Connections Summer 2013
www.nebcommfound.org
5 Ways to Reach Out 1) Non-traditional scholarships to help young adults who are working in the community stay in the community. 2) Recognition gifts to ALL high school graduates with an invitation to come back. The Class of 2013 in Chase County will know their hometown cares about them. Each received a personalized mailbox. Pictured with the seniors are class co-sponsor Trent Herbert, at right, and Elna Johnson, at left, chair of the Imperial Community Foundation Fund Advisory Committee.
Hometown Attracts Young Adults Back What is a young adult looking for in a community when considering his or her next move? “Peers, a vibrant business community beyond just farming, recreation and a place to work out,” says 27-year-old Dillon Harchelroad, vice chair of the Imperial Community Foundation Fund (ICFF).
“We need to feel a sense of pride and know that we can get involved,” he said. Dillon sought out the ICFF as a way to reconnect and network within the community. “I’m proud of all the money that we have been able to give back to the community, and I actually like asking for donations!” Dillon said. The ICFF has played an important role in encouraging just about every type of community characteristic that attracts Dillon and his peers. Dozens of young adults have moved back home over the past decade or so. They are part of the reason Imperial and Chase County are growing again for the first time in 30 years. Imperial uses the principles of HomeTown Competitiveness – Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Philanthropy and Youth Engagement – to guide its grantmaking. This year the ICFF presented each graduating high school senior with a personalized mailbox and an invitation to return home someday. “I went to a lot of those graduation parties and at least 90 percent had their mailboxes displayed. I hope
3) Participation and presentations at alumni events and community celebrations. 4) Ads and job opportunities in high school alumni newsletters. 5) Investing in community projects and programs that are meaningful to young adults.
that this gesture plants a seed in the kids’ minds. It’s really important to keep tabs on young people who have left because of the generational switch in business ownership. You’ve got to keep networking with the younger people,” Dillon said. Two other younger “returnees” – Beth Bremer and Tyler Pribbeno – also serve on the Imperial Fund Advisory Committee. “Our younger generation has brought an enthusiasm to the committee,” observed Lori Pankonin, committee secretary. “They care about Imperial.” The ICFF has reinvested nearly a quarter of a million dollars to help make this hometown the kind of community where people want to live, work and raise their families. The Fund has more than $690,000 in current assets and more than 90 percent of that is endowed. Imperial is promising to be an attractive hometown for generations. n
Dillon Harchelroad returned to Imperial to join his family’s business after graduating from UNL. In addition to serving on the ICF Fund Advisory Committee he also is the youngest person on the Chase County Fair Board, a member of the Jaycees and the Chamber of Commerce and coaches the FFA ag sales team.