In 2002 NCF completed its county-by-county analysis of Nebraska’s intergenerational transfer of wealth. The numbers were shocking–$94 billion will transfer in rural Nebraska alone. The peak years of wealth transfer are on the near horizon—20, 10, 5 years from now. Much of the wealth–in land, securities and other assets–is being passed to heirs who no longer live in the communities where it was accumulated over generations.

NCF alerts rural leaders to the economic impact that the intergenerational wealth transfer will

have on their communities. We teach people how to use the data as evidence for building community endowments. We ask our friends and neighbors to consider their community as another child. In this way, charitable giving becomes a tool for community development.

Today, more than $46 million has been endowed and confirmed in planned gifts. These assets will help sustain the hometowns where the wealth was made for generations to come.

NCF BOARD IMPRESSED BY HOMETOWN TOURS Local affiliated fund leaders and community volunteers roll out the red carpet for NCF Board members to showcase community pride and hometown values.

NCF Board member Judith Scherer Connealy visits with community members during a reception and dinner in Bruning, held in conjunction with NCF’s quarterly Board meeting in Shickley.

Full article on page 3

WEALTHSPRING FUND SEEKS AFFILIATED FUND PARTNERS The WealthSpring Fund Advisory Committee is hoping to collaborate with other NCF affiliated funds in identifying and supporting programs that advance women’s economic stability and self-sufficiency.

Full article on page 5

NCF HONORS LONGTIME FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERSFrank and Shirley Sibert continue their support and service to NCF. Their latest demonstration of commitment comes in the form of generous gifts to help meet the Ford Foundation Challenge to raise $3 million from Nebraska-connected donors.

Full article on page 6

MAJOR GIFTS TO EXETER AND NCFRichard and Louisa Manning have made a challenge grant to their alma mater community of Exeter and a significant gift to the NCF endowment.

Full article on page 7

A LOOK INSIDE...

www.nebcommfound.org

ConnectionsSummer 2010

Generations of Wealth at Work

The Kreutz Bennett Donor-Advised Fund – An estate gift of $615,000 will provide matching grants for infrastructure and operations of public libraries in Nebraska communities with a population of less than 3,000. Established by Shirley Kreutz Bennett of Lincoln, the trust funded a term endowment to be spent down within 21 years.

The Dr. Delwyn and Norma Nagengast Scholarship Fund – A gift of $512,000 in the form of a beneficiary designation of a portion of Dr. Nagengast’s retirement plan will provide scholarships to students of Bloomfield Community Schools.

Leona Ihde Donor-Advised Fund – A bequest of $1.8 million will benefit communities in Nebraska for generations to come. Leona Ihde was a longtime employee of Nestle Purina Pet Care Company in Crete.

Rolland and Irene Ramsthel Scholarship Account – Upon his death, Mr. Ramsthel’s estate added $107,000 to an existing endowment within the Burwell Community Fund to provide nursing scholarships to students in the area. The scholarship account now totals more than $300,000.

Lloyd and Naomi Geweke – Mr. and Mrs. Geweke provided a gift of real estate in Arizona that netted $286,000 upon its sale. The gift will benefit community health services, youth engagement and entrepreneurship programs, the United Methodist Church and the volunteer fire department in Valley County.

In recent months NCF has helped

to arrange more than $3 million in gifts to

Nebraska’s hometowns.

We are honored to serve these

generous donors and

their financial advisors.

By working in partnership with generous donors and their financial advisors, NCF is helping rural communities secure the resources they need to remain or become prosperous in the future.

Peak of Transfer Group 1 – 2000 to 2014 Group 2 – 2015 to 2039 Group 3 – 2040 and after

County-Based Transfer of Wealth Analysis

I On the Leading Edge

The article on the front page describes the power of the transfer of wealth. And it references the endowment-building success that is occurring in communities of all sizes across Nebraska.

Endowments are important today and will become increasingly important in future years as governments (local, state and federal) struggle with budget deficits and competing funding priorities. Budgetary discretion, especially in local governments like school districts and municipalities, is scarce and declining. Endowments are one of the few tools community leaders have to sustain local services and programs.

More importantly, endowments create a competitive advantage for your hometown. Communities that concentrate considerable effort in building endowments will, in five or 10 years, have a “margin of excellence” they can sell to young professionals who are able to live and work wherever they want.

