March 22, 2007

Greene County Foundation Continues "Seeds For Success" Gift Matching Program

The Greene County Foundation board of directors announced today that the Foundation will be continuing to match gifts to area nonprofit endowment funds. The matching funds will be available on a first come, first served basis up to $100,000. The Foundation's 2006 1:3 matching program successfully raised almost $200,000 in endowment funds for nonprofits.

Guidelines for participation
All donors interested in donating to non profit, 501 (c)(3) agencies serving the general public in Greene County, Indiana are eligible for matching funds. To be eligible for matching, the minimum gift is $100, the maximum is $50,000.

About the Seeds For Success Matching Program
The Seeds For Success Gift Matching Program is a grant match initiative designed to help agencies raise $300,000 in endowments from 2006 - 2008, benefiting those agencies forever. The Seeds For Success Matching Program will provide a 1:3 match; $1 from the Foundation for every $3 donated to the agency endowment. This matching grant program is made possible through a grant from discretionary funds of the Foundation.

Agencies entering into the Seeds For Success Gift Matching program will be required to start an endowment fund (if they do not already have one).

All gifts (donations) for that agency will be deposited into an endowment fund established in their name.

All gifts will be accepted as per Foundation gift policies. Gifts of property may be accepted and will be gifted and matched at appraised value. However, the actual net proceeds after sale of the property will be deposited into the agency endowment fund. Stocks may be accepted and will be gifted and matched at the mean value on the date gifted. Again, the actual net proceeds of the stock sale will be deposited into the agency endowment fund.

What Is An Endowment?
Endowments, of all kinds of private giving, offer perhaps the most influential of investments, creating living legacies that span generations.

An endowment is a financial gift that provides an income in perpetuity for a specified use. The Greene County Foundation holds gifted endowed funds permanently, as principal, managing endowments to produce earnings that support designated Greene County programs, agencies, or students.

Staff and board members are available to speak to area nonprofit boards of directors or local service clubs about the Seeds For Success Gift Matching program. Please phone Kerry Conway at the Greene County Foundation office at 659-3142, or email us to arrange a speaking date or for more information about the program.

In addition to the Seeds For Success Gift Matching Program, the Foundation will focus discretionary funds on enhancing available public transportation and exploring the implementation of a 211 resource and referral line.