The Philanthropy Council of Northeast Nebraska, a collaboration of more than 30 nonprofits, launched its Youth Philanthropy Contest earlier this year. The plan was to award $1,000 to individuals and groups, ages kindergarten through 25, to implement charitable projects in their communities. Eight winners would be chosen, with funding awarded through the Connie Fund, a donor-advised fund of the Nebraska Community Foundation, which benefits young people in northeast Nebraska.

The Council was overwhelmed with the response it received. Early in February, 33 contestants presented a wide range of charitable project ideas for judging: intergenerational learning, a diabetic support group for youth, a youth art auction, a gardening project for needy families, support for veterans, the humane society and more. It was difficult to choose only eight deserving projects.

Later in February the Council hosted its first “Celebrate Giving!” banquet to honor generous adult donors and volunteers throughout northeast Nebraska, and to celebrate the winners of the Youth Philanthropy Contest. The event drew an overflow crowd. As the young people and their projects were introduced, many in the audience were moved to donate additional funds so that more youth projects could be done. The result: six additional projects were funded for a total of 14.

“The contest just seemed to have a ripple effect throughout the community,” said Council Chair Tammy Day. “This is a tremendous step toward creating a culture of giving because we’re giving young people a chance to participate. It’s been awesome!”

For more information and photos visit http://philanthropycouncilne.org. n

www.nebcommfound.org

ConnectionsSummer 2012

Young People Embrace a Culture of Giving

The 3rd grade class at Jefferson Elementary School in Norfolk uses its “Bears of Care” project to comfort people in distress.  

Ronnie Zephier and teacher Mandy Wolff pose with a nearly completed care bear.

The 22 students made 110 teddy bears to distribute to the Carson Cancer Center, the Nebraska State Patrol, the Norfolk Police Department and the Wesley Center Crisis Nursery. The project was intended to help anyone going through a hard time, and with each bear came a beaded necklace that represents each student who had a hand in creating the Jefferson Bears of Care.

“The kids came up with the idea,” said teacher Mandy Wolff. “I was surprised they could even say the word philanthropy, much less tell you what it means. The kids said it just felt good to help someone else. It was a new life experience,” said Mrs. Wolff. n

The Little Dragons After-School Program provides iPads for residents of Countryside Home in Madison for intergenerational learning.

there the residents were playing with the two iPads that we purchased for their activity room when we left,” said Lewis.

The program is continuing the weekly visits for six weeks of summer school and will start up again in the fall. n

“The project went really well,” said Ronda Strecker, activity director for the Countryside Home. “The kids visited for about an hour each week over the course of several months. They played games and read stories on the iPads with the residents. I think the seniors were surprised to find out how simple it was. They really appreciated the interaction with the students,” Strecker said.

“This project has turned into something that I could only dream about,” said Jane Lewis, third grade teacher and after-school coordinator.

“The students beg to go out to Countryside Home to see the residents and play iPads with them. Some of the boys have made pictures in art class and the residents have them hanging proudly in their rooms. The last time we were

Carl Putman hones his iPad skills with the help of students Jahir Casarrubias (left) and Yovany Carrillo (right).

Over the nearly 20 years since its founding in 1993, the Nebraska Community Foundation has built a model unique in the United States. By providing a centralized system of technical support and education, NCF empowers local leaders across the state to focus on their local development priorities.

Those diverse priorities often lead to a singular goal: building communities where young people can choose to live, work and raise their families.

In this issue of our newsletter you will find stories of how our affiliated funds are engaging young people so they have a sense of belonging and ownership in their hometowns. They are investing in ways to build pride, skills and commitment among our younger generation because it will take more than playgrounds and swimming pools to attract young families.

The threat of continuing population loss, the intergenerational transfer of

wealth, and the creativity and work ethic of Nebraska’s people are the catalysts that drive our work in nearly all of the 235 communities we serve.

NCF has grown dramatically in the past decade. We face the challenge of using our limited resources to serve nearly unlimited demand.

To help the NCF Board and staff prioritize its work to meet this challenge, a Board-led strategic planning process was undertaken in late 2011 and early 2012. The Board identified and committed to advance goals and strategies to move NCF forward,

and it revised our Vision and Mission statements to more fully articulate what we are working to achieve.

