Spring 2011 Connections Newsletter

Connections Spring 2011

www.nebcommfound.org

Educator Creates Legacy for Libraries Small-town libraries will receive a helping hand thanks to a new affiliated fund of the Nebraska Community Foundation. The Kreutz Bennett Donor-Advised Fund, established by the late Shirley Kreutz Bennett, will provide matching grants for public libraries in Nebraska communities with a population of less than 3,000.

A LOOK INSIDE...

Yost, NCF President and CEO. “In many small towns, the library may be the only place where some people have access to the Internet. Shirley’s legacy gift will help rural libraries adapt to significant changes over these next several years. It shows that she had great vision and commitment to people in our small communities.”

Following Shirley’s wishes, a Fund Advisory Committee composed of her nieces and nephews has developed guidelines for grantmaking in three areas: Planning Grants leading to accreditation; Enhancement Grants to improve library services and/or programs; and Facilities Grants for new facilities or the renovation, restoration or rehabilitation of current libraries. All grants will require a certain level of matching funds and evidence that the project has broad community support.

“Shirley was able to travel the world, and I think she wanted to equip people who don’t have that opportunity, so they could have the world brought to them.”

Russell Kreutz Doniphan, NE

Approximately $70,000 will be available each year.

Grants will be awarded annually in each grantmaking area beginning in the spring of 2012. There are 228 libraries in Nebraska communities with populations under 3,000. Of those, 100 are not accredited.

“Gaining accreditation is critical to our libraries. It opens the door to other outside funding,” said Jeff

A life-long learner, Shirley graduated from Harvard High School in 1941. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Washington and an M.A. and Ph.D. from Columbia University. She taught on both coasts before returning to Nebraska.

Shirley was a retired Professor of Education at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln.

Shirley’s nephew, Russell Kreutz, said education and self-improvement were important to her; she never stopped growing and was always up for a new challenge. She and her husband, Millard Bennett, a career pilot, were taking classes together right until the end of her life.

“I think Shirley chose to help small-town libraries because she felt that this would be helping where the money was needed most,” Mr. Bennett said.

To avoid duplication and to attempt to leverage existing resources, the Nebraska Library Commission has agreed to assist NCF and the Fund Advisory Committee with grantmaking.

For more information, contact Sheri Hink, NCF Outreach, Education and Events Manager, (402) 323-7347 or shink@nebcommfound.org, or visit www.nebcommfound.org/fund/ kreutzbennett.

NCF by the Numbers (12/31/10)

207

$67.6 $36.7

188

36,353 $118.5

AFFILIATED FUNDS

MILLION TOTAL ASSETS

MILLION ENDOWED ASSETS

PLANNED GIFTS

CONTRIBUTIONS

MILLION REINVESTED

232 Communities Served

15% Year-Over-Year Growth

21% Year-Over-Year Growth

$39 Million to Benefit Nebraska

Received in the Last 5 Years

$69.3 Million in the Last 5 Years

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ANNUAL CELEBRATION BANQUET Affiliated fund leaders and guests gather in Lincoln for NCF’s 2010 Annual Banquet and Exposition – a celebration of successful community-building through charitable giving and hometown leadership.

NCF staff member Doug Friedli (second from left) joins (l-r) Mike Schuldt, Ray Newton, Stephen Hunt and Mary Reinholt of Plattsmouth at NCF’s annual banquet.

Full article on page 3

GIFTS OF AG COMMODITIES With grain prices at their highest levels in years, many farmers are thinking about making gifts of corn, soybeans and other ag commodities to support their local affiliated funds. Farmers and ranchers in Brown County are using this tool to support their local endowment-building campaign.

Full article on page 6

CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY TO BENEFIT KEITH COUNTY A retired school teacher uses a planned giving tool to give back to her community, increase her annual income and receive a tax deduction. With today’s low interest rates, a Charitable Gift Annuity provides an easy way to lock in guaranteed income for life and make a significant gift for the future.

Full article on page 6

NCF FRIENDS USE NEW LAW TO BUILD NCF’S ENDOWMENT Ron and Judy Parks take advantage of the Charitable IRA Rollover law to make a significant gift to NCF’s Ford Challenge Campaign. Many people over the age of 70 ½ are using this tool to achieve their charitable intentions while realizing certain tax benefits.

