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August 9, 2007
To Donor Advisors, Friends & Colleagues
Greetings:
I am writing to inform you that our president, David Griffith, recently announced his wish to retire.
For the last several years, as he approached his mid 60’s, we have discussed planning for a succession of leadership at the Foundation. Late this spring, David decided that the time was right for him to retire and for the community foundation to move forward with energy and vision.
The directors are pleased that he has agreed to stay until his successor is named. He then plans to pursue his interests in American history and increase the time he and his wife Katherine spend with their children and grandchildren.
David joined the Foundation in 2000 and has led us through seven years of strong growth and an increased presence in our communities. When he arrived the foundation hosted 65 funds and held assets of about $1,750,000. Today the Foundation manages 160 funds with assets totaling more than $14 million. Equally important, and reflecting our desire to help people share, is the impact of grants. In 1999-2000, grants totaled $20,000. During the recent fiscal; year more than $2,000,000 in grants were awarded, largely to organizations in the St. Croix Valley region. In addition, the highly regarded Community Partnership Initiative now provides our nonprofits with a variety of programs designed to strengthen their organizations.
We have recently completed the transition from the founding board to a new board of talented and dedicated people. A strategic plan has been reviewed, revised and put in place. Our growing partnerships and collaborations enable us to leverage our resources with others like the Phipps Center for the Arts, the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, the National Park Service and the affiliated community funds. Now 12 years young, the St. Croix Valley Community Foundation has established itself in our region. We believe the future is indeed a very bright one for the St. Croix Valley Community Foundation. It is well positioned to move to a new level of service to the people and programs of the region. We believe that a wonderful opportunity awaits David’s successor.
The Board of Directors has formed a search committee, chaired by Mike Johnson. We expect to have David’s successor on board no later than next spring. Please encourage any individuals you believe would be a strong candidate to contact the committee at searchcommittee@scvcf.org. The position description below is for your review. We welcome any suggestions you may have.
Sincerely,
Gretchen Stein, Chair
Meet the New
Chair, Orv Johnson
Orv Johnson, Chairman
of UFE, Inc., is a founding member of the
community foundation. He has been active
in his church and many area non-profits,
including Young Life, the Boy Scouts, United
Way, FamilyMeans, and Life Care. He currently
serves on the boards of Luther College,
Decorah, IA, the Washington County Association
of Senior Citizens, and Courage St. Croix.
Orv and his wife Kathy live in Stillwater,
MN, have four grown children and many grandchildren.
He was recently asked several questions
about the Foundation:
- Why do we need
a community foundation in the valley?
During the 35 years that my wife, Kathy,
and I have lived in the St. Croix Valley,
we have become very aware of the many
generous private foundations, individuals
and corporations who support the not-for-profit
organizations in the area. Unfortunately,
we have also become increasingly aware
that many families and individuals have
needs greater than what can be met with
the assistance of the existing organizations.
A community foundation can link a wide
variety of types of donors with those
in need through short term and long term
(endowed) funds.
- Isn't the government
supposed to provide the safety net for
those in need?
After observing the superior effectiveness
of the not-for-profit agencies and organizations
who not only provide assistance but who
also establish relationships with those
in need, I have come to the conclusion
that our community is far better served
by channeling wealth to the needy through
charitable gifts than through taxes.
- How is the SCVCF
organized?
The foundation is governed by a board
of directors from the communities served
by the foundation. It is indeed a working
board and each member has made substantial
time and financial commitments to assure
the foundation's success because we all
believe so strongly in the mission and
vision of the SCVCF. It has truly been
an honor and a privilege for me to serve
on the Board of Directors of the SCVCF.
As chairman, I look forward to working
with David Griffith, our president, and
the board committees assigned to carry
out the ambitious goals that have been
adopted by the board for the next year.
- How is the Foundation
doing financially?
This is only the beginning and already
it is an exciting time to be involved.
During the five years that the SCVCF has
been in existence, it has channeled over
$1,000,000 from donors in the community
to charitable organizations of their choice.
At the same time permanent endowment funds
of nearly $4,000,000 are being managed
by the SCVCF for use as donors have designated
or as the agencies that have established
endowed funds will determine in future
years.
- What is your
vision for the Foundation?
I believe that the SCVCF will grow
to have assets of $100,000,000 some day.
The long term success of the SCVCF will
be measured by its ability to make a difference
in the lives of those who live here now
and for generations to come. We invite
you to use the SCVCF as a means to meet
your charitable goals. We also invite
you to participate on one of our standing
committees or to become involved as a
"Founder" (one who contributes
to the operating expenses of the SCVCF),
or as a volunteer to help us tell our
story to your friends who might have an
interest.
Back to Article Archives
Music To Our Ears
$600,000 Gift to
support Music in the Schools
An anonymous donor has made a significant
contribution to establish a Music Field
of Interest Fund at the SCVCF. The earnings
from this endowed fund will be dedicated
to enhancing music education in schools
throughout the St. Croix Valley.
The donor, herself
a music teacher, wishes to encourage exposure
to music for students of all ages from pre-school
through high school. By providing a legacy
that reflects her conviction that music
is an integral part of our lives, children,
students and teachers will benefit for generations
to come.
