$500 to $5Million for Davie County

You may have noticed a white tent, sign, and balloons outside The Community Foundation of Davie County office in February. The Foundation celebrated $5Million in assets under management for Davie County – an exciting benchmark for the organization. Foundation board members from the founders to the current board celebrated the accomplishment at the Community Foundation office at 194 Wilkesboro Street in Mocksville.

“Kent Mathewson, one of the founders, told those gathered that he asked George Martin for the first gift to start the Foundation. “George wrote a check for $500 and the Davie County Foundation was born,” said Mathewson. Neal Foster, current board chairman, noted that the “Foundation has grown $500 to $5 Million! That’s pretty exciting.”

Jane Simpson, foundation president, told former board members, “I have included this quote in recent community presentations, ‘we enjoy the shade of trees we did not plant, we drink from wells we did not dig, and we walk upon bridges we did not build’. The current Foundation board and I have walked upon the bridge you built for us and we have now crossed to the other side. We are thankful for your vision in getting the Foundation started for Davie County.”

Simpson also told those gathered that in looking back over the last three years, The Community Foundation of Davie County has awarded $43,275 in scholarships and $469,275 in grants from endowed and non-endowed funds. That is more than $500,000! I think the Foundation is having an impact on the community.”

The Community Foundation of Davie County is a non-profit corporation managing charitable funds established by Davie County residents to benefit Davie County and beyond. More than 80% of the $5 Million now under management are endowed, meaning dollars will be available for Davie County needs always. One of those gathered reminded everyone that “next year we should celebrate $10 Million. That will keep us challenged!” “We have actually set a goal of $7Million by the end of 2007,” said Simpson. “We plan to raise unrestricted dollars that will give us more flexibility in awarding grants for Davie County needs. It won’t be easy, but as they said it will keep us challenged!”

The Community Foundation of Davie County “serves to provide pathways for caring people to leave a legacy that will shape the future of our community.” The Foundation “Connects People who Care with Causes they Care About!” Anyone interested in learning more about establishing charitable funds or adding to existing ones should contact Jane Simpson at the Community Foundation; jsimpson@daviefoundation.org, 336-753-6903, 194 Wilkesboro Street, PO Box 546, Mocksville, NC 27028.