The board of directors of the Davie County Foundation met with newly hired executive director, Jane Simpson, recently for a visioning and long-range planning retreat. In an effort to "start fresh," the board voted to change the Foundation name to add community emphasis. The Foundation will be named "The Community Foundation of Davie County."

The board also spent considerable time defining its mission in the community and determining its five and ten year goals. The mission of The Community Foundation of Davie County is to "advance philanthropy and pool donor assets for the benefit of our community." The board set a goal for asset development of $5 million in the first year (June 2004); $10 million in five years (June 2008); and $25 million in 10 years (June 2013). "We realize these are aggressive goals," stated president Ken Dwiggins, "but we think this community will respond once they understand what a community foundation is and what it can do for the community long-term. The tax savings possible through the Foundation should be of interest to a great number of people with assets that the government will ultimately get without some planning." "Perfect planning would be to run out of money and life the same day," said board member Allen Mebane.

The Foundation plans to launch an information campaign in fall 2003. Information about the operation and benefits of a community foundation as well as information on giving through wills, bequests, and charitable trusts will be published. "The greatest challenge The Community Foundation of Davie County has is to educate the public about community foundations and how they work," stated Jane Simpson. "The benefits of a 'community savings account' will appeal to a broad range of citizens in Davie. We have a generous community who will want to take advantage of the opportunity to give through the Foundation to charities of their choice."

The board also discussed areas of greatest community need identified through an internal community needs survey. Interviews were conducted with organization representatives and citizens in general prior to the retreat. The board voted to request applications from select areas of identified need for consideration by the newly appointed Distribution Committee. A grant announcement is also planned for fall 2003.

Anyone interested in learning more about planned giving or opportunities for future grants should contact Jane Simpson at The Community Foundation of Davie County (336) 753-6903, PO Box 546, Mocksville, NC 27028, e-mail at jsimpson@daviefoundation.org, or visit the Foundation web site at www.daviefoundation.org.