Brad and Patty Manuel: Leaving a Hometown Legacy

As board president of the Jones County Community Foundation (JCCF), Patty Manuel has seen first-hand the impact the Foundation has had on her community.

“It's just one of the most exciting boards that I've been a part of,” she says with a smile.  “You can see the impact at the new ball diamond and the new concessions stand, or you can visit the hospital to see a new piece of equipment the Foundation has funded.”

That’s why she and her husband Brad chose to leave a gift in their estate plan to the JCCF that will support future needs of their hometowns.

“We’ve lived here our whole lives and raised our two kids here,” says Patty. “We want to see this place continue to flourish, and any dollars we can leave through the Foundation will continue to give back forever to help the entire county.”

That idea of forever giving is what draws donors like the Manuels to give to their community foundation. In 2017, endowment funds at the JCCF paid out more than $52,000 to nonprofits. These funds pay out 5% annually to provide a reliable and sustainable funding source for local causes.

“That money lives forever, and it’s always there to help various interests in the county,” says Patty. “There's just so much need in Jones and there are so many ways to help.  And every little dollar counts.”

To learn more about the Jones County Community Foundation, visit www.dbqfoundation.org/jccf.

The Jones County Community Foundation is an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque.