Six More Spots Left in Agency Endowment Challenge

Housing Opportunities of Warsaw is one of 19 agencies which are currently participating in the Agency Endowment Challenge. Their endowment will support programs such as one that helps low-income homeowners make repairs needed in order for the homes to be habitable. This home’s collapsed retaining wall was repaired by the program.

Area nonprofit agencies have risen to the challenge, the endowment challenge that is. The Community Foundation issued an agency endowment challenge, effective January 1-June 30, 2009 to nonprofit agencies located in or serving Kosciusko County. For every $1 raised by the agency, up to $4,000, the Community Foundation will match with a $1.50. So far, 19 agencies have signed letters of intent to participate. If each of those agencies takes full advantage of the challenge, there are six opportunities left for other agencies to participate.

The match is on a first dollar in, first dollar matched basis. Of the 19 participants, 13 have already turned money in to qualify for the match.

“It’s exciting to see eight new agency endowments as a result of the challenge so far,” said Community Foundation Development Director, Brenda Rigdon.

An agency endowment is important as an alternate and sustainable source of annual revenue for a nonprofit’s operating budget. Operating dollars are typically the most difficult for an agency to raise, but essential for the delivery of services. Operating dollars pay the staff, purchase office supplies and keep the lights on for an agency.

Want to Participate?
Nonprofit agencies located in or serving Kosciusko County that wish to participate in the challenge should:

1. Contact Brenda Rigdon, Development Director, about your interest. She will send you a letter of intention to participate.
2. Submit the letter of intention to participate, signed by your agency’s executive director and a board officer.
3. If your agency already has an endowment fund at the Community Foundation, submit a copy of your board meeting minutes indicating the board’s decision to participate in the challenge.
4. If your agency will be creating a new agency endowment fund, submit a signed fund agreement (a draft is attached here for review by your board and legal counsel).
5. Turn in money to qualify for the match. The match ends by June 30, 2009 (or sooner, if the matching money is exhausted before then).

For more information about the Agency Endowment Challenge, please contact Brenda Rigdon by clicking here or by calling 574-267-1901.

Scholarship Volunteer Trainings (for registered volunteers only)
March 26th, 7:30 a.m.,
11:30 a.m., 5:30 p.m.
March 28th, 9:30 a.m.
At the Community Foundation.

Scholarship Application Deadline
April 1, 2009
Click here for more scholarship information.

Kosciusko REMC Operation Round Up Grant Application Deadline
April 15, 2009
Click here for an application.

Community Grant Application Deadline
May 15, 2009
Click here for grant guidelines and an application.

Heart of Gold Awards Reception
June 16, 2009, 6:45 p.m.
Be watching the Foundation website later this spring for nomination information.

102 East Market Street
Warsaw, IN 46580

574-267-1901
kcf@kcfoundation.org
www.kcfoundation.org