Building on the success of its first conference in 2007, the Nebraska Community Foundation will present its second annual Rural Philanthropy Conference on September 10-12, 2008 at the Lied Lodge and Conference Center in Nebraska City, NE.

The 2008 Rural Philanthropy Conference is back by popular demand for people who are serious about putting philanthropy to work in their communities.

Leaders in rural development philanthropy from across the nation will gather to explore how charitable giving can be a tool for revitalizing rural economies and restoring hope.

This year’s conference will be expanded to include 16 concurrent sessions on board engagement, donor cultivation, marketing, strategic grantmaking and more. Training will focus on the power of a grassroots model in rural philanthropy and community development efforts.

Additional sessions this year will explore the strategic attributes women bring to rural leadership roles, engaging youth and attracting young families back to their hometowns. Participants will also have the opportunity to learn more about the intergenerational transfer of wealth as a call to action for rural development philanthropy.

Keynote speaker for the event will be Anne Mosle, Vice President for Programs, Philanthropy and Volunteerism for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Featured speakers include Steve Gunderson, President and CEO of the Council on Foundations (invited), and Linetta Gilbert, Senior Program Officer at the Ford Foundation. Presenters and panelists will include successful community fund leaders from throughout Nebraska and across the nation.

Participation by teams of community leaders and volunteers is strongly encouraged. Action planning will be built into each concurrent session, and a three-hour plenary session designed by the Community Strategies Group of the Aspen Institute will provide take-home tools for action planning. The conference is supported in part by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

The deadline for early registration and team discounts is August 1. For more information and registration information, go to www.nebcommfound.org/RPC/2008RPC.htm or contact Sheri Hink at (402) 323-7347 or shink@nebcommfound.org.

2008 Rural Philanthropy Conference www.nebcommfound.org

ConnectionsSummer 2008

REGIONAL MEETINGS HELD STATEWIDEJohn Schmaderer and members of the Stuart Community Foundation were among a record number of NCF affiliated fund leaders participating in this spring’s training sessions on action planning and board development. Full article on page 3

UNIQUE GIFT LAUNCHES A FAMILY LEGACYPaul and Karen Seger of Atkinson are building an endowed family fund to benefit future generations in Nebraska’s hometowns. The fund was established through a gift of ag commodities. Full article on page 6

THE “ULTIMATE GIFT” INSPIRES A HOMETOWNMore than 300 people in the McCook area attended a free public showing of the inspirational film, The Ultimate Gift. The event was organized by the HTC Charitable Giving Task Force. Full article on page 7

BEST PRACTICE: SPECIAL EVENTS Affiliated funds can increase attendance at special events by collaborating with other community partners.Full article on page 8

A LOOK INSIDE...

NCF President Emeritus Maxine Moul and Steven Moore of The Columbus Foundation at the 2007 Rural Philanthropy Conference

NCF FINANCIAL SNAPSHOTTOTAL ASSETS(in millions)

6/30/05 6/30/06 6/30/07 5/31/08

$20.4

$24.9

$32.9

$47.1

NUMBER OF CONTRIBUTIONS

2005 2006 2007 2008(11 months)

5,927

7,149 6,9467,455

FY:

I Invest in Your Hometown

Judith Scherer-Connealy has lived on a farm near Decatur for 34 years with her husband, Matt Connealy. She is the Executive Director of Continuing and Professional Studies at Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, IA, where she oversees programs for adult learners. Judith was elected to the NCF Board in 2005. She is also a founding member and Chair of the Future of Decatur Foundation. Additionally, Judith serves on The WealthSpring Fund advisory committee.

Judith says the work of NCF is groundbreaking and significant to Nebraska’s story, and that her involvement on the NCF Board maximizes the benefits of affiliation for her local foundation. She adds that NCF can lead to a re-energized commitment to Nebraska’s hometowns. By partnering with NCF, small communities can harness a variety of

resources for their community improvement efforts. The resulting changes are both in the appearance and the attitude of Nebraska communities, making them strong and great places to live.

