The Beautification Endowment Committee continued working this year with the North Carolina Community Foundation (NCCF) representatives, Anne Sorhagen and Beth Boney Jenkins, to educate members about the endowment fund. This relationship and the guidance being given is a huge benefit of investing through the NCCF.
The Chairs recommended to the Executive Board and general membership that endowment funding be approved for the New Hanover Parks Conservancy site at Hugh MacRae Park for 2018. Once approved, we sent a Recommendation Form to the NC Community Foundation for distribution. This disbursement completes the project at Hugh MacRae Park, where all the endowment disbursements have been allocated since the inception of the endowment in 2012.
The Endowment Committee received a Local and National Award for the results of our funding for the Hugh MacRae Park project. This award was applied for by Gloria Degnan.
The Committee decided to continue with the Soiree as the primary fundraiser, which will be held on November 1, 2019. Chairpersons and committees were appointed, and the group is well on the way to planning this event.
A planned giving campaign was developed and introduced by the Committee and NCCF representatives at the February 2019 meeting. New brochures were made and are available upon request. At the last general meeting of the year on May 1, 2019, President Eric Kozen announced to the membership that he and his wife are making a planned gift to the Beautification Endowment. After this meeting, letters were mailed to every club member (with the brochure enclosed) thanking President Kozen for his planned gift and encouraging Club members to join him in this endeavor. NOTE: NCCF provided all brochures for this mailing.
The Committee met with the City of Wilmington to review plans for the new park for downtown. We have also been working with Civic Improvements and the Centennial Committee for future disbursement opportunities.
The Endowment Committee will review grant applications received by June 15 from the community organizations, i.e. county and city governments for 2019 funding and recommend beautification project(s) that meet the criteria established for the Endowment. The grant applications used for the endowment grants are the same as those used by the Tour Disbursements Committee.
The endowment disbursement amount for 2019 was $3,420.00.
How can you support the Cape Fear Garden Club Beautification Endowment Fund?
Gifts to the Fund may be made in many forms, and gifts of all sizes are most welcome!
The CFGC Beautification Endowment Fund is invested and administered through the North Carolina Community Foundation.
You can assure the continuation of our mission in many ways: your gift or pledge to the fund, your gifts in memory or in honor of friends and family, or your thoughtfully planned bequest –these are just a few of the ways you can help build a strong endowment for the future.
All gifts are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
Cash Gift – The simplest and most convenient way to participate in the fund is through cash gifts, which may take the form of pledges over a period of years. All such gifts qualify for maximum income tax deductions.
Many individuals and families may choose to make their gifts in honor or memory of a beloved family member or friend who enjoyed and supported the beautiful public areas of our community.
For information on making your gift to the Cape Fear Garden Club Beautification Endowment please click here.