Endowment payout supports Referral Center

Each year, payouts from endowment funds held by the LincolnWay Community Foundation support organizations’ missions and improve quality of life in area communities. One of those funds is the Community Foundation’s own endowment, which the board draws on to make annual grants to nonprofits – including a recently-completed $6,000 pledge of support to the DeWitt Referral Center for its new building. 

The Referral Center meets the needs of people experiencing financial hardship in the Central DeWitt Community School District. In partnership with churches and other community organizations, the nonprofit provides food, emergency assistance, referral services and crisis assistance, and also operates a thrift store and donation center that is open to the public.

Since completion of the Referral Center’s new building many groups and individuals have come together to add finishing touches, set up the food pantry and the thrift store, and make the organization’s new home beautiful and inviting. 

“The LincolnWay Community Foundation helps lift up our neighbors by connecting people with the resources they need to thrive,” says Foundation board member Ilene Deckert. "The grant for the Referral Center expansion exemplifies our commitment to supporting and expanding their capacity to meet the needs of people experiencing financial hardship.”

The Foundation holds funds for many nonprofits as well as individuals and families with charitable goals. In 2022, the Foundation’s family of funds distributed $107,000 to community projects in rural Clinton County. 

“The Foundation connects donors with the greatest needs in our community,” says Executive Director Amanda Willimack. “We offer many opportunities to improve quality of life by addressing an array of local issues.” To learn more about how you can establish a fund or make a gift that impacts your community, contact Willimack at 563-212-2812 or email lwcf@dbqfoundation.org.