Full article on page 7

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Inside NCF NCF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Working Together Makes an Impact

Executive Members

Nebraska Community Foundation having success in building for future

Shannon Harner of Lincoln, Chair Brandon Day of Norfolk, Vice Chair Richard Walter of Shickley, Secretary Dennis Stara of Lincoln, Treasurer Brian Thompson of Waverly, Immediate Past Chair

At-Large Members

K.C. Belitz of Columbus Judy Brockmeier of Eustis Janet Krotter Chvala of Atkinson Judith Scherer Connealy of Decatur Joe Ferguson of Norfolk Casey Garrigan of Omaha Lori Pankonin of Imperial Judy Parks of Papillion F.E. Pete Peterson of Brule Jon Schmaderer of Stuart Susan Ugai of Lincoln Ray Welsh of Pender

Honorary Members

Helen Boosalis* of Lincoln Fred Bruning of Bruning Steve Buttress of Kearney Brenda Council of Omaha Connie Day* of Norfolk P. Mark Graff of McCook Nancy Hoch of Nebraska City Richard Hunt of Blair Kim Lauritzen* of Omaha Fred Lockwood of Scottsbluff Rodrigo Lopez of Omaha Ed Loutzenheiser of Juniata Bob Mundy of Omaha Senator Ben Nelson of Omaha Ron Parks of Papillion Beverly Pollock of Ogallala Sid Salzman of Ainsworth Jim Scholz of Omaha Frank Sibert of Kearney Bob Stowell of Ord Kathleen Thuman of Lincoln Mimi Waldbaum* of Omaha Jeanene Wehrbein of Plattsmouth Jim Wolf* of Albion * Deceased

President and CEO Jeffrey G Yost

From the Norfolk Daily News, January 4, 2011.

“Building vibrant communities of hope and opportunity.”

Those are the words emblazoned across the cover of the 2010 annual report of the Nebraska Community Foundation. It would be difficult to find more appropriate ones.

Many Norfolkans and residents of several area communities are well aware of the community foundation’s role and importance because they are what is known as affiliated fund communities. But many more should know.

The foundation’s mission is to work with community leaders across Nebraska to inspire charitable giving, prudently manage financial resources and make strategic investments that will help ensure prosperity for Nebraskans and the communities where they live.

“People are witnessing positive change. Today, our young people no longer need to leave town for good to find a better life.”

Jeff Yost NCF President and CEO

It’s no surprise to us that the foundation is being well received. In the past year, the foundation and affiliated community funds received 7,794 gifts, and 77 percent of those were from repeat donors.

The foundation has reinvested $118 million in Nebraska and its communities since 1993. It has $67 million in total assets and $36 million in

endowed assets. There are 207 affiliated funds serving 232 communities in 78 counties.* Those are impressive numbers. But they need to be if the wealth that has been accumulated through hard work and diligent service by Nebraskans across the state is to best benefit their hometowns and other charitable causes.

Jon Schmaderer, president of the Tri-County Bank in Stuart, said, “This is a marathon, not a sprint.

This is not for our generation. It’s for the next.

We need to let the next generation know there is opportunity close to home.”

The individual community affiliated funds help any number of local causes in any number of ways. In Albion, for example, grants helped to refurbish the dining room at Good Samaritan Society-Wolf Memorial Hospital. In Holt County, the local fund provides a personalized mailbox to every high school graduate in the county as a way to remind them that they are always welcome home.

And those are just two examples.

“All this is a remarkable testament of faith in the future of rural Nebraska. People are witnessing positive change. Today, our young people no longer need to leave town for good to find a better life,” said Jeff Yost, president of the community foundation.

This is a success story because it’s a success for individual Nebraskans and individual communities that share a vision for a better and brighter future for the state. * Numbers in this paragraph have been updated from those which were reported in the original article.

Community-Focused Endowment Building

(12/31/2010)

2002 2010

Number of Planned Gifts

18 159

Communities Benefiting

14 61

Amount (Estimate*)

$6.2 Million

$26.2 Million

Communities Building Endowments 51

87

Total Endowed Assets in Community-Based Funds

$27.3 Million

$4.6 Million

*When actual amounts are unknown or not disclosed, NCF assigns the conservative value of $1,000 to the planned gift.

