Endowments make $124,000 available in DeWitt and Rural Clinton County

Mary Stevenson, Clinton County Fair Manager, knows first-hand the impact endowment funds have on the community. Each year, she sees endowments that support her organization, hosted by the LincolnWay Community Foundation, pay out to cover cost of facility improvements and programs offered during fair. 

“Our endowment with the Community Foundation is essential for yearly stability and future prosperity,” Stevenson says. “We have the comfort of knowing we have the resources to continue to make facility improvements and provide a variety of fun and educational activities, programs and displays at the annual Clinton County Fair, and the endowment will be there for us for many years to come thanks to the generosity of our donors.”

More organizations like the fair are poised to receive their own endowment payouts this spring. The Community Foundation announced a $124,410 payout from its family of endowment funds this year. 

Local generosity makes this possible, and the Foundation is the steward of these gifts from community members. Endowment funds held by the Foundation are invested permanently, and the earnings from that investment provide annual funding to address our county’s greatest needs for generations to come. 

“The Foundation is here for DeWitt and the rest of rural Clinton County now and forever, and the organizations receiving these payouts are our partners. They help us understand the needs of our communities and drive lasting change to ensure all people can thrive,” says Amanda Willimack, executive director. “Endowments provide a sustainable source of funding that allows organizations to realize their missions, embark on new initiatives to meet local needs, and do their best work to support communities.” 

In rural Clinton County, endowment payouts help address people’s basic needs, such as education, food and health care. They also support local institutions like emergency services departments, churches and cemeteries, as well as and community vitality initiatives like historic preservation and outdoor recreation.

Nonprofits and community members can create endowment funds at the Foundation to benefit charitable causes or make donations to existing funds. Gifts of all sizes make a difference, and those who give $50 or more to an endowment fund at the Foundation before June 1, 2023, are eligible for the generous Endow Iowa 25% State Tax Credit. Learn more and see a full list of options for charitable giving at dbqfoundation.org/lwcf.