These locally controlled endowments can be formed to make a difference in so many ways, including expanding curriculum offerings in

the local school system, providing high-quality affordable child care, building more diverse community leadership, creating new economic opportunities through entrepreneurship, enabling elders to “age in place” and giving young people a good reason to return home after college.

Here are three ideas to consider:1. Include an endowment in your next building campaign. For example, Fund Advisory Committee leaders in Decatur have raised $1.6 million to construct a local wellness center, including $500,000 to create an endowment to underwrite operations and maintenance of this new facility.

2. Talk with donors about legacy giving. If a donor has been giving $1,000 annually to support a favorite local cause, ask them to include a $25,000 endowment in their estate plan. This $25,000 gift will generate $1,000 year after year.

3. Model behavior that others can learn from. Modeling behavior is a powerful form of advocacy. Please consider what you can do in your estate plan and make provisions for your hometown or favorite charitable cause. Many of us have hidden assets, such as a tax-deferred retirement plan or a paid-up life insurance policy. Changing the beneficiary designation might be a perfect way to leave your legacy.

Please let me know how we can help you, your family and your hometown use endowments to build and sustain the Good Life! I can be reached at (402) 323-7332 or jeffyost@nebcommfound.org.

Executive MembersBrian Thompson of Waverly, ChairShannon Harner of Lincoln, Vice ChairBrandon Day of Norfolk, SecretaryF.E. Pete Peterson of Brule, TreasurerP. Mark Graff of McCook, Immediate Past Chair

At-Large MembersJudy Brockmeier of EustisJoe Ferguson of NorfolkJanet Krotter Chvala of AtkinsonJudith Scherer Connealy of DecaturLori Pankonin of ImperialJon Schmaderer of StuartDennis Stara* of LincolnSusan Ugai of LincolnRichard Walter of ShickleyRay Welsh of Pender* Advisory Member

Honorary MembersHelen Boosalis* of LincolnFred Bruning of Bruning Steve Buttress of KearneyBrenda Council of OmahaConnie Day* of NorfolkJim Fehringer of ColumbusNancy 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 LincolnMimi Waldbaum* of OmahaJeanene Wehrbein of PlattsmouthJim Wolf * of Albion* Deceased

President and CEOJeffrey G Yost

NCF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Inside NCF

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Endowments: Create a Competitive Advantage for your Hometown

Jeff YostNCF President & CEO

2002 2010Number of Planned Gifts 18 135

Communities Benefiting 14 54

Amount (Estimate*) $6.2 Million $23.4 Million

Communities Building Endowments 51 94

Total Assets Endowed in Community-Based Funds $4.6 Million $22.4 Million

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

NCF BY THE NUMBERS (3/31/2010)

On the Leading Edge I

Board members and several staff traveled to Shickley for NCF’s quarterly meeting on Thursday and Friday, June 3-4. The business meeting and meals were held at St. Mary’s Church Hall in Shickley, sponsored by the Shickley Community Foundation Fund.

Members were treated to a tour of Shickley, led by Richard Walter, a vice chair of the Shickley Community Foundation Fund who is serving his first term as an NCF Board member.

Relative to its size, Shickley is one of NCF’s most successful affiliated funds in terms of charitable

giving, endowment building and grantmaking. There is plenty of evidence that this community of only 376 is investing in the future. Walter pointed out that nearly all the streets in town are paved and guttered. The swimming pool, parks, elementary school and high school are well maintained. New housing is prevalent. There is a sense that this little town is ready to grow.

On Thursday evening the group traveled to nearby Bruning and visited the Old Tavern Antique Company, where high-end treasures are the norm. The group also explored a

beautifully furnished new public library, which was once a saloon. Both of these community gems are the result of local giving and a lot of volunteer labor.

More than 70 area residents gathered for a reception and dinner at the Bruning Opera House, sponsored by Bruning State Bank. Guests learned about the unique partnership between NCF and its affiliated funds and the positive impacts of community development philanthropy. The results are evident in many hometowns like Shickley and Bruning where NCF has affiliated funds.

NCF holds its quarterly meetings in affiliated fund communities. Eleven of NCF’s 15 current Board members are also leaders of community-based affiliated funds. The staff and Board are always welcomed with warm hospitality. We leave with a deeper sense of appreciation for the commitment of our local community leaders and even greater enthusiasm for investing in our hometowns.

