ECCF in the News

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ECCF in the News:

 

ECCF Continues to Grow...

From art and culture, youth activities, historical enhancement, health and senior services, the Board of Directors of the Edgar County Community Foundation strive to put your thought and deeds to good work.

This past year has been an exciting one for all the residents of Edgar County. The Foundation has provided assistance with libraries, youth activities, playground equipment, sponsored pro-active luncheons, educational scholarship and senior support programs.

It is because of you, the positive focused individuals and groups of our county that the Edgar County Community Foundation Directors continues to represent your desires. Your input and awareness continues to be an inspiration to all.

As this successful year ends we all must reflect on how we can continue to provide the quality of life experiences needed for our citizens of Edgar County. Our blessings continue to grow and we must take the time and opportunity to show our continued good fortune.

The Edgar County Community Foundation stands ready to assist you with your desires to help raise the standards of our community. Local expertise, conservative management, and a wide variety of funding opportunities are provided to best fit your desires. Like the old saying, "a dime given is a dollar retrieved in good will with blessings to the donor."

Presently we stand at the threshold of opportunity for the citizens of Edgar County. With a pledged match of $100,000 to the good people of Edgar County, the doors of assistance can open to greater advantages for all.

- Your friends from the Edgar County Community Foundation

Foundation Footnotes: January 2011

**make donating to the ECCF part of your New Year’s Resolution

 

Foundation Footnotes: November/December 2010

The Bruce Weber (University of Illinois men’s basketball coach) luncheon was a great success with well over 200 Illini fans enjoying the wit and wisdom of their team’s coach. The athletic department of every high school in Edgar County will benefit from the luncheon as each school has been encouraged to apply for a sizable grant offered as a result of the proceeds of the luncheon.

ECCF’s 2nd annual Farmer Breakfast was enjoyed by many local ag enthusiasts. Daryl Good, Crop Specialist from the University of Illinois, entertained and informed the large crowd at the Chrisman Crossroads restaurant. The breakfast was underwritten by Edgar County‘s banks. A modest fee was charged for the breakfast in order to make a donation to the Paris Young Farmer’s scholarship fund. Because of the generosity of the banks and the patrons of the breakfast, the ECCF will be making a $500 grant to the Young Farmers.

ECCF continues to encourage Edgar County residents to invest in the future of Edgar County. This month listeners are invited to emulate the actors on our local radio station (WMMC 105.9) to donate to ECCF’s scholarship and Grain for Good Works projects.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of Edgar County from the officers and directors of ECCF!

Foundation Footnotes: October 2010

The Edgar County Community Foundation met Thursday, October 21. The board approved a matching grant for the YMCA to replace their furnace. Plans for the upcoming Bruce Weber luncheon are well on their way; over 200 guests will enjoy a delicious lunch and the inspirational wisdom of our University of Illinois basketball coach. The Grain for Good Works project continues to be successful with additional donations. Several new scholarships have been created for the students of Edgar County: Ron Doris Scholarship, Fine Arts Scholarship and the Class of 1960 high school dual credit scholarship.

Foundation Footnotes: August 2010

August is an exciting month for the Foundation, because in August the checks for scholarships are written and many young people from Edgar County are given the opportunity to go on to higher education. This is one of the most important things the Foundation does, through the generosity of our donors, we are able to help young adults realize their dreams. In this regard the Foundation's hope is that because some of our best and brightest have been given scholarships they will return to Edgar County to live, raise a family and give back to the community that gave to them.
In other business, committee assignments were finalized and contact information on board members was updated. Mr. Sperry shared with the board news of a recent scholarship donation. Also on the agenda was the fact that the Foundation banner will be hung at the Paris Cooperative High School football field for all games this fall.
Members of the foundation voted and passed a resolution, offered by Mr. Bob Morgan, to instate the late Mr. Charles Willis, one of the founding members, as director emeritus of the Edgar County Community Foundation.

Foundation Footnotes: May/June 2010

The Edgar County Foundation continues to grow and expand opportunities for the citizens of Edgar County. As the foundation collaborates with positive organizations in the county area, it maintains the promise to: share the concerns and needs of today, to seek solutions for the future, to build a steadfast tomorrow, and to find strength in unity. In May/June the Foundation approved a grant to ensure the continuation of PIE (Partners in Education) at Mayo Middle School. The Foundation also approved a grant to fund Mary Liz Wright's participation in the Horizon Award, Schools to Watch conference in Washington, D.C. Donations continue to flow into the Foundation through the "Grains for Good Works", class reunion alumni funded scholarships, Arts' Endowment, EdPlex and various other generous entities. The Foundation sought more community involvement by passing out fans at the Edgar County Fair. In addition, the Foundation hosted an informational booth at the fair.

