Community GREATER CEDAR RAPIDS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | SPRING 2014
Volunteering Leads to Charitable Donations Marjorie Fletcher Makes a Gift to Several Nonprofits through an IRA Marjorie Fletcher has been volunteering in the Cedar Rapids community for as long as she can remember.
host home for opera performers visiting from out of town.
“Helping Cedar Rapids has always been foremost in my mind,” said the retired teacher.
selected several organizations and made some of her end-of-the-year contributions through distributions from her IRA. “I got to thinking how that money was just sitting in my IRA, and how these organizations could benefit from it and keep prospering.”
This past fall, however, Fletcher decided to take her commitment to local nonprofit organizations one step further.
Not surprisingly, Fletcher’s choices of organizations to donate to were very much connected to her long-time volunteer efforts.
She also donated to Theatre Cedar Rapids, where she has long enjoyed attending plays and serving as an usher.
Through the help of her professional advisor and the Community Foundation, Fletcher
Her donation to the Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre was inspired by her role as volunteer
Another chosen organization was Waypoint. Fletcher noted she served as the President
Fletcher selected St. Paul United Methodist Church for a donation because she has belonged “for 1,000 years,” she joked.
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Page 2 Grant Programs
Page 4 Corporate Giving: Diamond V
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Page 6 Q & A with Jon Bancks
Upcoming Events
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of the YWCA—Waypoint’s organizational predecessor—many years ago. “They have enriched my life and I have learned from them,” Fletcher said of the organizations she supported in this way at the end of 2013. “It made me feel good to help others in such diverse ways.”
Grant Programs: Catherine McAuley Center
Fletcher was also delighted to receive personalized thank you notes from each organization expressing their gratitude.
“I got to thinking how that money was just sitting in my IRA, and how these organizations could benefit from it and keep prospering.”
Changes in Service Delivery Help Individuals Overcome Barriers The Catherine McAuley Center helps individuals transform their lives through adult education and transitional housing.
Fletcher is a member of the Community Foundation’s William Quarton Heritage Society – which recognizes individuals who have made a planned gift to the Community Foundation. However, this is the first time Fletcher has done her annual giving through the Community Foundation. She enjoyed the opportunity to send her gifts in one direction while benefiting so many organizations.
To do this effectively, the staff at the Center provide support through a case management model to help individuals gain stability and self-sufficiency, and become more connected and engaged with resources in the community.
“The Community Foundation is a big umbrella over all of us,” she said. “And the Foundation has done so many wonderful things through the years for so many wonderful organizations.”
The grant allowed Center staff to increase their one-on-one case management time with students and residents as well as build stronger relationships with referring agencies in the community.
That very statement is, in fact, true of Margie Fletcher herself.
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Staff members had some ideas to improve the way they were delivering services and were awarded a grant from the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation put those ideas into action.
The programs have exceeded expectations. Clients now receive higher quality, comprehensive guidance, support and referrals as they stabilize their lives.
Making a Difference Metro High School
SPT Theatre Company
Industrial Technology and Innovation in the Classroom
Opportunities Expand for Arts Performers and Patrons
Matthew Secl, Industrial Technology Teacher at Metro High School knows his students are kinetic learners. “They love to fix things—cars and electronics—and they are good at it,” he said.
SPT Theatre Company fills a unique niche in the arts sector of the Cedar Rapids community.
So he applied to the Community Foundation’s Fund for Educational Excellence—which encourages innovation and collaboration in the classroom— when he had the idea to purchase a CNC router, or a computerized, controlled cutting machine, for his students to use. This funding and machine have revolutionized his classroom. While it took the students a while to warm up to the machine, once they did, their fascination with and imaginative applications for it haven’t let up. The students have created signs, garden sticks, candy bar molds and more. The CNC router has enabled Metro High School students to not only learn machine and software skills that can transfer to manufacturing jobs, but it has also inspired projects that engage their entrepreneurial tendencies.
SPT’s Tales from the Writers’ Room, are must-see productions, occurring every six weeks at the intimate CSPS Theatre. Each of the 10 performances provide a blend of original comedic and dramatic sketches, as well as the music of outstanding performers. A multi-year grant from the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation awarded in 2012 helped SPT achieve its key objectives of creating original, innovative programming; providing paying opportunities for professional creative artists; increasing audience size; and enhancing financial stability. This unique theatre company will continue to provide opportunities for both audiences and performers to share experiences that would not otherwise be available in Cedar Rapids.