Judith devotes considerable time to her two children and their families: daughter Maggie and her husband Ryan Hoops and six-month-old Caiden, and their son Mick and his wife Kate. She also enjoys reading and dancing, especially with a good partner!

Pete Peterson has served on the NCF Board since 2003 and is the current Treasurer. He is a retired Senior Vice President of Human Resources for Hewlett Packard Company in Palo Alto, CA. He and his wife Jonnie are both originally from Keith County and now live near Lake McConaughy.

Pete served as Chair of the Keith County Area Foundation Fund Legacy Challenge Campaign and currently serves on its fund advisory committee.

Pete says he became “hooked” when NCF’s studies on wealth transfer caught his attention. He believes the studies, as well as the concept of HomeTown Competitiveness, have made a monumental impact on Nebraska and several other states. Pete describes NCF as a powerful model because it frees the communities to focus on what can be done best at the local level, such as fundraising, strategic grantmaking and community development. Other aspects such managing investments, reporting and training can best be done by NCF.

Pete and Jonnie enjoy traveling and doing volunteer work. They have three children and six grandchildren. Their twin sons and their families live in Princeton, NJ and New York City. Their daughter and her family manage their ranch in Keith County.

NCF Staff Profile: Karla EggerKarla Egger joined the NCF staff as Senior Accountant in June 2007. Her responsibilities include handling general accounting for investments; fees; fund statements; budget analysis and financial reports. Many fund advisory committee members will contact Karla with questions about their account balances, endowment payouts and fund statements. Karla is originally from Crofton, NE. She lives near Martell with her husband Matt, who works for Nebraska Public Power District. They have two sons: Mark, a civil engineer in Omaha, and Evan, a sophomore at UNL and a member of the Nebraska Army National Guard. In addition to crunching numbers, Karla enjoys reading, gardening, rug hooking and shopping for antiques. Karla can be reached at (402) 323-7335 or at kegger@nebcommfound.org.

Executive MembersP. Mark Graff of McCook, ChairmanBrian Thompson of Waverly, Vice ChairShannon Harner of Lincoln, SecretaryF.E. Pete Peterson of Brule, TreasurerKathleen Thuman of Maywood, Immediate Past Chair At-Large MembersFred Bruning of BruningJanet Krotter Chvala of AtkinsonJudith Scherer Connealy of DecaturBrandon Day of NorfolkBob Kathol of OmahaFred Lockwood of ScottsbluffBob Mundy of OmahaCarol Russell of OmahaJon Schmaderer of StuartBob Stowell of OrdSusan Ugai of LincolnRay Welsh of Pender Honorary MembersHelen Boosalis of LincolnSteve Buttress of KearneyBrenda Council of OmahaConnie Day* of NorfolkJim Fehringer of ColumbusNancy Hoch of Nebraska CityRichard Hunt of Blair Kim Lauritzen* of Omaha Rodrigo Lopez of Omaha Ed Loutzenheiser of JuniataSenator Ben Nelson of OmahaRon Parks of PapillionBeverly Pollock of OgallalaSid Salzman of AinsworthJim Scholz of OmahaFrank Sibert of ValentineMimi Waldbaum* of OmahaJeanene Wehrbein of PlattsmouthJim Wolf* of Albion* Deceased President and CEOJeffrey G YostPresident EmeritusMaxine B. Moul (retired)

NCF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Inside NCF

2

Meet NCF Board Members

Invest in Your Hometown I 3

www.nebcommfound.org

TOP 10 FAC PERFORMANCE INDICATORS NCF encourages Fund Advisory Committee (FAC) members to measure their affiliated fund’s activities and outcomes based on 10 indicators that lead to success:

1. A celebration event is held annually

2. 80% of FAC members make donor visitations

3. Grantmaking is strategic

4. All FAC members make an annual gift

5. Annual giving donor base increases by 20% per year

6. Action plan is implemented and refined

7. FAC meets monthly with regular attendance

8. 80% of donors renew or increase annual gifts

9. All FAC members have included their affiliated fund in their estate plan

10. Endowment exceeds 5% of the community’s 10-year transfer of wealth

BOARD MEMBERS, STAFFAND REGIONAL MEETINGS

Members of the Burwell Community Fund discuss strategies to improve their services in Garfield and Loup Counties.

