Endowment Funds and Planned Giving:
Fox Cities residents have been generous to LEAVEN, providing donations and support to help thousands of our neighbors in need through temporary financial emergencies. Although these contributions are critical to our ongoing operations, many are helping build LEAVEN's long-term financial foundation through support of its two endowment funds and through planned giving.
The LEAVEN Administrative Endowment Fund was established to help cover the costs of administering our programs. When fully funded, it will allow all of our community donations and contributions to be used to provide direct financial assistance to the men, women and families who come to us for help. Because of LEAVEN's fiscal stewardship, the percentage of the overall budget that goes to administrative costs is remarkably low.
The LEAVEN Program Endowment Fund was established to provide future support for the mission of LEAVEN. The fund's proceeds are used only for client support.
Long-time supporters Doug and Carla Salmon were instrumental in developing the initial endowment program. Doug and fellow LEAVEN investment committee members oversee both endowment funds and ensure they are well managed.
Planned giving provides tax advantages to donors and is an important part of estate planning. By providing for LEAVEN in your will, you can ensure a legacy of caring in the community that will last as long as the need exists. For example, Margaret Walsh, the founder of Tel-Sec, not only provides annual support for client assistance, she also designated LEAVEN as a beneficiary in her will. Many others have joined her and are now members of LEAVEN's Legacy Society.
The Legacy Society honors donors who make a gift of at least $1,000 to one or both of the endowment funds, or who name LEAVEN in their will. Established in 2007, over 100 generous donors became members of the Legacy Society in its first year. Collectively they are turning hardship into hope.
