Pike County Endowment Fund Exceeds its $25,000 Match Goal through "Double Down for Pike County" Challenge

Because these dollars are endowed, they will generate new dollars through investment growth for charitable grantmaking every year in perpetuity. 

“We are grateful for the opportunity to match the anonymous donor’s generous gift,” said Kaye Iftner, Pike County Fund Council Chair. “What each donor contributed will permanently benefit needs and opportunities in our community. By investing into the Pike County Endowment, we are able to grow our grantmaking capacity now and for generations. Thank you to all who contributed to this effort.”

A total of 65 donors contributed to the effort and 37 of them are first-time donors to the fund. These gifts from individuals, businesses, and civic organizations have been pooled and invested to build the fund’s grantmaking capacity.

“What a great response from the citizens and business from Pike County and beyond that took advantage of this dollar for dollar match,” said the anonymous donor who issued the invitation to others to match their gift. “With the generosity shown by donors, the Pike County Endowment Fund will be able to grant to more nonprofits in our county, and in turn we will be able to help address some of the unique needs and opportunities within our own backyard. I hope this successful venture encourages others to follow suit.”

The fund, established in 2008 by residents of Pike County, is as a way to secure local assets to permanently support charitable needs and opportunities in Pike County. Since then, it has granted over $24,000 to more than a dozen local nonprofits with the help of contributions from more than 145 people, organizations, and businesses.

The “Double Down” matching challenge provided a way to increase this impact. Because the fund is endowed, gifts are invested for growth. Then, grants are made each year from a portion of the earnings – creating a steady, renewable source of charitable resources. 

Gifts of any amount can be made at any time to continue growing the Pike County Endowment Fund. Gifts should be made to the Community Foundation, noting that they are for the Pike County Endowment. The Community Foundation accepts a variety of gifts including cash, stocks, grain, livestock, IRA distributions, and other assets.

For more information, contact Iftner at (201) 314-3624 or kiftner@gmail.com or the Community Foundation at (217) 222-1237, kmcfarland@mycommunityfoundation.org. 

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The Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri builds permanent charitable funds to assist area nonprofits and communities. 

Its mission, “connecting people who care with causes that matter,” is achieved by gathering funds, growing them through investments, then granting to nonprofit organizations, causes or communities that mean the most to its donors.   

Since 1997, the Community Foundation has made more than $12 million in grants. It serves 12-counties: Adams, Brown, Hancock and Pike in Illinois and Clark, Lewis, Marion, Ralls, Pike, Knox, Shelby and Monroe in Missouri.  

The Community Foundation has IRS 501(c)(3) status, and contributions made to the Community Foundation generally qualify for the maximum allowable deductions for income and estate tax purposes.  

For more information, call 217-222-1237, email info@mycommunityfoundation.org, or go to www.mycommunityfoundation.org.