Regional Meetings Focus on ActionRegional meetings were held in eight locations across the state in March and April with a record attendance of 207 leaders of 51 affiliated funds. The events were opportunities for training, peer learning and networking.

This year’s working sessions focused on action planning and board development. NCF staff members also encouraged affiliated fund leaders to maximize their efforts by taking full advantage of the customized services NCF offers to individual communities requesting support.

“We’re receiving many requests for follow-up as a result of these meetings,” said Doug Friedli, NCF Director of Community Fund Development—Eastern Nebraska. “Many folks say that they were inspired by what they heard from other communities.”

As an opener, participants shared information about what their affiliated funds were currently working on. Comments were documented, and at the conclusion of the meetings, communities reported back on the next steps they planned to take. Many affiliated funds reported that, after

lively discussions with other communities, they were considering realigning their short-term goals.

NCF staff members also asked participants to indicate their preferences for topics to be offered through teleconference training sessions. The top choices are donor visitation methods; goal setting with action planning; and communications and marketing.

Thanks to the following host communities for their generous hospitality: Thedford, Ogallala, McCook, Atkinson, Pender, David City, Nebraska City and Shickley. Thanks also to the following NCF board members for their presentations: Brian Thompson, Pete Peterson, Mark Graff, Jon Schmaderer, Beth Klosterman (former board member), Bob Mundy, Susan Ugai and Fred Bruning.

“There are always new and good ideas that come out of these sessions. I always learn. Networking is a plus.”

Participant at David City

New Book Features NCFThis year the Council on Foundations, a national philanthropic membership organization, published

Philanthropy & Rural America, a collection of 19 articles by rural philanthropy leaders from across the nation.

NCF President and CEO, Jeff Yost, contributed an article entitled “Involve Everyone to Grow Philanthropy.” NCF’s grassroots approach also is cited by eight different authors in the book and is included in the introduction and conclusion. NCF is gratified that colleagues in rural philanthropy consider the NCF system worthy of close examination as a model for rural development philanthropy. And it is proud of the affiliated funds that are making this work not only possible, but highly successful.

To order a copy of Philanthropy & Rural America, contact the Council on Foundations at (888) 239-5221 or www.cof.org.

The WealthSpring Fund, a statewide NCF affiliated fund, is seeking grant applications from nonprofit organizations working to increase Nebraska women’s economic self-sufficiency. Organizations may apply for up to $3,000. For application forms visit www.nebcommfound.org/communities/WealthSpring.htm or contact Reggi Carlson at (402) 323-7331 or rcarlson@nebcommfound.org. Applications are due September 1, 2008.

I Invest in Your Hometown

Affiliated Fund Updates

4

NCF Community Funds

The Exeter Community Foundation is one of NCF’s newest community affiliated funds. The fund was launched with contributions from all nine founding fund advisory committee members, who were inspired at the regional training meeting for affiliated funds in Shickley. The new fund is developing marketing materials and is raising funds toward the establishment of an unrestricted community endowment.

Plattsmouth Community Foundation (PCF) continued its tradition of naming a “volunteer of the year” at its annual meeting and grants awards celebration. This year’s honor went to Doug Duey, Cass County Bank president, who is active in numerous community organizations. Mr. Duey was instrumental in negotiating the successful transfer of ownership of the Plattsmouth bridge to the City in time to meet state and federal deadlines. The PCF also awarded more than $15,000 in grants from endowed funds to a wide range of community, recreational and educational projects.

Imperial Community Foundation awarded $12,000 in grants for recreation and preschool programs and a $750 scholarship at its annual Celebration of Success in March. Imperial successfully completed its $200,000 Hunt Challenge and has set a new goal to raise $1 million for its community endowment by 2015.

