SCCF Included in Top 100 List

The Scott County Community Foundation won a spot on one of three Community Foundation Top 100 Lists recently released by CF Insights. The Community Foundation ranked 60th on the list of most gifts per capita, representing a giving rate of $27.06 per individual in its service area of about 24,000 people.

The Scott County Community Foundation experienced a record year of giving from donors from October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009. Contributions to various funds totaled more than $649,000.

“These results show just how generous people are in Scott County, despite difficult economic times,” said Executive Director L.L. Lowry. “Many times community foundations are evaluated based on asset size, but this study takes so much more into consideration. Factors such as grantmaking, fundraising, donor involvement and community situations really determine our unique qualities and challenges.”

“To be named in the Top 100 List with more than 700 community foundations in the United States is a very exciting accomplishment for Scott County,” continued Lowry. “Because of the generosity of our supporters, we’ve processed more gifts per capita than some much larger community foundations. Our donors continue to give to causes they are passionate about, and we are pleased to be a charitable partner in our community.”

The nationwide survey had 200 respondents and was sponsored by CF Insights, which compiles and distributes data and information on finances, operations and best practices for community foundations nationwide. CF Insights was established by the Council on Foundations, a national association.

The Scott County Community Foundation has been improving the lives of Scott County citizens since 1997. The Foundation has awarded more than $2.3 million in grants for causes such as education, social service, healthcare, the arts and so on. Through the Foundation, several million dollars more have been funneled to organizations such as the school districts, Lifelong Learning Center, Scott County Family YMCA and more. The main function of a community foundation is to raise money and give it away. This is mainly accomplished through endowment funds, with only a portion of the earnings spent in grants, ensuring those funds are able to give for generations to come.

Giving to the Scott County Community Foundation has increased for the last three years, demonstrating that donors are committed to our community now and for generations to come.