Community Foundation Reaches $20 Million


The Community Foundation of Decatur/Macon County announced that as of December 31, 2010 it had over $20 million in assets.

"There are several important reasons we were able to reach this significant milestone," stated Louise "Wegi" Stewart, president of The Foundation. "First and foremost, Decatur/ Macon County is a very generous community that cares about its people, their education, their quality of life, and the institutions that make this a place where people want to live, work, and play. We have had amazing support from our corporate donors, businesses, individuals and families."

2010 was a good year for charitable giving because many of the provisions in the tax code provided a favorable structure for deducting gifts to charity. "With the passage of the tax legislation in December, many of those provisions remain in place for 2011, extending the benefits for accelerating charitable giving for at least another year," Stewart added.

"One of the most attractive opportunities we offer donors is the donor-advised fund through which people can give to The Community Foundation now, and in later years engage in the process of suggesting grants for their favorite charities," Stewart noted. "This year, we had many people come in to set up donor-advised funds. They accelerated their giving in 2010, capturing any tax benefits available to them, and in future years can participate in an advisory capacity to assist The Community Foundation in distributing grants to causes and organizations they care about."

The Community Foundation was established in 2000 to develop and grow a permanent fund for the future good of the community. Since that time, with the help of several matching gift challenges from ADM, the Grand Victoria Foundation of Chicago, and private donors, the organization has built its assets to the $20 million level.

"We are excited that The Community Foundation is now a $20 million organization," says Bruce Nims, chairman of The Foundation's board of directors. "It provides us the wherewithal to influence change and future direction for this community."