LCF 2024 Annual Report

20 24 Annual Report

2024 Annual Report

President’s Message

A Year of Growth Reflecting on 2024, seeing how much we’ve accomplished together is amazing.

Celebrating Lexington’s 150th anniversary was a powerful reminder of our community’s strength and resilience, showing what we can achieve when we honor the past while investing in the future.

A standout moment was the continued success of Give BIG Lexington. Thanks to your support, we raised and matched over $550,000, totaling more than $778,000 across participating communities. A big thank you to our sponsors, donors, and volunteers for making this possible and embodying the campaign’s theme: “Together, we can be the champions of our community.”

This year also brought new growth opportunities. We welcomed new affiliate funds and scholarships to the Lexington Community Foundation. Among these was the Orthman Family Scholarship, supporting students who pursue two-year trade school programs. By helping students gain valuable skills in the trades, this scholarship represents the power of philanthropy in shaping futures and meeting workforce needs.

In addition to these new initiatives, our grant programs strengthened our community. From funding programs like Destination Graduation to supporting local organizations like HOMES, teacher grants, and youth programs, your generosity fuels our mission to create lasting impact.

As we look ahead, we remain inspired by continued growth and connection possibilities. Together, we will build on this year’s accomplishments and ensure Lexington remains a vibrant, thriving community for generations.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Your support makes all the difference.

With gratitude,

Mike Maloley Board President

Lexington Community Foundation

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2024 Annual Report

Year in Review

Year in Review In 2024, LCF made significant strides in supporting students, seniors, and the arts through grants that enhanced educational experiences, creativity, and quality of life. We helped introduce new scholarships for future military members, aspiring music teachers, and underserved youth, expanding access to higher education. We focused on strengthening our staff’s fundraising expertise, ensuring greater capacity to engage donors and sustain our programs. We launched new projects, such as Foundation Fridays, aimed at expanding opportunities and elevating our community, fostering inclusivity, growth, and prosperity for all.

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS OF DECEMBER 31 TOTAL ASSETS

100%

Total Contributions

5

$ 11,155,359

Affiliate Funds $ 5,593,949 Scholarships & Temporarily Restricted Funds $ 1,016,610 LCF Unrestricted $ 4,544,800 TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS & REVENUE

$ 4,978,877

Contributions to Affiliate Funds Total Additions to Unrestricted Assets

$ 3,563,318 $ 1,415,559

TOTAL EXPENSES

$

Grant & Program Expenses Operational Expenses

$ 1,248,213 $ 166,579

New Affiliate Funds

Lexington Community Foundation

1,414,792

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2024 Annual Report

Projects

Projects & Progress 2024 was a year of project completion for the Lexington Community Foundation. Keep reading to learn more about the impact LCF has had!

The Johnson Lake Community Playground welcomed the community for a grand opening ceremony on May 5, 2024. Committee members, community members, and donors alike joined together as the playground was formally opened and the swing set was dedicated to honor the life of Rowan Rabe.

In the fall, a water refilling station was added to fulfill further needs of the facility.

LCF served as the fiscal agent for the project and provided a $5,000 grant for the water station.

During the 150th Anniversary Celebration of Lexington, the Lexington Veteran Pavilion celebrated its grand opening and ribbon cutting. Community members, donors, veterans, and the fundraising committee gathered to celebrate their success in seeing the project to fruition.

LCF served as the fiscal agent for the project and provided $100,000 in grant funding.

Lexington Community Foundation

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2024 Annual Report

Projects

Lexington Racquet Center celebrated its grand opening on Monday, October 7th. The facility energizes youth through senior citizens, providing a free space for lifelong physical activities.

LCF served as the fiscal agent for the project and provided grant funding.

LEXINGTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION $97,000 granted during 2024

Lexington Community Foundation

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2024 Annual Report

Donor Story

Legacy of Loyalty For Brad and Jill Williams, Lexington is more than just their hometown—it’s their heart. In the 1960s, Brad’s father owned the iconic Stewart’s Pharmacy, known as the “the most complete drugstore from Omaha to Denver,” inspiring Brad with its unwavering service to Lexington. One could even wrap up their trip with a sweet treat from the soda fountain.

Brad’s mother’s impact was equally as profound as a nurse at the Lexington hospital. When recounting labor and delivery experiences, many locals expressed they "couldn't have done it without Mildred."

Sharing the joys of their youth, Brad and Jill’s story began at Lexington High School. They carried their love for their community with them through each new chapter of their lives.

Brad & Jill Williams

Jill received her nursing degree in Lincoln. She warmly reflected on her time spent in Lincoln, yet had wonderful stories to share of her family’s farm and the hard work and gentle manner she witnessed from her father. “He was never easily agitated,” Jill remarked, with a quick interjection from Brad, “…except that one day with the loader.” Another story for another day, yet Brad and Jill worked to build their life together. In 2001, Brad and Jill built their forever home at Johnson Lake, where they currently reside.

Their passion for giving stems from their love of people and Lexington. “We grew up here and love our community.” Jill’s love of nursing motivated a portion of their planned gift for a future nursing scholarship. “I was inspired to become a nurse when I first saw those nurses in their whites at the old Lexington hospital.”

The Williams’ giving philosophy is twofold. “We enjoy giving now to see the results.” Brad and Jill are annual contributors to Give BIG Lexington, where they have given to various causes over the years. Growing up in Lexington and wanting to see positive change for future generations motivated the couple to commit a legacy gift to the Foundation.

“We grew up here; where else would we give?”

Lexington Community Foundation

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2024 Annual Report

Does your name belong on this list of prestigious donors?

If you have named LEXINGTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION in your will or trust, please let us know so we can ensure your gift is used according to your wishes.

To learn more contact the LCF office: 308.324.6704 office@letfoundation.org

Lexington Community Foundation

Planned Giving Society Leaving a Legacy

October 24, 2024 marked our first annual Planned Giving Society Member Appreciation event. Planned Giving Society members, Board members, and staff joined together to celebrate the success of the Lexington Community Foundation and look forward to a bright future.

Anonymous Donor Anonymous Donor Anonymous Donor Sue Batie Mitch & Jackie Berke Steven Heldt Mike Jeffrey Mark & Patty Jones Patricia Luse Tod & Michele McKeone William & Meredith Orthman Roberts Charitable Trust David & Peggy Stenberg Seacrest Family Legacy Fund John & Janet Wightman Brad & Jill Williams

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Executive Committee Mike Maloley

Tom Alexander

President

Board Development Chair

Audrey Downey

Rob Anderson

Vice President

Grants Committee Chair

Larry Reynolds

Tod McKeone

Secretary/Treasurer

Development Committee Chair

Barry McFarland

Curt Rickertsen

Past President

Events Committee Chair

Board of Directors Tom Alexander Manuel Andazola Rob Anderson Amy Biehl-Owens Abby Brecks Randy Carpenter Dan Clark Sarah DeLaTorre

Jill Denker Audrey Downey Mag Fagot Birgitte Hays Jim Hain Dan Keller Nuria Lemus Mike Maloley Barry McFarland

Tod McKeone Tara Naprstek Larry Reynolds Curt Rickertsen Jake Saulsbury Dave Stenberg Gail Wightman Travis Wright

Staff Beth Roberts

Christy Augustin

Executive Director

Program Coordinator

607 N. Washington Street | PO Box 422, Lexington, NE 68850 308-324-6704 | lexfoundation.org | office@lexfoundation.org