It is my great pleasure to report that the Eau Claire Community Foundation continues to grow both in the number of funds and total endowment which now totals $22 million. 2018 was a record year for donations, resulting in almost $4.8 million in new assets. So far in 2019, ECCF has received over $1 million in donations, opened 6 new funds, and welcomed 8 new Legacy Society members. The Foundation works closely with individuals, families, and businesses to establish the type of fund that fits their philanthropic goals. This generosity allowed ECCF to increase its grant support for nonprofits. Thank you to all the families and organizations who have created funds – this year and since ECCF’s beginning.

Since ECCF was founded 22 years ago, over $14.5 million in grants have been awarded. In its most recent grant cycle, ECCF received 56 grant applications and was able to fully or partially fund 44 of those, with a total distribution approximately $150,000 to our local nonprofits.

I extend a special welcome to our new Trustees whose three-year terms began July 1: Jeff Kowieski, John Satre, Sarah Stokes, and Tom Toy. Their knowledge and enthusiasm will be of great value to the Board. I also wish to thank ECCF’s outgoing Trustees—Suzanne Ashley, Lois Krause, Dr. Lee Mayer, Wayne Peters, and Mark Faanes, Past Chair—for their countless hours of service to ECCF. I am honored to introduce the new Executive Committee who, with the Trustees, will be leading ECCF for the next two years: Karl Murch, Chair; Linda Danielson, Vice Chair; Laurie Klinkhammer, Secretary; and Dale Wood, Treasurer.

I encourage each of you to make a difference today by leaving a bequest or planned gift for tomorrow. Whether you give to a specific fund or start your own, a gift to ECCF is the ideal way to provide future support for our community.

It has been my great pleasure and a tremendous honor to have served as Chair for the last two years. Thank you for joining me in ECCF’s work– For Good. For Ever.

(Jan. 1 - June. 30)

Ellen J. O’Meara Memorial Fund Richard Pierce (Torstein) &

Laura Talley, Past Chair Eau Claire Community Foundation

Sandy Lampman Trail Support Legacy Fund L.E. Phillips Public Library

NEW FACE AT THE FOUNDATION!

Capital Campaign RAPS DOC Scholarship Siker Scholarship - My Dad-Milton, My Mom-Elnora Louis and Janet Frase Fund

306 S. Barstow St. Suite 104, Eau Claire, WI 54701

Pa Yang is the new Graphic Design Intern, taking the place of Joe Grosskreutz for the upcoming year. She is a student at UW-Eau Claire with a Graphic Design major. Besides being a Graphic Designer, Pa enjoys traveling, cooking and spending time with her family. She looks forward to her new role and learning more about the Foundation.

715.552.3801

www.eccommunityfoundation.org

FORMING OUR FUTURE TOGETHER

2019 Annual Meeting

Women’s Giving Circle Spring Gathering

There was a lot to celebrate at ECCF’s Annual Meeting on June 6: A record year in donations, continually growing assets, more additions to our family of funds, and even more grantees doing great work on behalf of our community. More than 160 people came together for this meeting. They enjoyed an excellent meal, learned about ECCF’s achievements, and applauded the nonprofit grant recipients. It was a great opportunity for donors, volunteers, and other ECCF supporters to see the impact of their dedication. Thanks to their generosity and the hard work of local nonprofits, Eau Claire’s quality of life just keeps getting better.

On May 6, Women’s Giving Circle members and guests came together for their Annual Spring Gathering. WGC Team Chairs reported on their activities, and the recipients of recent WGCfunded grants shared their progress. The grantees expressed strong gratitude to the WGC for helping make their work possible. It was an evening to learn, laugh, and appreciate the power of collective philanthropy. For more information, please consult the Women’s Giving Circle page of the ECCF website.

Mark your calendars!

ECCF Legacy Society Professional Advisor Event The 13th Annual Professional Advisor Event will be on Thursday, October 17. The topic is “Leaving a Legacy: Do’s and Don’ts of Philanthropic Alternatives.” A CE credit will be available for CPA’s and Attorneys, but you don’t have to be Professional Advisor to attend. Everyone is welcome to come learn how to maximize their charitable impact now and in the future. Please write to info@eccfwi.org or call (715) 552-3801 for more information.

ECCF’s Legacy Society recognizes individuals who have made provisions in their estate plans to provide a gift for the causes they care about the most. These members look beyond the here and now to the future well-being of the greater Eau Claire area. Currently, the Legacy Society has over 160 members.

Those who joined in 2018-2019 are: Doris J. Bautch, Don* & Jan Etnier, Cody & Molly Filipczak, Ann Gunderson Thornburg, Cindy Hangartner, Kathy Kovell, Rick & Carol Olson, Duane* & Ruth* Sackett, Andrew & Brenda Schlafer, Bradley J. & Janet E. Smith, Amy Thurston, Ken & Roberta Vance, Anonymous (1)

Fund Spotlight | BJ and Bea Farmer Family Fund As members of the Society of Founders, BJ and Bea Farmer helped create our Foundation; as members of the Legacy Society, they helped ensure its future.

They also did a lot in between. B.J. served on several ECCF Committees, and Bea was a Founder of the Women’s Giving Circle.

They received ECCF’s 2014 Leadership Award for their important role in creating and supporting the Foundation.

Although the Farmers have passed away, their impact lives on.

The Farmers’ bequest to ECCF supports their unrestricted fund, which means an extra $15,000 -$20,000 will be granted out every single year!

Thanks to the Farmers and their legacy, more local nonprofits will receive the funding they need to make Eau Claire an even better place to live.

There will come a time in your life when you stop and reflect ...

What’s your passion?

What legacy will you leave?

How will you be remembered?

Will you leave the world a better place?

Make ECCF Your Legacy.

Become a member of the Legacy Society.

To find out more, visit the “Powerful Giving” tab on our website, www.eccommunityfoundation.org.

Grantee Spotlight | Stand in the Light Memory Choir The Stand in the Light Memory Choir uses the power of singing to move people with memory loss and their care partners to rediscover themselves, make new friends, laugh together, and contribute to their community. It’s one of just 64 Memory Choirs worldwide.

They sing old and new songs, learn vocal technique and ensemble skills, and share musical memories together. No vocal experience is required...just a love of singing! They welcome any person with memory loss or dementia who wants to make good music and good friends.

The Choir is excited to start its fourth season on August 22, when weekly rehearsals begin. The fall season concludes with a concert on November 21. The spring semester starts in January and finishes with a concert in April.

You can see the choir in action on its Facebook page or its website (www.standinthelightmemorychoir.org).

For more information, please call 715-832-6804 or 715-874-9876.

NON PROFITORG

306 S. Barstow Suite 104, Eau Claire, WI 54701

U. S .  P O S TA G E P A I D PERMITNo.1557 EAUCLAIREWI

SNAPSHOT: Jan. 1 - May. 31, 2019 TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS:

$1,300,797 TOTAL ASSETS:

$23,758,472 TOTAL AWARDED GRANTS:

$1,329,297 299 Grants 6 8

NEW FUNDS NEW LEGACY SOCIETY MEMBERS

Make a Difference with your Charitable IRA Contribution!

IRA transfers to ECCF are an excellent way for you to establish a fund that helps you fulfill your charitable goals. Establish your fund with a minimum of $500, and once it reaches $10,000, your legacy will make an impact on our community forever! Please contact Sue Bornick at ECCF for more information.

Thank you for your Support!

Our Mission

We strengthen our community by offering donors opportunities to establish charitable legacies, by making grants, and by serving as a catalyst to address community needs.