The gifts you give will keep giving year after year. We accept your gift and invest it through a thoroughly researched investment team. The earnings gained from your gift will be granted to non-profit organizations of your interests and according to your design.
We administer the management of your gift. Even after our overhead costs and costs of investment management, 98.5% of your gift's earnings will be used for its charitable purposes. Compare this with other popular organizations that spend 85% or less, of your charitable money for its intended purposes.
You are not only helping your community in a monetary way through your local community foundation, but you are building a sense of community. As a donor, you are allowing grants to be made to non-profit organizations with your gift earnings that do things such as help children have new clothes, purchase new fire or police equipment, restock the shelves of the local food pantry, provide classroom supplies or beautify the park. Yet, you are giving more than material items. The organizations and people who receive the physical benefit of your grants know that people in their own community care about them.
We have an extremely competent and diverse Board, Staff and Committee structure. Board Members Jim Myers, Scott Berline (President), Jim Coyle, Brad Henderson, Christi Kincade, Kathi Meyer (Treasurer), Andrew Hatheway, Elise Smith (Secretary), Leslie Taylor, Rob Porter, and Rosilyn Upton (Vice President) represent all four townships of Southern Madison County. Because they are residents of the communities we serve, they have a direct interest in the betterment of those communities. Staff member Lisa Floyd (Executive Director) supports the work of the Board. Community volunteers are the lifeline of our Finance, Grants and Scholarships Committees and over 90 individuals give their time and energies to support the awards process.
Local Accountability: The all-volunteer board is responsible for the governance of the Foundation, including fiscal stewardship.
Local Knowledge of the Community: All staff, board, and committee members are local members of your community. Since we live in the community we have an 'insiders' view of the challenges that face your community. We also have relationships with area non-profits and organizations. Knowing about your community, its needs, its people and non-profits, make us a valuable resource for you as a donor.
We have been nationally recognized for our high standards. We are confirmed in compliance with National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations. SMCF uses National Standards as a roadmap to establish legal, ethical, effective practices that demonstrate our commitment to accountability, excellence and service. Through ongoing re-confirmation activities, we reaffirm our capability in delivering comprehensive services to donors and the entities they support.
Benefits of Giving
Permanence and Growth. Your gift will benefit the community now and in future years. The SMCF public board of community leaders assures that your gift will be used in perpetuity according to your wishes. Over time, a fund may produce a tax-free gain many times the value of the original gift providing a growing and dependable source of income for the charitable purpose of your fund.
Simplicity. It is easy to create or add to a fund with SMCF. Creating a fund requires minimal paperwork, yet affords you a wide variety of charitable alternatives in choosing how your gift will be used.
Security. SMCF’s Board and professional staff exercise strict fiduciary responsibility over all Foundation assets and provide prudent stewardship of donor funds. Because most gifts to the Foundation are pooled for investment purposes, donors enjoy the advantages of a diverse portfolio mix that minimizes risk and enhances the likelihood of a good return to charity.
Public Accountability. Annual reporting through an independent accountant and filing of tax returns, public disclosure of all grant activities, and careful selection of a diverse volunteer board of outstanding community leaders combine to insure public accountability for the management and distribution of Foundation assets.
Recognition or Anonymity. A fund at the Foundation can provide a lasting tribute to you and your family. Conversely, if you wish to remain anonymous, the Foundation is a secure place to make grants within the community anonymously.
Tax Advantages. Donations to the Foundation are deductible as allowed by U.S. Tax Code. In addition, gifts of appreciated assets and testamentary gifts have other added benefits.