Community Vitality Update

Jan-Feb 2006 Issue No. 23

This newsletter provides community leaders, economic developers, entrepreneurs, and other Iowans interested in community vitality with features on innovative strategies, updates on CVC projects, and info about opportunities for learning and networking.

Community Philanthropy Academy set for Ames on March 21.

The third annual Community Philanthropy Academy is scheduled for Tuesday, March 21 at the Hotel at Gateway Center in Ames. The theme for this year is “Moving Beyond Start-up in Pursuit of Excellence.” We hope to inspire local county philanthropy boards to elevate their focus on attracting donors, building endowments and assisting with creation of hometown bequests. In addition to the updates from the Iowa Council of Foundations and the Iowa Department of Economic Development, participants will hear John Molinaro, Associate Director of Aspen Institute’s Community Strategies Group based in Washington D.C. He has 20 years of experience from Minnesota and will discuss the roles community foundations can play in using endowments and philanthropy to support economic development and entrepreneurship. Some local leaders wrongly believe that philanthropy and endowments cannot be used to stimulate entrepreneurship or to assist economic growth. This presentation will eliminate those misconceptions and provide models for how it can be done in accordance with IRS rules.

Participants will hear a statewide panel of legal experts, leaders from school foundations and community foundations discuss the various models for collaboration between local community foundations and local school districts/school foundations. The Academy also features a workshop titled: “Best Practices in Donor Centered Marketing, Communications, and Relationship Building.” This workshop will be conducted by Larry Stelter, President and CEO of the Stelter Company, which is nationally recognized for its expertise in philanthropy and building donor relations. The Academy provides a great opportunity to share success stories from this past year as well as network with other community foundation leaders from across the state. Once again CVC is collaborating with the Iowa Department of Economic Development, Iowa Council of Foundations, ISU Extension, Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center, and Iowa Area Development Group in co-sponsoring this event.

For detailed program information and a registration form see Conference Registration section, or call Becky Johnson, Conference Registration Coordinator at 515-294-3000.

Kellogg Rural Entrepreneurship Listening Session in Ames on March 6

Last year, 182 collaborations representing over 2000 organizations and agencies nationally applied for grants under the Kellogg Rural Entrepreneurship Initiative. While only a half dozen projects were funded, the national outpouring of interest has been of interest to many national leaders. In response, the four federally funded Regional Rural Development Centers have been working in concert with the Kellogg Foundation, other funders, and state level groups in many states to learn more about what is working in relation to entrepreneurship in rural America and what possibilities exist for the future. In Iowa, the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development, which covers the 12 North Central states has organized a “listening session” scheduled for from 8:00AM to 3:30 PM on March 6, 2006 for Room 299 in the Scheman Building at the Iowa State Center in Ames. The Community Vitality Center and Iowa Small Business Development Centers have been invited to co-sponsor the event.

While there is no fee to register, registration is requested so that an accurate meal count can be taken. For more details and a registration form see Conference Registration section and fax the form to FAX 515-294-3180 or email registration questions to pkcooper@iastate.edu.

2005 Endow Iowa Report to Legislature Highlights Philanthropy Impacts

A 3-page Report summarizing the Endow Iowa Tax Credits, Endow Iowa Grants, County Endowment Fund Activities, and Philanthropy Training Programs was submitted by the Iowa Department of Economic Development to the Governor and Members of the Iowa General Assembly in January. The report indicates that the initial $2 million in first year Endow Iowa Tax Credits leveraged $10 million in permanent endowment giving for Iowa. While the distribution is not likely to be uniform, this does mean that the average county would have $100,000 in endowment giving. A $100,000 endowment can support $5,000 in annual spending for local needs, programs, and projects to sustain community vitality and quality of life.

In addition, the report highlights the $622,900 in matching fund donations that were raised by 18 organizations which applied for one of six $25,000 matching grants. The report highlighted the $5.4 million in gambling revenues that were distributed to the 85 community foundations and county affiliate entities. Each county entity received $63,601 and is required to place 25 percent ($15,900) into a permanent endowment fund and distribute the other 45 percent ($47,701) to charitable causes and/or eligible organizations in their service area.

Finally, the report acknowledged the many training workshops, satellite programs, and presentations sponsored by various groups including the Community Vitality Center, Iowa Council of Foundations, Iowa Department of Economic Development, ISU Extension, Iowa Area Development Group, and Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center to assist in organizing local affiliates and making the first year of Iowa’s Endow Iowa incentives a huge success. You can imagine the financial position and potential impacts a decade into the future, if similar results are achieved in each and every year for the next decade.

To review the full report, see 2005 Endow Iowa Report to the Legislature and Governor in Community Foundation Information section