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ANNUAL BANQUET AND NEW BOARD MEMBERS www.nebcommfound.org

Building Vibrant Communities

New Board Members

They came from as far away as Dillingham, Alaska, but most of the 250 guests at the Nebraska Community Foundation’s celebration banquet in November represented affiliated funds from across the state. The annual event highlights the continued success of NCF’s statewide movement to build vibrant communities through charitable giving.

Keynote speaker Chuck Fluharty, President and CEO of the Rural Policy Research Institute, said, “No matter where I travel, I find myself talking about the Nebraska Community Foundation.

There are only a few organizations that are really transformative. And you are at the top. You are doing what government alone cannot do. You are unique. You are building your communities with your own resources and moving to regional innovation. I challenge you to make sure your organization stays strong, because we need to figure out how we take what you’re doing in Nebraska to other states,” said Fluharty.

Three enthusiastic NCF supporters were elected to the Board of Directors in November 2010. Each new member has strong ties to rural Nebraska through their leadership and their involvement with NCF affiliated funds.

K.C. Belitz of Columbus has served as the president of the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce since 2000. Prior to his current position he worked at radio stations KLIR/KJSK in Columbus for 10 years. K.C. serves his community in a variety of capacities.

He is a member of the Columbus Development Corporation, the Public Schools Alumni Association and the YMCA. K.C. is currently a Fund Advisory Committee member of the Columbus Area Community Foundation Fund.

Casey Garrigan of Omaha is a fourth generation family owner of Great Plains Communications. Under his family’s leadership, Great Plains Communications has become the largest privately-held telecommunications company in Nebraska. He joined the Great Plains Communications marketing team where he currently works with media production and public relations. Casey has been actively involved in awarding five $50,000 challenge grants to NCF affiliated funds in communities served

by Great Plains to build endowments, strengthen local leadership, engage youth and support entrepreneurship.

Judy Parks of Papillion is a researcher, writer and publisher. With her husband, Ron, she co-wrote a book on managing a small business.

Her current project is a book on heart-healthy cooking.

Both Judy and Ron Parks are longtime supporters of the Nebraska Community Foundation. Judy is a Fund Advisory Committee member of The WealthSpring Fund, a statewide NCF affiliated fund providing resources for women’s economic stability. Ron Parks is a past Chair of NCF and an Honorary Board member.

Lisa Wimmer, Dillingham, Alaska; Christi Hafer, Dunning; and Wendy Fast, Lincoln, celebrate at NCF’s annual banquet in Lincoln in November.

Four Fund Advisory Committee members also spoke during the program, explaining the partnership NCF shares with its affiliated funds. David Partsch of Nebraska City said, “We thought we were pretty well organized, but we were really blown away through NCF’s action planning process. We were able to bring more focus to what we were doing and structure to the process of how we were doing it.”

Other community speakers included Beth Roelfs of Diller, Judy Parks of The WealthSpring Fund and Richard Walter of Shickley.

Jeff Yost, NCF president and CEO, expressed his optimism about the growing number of people who are giving back to their communities.

“Our theory of change is to help community leaders who really care for their hometown. Last year 7,800 donations were made to 140 different

2010 ANNUAL BANQUET Major Sponsor Westwood Holdings Group Corporate Sponsors Consolidated Companies Daycos, Inc. Farmers State Bank Great Plains Communications INSPRO Insurance Millard Manufacturing Corp MNB Financial Group Nebraska Investment Finance Authority Union Bank & Trust Company Walter Insurance affiliated funds around the state. And of those, 77 percent were repeat donors,” Yost said.

“These people care deeply about the future of their place. What would happen if we would ask them to include their hometown in their estate? What if you were to treat your hometown as another child?

These ‘What if’ conversations are truly changing our communities,” said Yost.

Mark Graff , who retired from the NCF Board of Directors earlier in the day, saluted NCF staff, volunteers and donors.

