By Jane Simpson, President & CEO
This fall, I will be discussing the Davie Community Foundation and our work in the community. In this first article, I will do my best to answer the following questions:
- What is the Foundation? What does it do?
- Who is giving and creating funds?
- Can I trust the Foundation with my money?
The Davie Community Foundation helps people set up charitable funds to make grants and award scholarships with a goal of improving the lives of Davie County residents. Donations are tax deductible, and 100% of every gift goes into the endowment fund it is donated for.
Endowments are permanently invested funds. The Foundation Board uses earnings from the endowments to award grants and scholarships each year. It is a little bit like “paying it forward” in that Davie people donate money to start endowment funds that help Davie people in the future. Because the endowment funds are named by the people who give the money, they remember families, individuals, companies, and groups as they make grants.
The people setting up the endowment funds are everyday people who want to make a difference in Davie County. You may not find them on the Forbes list of wealthiest people, but you will find them on the Foundation Fund List. They are your neighbors, your classmates, the businesses you patronize, and your co-workers. The trait they all share is their desire to invest in the citizens of Davie County.
Janie and Leo Cozart started an endowment fund to help Davie County schools where Janie worked as a teacher assistant for 27 years. Although sadly they are both gone now, this special couple will be remembered in the community as the Cozart Naylor Fund makes an annual grant to Davie County Schools.
Chris and Alice Hanes started a scholarship to invest in students and later added a fund to help children in the County. They actually celebrated their 23rd wedding anniversary by opening the “James C. and Alice Smith Hanes Fund”. More recently they decided to honor Chris’ mother by starting the Tilthia M. Hanes Fundfor projects relating to dementia and Alzheimer’s.
All funds are carefully managed by the Foundation who is confirmed in compliance with the National Standards for Community Foundations. Our records are audited by an independent CPA every year and all Board members are residents of Davie County. We strive to be good stewards of the dollars entrusted to us. We invest in the organizations and projects we believe will make the most difference for Davie County residents.
As a citizen of Davie County, you have the opportunity to leave a legacy that will shape the future of our community. Just like Chris and Alice Hanes or Janie and Leo Cozart, you can create a fund through Davie Community Foundation that will have an impact for years to come. For more information about the Foundation, call our office at 336-753-6903.
