A Bright Future for Evergreen

Delhi, Iowa— For generations, Evergreen Cemetery has provided a burial place for families and loved ones in the Delhi area. Now community members have the opportunity help preserve Evergreen for years to come.

The Evergreen Cemetery board established a new endowment fund at the Foundation for the Future of Delaware County (FFDC) to provide a reliable and sustainable source of income. Dollars from the fund will support maintenance, restoration of the monuments and grounds, and beautification.

“This isn’t going to go away,” said Evergreen President David Reth. “This cemetery is going to be here for many years and this endowment will help keep it presentable.”

Evergreen joins a growing list of endowments funds in our region. In 2016, FFDC endowment funds paid out $72,870 to support causes in Delaware County. Nonprofit organizations and community members can create endowment funds at FFDC to benefit charitable causes. These funds are invested and pay out 5% annually.

“By establishing a permanent cemetery endowment, the Delhi Evergreen board is providing family and friends the comfort of knowing the final resting place of their loved ones will forever be maintained and preserved,” said FFDC Donor Connections Coordinator Nancy Preussner. “The yearly distribution from this endowment is directed solely for maintenance, preservation and beautification of the Evergreen Cemetery.”

“This is a model that works for cemeteries,” said Foundation Advisor M.J. Smith. “Evergreen will join a growing list of cemetery associations in our region supported by an endowment fund. Donors can give to endowment funds like Greenhill with the confidence that those dollars will keep working for eternity.”

Gifts to endowed funds held at the Foundation are eligible for the Endow Iowa 25% State Tax Credit. This tax credit is in addition to the federal deduction for charitable gifts. Endow Iowa is a financial incentive for individual donors, families, and businesses to create or build endowments to give back to their community. For some donors, the actual cost of the gift is 40 cents on the dollar; and the increased charitable impact per dollar gifted is one of the reasons endowments are growing in Delaware County.

In addition, the cemetery will also be launching a new directory in the spring of 2017. Designed and built by Russ Holroyd and Dan Peterson, the directory will feature a map of the cemetery with locations of graves as well as the history of Evergreen Cemetery.

For more information, visit www.dbqfoundation.org/FFDC.

Photo Caption: (Left to right) Volunteer Russ Holroyd stands with board members Joe Keith, Ray Reth, Carol Jebens, Judy Schnittjer, and David Reth in front of the location of the new Evergreen Cemetery directory, which will be launched in Spring 2017.

The Foundation for the Future of Delaware County was formed in 2005 as an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque. The founding members of the organization had a vision to ensure that our community's charitable programs were supported now and in the future. We work together with many individuals, families, businesses, and organizations to establish endowment funds that will provide grant awards for years to come.