“At the McCook Community Foundation Fund we have a saying we love, and it’s, ‘We have seen and met angels disguised as ordinary people leading ordinary lives.’ For those of you involved in community building across the state, especially those whom I have had the pleasure of meeting these last nine years, you definitely are not ordinary, but you most assuredly are truly angels.”

Mark Graff of McCook provides his parting observations to guests at NCF’s annual banquet as he retires from the NCF Board after nine years of service.

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Affiliated Fund Updates NCF Community Funds Boone County Area Foundation Fund received a gift of $266,000 from Mitzi Fox, whose family has been in local banking for three generations. “Our family has always believed in giving back to the communities where we have done business,” said Ms. Fox. The gift is designated for construction of a new swimming pool or library for the City of Albion.

If neither of these projects is built within the next five years, the gift can become part of the Fund’s permanent endowment.

The thermometer in this photo is getting warmer, as the Verdigre Community Foundation Fund has nearly met its goal several months ahead of deadline.

Verdigre Foundation Fund is less than two years old, but committee members are busy making an impact. The group surveyed community needs and received approval from the school board to apply for outside grants for an after-school and summer learning program. An anonymous donor issued a challenge grant which will match all contributions up to $10,000. Area residents have raised $8,950.

Mitzi Fox and BCAFF Chair Jay Wolf.

Keith County Community Foundation Fund awarded 10 grants totaling $16,950 to support area programs for safety, human services, education, health and fitness. Since 2004 the Fund has reinvested about $137,000 in community improvements throughout the county. Since its initial $100,000 Legacy Challenge by Larry and Mary Lynn Callen, the Fund has continued to grow, with total endowed assets now at more than $780,000.

(Pictured l-r) Ian Taylor, Kevin Poppe and Casey Garrigan, Great Plains Communications; Jana Jensen, NCF; Cindy Frey, Marcia Hora, Traci Frey, Maxine Lovitt, Bryan Rooney and Bevin Brown, Stapleton Community Center board members.

Logan Community Foundation Fund celebrated the success of fundraising efforts for the Stapleton Community Center project by accepting a grant of $25,000 from the Robert and Jeanette Hunt Community Development Fund. Volunteers exceeded their goal and raised a total of $44,756 in matching funds.

Representatives of Keith County grantee organizations celebrate KCCFF’s seventh year of giving.

Nemaha County Development Foundation Fund added $2,500 to its unrestricted endowment, thanks to gift from an area farmer who named the Fund as his charity of choice after winning the Monsanto Company prize money. Monsanto selects one farmer/ producer per qualified county. NCDFF Chair Pat Castle said, “Because this donation will be placed in our endowment it can help make our rural community a better place to live, work, and raise families year after year, which most certainly will help the farmers that make up a large part of Nemaha County.”

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Renovation of the Bennet Post Office is expected to be complete this spring.

Bennet Area Community Foundation Fund is helping the village renovate its Post Office. More than 50 households contributed nearly $6,000 toward the $44,500 project. The largest donation was in the form of 115 bushels of soybeans, which was converted to cash at the prevailing market price. The funds raised will enable the Village of Bennet to pursue other projects budgeted in the general fund that may otherwise not be completed.

Callaway Community Fund is building its endowment through the generosity of longtime current and former residents. Newcomers are also stepping forward. John and Denise Howard retired from the Air Force and chose Callaway as the place they plan to entertain their grandchildren. “Callaway is what I served 20 years for,” said Mrs. Howard.

John and Denise Howard present a contribution to CCF Chair Rick Dale (center). After traveling the world, the couple retired in Callaway.

Diller Community Foundation Fund awarded the majority of its annual endowment grants to area youth programs. Programs funded include Girl Scouts, Youth Football, Students Against Drugs and Alcohol, Youth Volleyball and 4-H. The community of 267 has built an endowment of over $250,000. Recently DCFF received a $20,000 gift from the estate of longtime resident Arnold Henrichs.

Exeter Community Foundation Fund has successfully reached the half-way point in its effort to build a $150,000 endowment with a challenge grant.

Over $50,000 in donations has been raised from gifts of cash, stocks and grain. Former residents Richard and Louisa Manning issued a challenge grant and have provided $25,000 to date in matching funds, building the endowment to over $75,000.