We hold a bold vision for Nebraska – one that will require time and commitment from partners both within and beyond our immediate NCF family. We invite everyone reading this newsletter to join us as we work to build a better Nebraska. n

The Nebraska Community Foundation envisions a state where communities of engaged individuals create opportunities for all people to reach their highest potential. People embrace Nebraska’s culture of giving and our values of good work, accountability and responsibility. Nebraska communities are prosperous places where people want to live, raise families, do business, work and enjoy the good life.

The Nebraska Community Foundation uses the tools of philanthropy, community development and economic development to help communities help themselves. NCF creates a path to greater prosperity for all by helping communities:

• Envision a better future • Develop local leadership and talent • Inspire charitable giving and grow

endowments • Fund community needs and

opportunities • Manage financial resources • Build and leverage every local asset

Executive MembersShannon Harner of Lincoln, ChairBrandon Day of Norfolk, Vice ChairRichard Walter of Shickley, SecretaryDennis Stara of Lincoln, TreasurerBrian Thompson of Waverly, Immediate Past Chair

At-Large MembersK.C. Belitz of Columbus Honorable Douglas Bereuter of Cedar BluffsJudy Brockmeier of EustisJoe Ferguson of NorfolkCasey Garrigan of OmahaLori Pankonin of ImperialJudy Parks of PapillionF.E. Pete Peterson of BruleSara Coffee Radil of OmahaJon Schmaderer of StuartKurt Tjaden of OmahaRay Welsh of Pender

Honorary MembersHelen Boosalis* of LincolnFred Bruning of Bruning Steve Buttress of KearneyJanet Krotter Chvala of AtkinsonBrenda Council of OmahaConnie Day* of NorfolkP. Mark Graff of McCookNancy Hoch of Nebraska CityRichard Hunt of Blair Kim Lauritzen* of Omaha Fred Lockwood of ScottsbluffRodrigo Lopez of Omaha Ed Loutzenheiser* of JuniataBob Mundy of OmahaSenator Ben Nelson of OmahaRon Parks of PapillionBeverly Pollock of OgallalaSid Salzman of AinsworthJim Scholz of OmahaFrank Sibert of KearneyBob Stowell of OrdKathleen Thuman of LincolnSusan Ugai of LincolnMimi Waldbaum* of OmahaJeanene Wehrbein of PlattsmouthJim Wolf* of Albion* Deceased

President and CEOJeffrey G Yost

NCF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Inside NCF

2 | Nebraska Community Foundation | Connections | Summer 2012

NCF Plans for Even Higher Impact

Vision Mission

Jeff Yost, NCF President and CEO

Nebraska Community Foundation | Connections | Summer 2012 | 3

www.nebcommfound.org

Strategic Planning and Regional Meetings

NCF has lived up to its “working board” reputation over the past several months. Beginning with a systems-wide organizational assessment that began last summer, volunteer Board members have spent many hours on homework, in committee meetings and at a multi-day retreat to craft a five-year strategic plan.

The plan is based on several lead goals emphasizing organizational sustainability, efficiency and effectiveness, and an ongoing focus on our affiliated funds and their community results and impact. The plan also renews the Board’s commitment to deepening and improving NCF’s communications and marketing efforts to support this important work throughout the state.

Board members also identified indicators for measuring success and the strategies NCF will use to reach its short- and long-term goals.

For example, the five-year plan includes increasing our use of technology to provide new services to our affiliated funds. The number of trained volunteer mentors will increase over time. And

action planning for new and existing funds will be a priority.

“This is the most extensive planning process the NCF Board has ever undertaken,” said Brandon Day, NCF Vice Chair and chair of the planning committee.

“We set the bar high for our Board and our staff because we know that a great deal of work needs to be done. There is a tremendous opportunity for philanthropy and local leadership to really have a huge positive impact over the next decade. So we have to act now,” Day said.

Following Board adoption of the five-year strategic plan in April, NCF staff members developed an annual operating plan for meeting fiscal year 2013 objectives. n

Board Sets Ambitious 5-Year Goals

Board members Doug Bereuter (l) and Joe Ferguson (r) consider strategies for strengthening affiliated funds with Marcia White, NCF Director of Community Development Philanthropy, during the Board planning retreat in Ashland.

The Nebraska Community Foundation, 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 220 affiliated funds statewide.

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

Fund Leaders Learn Together NCF’s volunteer Board members

played a leading role in this year’s regional meetings for Fund Advisory Committee (FAC) members. Board members, most of whom are affiliated fund leaders themselves, stressed the importance of using NCF’s Transfer of Wealth Study as a call to action for building unrestricted community endowments.