Along with these philanthropic endeavors, the Foundation has added to its membership. This spring Pete Templeton, Sarah Reedy and Scott Ingrum joined the Foundation board. The Foundation looks forward to participating in future projects for the well being of the citizens of Edgar County.

To better assist the residents of Edgar County, the Foundation has established a new website for the consensus of its citizens. This website www.eccfdn.org will furnish information and answers to questions sought by the residents of Edgar County. Information, with donor support and opportunities for the success of sharing, is provided. Contributions for needed activities, services or facilities for the growth and benefit of Edgar County citizens is supported with leadership and knowledge.

The Edgar County Foundation recently was represented in Springfield at the Alliance of Illinois Foundations and took an active role in the continued development for downstate foundation groups. Through networking with area and statewide foundations, a new Midwest Foundation Conference Venture was formed. This will give strength and opportunity for our local foundation to expand and add support for the citizens of Edgar County.

For further information please locate us at www.eccfdn.org for future positive activities sponsored by the Edgar County Community Foundation.

4-H Clover "Good Luck" for Edgar County Foundation

Good fortune has smiled upon the Edgar County Foundation with their assistance to the 4-H group of Edgar County. Youth and adults from all areas of Edgar County participate in this worthwhile organization. The Edgar County Foundation recognizes the positive development this group brings to the citizens of our community. Positive people doing good things for good people for the right reasons are the mandates of the Edgar County Foundation. If you would like to be a part of the "platform of growth" and support those activities in your community with a tax-exempt contribution, please see any Foundation member or contact Chris Eldredge, Pat Bell or Rob Anderson.

Foundation Establishes Position

The Edgar County Community Foundation established a new position to further insure the needs of the citizens of Edgar County are met. The Edgar County Foundation works to enhance the quality of life of the citizens of Edgar County by identifying and addressing current and long range county goals and needs. The Foundation believes that through conservative, goal-minded (investment) approaches they may continue to receive (raise), manage, and distribute funds for charitable purposes in the areas of civic, cultural, health, education and social services for ALL the residents of Edgar County.

The Foundation is a platform for growth in Edgar County. By providing services, local expertise, and community leadership the Foundation can act as a catalyst for private, individual, corporate, business, organizational, and estate giving for benefits to both the donor and recipients. Through the works of the Foundation donors and their families can witness the positive growth of their commitment to the people of Edgar County.

The new position of development manager will assist in creating public awareness, opportunities, and expansion of services, local expertise, and individual leadership potential for the county. There is no individual or group too small or too large to be part of the Foundation's platform for growth. President, Chris Eldredge and the members of the foundation welcome ALL the citizens of Edgar County to participate in the continued development of this positive organization.

Foundation Footnotes: "For Good, Forever, For Edgar County"

Beacon New Article, 10/05/2006 - - The Edgar County Community Foundation continues to expand its horizons for the people of the county, As the Foundation develops its communication, collaboration, and knowledge base with the National Council of Foundations, The Alliance of Illinois Foundations, The Lumpkin Foundation, and now the Donors Forum of Chicago, opportunity and benefits for Edgar County citizens continue to grow.

By creating a "Platform for Success," the foundation provides a variety of opportunities to donors through tax benefits, collaborative resources, as well as the privileges of interacting with the development of their gift with the surrounding community. Whether the gift is placed in an unrestricted fund, field of interest, donor advised, or designated specific fund, the opportunities and benefits for both the donor and recipient will continue for years. By making a gift to the foundation, the donor is assured civic-minded leaders using local expertise for the benefits so desired will manage their contribution effectively.

The ECCF receives gifts and grant matches of all sizes from individuals, families, businesses, organizations, corporations, and other collaborative foundations. These gifts may be in the form of cash, stocks and securities, real estate, insurance polices, trusts, or gifts in kind. All proceeds go to the benefit of programs that will assure the quality of life, support the arts, and develop services for education from birth to adulthood. The Foundation continually seeks the aid and support of local leaders and patrons for the direction of both short and long tern goals.

Meeting regularly on a monthly basis the Foundation evaluates, develops, md maintains projects and grants that benefit the Edgar County community. With Officers Chris Eldredge, Pat Bell, and Robert Anderson along with board members Harry Frost, Joe Hasler, Tom Hebermhel, Carolyn Brown Hodge, Ned Jenison, Bob Morgan, Mary Ann Pearman, Warren Sperry, David Sullivan, David Wegner, and Charlie Willis, the Foundation has provided assistance with educational endeavors, scholarship, memorials, 4-H, literacy activities, Faith in Action, E.C.H.O., libraries, arts, family services, and many other agencies that support Edgar county citizens.