To read more about these stories, and other nonprofits, go to www.gcrcf.org and click on the page Nonprofits Doing Work You Care About under the Donors tab. Spring 2014 | 3
Diamond V Makes Corporate Giving a Priority
Decades of Corporate Kindness John Bloomhall, Chairman of the Board at Diamond V, knows the Cedar Rapids community has been a big support to their company over the years. “The Cedar Rapids community has been good to our company for more than 70 years, by providing employees, homes
and cultural amenities. When you think about how greatly we have benefitted, you feel a strong responsibility to give back and provide those benefits for future generations.” So over the years, Diamond V—which manufactures yeast supplements and
new animal feed technology for the nutritional enhancement of cattle, horse, swine, poultry and pets— has intentionally developed into a wonderful corporate citizen through a donor-advised fund at the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation.
Quarterly Investment Update The Community Foundation’s investment consultant, Tim O’Donnell, of Fund Evaluation Group, presented an overview of the investment portfolio to our fund holders on Tuesday, January 28, 2013. The Community Foundation has built a long-term portfolio that is designed to generate an appropriate rate of return without taking unnecessary risks. For a short investment summary, or to view the full report, visit the Investment Management page of our website at gcrcf.org. The next Quarterly Investment Update will be held on Tuesday, April 29th from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. at the Community Foundation.
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The Community Foundation actually first approached Diamond V in the early 1990s to see if they’d be interested in doing their corporate giving through the Community Foundation.
They support efforts in their northwest neighborhood as well as scholarships to support students in the field of Animal Science.”
Bloomhall reflected that there were and still are a number of attractive reasons for them to work with the Community Foundation. “Having the Community Foundation be the catcher’s mitt for our grantmaking has taken work off my staff,” he said. “They are so knowledgeable and have expanded our giving. They bring the philanthropic opportunities to us that we may not normally see.” Bloomhall also noted that the Community Foundation sees to the fact that grant moneys are used for their intended purposes. Diamond V’s first gift to their corporate donor-advised fund at the Community Foundation was made in 1993, with their first grants being distributed in 1994. Over the years, they have given more than $2 million—through more than 450 grants—to a wide variety of nonprofit organizations around the Corridor. Community Foundation staff members recognize the fact that Diamond V is uniquely flexible with their granting and give where the greatest needs are.
John Bloomhall Chairman of the Board Diamond V
“The Community Foundation is so knowledgeable and have expanded our giving. They bring philanthropic opportunities to us that we may not normally see.”
Bloomhall credits the Community Foundation for their flexibility and with helping coordinate and maximize Diamond V’s corporate giving. “We rely on the Foundation for a lot of help and they provide it,” he said. “We have a lot more confidence in doing our corporate giving this way than if we were handling it on our own.” “In working with the Community Foundation, we can provide maximum benefit for the community and maximum philanthropic dollars for organizations. It’s spectacular.”
“Diamond V is a generous and thoughtful philanthropic partner in the community,” said Community Foundation Program Officer Elizabeth Cwik. “Their funding runs the gamut from basic health and human service needs to important cultural offerings.
New Donor Orientation On Tuesday, February 4, 2014 the Community Foundation hosted a New Donor Orientation to help donors understand how to make charitable recommendations from their fund(s) to make an impact on the causes they care about. Josie Velles, Director of Development Services, provided a demonstration of Donor View, the Community Foundation’s online tool which helps donors access and manage their fund(s).
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Professional Advisor Q & A Jon Bancks
Q. As you review your clients financial situations, why do you refer them to the Community Foundation?
A. I have found the Community Foundation to be an excellent local resource in philanthropy for clients and donors. Understanding our clients’ charitable interests is something we work to identify and incorporate into our planning conversations with them. The Community Foundation provides a convenient and affordable way for many clients –individuals, families or businesses – to set up funds and create a plan to support our community forever.
Q. How has the Community Foundation been helpful to your clients?
A. The Community Foundation has a number of great offerings that makes starting a living legacy easy for many donors – large and small. Jon Bancks CFP® CPWA® Donor-advised funds provide an affordable option with flexibility to provide Financial Advisor control over distributions and professional investment management. The Community Foundation also provides input and direction on grants and has Vice President Wealth Management been helpful with providing guidance to clients who aren’t connected to a The Anderson Group at Morgan Stanley specific charitable organization but are looking for ways to make a lasting and meaningful impact in the community. And, I’ve yet to hear anyone complain about the benefits of the Endow Iowa tax credits, although I haven’t found tax credits to be the driving factor in the giving decision. It all starts with a desire to help and make a difference in their community.
