A GREAT CITY IS DEFINED BY A RELENTLESS DESIRE
E AND ENERGY TO BECOME A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE.
AN INTRODUCTORY WORD FROM OUR PRESIDENT As the president of the Lincoln Community Foundation,
between donors’ intent and the needs and opportunities in
I want to convey my excitement for the many opportunities
this community that its nonprofit agencies represent.
ahead. This organization is steeped in tradition and history. I am honored to serve and look forward to working hard to continue the growth and impact that is part of our heritage. The Lincoln Community Foundation wants to be known for being proactive and visionary for our donors and for the community. The beauty of this Foundation is that we do not represent any one institution. We are the connector
The Lincoln Community Foundation is excited to work with you to build the future. Let’s get going. Warm regards, Barbara M. Bartle President
OUR PURPOSE The noble goal of the Foundation can most easily be
Briefly summarized, gifts to the Foundation commonly
captured in the two simple words that grace the cover of
accomplish one or more of the following goals for a donor:
this brochure: LINCOLN FOREVER . While stated in many ways since our founding in 1955, these words convey the fondness that those who have made gifts to and through the Foundation have always held for this community and its successful future.
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Support future needs and opportunities within the Lincoln community
Benefit one or more specific charities
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Support a specific area of interest such as the arts and culture, children and youth, basic needs, family issues, environmental enhancement, human diversity, older adults and capital improvements
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Establish a scholarship
Contributors have a deep understanding and respect for
There are so many ways for you to work with the Lincoln
the role of private philanthropy as a vital component in the
Community Foundation to enrich the lives of the citizens of
democratic free enterprise system.
our city. We enthusiastically invite you to learn more.
OUR HISTORY A group of visionaries with a genuine love for Lincoln
$16M which allowed the Foundation to make a $600,000
and dedication to its constant improvement founded the
grant in 2010 for the new Union Plaza amphitheater and
Lincoln Community Foundation in 1955.
surrounding bike trails.
The first grant awarded in that year was $539.70 to support
It takes gifts of all sizes to make the Foundation’s efforts
a movie and slide projector for Pinewood Bowl. By the time
a success and ensure our continued role as a primary
we’d reached 2007, we received an estate gift in excess of
community benefactor.
OUR GRANT PROCESS The Lincoln Community Foundation accepts grant
a large number of citizens and requests from donors who
applications from non-profit agencies and organizations in
have asked the Foundation’s board of directors to address
Lincoln and Lancaster County. All qualified 501(c)(3)
emerging and changing needs and other opportunities in
organizations are eligible to apply, as are other organizations
the community.
recognized by the IRS as those to which gifts are tax-deductible.
The Lincoln Community Foundation board will review grant
Traditionally Lincoln Community Foundation grants support
applications on an ongoing basis throughout the year with a
arts and culture, children and youth, older adults, family
quarterly distribution schedule.
issues, environmental programs, human diversity, and capital improvements.
The Foundation has established a Quick Response Fund, providing grants up to $1,000 to organizations facing an
The Foundation makes grants to a variety of fields of
immediate need. Those grants can often be approved within
interests. Most of our grants support programs serving
a week of application.
ESTABLISH YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FOUNDATION Charitable gifts to the Foundation can be funded in two
asset (like stock) to a Depository account now and distribute
ways. You can give now or later through a planned gift.
the proceeds at any time in the future. The Depository
Planned gifts may include a will, trust, life insurance policy,
account allows you to name annual grant recipients and
or through establishing a life-income arrangement such as
eliminates the tasks associated with annual giving such
a gift annuity or charitable remainder trust. We accept gifts
as writing and issuing multiple checks and collecting the
of cash, stock, and many types of property. The Foundation
receipts from the various organizations.
will work with you and your financial advisor to look at the options and determine the best gifting plan for you. No matter which method of giving you choose, your gift is fully tax-deductible as allowable by law. Donor-Directed Depository The Donor-Directed Depository is designed to simplify annual giving. You can make a gift of cash or a single appreciated
Endowment Funds Endowments provide a perpetual stream of grants to the
U NRESTRICTED – Those endowments
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support the ever-changing and pressing needs of the Lincoln community with an unrestricted gift. D ONOR ADVISED FUND – Advised funds
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are an attractive alternative to a family foundation. Through an advised fund, family members can make annual grant recommendations to the causes or charities of their choice. Such funds allow families
charities or causes you care about. The principal amount
to remain active in recommending uses
of your gift is prudently and professionally invested. The
for the gift and results in being able to
spendable portion of the fund is used to make grants for
support different organizations or causes
causes that matter to you. All of this is established in a fund agreement between you and the Foundation.
at different times. It provides many of the benefits of a private foundation without the administrative costs and responsibilities.
S CHOLARSHIPS – Donors specify
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FIELD OF INTEREST – Donors specify
criteria or create a general scholarship
an area for their gift to benefit such as
to benefit students graduating from a
arts and culture, children and youth,
Lincoln area high school.
basic needs, family issues, environ-
O PERATING – Gifts to the operating
mental enhancement, human diversity,
endowment are used for the ongoing
older adults and capital improvements.
administrative cost of LCF. The Benefactor
The donor’s intent is captured in a
status was developed to request gifts
fund agreement with the LCF Board of
to support the operating endowment.
Directors making grant decisions to
Benefactors are recognized in the
address the area specified.
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lobby of the Lincoln Community
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DESIGNATED – Donors name a
Foundation for their $50,000 gift to
specific organization or organizations
the operating endowment through a
in the fund agreement to receive the
pledge of lifetime giving, a planned
annual spendable portion of the fund.
gift or through an estate plan.
O U R C O R D I A L I N V I TAT I O N TO HELP BUILD A GREAT CITY; TO NURTURE, HARNESS, AND DIRECT THAT ENERGY IS THE ASPIRATION OF THE LINCOLN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION. TO THOSE WHO CAN PROVIDE FINANCIAL RESOURCES NEEDED TO ACCOMPLISH GREAT THINGS, THE FOUNDATION SEEKS TO BE A VALUABLE FACILITATOR. TO THOSE WHO MANAGE THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT SERVES THE CHARITABLE AND CIVIC NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY, THE FOUNDATION WISHES TO BE A PARTNER. TO THOSE WHO HAVE THE VISION AND ENERGY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR THE FUTURE, THE FOUNDATION WISHES TO BE A COLLABORATOR. IT IS WITH THAT SINCERE BELIEF THAT WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US AS WE REDEDICATE OURSELVES TO THE SIMPLY-STATED GOAL OF “LINCOLN FOREVER.”
To learn more, contact us at 402-474-2345 or at our website at www.lcf.org.
215 Centennial Mall South Suite 100 Lincoln, NE 68508 402.474.2345 402.476.8532 FAX www.lcf.org