O’Neill Community Foundation Fund awarded more than half of its grants to programs that engage and support youth in the community. Funding will help foster families, an after-school program, Special Olympics, TeamMates and BRAVO. Additional funds went to library, hospital and the new community center projects.

Bergan Carr and Ryan Parks are members of BRAVO, which stands for Bullying Recognition and AntiViolence Organization. The student organization has received ongoing support from OCFF.

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COMMUNITY AND ORGANIZATIONAL SUCCESS HIGHLIGHTS www.nebcommfound.org

Organizational Funds The WealthSpring Fund provided over $9,000 to five organizations that are working to increase

women’s economic stability. The Fund was pleased to partner with another NCF affiliated fund, the Verdigre Community Foundation Fund, in its planning efforts to develop an after-school and summer learning program. Other new grantees this year include two statewide groups: GROW Nebraska and RentWise.

Community CROPS and Lincoln Housing Charities received a second year of funding, based on significant positive outcomes. For information on how your affiliated fund can partner in grantmaking with WealthSpring, contact Reggi Carlson, (402) 323-7331 or Community CROPS helps families grow food for rcarlson@nebcommfound.org. themselves and their community by providing land and training for food production and marketing.

The Nebraska Cattlemen Research & Education Foundation honored two former board members who have arranged the first two planned estate gifts to benefit the Foundation. Bequests from Frank and Shirley Sibert of Kearney and Barb and Bill Rishel of North Platte will provide future funding for this organization, which supports scholarships and leadership development for the state’s cattle industry.

Frank and Shirley Sibert and Barb and Bill Rishel are honored at the Nebraska Cattlemen Convention in December.

Holt County Economic Development is an NCF affiliated fund

Class VI graduates of the HomeTown Leadership Institute are (Back l-r) Matt Otte, Brent Hooey, Jody Mitchell, Tonia Kinzey, Amber Jarecke. (Front l-r) Mark Fowler, Paige Pecena, Linda Green, Barb Beckwith.

(Not pictured: Greg Walters and Kirk Sweeney)

that provides assistance for expanding businesses and building community.

HCED held its third annual communitywide event in February to celebrate recent achievements. In addition to working one-on-one with more than 80 local businesses in 2010, HCED launched the Holt County Young Professionals group and continued its multi-year HomeTown Leadership Institute.

The Nebraska Community Foundation partners with community leaders to inspire charitable giving, prudently manage financial resources and make strategic investments for the prosperity of our people and our communities.

Confirmed in Compliance with National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations

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NCF, a 501(c)(3) organization, was established in 1993 to serve communities, organizations and donors throughout Nebraska. NCF is recognized nationally for its innovative practices in community development philanthropy. The Foundation provides a range of services, including financial management, strategic development, education and training to more than 200 affiliated funds statewide.

DONATE ONLINE Support your community, your favorite charitable organization or the Nebraska Community Foundation the quick and easy way.

Donate online at www.NebraskaHometown.org and click on the red box on the left side of the page!

SAVE THE DATE UPCOMING WEBINARS

More than 700 participants have consistently rated NCF’s monthly webinars as good to excellent! Topics range from community-wide events to one-on-one donor visitation. Take advantage of these training sessions tailored especially for your affiliated fund!

April 13

Beginning with the End in Mind Tools and resources for making impactful grants With Marcia White and Doug Friedli

May 11

Bringing Donors Together to Discuss Future Gifts A How-To Guide for Hosting Gathering Events and Legacy Dinners With Jim Gustafson and Jana Jensen Webinars are presented at 12:30 CT/11:30 MT and again at 5:30 CT/4:30 MT on the second Wednesday of the month.

Contact Sheri Hink at (402) 323-7347 or shink@nebcommfound.org for more information.

FIND US ON FACEBOOK! Find out what other affiliated funds are doing.

Post pictures of your events and grants. Get help, advice and new ideas from your peers and your friends at NCF. Share your thoughts and keep in touch.

Facebook.com/ nebraskacommunityfoundation

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Charitable Giving Ag Products: “Hot Commodity” for Giving Farmers and ranchers are enjoying some of the best prices in years. Some producers are converting their ag commodities into charitable gifts to benefit NCF and its affiliated funds. Over the past year NCF has received nearly $60,000 in gifts of grain and livestock.