Valley County Community Foundation held a joint planning session with the Valley County Economic Development Board and the Valley County HTC Steering Committee to create strategies to grow an endowment for sustaining the successful work in this HTC pilot community. HTC was launched in Ord and Valley County in 2003.

Perkins County Community Foundation (PCCF) celebrated its achievement of raising $75,000 for a county-wide endowment that was matched by a grant of $25,000 by the Hunt family, owners of Great Plains Communications. If another $75,000 can be raised within two years, the Hunt family will provide an additional $25,000. PCCF recently awarded a grant to the senior center for its roof repair fund.

Wausa Community Foundation recently reached its third Hunt Challenge benchmark entitling it to another $5,000 matching grant. The fund advisory committee reached out to the community through newspaper editorials and letters to friends, family and alumni. The affiliated fund now has a total of $140,000 in its Hunt Challenge community endowment.

Elgin Community Foundation (ECF) is part of a broad community effort to establish and provide support for a nonprofit birth-to-three daycare facility in Elgin. The community is applying for grants through the District #18 Board of Education. School superintendent, Dr. Gayla Fredrickson, noted that “there’s been good response from the community and around the area.” So far local contributions have exceeded $126,000. In addition, ECF recently surpassed its $90,000 benchmark, making it eligible for another $5,000 Hunt Challenge matching grant.

Unadilla Community Foundation (UCF) received grants totaling $33,200 for a new Main Street streetscape. “It will change the look of Main Street,” said Barb Wilhelm, UCF president and Unadilla village clerk. Numerous improvements are planned to increase pedestrian access to buildings, improve safety and create a visually appealing environment.

Hayes County Community Fund announced a $10,000 challenge grant from the Doris and Joseph Vlasin Family in memory of their son, Reggie Vlasin. The endowment-building effort will ask for membership gifts of $790 (79 is the Hayes County license plate number), with the goal of raising $23,700 by September. The challenge was launched at the Hayes Center Alumni Celebration in May, an event organized by a committee of four women in their 20s who have returned to the area and are taking on community leadership roles and raising their families in their hometown.

Nominees for PCF’s Volunteer of the Year are, from left, George Miller standing in for Norm Schoch, Janet Moore, Doug Duey, Gerry Byrk, Tom Katalenich and Diane Berlett. Photo by Patty Jo Peterson

NCF President and CEO Jeff Yost facilitated a recent strategic planning session with members of the first HTC community, Valley County.

Holding framed grant certificates are Elizabeth Haarberg, Barb Hill and Maria Smith. Others involved with grant projects are Jo Leyland, seated at far left, and standing from left, Doug Carman, Mike Sorensen, John Lawless (high school scholarship recipient), Matt Fisher, Dirk Haarberg and Doug Gaswick.

Work on streetscape improvements for Unadilla’s historic Main Street is underway this summer.

Invest in Your Hometown I 5

NCF Organizational and Donor-Advised Funds

www.nebcommfound.org

COMMUNITY AND ORGANIZATIONALSUCCESS HIGHLIGHTS

SAVE THE DATENCF ANNUAL CELEBRATION EVENTNovember 6-7, 2008Republican River Valley Event CenterMcCook, Nebraska

Thursday, November 6 Affiliated Fund Expo Social Hour Banquet Affiliated Fund Recognition Legacy Society AwardsJoin us as we celebrate the successes of our hometowns across Nebraska and hear from the donors who have supported them!

Friday, November 7 HomeTown Competitiveness Field Day Affiliated Fund Training SessionsLearn how McCook and other communities are using HTC to drive economic development, youth engagement and endowment building.

Banquet sponsorships are available.

For more information call (402) 323-7330 or visit www.nebcommfound.org.

Norfolk Area RecruitersThe Norfolk Area Recruiters (NAR) are realigning their goals to reflect the success they are having in attracting families back to the area. When they began three years ago, the plan was to recruit one family each year. Already, more than 30 families have returned to Norfolk because of the effort, which has grown from five volunteers to nearly 130 active members. NAR also has the sponsorship of 27 corporate partners. A recent book, “Entrepreneurship in Nebraska,” published by Gallup Press, calls NAR the model to follow for the vitality of economic growth in Nebraska. For more information go to www.norfolkarea.org.

