Community eNewsletter Fall 2023

Steuben County nonproft leaders gather at Selman Timber Frame Pavilion at Commons Park in Angola for Steuben County Community Foundation's Annual Meeting on August 17, 2023.

Rain Doesn't Dampen Spirits at Annual Meeting

The Steuben County Foundation (SCCF) presented more than $300,000 to Steuben County nonprofit organizations at its annual meeting on August 17, 2023.

The meeting was held at Commons Park under the Selman Timber Frame Pavilion and featured food trucks, goodie bags, and confetti poppers to celebrate the occassion. The weather presented some challenges for Community Foundation board and staff, but attendees were in good spirits and enjoyed the celebratory atmoshpere.

Jennifer Danic, President and CEO of SCCF, shared financial highlights from the last fiscal year, inclding the addition of approximately $3 million in permanent assets, and more than $1.5 million in grants, including $400,000 in scholarships, to the Steuben County community.

Donor Advised Funds Making a Difference

A Donor Advised Fund, or DAF, is a giving account established at a public charity, such as the Steuben County Community Foundation. It allows donors to make a charitable contribution, receive an immediate tax deduction, and then recommend grants from the fund over time. Donors can contribute to the fund as frequently as they like, and then recommend grants to their favorite charitable organizations whenever it makes sense for them. Below are two of the many donor funds held at SCCF making an impact in our community.

Fred & Jackie Wooley Fund

From left to right: Fred Wooley, Carmyn Hottell, Director of Community Engagement at SCCF, Hendry Park Principal Rosie Brandt, and Shannon Carpenter, Hendry Park PTO President.

In December of 2022, Fred Wooley came to SCCF to establish a Donor Advised Fund to honor the legacy of his late wife, Jackie Wooley, and his family.

Jackie's 37-year long teaching career included time spent at Hendry Park Elemenatry School. Mr. Wooley made his first grant to the Hendry Park PTO's Inchy’s Bookworm Vending Machine in the spring of 2023. The book vending machine now sits at the entrance of the Hendry Park library where students can redeem earned tokens for a book of their choice.

Mr. Wooley joined SCCF and Hendry Park staff for the unveiling of the vending machine on September 7 2023.

Rich & Laura Clifton Fund

Laura Clifton (third from left) pictured with Steuben Arts Scene members.

Rich and Laura Clifton established a donor advised fund at SCCF in 2013 as a way to support their local community.

The Cliftons have generously contributed to many local organizations and projects over the last ten years.

Most recently, Laura Clifton initiated a gift to the Steuben Arts Scene (SAS) from their donor advised fund. Because of the impact of this gift, Steuben Arts Scene was able to host several large community events and expand their education program. The expansion inluded three separate tracks for variation in skills and ages: the professional track for experienced artists; the intermediate track for diverse mediums and skill levels; and; the youth track for ages 8-13.

Anthony Juliano, VP, General Manager of Asher Agency, and founder of Point Six Four Consulting and Training, presents part 1 of a 3-part series on nonprofit marketing.

Continuing Education for Nonprofit Leaders

Local nonprofit boards and staff have many opportunities to learn the tools of their trade through SCCF's Nonprofit Leadership Development initiative. Each year, SCCF sponsors professional consultants and trainers to present on the various topics requested by nonprofit staff. Fundraising, grant writing, strategic planning, marketing, and board development are just a few of the training seminars offered by SCCF in the last year. The seminars are free, and open to nonprofit organization staff and board members.

Matt Love, Executive Director of Lake James Christian Camp, attended SCCF's "The How & Why of Strategic Planning" on November 2, 2022. Matt said, "thanks to the Steuben County Community Foundation's hosting of the workshop on strategic planning, the camp was connected with the DEKKO Foundation." Love continued, "we applied for and received the "DEKKO Tool Belt Grant" in the amount of $10,000 to assist us with our strategic planning process."