The Elgin Community Foundation Fund is now accepting applications for grants to be awarded later this year.
Meeting Tuesday afternoon, the foundation’s Board of Directors, under the guidance of Todd Heithoff, discussed possible uses and directions for the grant funds. Grants are able to be awarded this year as a result of donations received since its formation back in July 2006. The foundation is dedicated to the improvement and long-term viability of our community. Since its creation, the foundation has grown to nearly $160,000. Some of those funds were the direct results of matching funds gifts from the Hunt Family Foundation (HFF). The local foundation is closing in on another milestone which will result in a $5,000 HFF donation.
The Elgin Community Foundation Fund encourages people from all walks of life to give back to their community by providing a full range of gift opportunities. A volunteer Fund Advisory Committee has been working to increase charitable giving and will be able to award grants to worthwhile organizations and individuals that are addressing the emerging needs and future opportunities in our community.
Examples of how grants could be used in the Elgin area are:
Youth — Support K-12 schools. Curriculum that incorporates technology. Promotional video to promote the community, attract people, economic development. Curriculum for high school entrepreneurship education. 4-H ESI Entrepreneurship Camps.
Challenge grants to Youth Advisory Committees. Scholarships with ‘strings attached’ to encourage students to come back home after graduation.
People Attraction — Non-traditional student scholarships.
Economic Development — Entrepreneurs. Support programs like REAP, EDGE, HTC.
Leadership Development — Seminars/workshops for new and existing leaders. To develop skills like conflict resolution, personality types, delegation, transition. To develop future leaders. To support existing leaders.
Donor Education — Gathering events. Legacy dinners. Annual events. Volunteer of the Year.
The Elgin Community Foundation Fund’s goal is to enhance the quality of life and help create new opportunities in the Elgin area by:
• Supporting and strengthening local nonprofit organizations
• Providing innovative ways for donors to benefit their community
• Identifying needs and making grants in our community
• Participating in partnerships with other community groups
As an affiliated fund of the Nebraska Community Foundation, all contributions to the Elgin Community Foundation Fund are tax-deductible. The Nebraska Community Foundation is confirmed in compliance with the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations, and has met the nation’s highest philanthropic standards of operational quality, integrity and accountability.
Grant applications can be picked up by from Vicki Miller at City Hall.