Supporters of the Brown County Community Foundation Fund have used gifts of grain and livestock to boost their endowmentbuilding efforts. The Fund has received about $13,800 in gifts of corn and livestock in recent months.

According to Fund Advisory Committee member Al Steuter, the option of giving ag commodities allowed several longtime donors to make significant gifts while

enjoying certain tax benefits. He added that the real incentive for these donors was a true desire to benefit their Brown County community.

About a year ago Fund Advisory Committee members set a fiveyear goal of building a $500,000 unrestricted endowment.

Numerous articles in the Ainsworth Star-Journal have helped to publicize the Fund’s vision and activities. The Fund exceeded its first year goal by raising $102,000. Committee members are confident that agricultural gifts will continue to be a significant source for charitable contributions in the coming year.

For information on gifting ag commodities contact NCF Controller Les Long at (402) 323-7346 or llong@ nebcommfound.org.

Gift Annuity Benefits Community and Donor Rita Shimmin, a retired school teacher, grew up in Hershey and taught school in Elsie for three years before moving to Ogallala, where she taught high school business classes for 35 years.

Recently, Rita worked with NCF’s Jim Gustafson to establish a charitable gift annuity which will benefit the Keith County Community Foundation Fund in the future.

“To me it is the perfect way to give back to

NCF Gift Planning Director Jim Gustafson with Rita Shimmin and Pete Peterson of the Keith County Community Foundation Fund.

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my community and to enjoy the benefits of a guaranteed income. Especially with the interest rates the way they are now. Five percent interest is a really good rate, plus I got a tax deduction by making the gift,” Rita said.

Rita joined the Keith County Community Foundation Fund Advisory Committee at the urging of her friends, Jack and Beverly Pollock of Ogallala and Pete Peterson of Brule. She has been a committee member for four years and is very proud of all that the Fund has accomplished. Within just seven years, the Fund has reinvested $137,000 in 82 charitable projects and programs in the county.

“We need to do more,” Rita said. “Each year we receive many more requests than we are able to fund.

I would like to see more funding for our schools.”

“Jim Gustafson made it so very easy. I worked directly with Jim and he handled all the paper work. I talked to my financial advisors and they both agreed that a charitable gift annuity provided the greatest benefits.”

Rita and her late husband, Dennis, did not have

New Law Helps Charities Through 2011, the Charitable IRA Rollover law allows those age 70½ and older to transfer up to $100,000 from an IRA to charity – tax free. If married, each spouse can transfer up to $100,000.

Under the Charitable IRA Rollover Rules:

• You have an easy and convenient way to

make a gift from one of your major assets.

• Your tax-free rollover gift will be excluded from your gross income.

• Your gift can count toward your required minimum distribution.

• You can make a qualified charitable distribution through December 31, 2011.

How it Works:

• You must be at least 70½ years old.

• Gifts from IRAs may be in any amount up to $100,000.

• The gift must be made directly from the custodian of your IRA to the Nebraska Community Foundation for the benefit of NCF or your community’s or organization’s affiliated fund.

• Gifts to life income plans, donor-advised funds, support organizations and private foundations do not qualify.

For more information contact Jim Gustafson, Gift Planning Director for the Nebraska Community Foundation at (402) 323-7341 or jgustafson@nebcommfound.org, or visit www.nebcommfound.org.

children. With no dependents, her assets in life insurance and retirement plans make charitable giving an attractive and rewarding option. She can benefit her favorite causes and also enjoy a number of tax advantages.

“I would certainly recommend creating a charitable gift annuity as a way of giving back,” Rita said. “It benefits your community. It benefits you. And it just feels good to be able to help.”

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MAJOR GIFTS TO NCF AND COMMUNITY ENDOWMENTS www.nebcommfound.org

Ford Challenge Champions The Ford Foundation has issued a $1 million challenge grant to the Nebraska Community Foundation to support our development work and build the NCF endowment. We are proud to introduce some of our major donors who are helping us meet our $3 million match!