The peer learning sessions drew 144 FAC members from 45 different affiliated funds. Thanks to these communities for serving as our volunteer hosts: Arnold, Columbus, Eustis, Hebron, Imperial, O’Neill, Pender and Unadilla.

Training focused on Rural Development Philanthropy (RDP) – a community-led approach that creates locally controlled assets and invests them to strengthen rural places. It builds a community’s ability to shape a better future for the well-being of all community members. RPD unites the tools of community, economic and resource development.

Peer learning and mentoring continues to be one of NCF’s most valuable services. Planning is underway to offer these opportunities at NCF’s annual training on November 8, and at regional meetings in the coming year. n

O’Neill Community Foundation Fund Advisory Committee member Nicole Sedlacek reports back from a small-group discussion at the regional meeting in O’Neill.

“There is a tremendous opportunity for philanthropy and local leadership to really have a huge positive impact over the next decade. So we have to act now.” – Brandon Day

NCF Vice Chair

McCook Community Foundation Fund’s YCR (Youth Change Reaction) members are high school students who utilize their motto “It’s Up To Us” while they engage in youth activities and community service. Recently they picked up highway trash in McCook on Earth Day.

For a second year the Creighton Community Foundation Fund is sending two high school sophomores to attend the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership seminar at Hastings College. Conducted throughout the U.S., the seminar provides lifelong leadership development opportunities that empower individuals to achieve their highest potential.

Tilden-Meadow Grove Foundation Fund recently co-sponsored an event to raise student awareness of the possibility of returning to the community after post-secondary education. “Vision by Way of Leadership Day” included round-table discussions and presentations that brought forward many of the youths’ ideas for improving their communities. Spencer Community Foundation Fund provided help with tuition for each of the 29 girls who participated in Boyd County’s first-ever Girls on the Run team. The 10-week curriculum weaves training for a 5K run with lessons that empower girls to celebrate their bodies, honor their voices and embrace their gifts.

Thedford Area Community Foundation Fund presented one of its annual grants to the Thedford High School sophomore class for its participation in the Sandhills Leadership program. The students meet monthly in different locations with teens from several schools to study economic, entrepreneurship, leadership and community issues. Valley County Community Foundation Fund partnered with the Chamber of Commerce to raise awareness among high school seniors about opportunities to remain in or return to Valley County. Students from three area high schools learned about career opportunities and incentives to start businesses. Each senior received a USB flash drive with all the information, plus photos, links to national publications featuring Valley County and encouraging quotes. More than half the students expressed an interest in returning at some point in the future.

West Holt Medical Services Foundation Fund is remodeling an exam room to be “friendly” for the young rural Nebraskans who will be using the medical clinic in Atkinson. The Fund invited area young people to “design the room” by submitting artwork. More than 150 entries were submitted for the Fun in Rural Nebraska art contest.

This summer the Boone County Area Foundation Fund supported an Entrepreneur Investigation Camp (ESI) with a full enrollment of 20 area students. The students learned about business planning, budgeting, marketing and product development. The award– winning ESI curriculum was developed through a partnership between NCF and UNL Extension. n

Affiliated Fund Updates

Engaging Young People

(Front row from left) Sam Backer, Brooklynn Trew, Hollie Eiler, Mallory Koepke and Hannah Esch. (Back row) Vince Lyons and Gavin Harsh.

Jacob Morrill and Emily Boyle are chosen to attend this summer’s Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership seminar. Also pictured is Creighton Fund Advisory Committee member Christine Baldwin.

Bailey Kraus was the overall winner for WHMSF art contest. She is pictured here with Erin Tobin, Family Nurse Practitioner.

(L-r) Trey Zoucha, Riley Swerczek and Tanner Trube sell their Big Daddy Sundaes at Boone County’s ESI product fair.

4 | Nebraska Community Foundation | Connections | Summer 2012

Butler County Area Foundation Fund teamed up with other local organizations and businesses in 2012 to support the community’s eighth Leading Locally class. The class meets for eight monthly sessions that focus on everything from local government, business and social entrepreneurship, conflict management, personality types, leadership styles and more. In June the class hosted an event for the 122 alumni who have graduated from the program. The event was an opportunity to reconnect and reflect on the impact that this valuable leadership experience has had on the participants and the community.

