Referral Center opens endowment with $10,000 gift

The DeWitt Referral Center is thrilled to announce a generous $10,000 gift from First Congregational United Church of Christ in DeWitt. The gift will be permanently invested in an endowment fund with the LincolnWay Community Foundation and provide annual disbursements to the Referral Center that will sustain its work forever. 

“Words cannot express the value of this gift, not only monetarily, but as a testament to the faith our community partner First Congregational United Church of Christ has in the DeWitt Referral Center to carry out our mission and values of serving those in need,” says Referral Center Director Michelle Ehlinger. “Nothing we have done has been done alone, and that shall remain true.”

The church community was inspired to make the gift by the Referral Center’s recent expansion into a new building, providing an opportunity for growth of its mission: providing emergency assistance, food, and referral services to residents of the Central DeWitt Community School District, as well as operating a thrift store and donation center that are open to the public. The new building provides more efficient space for these services.

“You have been remarkable stewards of our community’s support, and we are excited to see what the future brings,” says the Rev. Chris Marlin-Warfield. “We hope the funding sparks community interest in thinking about long-term planning for your critical mission. The endowment will grow over time and meet needs like serving clients, supporting staff salaries and covering facility repairs.”

To contribute to the new fund, visit dbqfoundation.org/give-now/dewitt-referral-center-endowment or contact Amanda Willimack, executive director of the Community Foundation. Gifts to endowment funds may be eligible for the generous 25% Endow Iowa State Tax Credit. 

The Foundation offers many opportunities to improve quality of life by addressing an array of local issues, both through grantmaking and community leadership. To learn more about how you can establish a fund or make a gift that impacts your community, contact Willimack at lwcf@dbqfoundation.org or 563-212-2812.