With a lifelong passion for nature, an anonymous donor’s wish was to leave behind resources to forever preserve the beauty of natural spaces in both Daviess and Martin counties.
“The donor ultimately chose to establish a field of interest fund that they named The Evergreen Fund,” said Mary Smith, Our Community Foundation executive director. “The fund’s purpose is to provide support for reforestation, soil and water conservation, and preservation of natural habitats in Daviess and Martin Counties in Indiana.”
Smith said when donors want to target gifts to address needs in an area of life that’s important to them, they can fulfill their charitable wishes by contacting Our Community Foundation.
“The donor targeted their gift to address emerging needs in this area of community life because was very important to them,” she added. “We are pleased to provide this type of personalized option for donors to fulfill their charitable wishes. Personalization is one of the strengths of a community foundation.”
Smith says a field of interest fund is intended to grant to organizations within a particular charitable field or sector. Such funds provide flexibility to address emerging needs, but within a donor’s specific area or areas of interest in the community.
She says when the donor initially set up the fund, they identified their personal interest area, and the Foundation helped them talk through the different types of funds as well as the organizations and causes that could potentially benefit. Smith says although the foundation board will ultimately award grants to nonprofits for the best projects and programs that are making a difference, the grants will focus on the specific area selected by the donor.
According to Smith, donors may establish field of interest funds to provide support in other areas of our community too. She added that donors should consider establishing a field of interest fund if they have a specific area of interest in the community that they are passionate about. “Donors name the fund and can make contributions over time to reach the $10,000 minimum required for the fund to start the grantmaking process. If someone is thinking of establishing a fund, I encourage them to get started right away.”
Our Community Foundation’s mission is to meet the changing needs of Daviess County by fostering a culture of local philanthropy. The Foundation offers individuals, families, and organizations a way to give back to the community by allowing them to establish named funds to support charitable organizations, programs, and projects. The Foundation is directed by a 22-member local board and is accredited by the National Standards for US Community Foundations, which certifies community foundations that meet and exceed federal and state law requirements in practice and by policy.
Gifts to Our Community Foundation are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. For more information, visit the Foundation’s website at www.localforever.org or call 812 698-5413.
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