Founding leaders reflect on 20 years of service

When the Foundation for the Future of Delaware County was forming two decades ago, Jill Buschmann and Jerry Burke were at the table. As both founding leaders step down this spring, they reflect on their service and the organization’s accomplishments, and look to the future. 

“In 2005, this was a brand-new foundation, and we as board members may have come in with various understandings of its purpose and mission,” says Buschmann. “We fortunately were able to connect with leadership from the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, and things started to come together.”

Initially, Foundation leaders focused on awarding grants from the statewide County Endowment Fund Program annual distribution. 

“We were successful in reaching every corner of the county with grants and making sure that everybody in Delaware County was included,” says Burke. “The lasting impact for me has been all the happy faces year after year when we announce the grant recipients, because I know each of those grants helped the nonprofit pursue its goals and complete projects and programs beneficial to the residents of Delaware County.”

Burke sees the Foundation’s greatest challenge of the past decades as spreading awareness of the group and earning the trust of local leaders. “I think we have surmounted that goal. We’ve awarded over $2 million to area nonprofits, and local individuals have created some 50 personal endowments to continuously fund projects, programs and scholarships dear to their hearts.”

MJ Smith, senior affiliate advisor at the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, has worked with Burke throughout his time with the Foundation, and she came to know him as a fervent advocate for the people and communities of Delaware County. 

“Jerry was loyal and diligent as the Foundation grew its footprint to serve the most important needs of residents from 11 communities,” she says. “He was tireless in wanting to improve grant processes, save time for grantwriters, and focus dollars where the return was visible and meaningful. He is a cheerful giver and leader.”

Today, the Foundation is clear in its direction, mission and goals as it supports the needs and dreams of Delaware County residents. “We have built relationships with organizations and individuals that have helped give us direction, and we have been privileged to be a part of many successes in Delaware County,” says Buschmann. “Some have had great impact, and some small, but all have been so very important.”

She particularly appreciates the opportunity to support projects like the whitewater park in Manchester, the welding program at West Delaware High School and quiet rooms and calming materials to support student brain health. She also has been grateful to assisting during times of crisis, such as the pandemic and the flooding on Lake Delhi.

“As brain health emerged as an acute concern, Jill encouraged learning around the issue. She also helped guide the board’s response to the COVID pandemic, supporting the impact made through food distributions, emergency needs funding, and creating a strong partnership with Pay it Forward,” says Smith. 

As her tenure comes to an end, Buschmann Is happy to see new initiatives thrive and continue to support communities.

“Most recently, watching the Small-town Dreams initiative come to fruition has been remarkable,” Buschmann shares. “The Foundation is so appreciative of all the donors we have been privileged to work with over the years as so much of what has been accomplished could not happen without their support!

“I think we had no idea in 2005 the impact this foundation would have in Delaware County. It seems that as long as people have dreams of what can be, and we have donors willing to be a part of these dreams, we will continue to improve the quality of life for all residents of Delaware County.”

The Foundation offers 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 Executive Director Amanda Diers at 563-880-3816.