As a fund that will
provide support over and above the budgeted
musical activities, a wide array of enhancements
are possible from master classes and artists
in residence to the purchase of sheet music
and professional development for teachers.
"This magnificent
gift celebrates the vital role music and
the arts play in our society" said
David H. Griffith. Our children and children's
children will have richer educational experiences
because of her generosity and devotion to
the belief that all young people should
experience the joy of music and the perspectives
it brings to our lives. All our communities
will benefit.
An advisory committee
will soon be formed to assist the foundation
in identifying potential programs, collaborative
opportunities and projects that will further
the place of music in our schools.
Please contact us
if you are interested in supporting this
fund or other fields of interest in art,
the environment, human services, education,
civic projects or emergency human needs.
Back to Article Archives
2001-2002 Marked by Continued Growth in Grantmaking
On June 30,
2002, the St. Croix Valley Community Foundation
managed 95 funds with assets of over $3.6
million. Permanent and endowed funds constituted
eighty-two percent of these assets. Forty-two
of these were donor advised funds, the major
sources today of the more than $400,000
in grants that were awarded during the fiscal
year that ended June 30, 2002. Since the
Foundation's inception, 450 grants have
awarded over $1,200,000, largely to programs
in the St. Croix Valley region.
As a regional
foundation that seeks to identify common
interests throughout the five county service
area, we are frequently reminded that the
essential strengths of the region are our
communities. Our towns and cities are among
the oldest and steeped in histories that
define their distinctive qualities.
Community funds
in Hudson, River Falls and Prescott provided
grants to local organizations in their cities
and continued to build permanent funds for
the benefit of their cities.
This past year,
the New Richmond Community Foundation joined
the six other community funds and established
a fund at the SCVCF, qualifying for matching
monies.
The 21 nonprofit
funds serve a variety of purposes. This
past year Croixdale Residences and Apartments
in Bayport created an endowed fund to annually
provide support for its mission benevolence
program that offers assistance to its residents.
Courage Center began an endowed fund that
will support the comprehensive programs
of Courage St. Croix. Youth Service Bureau
offers community justice programs and counseling
services for youths and families in Washington
County and plans to expand its services
into western Wisconsin. An endowed fund
started in 2002 will eventually provide
predictable annual income to support these
services.
Projects benefiting
people, the environment and communities
mark other funds. The St. Croix River Association,
the oldest group dedicated to saving the
St. Croix River, created a fund to revise
and update the handsome book, Saving the
River. Scholarships were awarded to students
in Osceola, River Falls, Stillwater, Amery
and Hudson. A grant from a donor advised
fund to a foster care agency made possible
essential oral surgery for a young woman.
A group of parents and interested individuals
created the LADDA Fund that supports bowling,
dancing, summer camp experiences and other
recreational opportunities for developmentally
disabled people.
Service groups'
projects play an important part in the life
of our communities. The Forest Lake Rotary
recently played a major role in the construction
of Schumacher Field through a fund here
at the Foundation.
Capital campaigns
represent significant community investments
in nonprofit facilities that deliver services
to our citizens. FamilyMeans has established
an endowed fund that will support the operation
of its soon to be constructed new building
in Stillwater. It is one among many organizations
currently engaged in major campaigns that
reflect the SCVCF mission to advance the
quality of life in the St. Croix Valley
region.
Reduced to their
essence, donor advised funds, community
funds, and nonprofit organizations are people
- individuals and families - dedicated to
providing their time, resources and talents
to the people and communities of the St.
Croix Valley. Underlying their many efforts
is their common desire to build better,
stronger communities.
by David H.
Griffith, President
Back to Article Archives
Challenge Grant Success will Bolster Foundation Endowment Funds
The Board has
endorsed an initiative designed to add over
$200,000 to the St. Croix Valley Community
Foundation's unrestricted endowment and
Field of Interest Funds. By matching $70,000
in Bremer Foundation money on a two for
one basis, $210,000 will be added to these
funds which will become the core of Foundation
grant making activity. Based on the current
distribution policy, this would make available
an additional $10,000 annually for grants
central to the Foundation's mission. Contributions
will be sought from friends of the Foundation
throughout the five county service area.
Back to Article Archives
Community Funds Stimulate Growth of Philanthropy
The six community
funds established under the Western Wisconsin
Community Partnerships program funded by
the Otto Bremer Foundation have encouraged
additional giving and charitable funds.
Two family donor advised funds and two memorial
funds affiliated with the Hudson Community
Fund were established during the year.
The River Falls Community Fund has
a future donor advised fund and two affiliated
scholarship funds that will benefit area
students. The Prescott Community Foundation
is working closely with the City of Prescott
to fund a visitor center and park.
Back to Article Archives
The St. Croix River Association recently published
a revised and updated edition of Saving The
River by Helen McCann White and James Taylor
Dunn.
Portable defibrillators
and training for emergency personnel have
been provided to communities throughout
St. Croix County. With a grant from the
Otto Bremer Foundation, the Foundation joined
the St. Croix County United Way to offer
these life saving devices to “first
responders”.
Back to Article Archives
Foundation
Joins St. Croix County United Way to Fund
Defibrillators
Copies of this
handsome history of the St. Croix River
Association can be found at local book stores
or by contacting Larry Kennedy at 651-439-1032.
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