Hyannis Area Community Foundation Fund helped organize and sponsor the second annual Hyannis Health and Wellness Fair for more than 60 women in the Sandhills. Participants received free non-fasting cholesterol blood tests and blood pressure screenings. Last year these tests identified several women who were at risk. Participants also learned about heart-healthy eating habits and exercise, the importance of becoming organ donors, osteoporosis and much more. Babysitting services also were added this year. Other sponsors of the event were the Cow County Health Foundation, Box Butte General

Affiliated Fund Updates www.nebcommfound.org

Community and Organizational Success Highlights

Building Community

Butler County’s 2012 Leading Locally Class: (Front from left) Regina Blowers, Dee Pohl, Hilary Christian, Dee Timmerman. (Back) Kalen Vandenberg, Tina Paseka, Cindy Heavican, Wade Rahn, Extension Educator – Dennis Kahl. Not pictured: Kathleen Deavers

Lab technician Morgan Parker (left) and medical technician Marina Girard spent the morning drawing blood for a free non-fasting cholesterol blood test.

SAVE THE DATENCF ANNUAL EVENTS IN KEARNEYThursday, November 8

Join us at the Holiday Inn for a full day of affiliated fund training and our evening Affiliated Fund Expo and Annual Banquet.

Make plans now to shine a light on your affiliated fund’s activities by reserving your Expo display table. Contact Teri Alley-Davis for information at (402) 323-7342 or talley-davis@nebcommfound.org.

WEBINAR TRAININGSNCF has an online library of more

than 30 recorded training webinars. Find them on our website at

nebcommfound.org/affiliated-funds/services/webinar-trainings. You will need to log in with your username and password. Contact Angie Parrish at aparrish@nebcommfound.org if you have forgotten yours or have never logged in.

FIND US ON FACEBOOK!Find out what other affiliated funds

are doing. Get help, advice and new ideas. Share your thoughts and keep in touch. Facebook.com/nebraskacommunityfoundation

WATCH US ON YOUTUBEYouTube.com/nebcommfound

Watch videos featuring affiliated fund leaders and comments from our long-time friends. If your fund has a video that you’d like to have on our channel, contact Reggi Carlson at (402) 323-7331 or rcarlson@nebcommfound.org.

Nebraska Community Foundation | Connections | Summer 2012 | 5

Holt County Economic Development Fund, now completing its fifth year, is reporting a number of remarkable achievements. The Fund was able to hire a county-wide business coach;

Hospital and Sandhills District Health Department. n

it has helped 28 new business start-ups and 18 business expansions, which have created or retained 236 jobs. Its leadership class has 111 graduates. And importantly, it has played a role in helping 118 alumni and new families move into the county. Communities in Holt County benefit from more than $3 million in endowments from a variety of NCF affiliated funds, and there now are 16 planned gifts that will provide additional funds for future priorities.

Shirley Kreutz Bennett was a lifelong educator and traveler. She was a graduate of Harvard High School in Nebraska in 1941 and earned an M.A. and Ph.D. from Columbia University. She taught on both coasts before returning to Nebraska.

Late in life, Shirley made arrangements to continue her legacy of learning by setting up a donor-advised fund through the Nebraska Community Foundation. She wanted to provide financial support to libraries located in communities with populations under 3,000 to ensure that people in small towns have access to a world of information.

Upon her death, NCF helped a committee of Shirley’s nieces and nephews develop guidelines and procedures for the Kreutz Bennett Donor-Advised Fund. In 2012 the Fund Advisory Committee awarded its first round of grants to five deserving library projects:

Bridgeport Public Library received $20,000 to help expand the library into an adjacent building owned by the City. The project will double the size of the library. The new space will be used for a children’s area, work space, circulation desk and archival storage.

Morrill Public Library was awarded $8,500 to replace windows and repair the interior of the eastern side of the building. The improvements will help make the building, originally constructed in 1936, more energy-efficient.

Ponca Carnegie Library is expanding its Day Care Outreach Program, thanks to a $2,500 grant. The program is delivered to home-based day care centers. The goal of the program is to jump-start toddlers’ language skills and help older children retain skills they are already learning.

The Tekamah Carnegie Library Foundation received $20,000 to help with its $1 million improvement project to build a new one-story addition and renovate the existing Carnegie Library. The addition will meet ADA standards and install an elevator so that all levels are accessible.