Brandon and Tammy Day – Norfolk

Brandon and Tammy are philanthropic leaders in Norfolk and Northeast Nebraska. Brandon has served on the NCF Board since 2005 and is currently Vice Chair. He is also a member of the Norfolk Area Community Foundation Fund Advisory Committee, and serves on the committees of its numerous Ron and Judy Parks – Papillion accounts.

Tammy is the volunteer executive director of the Norfolk Area Ron and Judy are longtime supporters of Community Foundation Fund and is spearheading the development of the the Nebraska Community Foundation. Ron Norfolk Philanthropy Council, a collaborative group of area nonprofits working served as NCF Board member and Chair together to share ideas, resources, talents and support. from 1997-2006 and continues to provide Brandon and Tammy are supporting the Ford Challenge campaign with a guidance through his involvement as an multi-year pledge of $50,000. They also have made significant gifts of life Honorary Board member. Judy began her insurance. The Days make charitable contributions to fund the premiums of first term on the Board in November 2010. the policies, and the Recently, Ron used a Charitable IRA policies are owned by Rollover to make a major contribution to NCF for the benefit of the the Ford Challenge Grant campaign.

NCF endowment and the “I turned 70 ½ last year, so I have to take a Norfolk Area Community required minimum distribution from my IRA annually, and I have to pay taxes on Foundation Fund. that. Since I’m still working, I don’t need the extra income and I certainly don’t The couple is following need the extra taxes,” Ron said. in the footsteps of “I looked at different ways of charitable giving, including gifts of highly Brandon’s mother, appreciated stocks, gift annuities and life insurance, and for me the Charitable Connie Day, who, IRA Rollover seemed like a great way to make a charitable gift.” before her death established a $500,000 life insurance policy to benefit the children of Northeast Nebraska. Today, the Connie Endowment Fund provides Ron grew up on a farm near Foster, Nebraska. He is the founder of Millard Manufacturing Corp. in Omaha. He is also an accomplished sculptor whose thousands of dollars each year to improve the lives of young people. work is now on display at Ural State University in Russia as part of their “Building an endowment to support the development work that NCF is doing cultural program. His sculptures are placed in several prominent locations in all across the state is an absolute necessity,” Brandon said. “In just a few short Omaha, such as in Gene Leahy Mall and Joslyn Museum’s Discovery Garden. years, millions of dollars have been given back to rural communities and have Judy Parks grew up in Wichita, Kansas and Warrensburg, Missouri. Judy is an avid been invested in endowments that will go on giving forever. This simply conservationist, pilot, researcher and writer. With Ron she co-wrote a book on would not have happened without NCF leading the way,” said Brandon. managing a small business, and is currently writing a book on heart-healthy cooking. Brandon and Tammy are co-owners of Daycos, Inc., a third-party billing and audit service for moving companies. They are the parents of two daughters, When they are not working, volunteering and creating, Ron and Judy enjoy spending time boating in the Pacific Northwest.

Corrin and Grace.

Contributions to the Nebraska Community Foundation July 1, 2010 – December 31, 2010

$2,000 to $4,999 Westwood Holdings Group – Omaha Dennis and Nancy Stara *– Lincoln $25,000 to $99,999 Fred Lockwood/Lockwood Foundation *– Scottsbluff Kathleen Thuman/Farmers State Bank of Maywood * McCook National Bank – McCook Lincoln Bettenhausen Family Foundation – Lincoln Bob and Michelle Dudley *– Norfolk $10,000 to $24,999 Judith Brockmeier *– Eustis Consolidated Companies *– Lincoln MNB Financial Group, Inc. – McCook Richard and Darlene Walter/ $1,000 to $1,999 Walter Insurance *– Shickley Great Plains Communications – Lincoln Daycos, Inc. *– Norfolk Millard Manufacturing Corp. – Omaha Pete and Jonnie Peterson *– Brule INSPRO Insurance – Lincoln Bruning State Bank – Bruning Nebraska Investment Finance Authority – Lincoln Bob Brandt/Countryside Bank *– Unadilla Union Bank & Trust Company – Lincoln Pinnacle Bancorp, Inc. – Omaha Graff Family Inc. – McCook Reggi and Doug Carlson *– Lincoln $5,000 to $9,999 Allen and Kay Blezek *– Lincoln Ronald and Merrill Alfs – Shickley

* All or a portion of this gift is part of a multi-year pledge commitment.