Wayne County Historical SocietyThe Wayne County Historical Society will benefit from a charitable gift annuity established by Jim and Ginger Nissen of Lincoln. The annuity will provide support for future maintenance of the building gifted to the Society for use as a museum by Ginger Nissen’s family.

The Connie Fund Children’s programs at the Norfolk Arts Center are among the many education, visual arts and performing arts projects supported through the Connie Fund, an endowment to benefit children in Northeast Nebraska. The endowment was established by the late Connie Day, a former state senator and NCF board secretary from 1999 to 2001. The fund was created through a life insurance beneficiary designation, and honors the memory of Connie Day and her civic leadership.

Grace Moller EndowmentThe Grace Moller Endowment, through the Nebraska City Community Foundation Fund, has upgraded to 21st century technology in the 150-year-old historic building that houses the Morton James Public Library. The endowment provided funding for new computers, accessories and furniture, as well as a nine-camera security system. Earnings from the $600,000 endowment are designated for projects and programs that would not normally be supported by local tax dollars.

The Wayne County Museum is located in the historic Rollie Ley mansion.

Children’s art activity at Norfolk’s Fine Arts Festival

The Grace Moller Technology Center opened in April and has seen steady usage, from school children doing projects, to senior citizens learning how to use e-mail.

ALUMNI INVEST IN THEIR HOME TOWNSIs it worth combing through records to find hometown alumni who may be interested donors?

The answer is YES!

Since the beginning of the year, 14% (242) of the gifts to NCF and affiliated funds have come from outside of Nebraska.

Find out how many affiliated funds are tapping this resource. Contact Doug Friedli at (402) 323-7343, dougfriedli@nebcommfound.org, or Jana Jensen at (308) 588-6299, janajensen@nebcommfound.org.

Norfolk Area Recruiters at a recent strategic planning session sponsored by HTC. Left to right: (Front) Ryan Mead and Jay Knobbe. (Middle) John Stappert, Janet Pinkelman and Patti Knobbe. (Back) Chris Amundson, Jason Doele, Brandon Day and Lance Marshall.

I Invest in Your Hometown6

Unique Gift Launches a Family LegacyPaul and Karen Seger have lived in the Atkinson, NE area all their lives. They raised eight children there, owned and operated the funeral homes in Atkinson and Stuart, and served as volunteers and community activists. The family history goes way back, with both Paul’s and Karen’s grandparents settling in the Stuart-Atkinson area of Holt County.

That history will live on through the Paul and Karen Seger Family Fund established recently through the Nebraska Community Foundation. An initial gift of ag commodities (kidney beans) raised on the family farms and valued at approximately $130,000, established an endowment that will benefit community activities and organizations in Atkinson, Stuart, Antelope County and Elgin.

“So much wealth goes away; it leaves the community,” Paul said. “This is a way to give back to our folks, those pioneering folks who built our communities. It’s a commitment to give back the help we have received all our lives from so many good people.”

Paul added, “The beauty of an endowment is that it lasts forever. So many times you see a project completed with a one-time large donation and then the money is spent. Through the Foundation, the giving to many different projects will go on through generations.”

The Segers were considering a gift following the sale of farm land. They found out about the opportunity for gifts of agricultural commodities

through their accountant and through their local banker and friend, Jon Schmaderer, an NCF board member and a member of the Stuart Community Foundation fund advisory committee. They learned that when gifting ag commodities, instead of selling the commodities and contributing the sales proceeds, the donor reduces his or her tax liability. As a result, Paul and Karen decided to gift all of the crop that had not already been sold.

The Segers have six daughters and two sons. Four children live in Atkinson. Others live in Neligh, Elgin, Omaha and California. The children will be involved in decisions about how to best reinvest in their hometowns. They feel this gift is just a start. The endowment fund will be in place for future gifts and to give back to the community on a regular basis.