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www.nebcommfound.org

QUARTERLY BOARD MEETING AND COMMUNITY VISITS

NCF Meets in Shickley and Bruning

NCF Honorary Board member Fred Bruning visits with Richard and Louisa Manning at the Bruning community reception and dinner. The Mannings have issued a challenge grant to Exeter Community Foundation Fund and have made a generous donation to NCF’s Ford Challenge Campaign.

NCF Board members tour the new Bruning Public Library, which is now open 20 hours a week, compared to two hours previously. It has 163 people registered as library patrons, compared to 35 in the past. This photo is taken from a cozy second floor loft created just for children.

Richard Walter explains how charitable giving has helped build leadership and prosperity for Shickley during a community gathering for NCF at the Bruning Opera House.

The magnificent bar in the Old Tavern Antique Company was originally located in the tavern across the street, which is now the public library. It escaped being sold and removed from the community, thanks to generous donations from the Bruning Community Foundation.

Barbara Schoenholz and Nancy Baden are co-owners of the Old Tavern Antique Company in Bruning.

I On the Leading Edge

Exeter Area Community Foundation Fund, established in 2008, has been offered a $50,000 challenge grant by Richard and Louisa Manning of Geneva. The Mannings, who are both graduates of Exeter High School, issued the challenge grant for

the purpose of building an unrestricted endowment for the Fund. In order for the full grant to be received, the Fund must raise a match of $100,000 over a three-year time frame.

Diller Community Foundation Fund celebrated its Legacy Donor recognition event in July with the announcement of a $20,000 gift from the Arnold Henrichs estate to the Fund’s endowment. This community of 287 has built a $235,000 unrestricted endowment. Its latest major project is helping with the construction of a new fire hall.

To promote his community, Butler County Area Foundation Fund chairman, Larry Peirce, joined 675 enthusiasts who participated in the Bike Ride Across Nebraska—a 496 mile trek from Harrison to the SAC Museum near Ashland. Larry is the editor of the Banner-Press newspaper, which published a special photographic review of the ride in June and donated the advertising proceeds to the Fund’s Jack and Betty Tarr account in support of local leadership development.

The Future of Decatur Foundation Fund received a BlueHealth Advantage Wellness Grant for $10,000 to establish a community fitness center in the new Sears Center for Seniors and Wellness. The funding will be used to purchase exercise equipment for the Bulldog Fitness Club/Equipped for Fitness Program, named after the former Decatur High School mascot.

McCook Community Foundation Fund assisted the City in purchasing three bronze sculptures depicting native son Senator E. Benjamin Nelson receiving his Eagle Scout badge from his mother and father. The artworks, installed on the lawn of the Senator’s boyhood home, were dedicated in July.

Blaine County Area Community Foundation Fund, established last year, awarded its first grants from its endowment to the Dunning Rural Fire Dept., Sandhills Heritage Museum, Dunning Baseball, Sandhills FBLA, the Dunning Junior Rodeo and the Village of Dunning for holiday lights.

Creighton Community Foundation Fund honored first grade teacher Valerie Binger as the 2010 Teacher of the Year. The award is voted on by elementary teachers and includes $500 that may be used to enhance classroom instruction. The award is established in memory of Gerry Warren, who taught elementary school and felt teachers never received enough recognition.

Brown County Foundation Fund set a goal in 2009 to raise $500,000 in new endowment by January 1, 2015. The Fund Advisory Committee has completed its “silent phase” of the campaign by soliciting 140 supporters. It is now kicking off its “public phase” with a series of newspaper articles and radio spots, as well as fundraising events and visits with potential major donors.

Stratton Community Foundation Fund met its challenge grant goal of raising $150,000 to receive its match of $50,000 from the Robert and Jeannette Hunt Community Fund, owners of Great Plains Communications. The April celebration event honored the campaign’s 121 donors. Stratton is one of six communities to participate in the challenge grant initiative, and the fifth community to meet its goal.

Affiliated Fund Updates

4

NCF Community Funds

One of Exeter’s early projects was the restoration of the historic neon welcome sign located on Highway 6.

Contributions large and small help bring a new fire hall to Diller.

