Appleton Rotary Foundation Annual Report

2009/2010 

2010/2011 Foundation Officers and Investment Committee members:

• President  - Dave Rothmann
• Vice-President  - Jeff Werner
• Secretary - Matt Rehbein
• Treasurer - Nancy Johnshoy
• Club Representatives - President Tom Berkedal
• Vice-President - Dan Nisler
• Grants Review Committee Chair - Curt Detjen
• Investment Committee Chair - Jay Drzewiecki
• Investment Committee Members - Bill Hodgkiss
• Nancy Johnshoy
• Jeff Riester
• Walt Rugland
• Paul Trigg
• Tom Zwicker

In terms of performance, the July 1, 2009 Foundation balance was $901,831.46.  The ending balance as of June 30, 2010 was $969,321.49.  The overall rate of return was 13.29%.  During the course of the year, contributions of $21,835 were made to the Foundation’s funds.  The committees who oversee those funds were able to award grants totaling $60,317.99.

The Arts Scholarship Fund supports individuals who seek educational experiences in his/her art field.  The Art Scholarship Committee did not award any grants during this past year.

The Paul and Elaine Groth World Community Service Fund provides financial support for international projects endorsed by the World Service Committee who approved a $3,401 grant to assist with the purchase of a mobile medical unit which will serve residents in the remote areas of Arequipa, Peru.

On behalf of the Helen Thom Roemer Fund, the Children with Disabilities Committee approved the following requests, totaling $24,486:

• Learning for Life ($1,646) to fund a Life Skills Training/Career Transition Program for special education students.
• Early Intervention ($2,900) to address mobility needs of disabled children ages birth to 3.
• YMCA Camp Hope ($1,800) to provide a two week summer camping experience for 40 children ages 5 – 16 who have physical and cognitive deficits.
• Easter Seals Helpline ($4,500) to purchase equipment for children with disabilities.
• Fox Valley Sibling Support Network ($2,200) to fund the Santa Celebration on December 5, 2009.
• CESA 6 Nicolet School ($500) to purchase good behavior rewards for special education students.
• ARC Fox Cities ($5,000) to fund the ARC Fox Cities Camp Program for developmentally disabled children.
• Appleton Area School District ($5,940) to purchase a community Wii cycle to augment the recreation/leisure activities for students with limited physical abilities.

The Community Service Fund was established to direct charitable donations to address local community needs.  The Community Service Committee approved six grants totaling $12,780:

• COTS, Inc. ($3,000) to support the transitional shelter.
• LEAVEN ($1,000) to help fund transportation services.
• Tri County Dental Clinic ($2,280) to fund the Focus on Children Program.
• The Building for Kids ($1,500) to support the Boo Bash.
• Fox Valley Literacy Coalition ($2,000) to fund the Adult Basic Education/English Language Learning Program.
• Fox Valley Sibling Support Network ($3,000) to support SIBSHOPS.

Five thousand one hundred forty eight dollars and 99 cents ($5,148.99) were transferred to Rotary International from the Charles Heeter Fund for Paul Harris Fellowships for the individuals who received the Charles and Adele Heeter Outstanding Community Leadership Award this past year.

The Scholarship Fund was designated to award scholarships of $5,000 paid over a three-year period to seniors from the five Appleton high schools.  The fund also contributes to the U.W. FoxValley and Fox Valley Technical College Foundations for non-traditional student scholarships.  This year, eight students received a total of $11,668 in scholarships and the two school foundations received $1,767 each.  The total distributed by the Scholarships Committee was $15,202.