“We felt that each of these were worthy projects. I am sure that being able to provide some support would have

made Aunt Shirley very happy,” said Jane Reeson, Fund Advisory Committee Chair.

Grants are awarded in three areas: planning grants leading to library accreditation;

enhancement grants to improve services

and/or programs; and facilities grants for new buildings or the renovation of current libraries. All grants require a level of matching funds and evidence that the project has broad community support. Approximately $70,000 is available each year.

Grant seekers are encouraged to review the guidelines and application procedures at www.nebcommfound.org/fund/kreutzbennett. For more information, contact Reggi Carlson at (402) 323-7331 or rcarlson@nebcommfound.org. n

Charitable Giving

Fund Helps Small-Town Libraries

Library enthusiasts break ground in April for a new addition to the historic Carnegie Library in Tekamah.

The late Shirley Kreutz Bennett with her husband, Millard Bennett, in 2007.

BENEFITS

Combine maximum tax benefits with the flexibility to support your favorite charities on your own timeline.

• Low-cost and easy to establish

• Efficient management and tax receipt tracking

• Freedom to change the charities that benefit

• No minimum annual distribution required

• Freedom to remain anonymous if desired

TAx ADVANTAGES

• Receive the maximum tax deduction available

• Deduct the value of your gift in the year it is made, yet make grants on your own timetable

• Avoid estate taxes on gifts that you make to your donor-advised fund

• Avoid capital gains taxes while realizing the maximum tax-deduction for gifts of real estate or closely held stock

Contact Jim Gustafson, NCF Gift Planning Director, (402) 323-7341 or jgustafson@nebcommfound.org.

DONOR-ADVISED FUNDS

6 | Nebraska Community Foundation | Connections | Summer 2012

Gifts and Pledges 7/1/2011 – 6/30/2012$100,000 to $350,000Hunt Family Donor-Advised Fund BlairThe Sherwood Foundation * OmahaJudy HembergerEstes Park, CO

$25,000 to $99,999W.H. & E.C. Damme Farms LLCTalmageUSDA – Rural DevelopmentLemoine E. Anderson McCookFirst National Bank of Omaha *Omaha

$10,000 to $24,999Consolidated Companies *LincolnCooper Foundation LincolnJudy and Ron Parks * PapillionDaycos * NorfolkRichard and Darlene Walter/Richard Walter Insurance Agency * Shickley

Bruning State Bank * BruningKenner Family Donor-Advised Fund* HebronAmeritas Charitable Foundation * LincolnCornerstone Bank * YorkKathleen Thuman *Lincoln

$5,000 to $9,999Diller Telephone Company *Diller

$2,000 to $4,999Westwood Trust OmahaElkhorn Valley Bank NorfolkDennis and Nancy Stara * LincolnPete and Jonnie Peterson * BruleMcCook National Bank * McCookFred Lockwood/Lockwood Foundation * ScottsbluffBob and Michelle Dudley * Norfolk

Bettenhausen Family Foundation * LincolnBrandon and Tammy Day * NorfolkJudith Scherer Connealy and Matt Connealy * DecaturShannon Harner and Philip Goddard * LincolnJudith Brockmeier * EustisMNB Financial Group * McCookUnion Bank & Trust CompanyLincoln

$1,000 to $1,999Sara and Gary W. Radil OmahaSusan M. Ugai * LincolnGreat Plains Communication OmahaTri-County Bank * StuartDudley Laundry Company NorfolkNebraska Investment Finance Authority LincolnMidwest Bank Pierce

Security National Bank LaurelChristensen Brozek Faltys PC NorfolkBradford Insurance Agency NorfolkKoley Jessen PC LLO OmahaFrontier Holdings LLC OmahaBankFirst NorfolkGraff Family, Inc. McCookK.C. and Colleen Belitz * ColumbusRaymond E. and Debra Welsh * PenderLori J. and Russell Pankonin * ImperialMark and Linda Graff* McCook Diane M. Wilson * LincolnAllen and Kay Blezek * LincolnLora Damme TalmageThe Meadows NorfolkKurt F. and Ann E. Tjaden Omaha

$500 to $999Jeff Yost and Cindy Ryman Yost * LincolnTintsman Family Donor-Advised Fund LincolnDouglas and Louise Bereuter Cedar BluffsJoe Ferguson * NorfolkJim and Terri Gustafson * LincolnMarcia A. White * LincolnReggi and Doug Carlson * LincolnJon and Jennifer Schmaderer * StuartSam and Joyce Baird LincolnJeff and Judy Greenwald LincolnDon Schmaderer * StuartHBE Becker Meyer Love LLP LincolnRubendall Foundation Charitable Trust * Lincoln

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

As soon as NCF crossed the finish line by raising $3 million to meet its $1 million Ford Challenge grant, NCF Board members and staff went right to work to design a plan to move forward toward future sustainability.