The Segers plan to involve their grandchildren in building the endowment and determining what it should support. “It’s important to get the younger generation involved and for them to see the importance of becoming involved in their communities,” said Paul. “If you get your children and grandchildren really involved in what you’re doing and what you believe in, they’ll remember you and the community where their roots began.

“Yes, my children will share in what Karen and I have built, but we’re thinking of our community as our ninth child.”

Paul Seger has a favorite saying that he often used as a member of the City Council and when he’s busy selling his community to outsiders: “If God would have made any better place, he would have kept it for himself!” Now, the Paul and Karen Seger Family Fund will be at work forever to make their community an even better place.

Charitable Giving

Karen and Paul Seger, Atkinson, Nebraska

“The beauty of an endowment is that it lasts forever...Through the Foundation the giving to many different projects will go on through generations…Yes, my children will share in what Karen and I have built, but we’re thinking of our community as our ninth child.” Paul Seger,

Atkinson, NE

The Nebraska Community Foundation (NCF) partners with community leaders to inspire charitable giving, prudent management of financial resources and strategic investments for the prosperity of our people and our communities.

NCF, a Sec. 501(c)(3) organization, was established in 1993 to serve communities, organizations and donors throughout Nebraska. The Foundation provides a range of services, including financial management, strategic development, education and training to 197 affiliated funds statewide.

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

7

INSPIRING GIFTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO NCF

www.nebcommfound.org

Invest in Your Hometown I

July 2006 through May 2008$100,000 or MoreThe Ford Foundation The W.K. Kellogg Foundation*

$25,000 to $99,999Consolidated Companies, Inc.*First National Bank of Omaha*Great Plains Communications Elaine Wolf

$10,000 to $24,999Ameritas Charitable Foundation The Day Companies, Inc.*Kathleen Thuman / Farmers State Bank of Maywood*

$5,000 to $9,999Lehman Brothers Inc. McCarthy Group Advisors LLCMcCook National BankTierOne Charitable Foundation

$2,000 to $4,999Cornerstone BankFred Bruning / Bruning State Bank*Graff Charitable Foundation, Inc.Mark and Linda Graff*Beth and John Klosterman*Robert E. Mundy / Mundy and Associates, Inc. *Mutual of Omaha Insurance CompanyNebraska Investment Finance AuthorityRon and Judy Parks / Millard Manufacturing Corp.Pete and Jonnie Peterson*Robert Stowell / Springdale Realty, Inc.Brian and Kelli Thompson*Dale and Jean Tinstman US Bank

$1,000 to $1,999Lemoine E. AndersonSam and Joyce BairdBank of Stapleton Bettenhausen Family FoundationEdward Jones Investments

Shannon Harner and Philip GoddardHarris Properties LLCHome Services of Nebraska Julianna Jenkins / Sennett, Duncan, Borders & Jenkins PC LLO*Fred Lockwood / Lockwood Foundation*Cynthia and Robert MilliganRichard and Carol Russell*Jon and Jennifer Schmaderer / Tri-County Bank*Diane Wilson*

$500 to $999Betty Anderson Chief Industries, Inc.HBE Becker Meyer Love LLPInspro InsuranceNebraska Bankers AssociationNebraska Independent Bankers AssociationNebraska Rural Electric AssociationBev and Jack Pollock*Union Bank & Trust Company

Contributions to the Nebraska Community Foundation

“The Ultimate Gift” Inspires McCookThe McCook community was treated to a very special event in May with a free public showing of the inspirational film, The Ultimate Gift. It’s the story of a young man who anticipates a large inheritance from his grandfather. Instead he receives 12 “gifts” in the form of assignments that force him to explore what is most important in life: money or happiness. His journey of discovery allows him to realize the true joy of giving.

More than 300 people of all ages attended. “The purpose of the event was to say thank you to the community and to show the positive effect charitable giving has on the people of southwest Nebraska,” said Mark Graff, NCF Board Chair and McCook Community Foundation fund advisory

committee member. Mark welcomed the crowd with a story of how a little girl’s meager contribution inspired the eventual establishment of Temple University, which serves as a lesson that every act of kindness multiplies as it passes forward.

