Soil and Water Conservation District Establishes Acorn Fund

The Scott County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is taking advantage of the new Acorn Fund program offered through the Scott County Community Foundation. Through this initiative, donors of all means can make a difference in our community starting with a small amount of money, and then building a charitable endowment over time.

“We see a two-fold purpose to the SWCD endowment fund,” said Lynda Phillips, district coordinator. “It is our hope that it will grow over time, providing a source of lasting financial income. It also provides donors with an opportunity to support local conservation efforts. They can know that their money will stay in Scott County supporting not only Scott County farmers but every single resident.”

Although the SWCD is a subdivision of state government, their funding is dependent on several different sources to include county, state and grant funds, said Phillips. She added that a small percentage of funds are raised through tree sales and farm equipment rental. The SWCD is responsible for the leadership in conserving and protecting soil and water related resources within Scott County.

“With the current economic situation, it is important to find ways to sustain this organization for the future,” continued Phillips. “An endowment fund will not only help us to stabilize our income but also to protect the SWCD’s ability to meet future needs.”

An endowment fund allows donors to make a difference forever by having the gift invested, with grants to charitable organizations made through the earnings of the fund. Through the Acorn Fund program, donors can plant a seed with a gift of $1,000 and work their way toward growing it to the $5,000 minimum requirement for endowment funds in five years.

“The great thing about the Acorn fund is that it allows us to build the endowment over time,” said Phillips. “Anyone can support conservation with any size of monetary gift. Pennies add up to dollars and the Acorn fund adds up to long-term sustainability of soil and water conservation in Scott County.”

If you would like to help grow the Scott County Soil and Water Conservation District Acorn Fund, please send your tax-deductible donation to the Scott County Community Foundation, PO Box 25; Scottsburg, IN 47170.