BCACFF committee members and grant recipients are (l to r): Christi Hafer, Elaine Zutavern, Michelle Milleson, Becky Collier, Sue Clark, Julie Teahon, Don Gouldie, Amanda Whitenack, Amy Simonson, Marlene VanDiest, J.W. Simonson, Lowell Blakely and Jody Anderson.

Members of the Stratton Community Foundation Fund Advisory Committee Peggy McDonald, Ann Sutton, Beth Kollmorgen, Betty Golding, Pat Egle, Marilyn Goodenberger, Michael Pruter and Dustin Ladenburger, along with NCF’s Jana Jensen (front far left) Riley Garrigan (second far right), the grandson of Robert and Jeannette Hunt, and Great Plains Communications District Manager Kevin Poppe (front far right).

Construction of the Sears Center for Seniors and Wellness is scheduled to be completed late this summer.

Banner-Press editor Larry Peirce readies himself for Bike Ride Across Nebraska.

Valerie Binger (center) accepts the Gerry Warren Teacher of the Year Award, presented by Merritt Warren and his daughter, Jean Henes.

On the Leading Edge I 5

www.nebcommfound.org

COMMUNITY AND ORGANIZATIONALSUCCESS HIGHLIGHTS

Organizational FundsThe WealthSpring Fund, a statewide affiliated fund, provides grants to organizations that build women’s financial stability, security and self-sufficiency. The Fund is seeking proposals from nonprofit organizations—including other NCF affiliated funds—for programs that support job skills training, financial literacy, entrepreneurship education and work-related child care. WealthSpring welcomes partnerships with other NCF affiliated funds in grantmaking within rural communities across the state. For more information contact Reggi Carlson at (402) 323-7331 or rcarlson@nebcommfound.org. Download application materials at www.nebcommfound.org/fund/wealthspring.

Chase County Hospital Foundation Fund recently purchased a new Schwinn recumbent exercise bike for cardiac rehabilitation at Chase County Community Hospital. A recumbent bicycle places less stress on the hands, wrists, neck, back and seat as compared to an upright exercise bike. This makes for a

more comfortable and productive exercise session.

According to Cindy Arterburn, director of cardiac rehab, “These types of purchases are only possible through the generosity of the community,” because many needs are not covered by the annual hospital budget.

Christian Heritage Nebraska Welcome to one of NCF’s newest affiliated funds! Christian Heritage is a faith-based organization, providing care for abused and neglected children. Christian Heritage seeks to improve the lives of children by equipping families to care for their children, promoting responsible fatherhood and strengthening marriages. Christian Heritage is building an endowment to cover one-third of its expenses. The organization serves nearly 200 children daily across Nebraska and celebrated its 30th anniversary in June. In 2007 the organization launched a Fatherhood Initiative and hosts the annual Nebraska Father of the Year award. In cooperation with the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services, the Destination...Dad™ program provides training, hope and reentry planning for incarcerated dads.

SAVE THE DATENCF ANNuAL CELEBrATiON iN LiNCOLN

Thursday, November 43:00 pm Training for FAC Chairs and Treasurers

5:00 pm Reception and Affiliated Fund Exposition

6:30 pm Banquet

Friday, November 58:30 am – 3:00 pm FAC Training

Choose from sessions on capacity building and fundraising. Network with your peers. Take home information and inspiration to move your affiliated fund ahead further and faster!

Jenny Whiting, a single mother of three children, says she loves her job as a forklift operator, including the increase in wages. WealthSpring provides funding for workforce training through Lincoln’s Center for People in Need.

Helen Smith uses the new Schwinn recumbent bike as part of her exercise therapy in the Cardiac Rehab department at Chase County Hospital.

FIND US ON FACEBOOK!Check in daily for the latest photos and news about NCF and its affiliated funds. Share your comments and keep in touch.

Facebook.com/nebraskacommunityfoundation

UPCOMING WEBINAR TOPICSAugust 11 Setting an Endowment Building Goal

September 8 Donor Visitations: “The Ask”

October 13 Risk Management

Mark your calendars and check your NCF E-newsletter to register for online training.

Participate as an individual or as a group with your FAC members.

Each webinar lasts one hour.

Offered monthly:12:30 CT/11:30 MT 5:30 CT/4:30 MT For more information, contact Sheri Hink at (402) 323-7347 or shink@nebcommfound.org.

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 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.