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David Rodgers and Teresa A. Romanek – Omaha Janet Krotter Chvala and Gary Chvala *– Atkinson Raymond E. and Debra Welsh *– Pender Tinstman Family Donor-Advised Fund – Lincoln Tri-County Bank *– Stuart $500 to $999 Lora Damme – Talmage Shannon Harner and Philip Goddard *– Lincoln Judith Scherer Connealy and Matt Connealy *– Decatur Mark and Linda Graff *– McCook Lori J. and Russell Pankonin *– Imperial Susan M. Ugai *– Lincoln Jeff Yost and Cindy Ryman Yost *– Lincoln Don Schmaderer *– Stuart Jon and Jennifer Schmaderer *– Stuart Sam and Joyce Baird – Lincoln

$100 to $499 Joe Ferguson *– Norfolk Jim and Terri Gustafson *– Lincoln Marcia A. White *– Lincoln Doug and Pat Friedli *– Nebraska City Karla and Matthew Egger *– Martell Springdale Realty, Inc. – Ord Amy and Craig Fey *– Crete Elna J. Johnson – Imperial Frank Vogt – Lincoln Gary W. and Sara Radil – Omaha Hugh Wilkins – Geneva, and Beth Wilkins – Pine Bluff, WY Janet M. Topolsky – Washington, DC Jeffrey and Lynn Pirruccello – Omaha John and Ardis Yost – Red Cloud Julie L. Anderson-Harr – Elkhorn Robert E. Mundy – Omaha

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NON-PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE

PAID LINCOLN, NE PERMIT NO. 449

PO Box 83107 Lincoln, NE 68501-3107 (402) 323-7330 • Fax (402) 323-7349 www.nebcommfound.org info@nebcommfound.org RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Volunteers

BEST PRACTICES www.nebcommfound.org

Get in Shape with NCF Trainings Is there is a correlation between affiliated fund success and participation in NCF trainings?

helped us to stop being so shy. After the training we divided up who we were going to visit with and we got off to a really good start,” Fritschen said. “If you start to lose momentum, then it’s time to go to another regional meeting!”

“Absolutely!” says Jana Jensen, NCF Director of Community Fund Development – Western Nebraska. Fund Advisory Committee members NCF held eight regional meetings across the state who take advantage of regional meetings, in January through March. About 140 leaders of webinars and annual nearly 50 affiliated funds training sessions took part. tend to be serving on More than 700 fund leaders “I was surprised to learn that people like funds that are making have tuned into NCF’s to be asked to volunteer and don’t just steady progress monthly webinars. Like come forward on their own. Thanks for toward fundraising the regional meetings the pointers. This will help!” and grantmaking and annual training goals.

Glenna Pavlik sessions, webinar topics Webinar Participant The training experience cover the four key Verdigre Community Foundation Fund is more than just strategies for affiliated absorbing information. fund development: It puts volunteers in Governance and Leadership touch with NCF staff members who gain a better Development, Marketing and Communications, understanding of each person’s talents and interests.

Donor Development and Fundraising, and Impact It provides a safe space for volunteers with different Grantmaking. affiliated funds to discuss their challenges and share Annual training sessions last November offered what has worked. position-specific training for treasurers and “The main thing we gained is the self-confidence chairs. These will be offered through additional in actually asking for contributions. Few of us are venues and will expand to include marketing and trained in sales, so asking for money is a stretch for communications coordinators. NCF continues to most of us,” said Bob Fritschen, Chair of the Laurel offer and improve its training opportunities. The Community Foundation Fund. value of each of session increases with every “Talking to other fund leaders at regional meetings additional community leader who participates.

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(L to r) Ray Newton, Mike Schuldt and Stephen Hunt of Plattsmouth joined in the regional training at Nebraska City.

Marcia White, NCF Director of Community Development Philanthropy, uses a word mapping illustration to show that affiliated funds report endowment building as their top priority.

Sherri Schlegel, member of the Shickley Community Foundation Fund, makes a point during the regional training held in her hometown.

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