Q. What inspires your clients to give? A. Typically, I find that inspiration comes from the life experiences of my clients.
It can come from their involvement with a specific cause or organization, or from a personal event where they received assistance and experienced the impact an organization makes in someone’s life. I have also found that there is a culture of giving in the Cedar Rapids area. This is a very generous community. Jon Bancks is a Financial Advisor with the Global Wealth Management Division of Morgan Stanley in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The information contained in this article is not a solicitation to purchase or sell investments. Any information presented is general in nature and not intended to provide individually tailored investment advice. The strategies and/or investments referenced may not be suitable for all investors as the appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor’s individual circumstances and objectives. Investing involves risks and there is always the potential of losing money when you invest. The views expressed herein are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect the views of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, Member SIPC, or its affiliates.
Professional Advisor Breakfast Professional Advisors gathered at the Community Foundation on the morning of March 5, 2014 to listen to guest speakers from Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (RPA). Representatives from RPA spoke about how to talk with clients about philanthropy. For more information about their presentation, visit the Professional Advisor page of our website at gcrcf.org.
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Upcoming Events Quarterly Investment Update The next Quarterly Investment Update will be held on Tuesday, April 29th from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. at the Community Foundation. Tim O’Donnell of Fund Evaluation Group will present an overview of our investment portfolio performance. Please RSVP to 319.366.2862 or laura.booth@gcrcf.org.
June Grant Deadline The next grant deadline is Monday, June 16th at 4:30 p.m. Visit our website for more information about available grants and how to apply. If you have any questions, please contact us at 319.774.2370 or grants@gcrcf.org.
William Quarton Heritage Society Luncheon The William Quarton Heritage Society Luncheon will be held on Tuesday, June 24th at the Cedar Rapids Country Club from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. This includes a lunch and short program to celebrate philanthropy with William Quarton Heritage Society members. Invitations will be mailed in May.
Laura Booth Executive Assistant
New Community Foundation Team Member We are pleased to welcome our new team member, Laura Booth, as the Executive Assistant of the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation. Laura was previously with The Principal Financial Group in Cedar Falls.
Other Staff News Karla Twedt-Ball has been promoted from Vice President of Programs to Senior Vice President. This promotion recognizes the growth in Karla’s responsibilities for program leadership and her increasing responsibilities for management across the organization. Emmylou Ball has been promoted from Accountant to Controller. Her promotion recognizes her increasing responsibilities in accounting and finance and her role as manager of the Community Foundation’s software system. Karla Twedt-Ball Senior Vice President
Emmylou Ball Controller
“Nonprofit Know-How” Series Begins The Nonprofit Network of the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation recently launched a new series called “Nonprofit Know-How” for new nonprofit leaders and leaders of new nonprofits. Each month, the series provides information about an aspect of leading a nonprofit organization. The series also provides an opportunity for nonprofit leaders to connect with each other and to help strengthen our nonprofit community as a whole. The most recent session was held on April 10th on the basics of organizational development titled “You’re a 501c3 – Now what?” Nonprofit Know-How runs on the second Thursday of each month from noon – 1 p.m. at the Cedar Rapids Public Library. There is no charge to participate. For more information, contact Katie Giorgio at 319.774.2375 or katie.giorgio@gcrcf.org. Spring 2014 | 7
324 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401-1841 319.366.2862 / gcrcf.org
Where charitable gifts multiply for community good.
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OUR MISSION: The Community Foundation is a public foundation whose mission is to help donors give in meaningful ways, to strengthen nonprofits, and to provide leadership that supports a vibrant community.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Loren L. Coppock, Chair Chris Skogman, Chair Elect Cheryle W. Mitvalsky, Past Chair Katie Oberbroeckling, Treasurer Kevin Welu, Secretary Gary Bartlett Lydia Brown Karl Cassell John Chaimov Terri Christoffersen Brent Cobb Chris DeWolf Greg Dunn Tiffany Ann Earl Sara B. Fisette Maureen Kenney Thomas Moore
John Osako Elizabeth Schott Oather Taylor Fred Timko CHAIR EMERITA Nancy G. McHugh PRESIDENT & CEO Les Garner The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation proudly serves affiliate foundations in the Keokuk area and Wapello County.
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