According to Mark, the film was not intended as a fundraising event, but rather, an opportunity to raise awareness. “After the film, many people came up to us and said that they were really moved and thanked us for bringing the community together in this way,” he said. Attendees took home brochures that listed the 12 gifts and provided contact information for the event’s organizers.

The event was a collaborative effort of the HomeTown Competitiveness Charitable Giving

Task Force. Task Force members include the McCook Community Foundation, the McCook College Foundation, the Community Hospital Health Foundation, the Hillcrest Nursing Home Foundation, the George W. Norris Foundation, the Ed Thomas YMCA, the McCook Library Foundation, the McCook Education Foundation and the Fox Theater Alliance for the Encouragement of the Visual and Performing Arts.

In addition to letters of invitation, the local newspaper and radio stations helped publicize the event, and 13 businesses provided sponsorship. Mark said the groups plan to offer additional community-wide events in the future.

“The purpose of the event was to say thank you to the community and to show the positive effect charitable giving has on the people of southwest Nebraska.”

Mark GraffNCF Chair and

McCook Community Foundation

Mark Graff greets Jean and Walt Sehnert of McCook as they enter the Fox Theater.

Audiences of all ages enjoyed the free public showing of the film, The Ultimate Gift.

*All or a portion of this gift was made in support of the NCF Endowment.

Volunteers www.nebcommfound.org

Best Practice: Collaborative Special EventsThe Columbus Area Community Foundation (CACF) recently presented its first HomeTown Competitiveness grants in front of a capacity crowd of more than 1,000 people. The ceremony was held in conjunction with the annual Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce Banquet. Nebraska head football coach Bo Pelini was the guest speaker.

“We felt that because this was the first year of our Founders Club and the HTC endowment, it was important to have a significant crowd,” said K.C. Belitz, CACF Treasurer/Secretary and Executive Director of the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce. “Yet because we’re just starting, we knew that probably would not happen if we did it on our own. The timing was right …and we knew the right people would be there.”

According to Belitz, combining the two events was a natural fit. Much of the event’s publicity through newspapers, radio and Chamber newsletters promoted the Foundation’s grant awards. Articles explained the HTC pillars and the way they align with the Chamber’s community development mission.

A poster display at the entrance of the hall featured CACF Founders Club activities and listed its growing number of members and sponsors.

Each attendee received brochures about the foundation, its HTC endowment and how to become involved.

Immediately following the dinner, Rick Chochon, Chair of the HTC charitable giving task force, explained to the audience how HTC and the Chamber are working to achieve the same goals. He then presented grants to the HTC youth task force for its leadership program and to establish a youth foundation. The Entrepreneurship task force will use its grant for a business succession seminar

and ongoing training programs. The Leadership task force received a grant for its community-wide visioning project.

By providing these strategically focused grants at a large public event, the Columbus HTC team raised awareness among a broad base of potential donors. Strategic grantmaking demonstrates that philanthropy can be a tool for economic development, and it is one of the best forms of donor development.

According to Belitz, collaboration rather than competition is the key to making rural places succeed. “We have to find natural partnerships. No matter how small a town is, potential partnerships exist. Organizations in small towns simply don’t have the resources to compete with one another. We have to get past worrying about who is going to get the credit for what is being done, and just get the work done.”

For more information, contact Doug Friedli at (402) 323-7343 or dougfriedli@nebcommfound.org.

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PAIDLINCOLN, NE

PERMIT NO. 449650 J Street, Suite 305 PO Box 83107 Lincoln, NE 68501 (402) 323-7330 • Fax (402) 323-7349www.nebcommfound.org info@nebcommfound.org

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BEST PRACTICES

“No matter how small a town is, potential partnerships exist.”

K.C. BelitzColumbus Area Community Foundation

Columbus Area Community Foundation held its annual event in coordination with the Chamber of Commerce to increase awareness of the power of charitable giving for community economic improvement.

Rick Chochon presents a grant award to the HTC Youth Task Force.