For further information or a presentation regarding the Foundation, please contact Warren Sperry, Project Manager, Harry Frost Grant coordinator, or any board member.

Edgar County Foundation Expands Board of Directors

Beacon New Article - -The Edgar County Community Foundation has expanded its board of directors to represent a greater cross-section of the community according to Foundation President Greg Curl. However the basic mission of the Foundation to improve the facilities, education and quality of life for the citizens of Edgar County - remains the focus as it was when the Foundation was established seven years ago.

Founding trustees of the organization were Paris businessmen Joe Hasler, Bob Morgan and Charles Willis. This summer, the board was expanded to include Chris Eldredge, Harry Frost, Tom Hebermehl, Carolyn Brown Hodge, Ned Jenison. Mary Ann Pearman, Warren Sperry, David Sullivan and Dr. David Wegner.

Curl, president of the Citizens National Bank of Paris, serves as board president. Paris CPA Pat Bell is treasurer, and Paris attorney Rob Anderson serves as secretary.

Curl explained that the Foundation was created to serve as a conservative, professional, charitable non-profit organization which is funded by private contributions from donors who wish to have these assets used for the benefit of the area, but under local control and with proper oversight.

Since its creation, the Foundation has approved more than 55 grants for local projects or activities which qualify under the mission objectives. These have ranged from as much as $11,000 to as small as $45, often in partnership with other organizations or fund sources.

The Foundation also has underwritten research and studies on issues pertaining to the quality of life in the community. A specific example, Curl mentioned, was preparation of a water quality study and analysis between potential groundwater sources and the use of Twin Lakes as a surface water source for the City of Paris water utility.

Results of this study were shared with the Paris City Council as data or its planning for the new water treatment plant. The expansion of the Foundation board has made possible the creation of four operating committees, Curl said. These are Grants management, Finance, Strategic Planning, and Marketing.

The board currently meets at 4:30 PM on the third Monday of the month at the conference room of the Edgar County Bank & Trust.

Establish Community Foundation For Long Range Support of Area

Beacon-News, May 27, 1994 - - The future of Paris found a friend Thursday with the announcement of a new philanthropic foundation.

The Greater Edgar County Community Foundation, Inc., was introduced at a reception held at Sycamore Hills for representatives from the city's businesses and professional community. The Foundation, formed more than a year ago, has been recognized as a public charitable not-for-profit organization by the Internal Revenue Service to qualify for tax advantages to donors.

The Foundation will be managed by three directors including Joe Hasler, chairman of the board of directors of Illinois Cereal Mills, Inc.; Robert Morgan, Paris industrialist and chairman of the board of the Edgar County Bank & Trust Co.; and Charles Willis, retired Paris industrialist.

Officers of the Foundation are President Greg Curl, president of the Citizen's National Bank of Paris; secretary Kelly Norton, attorney with the firm of Kreckman & Associates; and treasurer Pat Bell, certified public accountant with the firm of Larsson, Woodyard & Henson. All officers and directors serve without compensation.

Hasler was master of ceremonies for the introductory program, and explained the primary purpose which led to formation of the Foundation. He said it will serve as a locally-managed organization which is available for philanthropic giving to the benefit of the entire community by individuals, estates or businesses.

"Although these are many worth while organizations meeting specific needs in the community, there has been no conservative, professional vehicle to benefit the overall community," Hasler explained. As a result, many locally-earned assets have been bequeathed in the past to charities and foundations outside the Paris area.

"The community to which we owe prosperity is left wanting," Hasler said. "We determined to provide a means to correct this omission."

As capital bequests accumulate in future years, earned income from the principal will be available to be granted to other charitable services in the community, whatever the paramount needs of the community are at the time, Hasler explained. He pointed out this is a long term project but that at a point some years in the future will be a major benefit to all the citizens of the Paris-Edgar County area.

Possible support in the future, as envisioned in remarks offered by directors Morgan and Willis, could include such projects as revitalization of the central business area to improve the local economy, or establishment and support of a community center - theatre auditorium.

The officers also spoke briefly, discussing specifics of the organization and financial management of the Foundation.

Brochures describing the purpose and operation of the Foundation are available at local financial institutions and attorneys' offices. The Foundation is now receiving contributions to its capital fund, and encourages the broadest possible public base of support, Hasler said.

For Good, Forever, For Edgar County
Edgar County Community Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 400 or 177 W. Wood Street
Paris, IL 61944
(217) 465-4154
inquiry@edgarcountyfoundation.org

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