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

I On the Leading Edge6

Charitable Giving

NCF salutes our friends who are helping us raise our 3 to 1 match to receive a Ford Foundation Challenge grant of $1 million. We are proud to share their stories and grateful for their significant investment in our mission. Frank and Shirley Sibert have reinvented themselves a number of times as they’ve changed careers and moved from Red Cloud to Lincoln, Omaha to Valentine, and now live in Kearney. Frank has worked for the Extension Service, the Sandhills Cattle Association, Stockyards National Bank and as a rancher near Valentine, Nebraska.

What has always remained in place is their deep commitment to their hometown of Red Cloud and their generous support and service to the Nebraska Community Foundation.

When the Siberts learned of NCF’s Ford Foundation Challenge grant they stepped forward with a significant gift: a $170,000 gift annuity of appreciated stock.

This is just the most recent planned gift that Frank and Shirley have put in place. They also have set up a gift annuity of appreciated mutual funds, a charitable remainder trust, a donor-advised fund, charitable IRA beneficiary designations, and bequests in their wills. Almost all of these very generous gifts will benefit organizations in Nebraska, including NCF and the community of Red Cloud.

Several years ago, the Siberts provided a $100,000 challenge grant to NCF’s affiliated fund in Red Cloud.

“Red Cloud is where we grew up and learned what we needed to know,” said Shirley.

“Both of us attended high school in Red Cloud, and we got a lot of help from the people in town. We’re proud of what’s going on in Red Cloud and that’s why we want to support it,” Frank said.

“I’m a believer in giving your money back to where you made it. I’d rather give to organizations closer to home.”

Frank served on the NCF Board of Directors from 1999 to 2004, including a term as Chairman of the Board. “It’s just been a joy for us. It’s just amazing what the organization has been able to do over the years. The progress is unbelievable,” Frank said.

“NCF is working to develop leadership and

entrepreneurship in rural communities. They’re trying to build endowments that will generate income for these communities forever. No one else is doing this that I am aware of. Years ago I said it’s easy to give your money away, so why not give it back to your hometown where you live,” said Frank.

“It all depends on the people in those hometowns,” Shirley added. A community fund can do lots of things, but it has to be the people in the community who want to do it.”

“We’ve seen the development of local leadership in these communities come into its own. That’s the motor that runs the machine,” said Frank. “But you’ve got to have staff. People like Doug and Jana and Jim out there encouraging them and teaching them.

“I went to some early meetings that NCF put on that were invaluable for people who wanted to get a local affiliated fund going. Without those gatherings and encouragement from staff they would have never gotten around to getting it done,” Frank said.

“I think it is wonderful for the Ford Foundation to come forward with a challenge grant like this. The last couple years haven’t been the best for business because of the recession mindset. But an old rancher friend of mine told me years ago, the more he gave away the better he did. And I think there may be a lot to that,” said Frank.

“I just hope that NCF keeps asking us to come back. It’s always such a joy to see the people, to find out

what you’re doing and to know that whatever that is, it is worthwhile,” said Shirley.

Ford Challenge Champions: Frank and Shirley Sibert

Gifts that Qualify for the Ford Foundation ChallengeThe Ford Foundation has chosen the Nebraska Community Foundation as one of five organizations nationwide to receive a $1 million challenge grant to support current development work and build our endowment. There are a number of ways people in Nebraska can help meet our goal of raising $3 million to match the Ford Foundation Challenge.

Cash – A gift of cash is quick, easy and eligible for income tax deductions.

Marketable Securities – A gift of publicly-traded stocks, bonds or mutual fund shares is eligible to be matched at the full fair market value.

Real Estate- Farm and ranch land, personal residences, and other types of real estate are gifts that can be extremely beneficial to the donor.

Agricultural Commodities – Gifts of grain or livestock directed to NCF may provide significant income tax savings because the cost of production may still be deducted as a business expense.

Life Insurance – By establishing a life insurance policy with NCF named as the owner and beneficiary, and committing to pay the annual premiums, the cost of the premiums is tax deductible, and the eventual proceeds from the policy will help NCF carry on its work.

A multi-year pledge is a convenient method of making a major gift by spreading the payment over several years. Your pledge may be paid using any of the types of gifts discussed above. All pledges made by the end of 2011 and paid by the end of 2013 will qualify for the Ford Foundation Challenge.

