NEWS

10/08

MCCF is pleased to announce their participation in the School Endowment Challenge of the Kansas Health Foundation’s GROW (Giving Resources to Our World) Healthy Kansas Initiative. MCCF became eligible for the education challenge by raising $700,000 in endowed funds to complete Phase V of the GROW program by December 31, 2007.

The focus of the education challenge is to encourage affiliation between local schools and the community foundation. Affiliation with a community foundation provides organizations easy access to a vehicle with maximum tax advantages through which gifts can be donated and placed in a permanent endowment for the betterment of the school.
“Working with local schools to build a permanent resource for program dollars matches the Community Foundation’s continued mission to serve the residents of McPherson County and build strong communities through philanthropy,” states Chet Lang, MCCF Board President.

Grant terms allow MCCF in collaboration with participating schools to raise $400,000 by June 30, 2009. Once the challenge is completed, KHF will match every two dollars raised with one dollar. Eligible gifts include cash, stocks, property, or other assets that fall within the MCCF Gift Acceptance guidelines.

Each of the schools located in McPherson County was given an option to participate and offered a percentage of the funds based on their school enrollment. Participating schools and the grant amount they are eligible for are: McPherson - $244,000; Canton/Galva - $40,000; Inman - $48,000; Moundridge - $48,000; and Elyria Christian School - $20,000.

An additional requirement of the grant opportunity was that school districts that currently have endowments and wish to participate had to transfer existing funds to the community foundation. The McPherson USD 418 Community Education Foundation reviewed the program and agreed to participate in the challenge by transferring their existing funds to MCCF.

“We are excited about the opportunity to grow the Education Foundation’s resources by joining the Community Foundation. This match will allow us to nearly double the dollar amount of grants we award each year,” said Michael Schneider, President of the Community Education Foundation.

An anonymous donor heard of the challenge and quickly gave the amount allotted for Elyria Christian School to the Community Foundation. To date, the school has received a $34,000 gift, $20,000 of which will be matched by the Kansas Health Foundation. Elyria Christian School established a fund in December 2004 with memorial gifts given in memory of a long-time supporter of the school.

Moundridge and Canton/Galva schools also established funds with the Community Foundation and have been working with donors to consider donating to the funds. Rustin Clark, USD #423 Superintendent, feels the matching dollars available in this challenge might be the tool needed to encourage donors to act now. The Inman district has considered the benefits of endowed gifts and is excited to move forward with this challenge.

Once the challenge is complete, a percentage of the earnings based on each fund’s value will be distributed to the schools annually. The grants may be used for programs, projects, educational expenses or other items as determined by their selection committees or boards.

Administrative Fund Challenge

As an additional reward for completing Phase V of the GROW initiative, the Kansas Health Foundation has offered an opportunity to leverage $100,000 for operating expenses if we can raise $50,000.
The Administrative Fund challenge is similar to the initial grant given to MCCF in 2001. Those funds helped to establish the community foundation and were an integral part of our current success. This 2 for 1 challenge is KHF’s continued support for foundations across the state.

To show complete support of the match, our board and staff have committed to 100% of the members contributing to the fund.
Currently, we have raised $20,000 of the match and would welcome other gifts. It’s not often an organization receives a 2 for 1 match! Your help in leveraging these funds would be appreciated.
Contact Becky at 620.245.9070 or becky@mcphersonfoundation.org.