“Like nearly all nonprofits, NCF must raise charitable contributions to carry out its mission. Fees from our community-based affiliated funds cover only about 34 percent of what it takes to provide the training, coaching and administrative support they need,” said Richard Walter, NCF Board member and chair of our Board fundraising steering committee.

“Thanks to the work of NCF,

communities and organizations now have endowments of more than $40 million. Another $40 million in planned gifts will benefit our communities in the future. It’s time we all stepped up to build an endowment to support NCF’s work,” said Walter, who also serves as Vice Chair of the Shickley Community Foundation Fund.

An anonymous donor has issued a generous new challenge grant, and we are asking everyone who believes in our work to help us meet it. For information on how you can help contact Jeff Yost, NCF President & CEO at (402) 323-7330 or jeffyost@nebcommfound.org. n

Charitable Giving www.nebcommfound.org

Donor-Advised Funds and NCF Contributions

Fundraising for the NCF Mission

Richard and Darlene Walter of Shickley provide major financial support to the Nebraska Community Foundation. Richard accepted the Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals-Nebraska Chapter in November 2011.

Contributions to the Nebraska Community Foundation

Nebraska Community Foundation | Connections | Summer 2012 | 7

NON-PROFIT ORGUS POSTAGE

PAIDLINCOLN, NE

PERMIT NO. 449PO Box 83107 Lincoln, NE 68501-3107

(402) 323-7330 Fax (402) 323-7349www.nebcommfound.org info@nebcommfound.org

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Who cares about your hometown? Just about everyone who has ever lived there! That’s why so many NCF affiliated funds reach out to folks who may be gone but have never forgotten what their hometown means to them.

One of the most effective ways to involve both former and current residents in the mission of your affiliated fund is to link your efforts to high school alumni events.

For example, the Future of Decatur Foundation Fund offers a presentation at the annual Bulldog Alumni Banquet. Fund leaders talk about plans for upcoming projects and how contributions can be made. This year the Fund displayed a prototype design of a new community welcome sign.

Just down the road, the Craig Community Foundation Fund hosts the annual alumni banquet on its own, because the high school in this town of 200 closed many years ago. The Fund has helped to maintain the gym as a community center with a special room for alumni memorabilia. The alumni banquet is an opportunity to honor donors and receive annual gifts.

Timing an alumni event around holidays also is a good idea. The Red Cloud Community Foundation Fund hosts a donor appreciation dinner each year during Memorial Day weekend. The dinner is free with all costs covered by individual and corporate sponsors. The Fund uses the event to honor donors, update guests on grantmaking and other community news, and offer presentations by special invited guests.

The Imperial Community Foundation Fund partners with the City to host an afternoon open house at the public library between Christmas and New Year’s when many people are visiting for the holidays. It’s an opportunity for people to learn about long-term economic goals, job opportunities, current community projects, and of course, giving back through the community fund.

The Pender-Thurston Education & Community Foundation Fund collaborates closely with the school system. Nearly all of the teachers make lifetime annual $100 gifts. This Fund sends out its annual banquet invitation to alumni with a brochure, letter and a membership

challenge. Classes compete through an informal challenge to raise funds. Importantly, Fund Advisory Committee members follow up with handwritten thank-you notes to each donor.

The McCook Community Foundation Fund takes advantage of the Bison Alumni Newsletter, with an average distribution to about 7,500 households. The Fund inserts a one-page promotional piece at least once a year.

There are many creative ways to invite people into your circle of giving. Even though they may no longer live there, your hometown likely holds a place close to the hearts of those far away. n

Volunteers

Reach Out to Alumni

Red Cloud High School alumni and donors share a moment prior to the evening’s alumni banquet at the Red Cloud opera house. (L-r) Marlene Hansen, Sharon Amack, Alan Amack, Vivian Amack and Phil Hansen.Photo by Harriett Zade, Red Cloud Chief

Best Practices

8 | Nebraska Community Foundation | Connections | Summer 2012