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MAJOR GIFTS TO NCF ANDCOMMUNITY ENDOWMENTS

www.nebcommfound.org

On the Leading Edge I

July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010$100,000 or MoreThe Ford Foundation – New York, NY

$25,000 to $99,999Frank and Shirley Sibert – Kearney Kathleen Thuman/Farmers State Bank* – LincolnRichard E. and Louisa L. Manning – GenevaElaine S. Wolf* – AlbionConsolidated Companies* – Lincoln

$10,000 to $24,999Robert E. Mundy/Mundy & Associates* – OmahaCornerstone Bank* – YorkRichard and Darlene Walter/Richard Walter

Insurance Agency* – ShickleyBruning State Bank – Bruning

$5,000 to $9,999The Day Companies Inc.*– NorfolkFarmers & Merchants Investments, Inc. –

Lincoln

$2,000 to $4,999McCarthy Group Advisors LLC – OmahaPinnacle Bank – GretnaDennis and Nancy Stara* – LincolnLockwood Foundation* – ScottsbluffShannon Harner and Philip Goddard* – LincolnMcCook National Bank – McCookMcCook National Company – McCookJudith Brockmeier* – EustisMark and Linda Graff* – McCookW.R. Berkley Corporation Charitable

Foundation – Greenwich, CT

$1,000 to $1,999First National Bank of Omaha – OmahaNebraska Investment Finance Authority –

LincolnPete and Jonnie Peterson* – BruleRobert Kathol – OmahaTri-County Bank* – StuartJudith Scherer Connealy and Matt Connealy* –

Decatur

Susan M. Ugai* – LincolnDiane M. Wilson* – LincolnJeff Yost and Cindy Ryman Yost* – LincolnAllen and Kay Blezek* – LincolnBettenhausen Family Foundation – LincolnTinstman Family Donor-Advised Fund – LincolnLincoln Benefit Life Company – LincolnRaymond E. and Debra Welsh* – PenderTimothy and Carol Q. O’Keefe – Hastings

$500 to $999 Union Bank & Trust Company – LincolnFehringer, Mielak & Fehringer PC LLC – ColumbusLori J. and Russell Pankonin* – ImperialLora Damme – TalmageDon Schmaderer* – StuartHarris Properties – LincolnHBE Becker Meyer Love – LincolnJon and Jennifer Schmaderer* – StuartJeff and Judy Greenwald – LincolnReggi and Doug Carlson* – LincolnSam and Joyce Baird – Lincoln

$100 to $499Brandon W. and Tammy C. Day –NorfolkMarcia A. White* – LincolnJim and Terri Gustafson* – LincolnJoe Ferguson* – NorfolkKarl “Jack” Randecker, Sr. – FarnamDoug and Pat Friedli* – Nebraska CitySusan Stibal and Brian Ardinger – LincolnJana and J.C. Jensen* – BinghamKarla and Matthew Egger* – MartellAmy and Craig Fey* – CreteIrv and Wanda Omtvedt – LincolnLes and Terri Long* – LincolnShaun Rylee and John Russell Vanneman – LincolnSteven Hutchinson and Susan Thomas – Omaha

Contributions to the Nebraska Community Foundation

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

Gift Endows Exeter Area and NCFRichard Manning admits that he likes to kid around. However, the recent charitable gift that he and his wife, Louisa, have made will have a truly meaningful impact for generations to come.

Richard and Louisa Manning, who are both 1944 graduates of Exeter High School, used a charitable IRA distribution to make a $50,000 challenge grant to the Exeter Community Foundation Fund to establish an unrestricted endowment. The community must raise $100,000 in additional funds over a three-year time frame.

In addition, Mr. and Mrs. Manning contributed $50,000 to the Nebraska Community Foundation’s endowment. This generous gift holds even more value because it will qualify for matching funds from the Ford Foundation Challenge grant.

The Mannings have lived in Geneva for the past 18 years. Before that they lived on their farm near Burress where they raised their five children: Jim, Scott, Mary Jane, Margie and Donny, the youngest, who now lives and works on the family farm.

“Our ancestors were pioneers, homesteaders. We’ve been in the area for generations,” Richard explained. Louisa’s family, the Whitakers, were among the first homesteaders to file claims in Fillmore County in 1866. Part of the family’s history is recorded on the monument that stands in front of the Fillmore County Courthouse.

Louisa and Richard worked their farm together,

often side by side.

“Louisa drove the truck beside the combine and pulled trailers behind a pick-up, which is nearly like committing suicide,” Richard joked. “It’s a lot easier nowadays. We need to remember how good we have it!” he said.

When asked what motivated them to give back to their hometown, the couple was quick to respond.

“We’ve traveled a lot, all over the world and the U.S., and every time we come back home we realize this is the best place of all—this area. We just figured

we’d put our money where our mouth is,” said Louisa.

“We’ve been pretty thrifty being raised on the farm, but we’ve also been lucky. We’ve gotten a lot from the community,” Richard added.

The Mannings believe that arranging their gift as a challenge grant will encourage others in the community to follow their example. It seems to be working. The Exeter Community Foundation Fund is well on its way to meeting the challenge.

“People 10 years down the road from now will have an endowed fund to name in their will. Things come along that we have never even dreamed of…beyond the simple things like swimming pools, ball fields, fire and rescue. These are all great causes. But something will come up that you’ve never even heard of. That’s the beauty of an endowment,” Richard said.

“There are others in Exeter who can give back to their community. We know that,” said Louisa.

“This will encourage them to loosen the purse strings and give!”

And what about their gift to NCF’s Ford Foundation Challenge campaign?

“We like the people, their goals and objectives. We like that the money is staying in Nebraska and helping local communities. I like what the folks at NCF are saying and doing. It just makes us feel good,” Richard said.

Louisa and Richard Manning, Geneva

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PERMIT NO. 449650 J Street, Suite 305 PO Box 83107 Lincoln, NE 68501-3107(402) 323-7330 • Fax (402) 323-7349www.nebcommfound.org info@nebcommfound.org

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Best Practice: Aiming HighIn April, the Shickley Community Foundation Fund announced its semi-annual grant awards. The Fund provided nearly $7,000 to 10 area nonprofits. What makes this last round of grantmaking special in this town of about 350 people is that the Fund has now surpassed the $100,000 mark in community reinvestment, the majority of that occurring in the last 10 years.

Most of those grants have been made from earnings on the Fund’s endowment account.

Even more remarkable is the broad base of donors. According to Fund Advisory Committee 1st Vice Chair Richard Walter, half of the 300 households in the local school district contribute to the fund.

Shickley became an NCF affiliated fund in 2001. The goal was to build a robust permanent endowment and encourage people to give back in

the form of legacy gifts through estate planning.

The first step was to secure a challenge grant. The Wilkins family of Geneva pledged $105,000 over three years if the community could match the gift. Volunteers went to work, talking to their friends and neighbors about the importance of building a permanent source of charitable investment for their hometown. In less than three years the Fund had built an unrestricted endowment of more than $250,000. Reaching that goal only encouraged them to do more.

Today the Shickley Community Foundation Fund has nearly $400,000 permanently endowed, plus additional accounts for the swimming pool, cemetery improvements, scholarships, library, fire department and religious organizations. Seven planned gifts are in place that will provide at least

$1.5 million in the future.

The Fund Advisory Committee has no intention of slowing down. Members recently completed NCF’s new action planning process. Ambitious goals have been set. The plan calls for $3.5 million in assets and expectancies in 2013; in 2020–$8 million; in 2030–$12 million.

Why does this little town think they can do it?

“All of our committee members are very pro-Shickley,” said Chair Dan Miller. Committee members include farmers,

business owners, homemakers, employees and school officials who are a cross section of the community. They regularly take advantage of the training sessions, leadership summits and technical assistance provided by NCF.

The answer also can be found in the depth chart of community leadership. During one action planning session, FAC members were asked to name a community organization that they admired. The group came up with 10 different organizations… a lot for a small town!

Joe Kamler, the Fund’s treasurer, says people in Shickley love their hometown and take a great deal of pride in its accomplishments.

The next time you’re in Fillmore County, head down Highway 74 and see for yourself what big-time ambition looks like in a small town.

Volunteers www.nebcommfound.org

BEST PRACTICES

Richard Walter is 1st Vice Chair of the Shickley Community Foundation Fund and is serving his first term on the NCF Board.

Deb Johnson, 2nd Vice Chair, prioritizes objectives during an action planning session earlier this year.