Youth Service Bureau

Partners for the Future

Lakes Area Youth Service Bureau Selected to Participate in Challenge Match Program

Lakes Area Youth Service Bureau was recently selected by the St. Croix Valley Community Foundation to participate in Partners for the Future, a $2 million dollar challenge match initiative dedicated to enhance the financial stability and future growth of nonprofit organizations in the St. Croix Valley. Every dollar YSB raises in conjunction with Partners for the Future through November 2009 will be matched dollar for dollar and invested in YSB's permanent fund at the Foundation. Lakes Area Youth Service Bureau was one of nineteen organizations chosen to participate in this challenge.

"Partners for the Future will be a tremendous resource for selected nonprofits," noted David Griffith, SCVCF President. "Permanent funds give nonprofit organizations a stable and growing source of income dedicated to their operations or specific programs. These funds are managed like an endowment it gives an organization annual income yet it also preserves and grows principal. As a result, the organization benefits today and for generations to come."

The goal of this exciting initiative is to help nonprofit organizations identify new resources that, in the long term, will provide ongoing program support within this region. The St. Croix Valley Community Foundation (SCVCF) has raised $1 million dollars to match an equivalent $1 million dollars that participating nonprofit organizations will raise over the next three years.

"We at Lakes Area Youth Service Bureau are very pleased to be included in this effort. We hope that many of our current donors and friends will see the value this initiative brings to both our organization and to the region as a whole," stated Executive Director, Jeanne Walz after learning that YSB had been selected to participate. "By contributing to our permanent fund through the Partners for the Future Initiative, donors can help provide financial stability to our organization and assist us in creating new programs in response to the many changes our region is undergoing."

Gifts of cash or marketable securities will be eligible for the matching contribution. The Foundation will also accept real estate, life insurance policies and other gifts on a case-by-case basis.

Chair Mike Aschenbrener spoke on behalf of YSB's Board of Directors, "We are grateful to the St. Croix Valley Community Foundation for providing this opportunity to strengthen our base of support."

The St. Croix Valley Community Foundation encourages charitable giving to create a lasting resource that benefits the valley both now and in the future. Through funds established by nonprofits and caring individuals, the Foundation awards grants to address key issues affecting the region as a whole. In its 10 year history, the Foundation has granted more than $5 million to local nonprofit organizations and has current assets of approximately $10 million. To date, thirty-nine nonprofits have created long-term endowed funds through the Foundation to ensure their permanent financial stability. To make a donation qualifying for a dollar-to-dollar match to YSB's Partners for the Future Fund, call Executive Director, Jeanne Walz at 651-464-3685.

For more information about the Partners for the Future Program or the St. Croix Valley Community Foundation, visit the website, www.scvcf.org call Jill Shannon, Director of Community Partnerships at 715-386-9490.

Download PDF of Pledge Card

Regional Nonprofits to Build Two Million Dollars for the Valley's Future

The St. Croix Valley Community Foundation (SCVCF) recently selected nineteen nonprofit organizations that will benefit from $2 million dollars dedicated to the future growth of their organizations. Partners for the Future is a challenge initiative in which SCVCF will match dollar for dollar funds that selected nonprofits raise and invest in a permanent fund at the Community Foundation.

"Permanent funds give nonprofit organizations a stable and growing source of income dedicated to operations or specific programs," noted David Griffith, SCVCF President. "These funds are managed like an endowment it gives an organization annual income yet it also preserves and grows principal. As a result, the organization benefits today and for generations to come."

Gretchen Stein, SCVCF's Board Chair explained, "We have many generous individuals in the region who have supported these important non-profit services, and others who might start to, now that there's an added incentive, doubling the value of their donation. By setting up permanent funds, these organizations will be more financially stable and a better investment for donors who want to help make a difference in our communities."

A total of $1 million has been raised by St. Croix Valley Community Foundation to offer matching grants for this purpose. Each of the selected non-profit organizations has its own fundraising goal, ranging from $25,000 to $85,000. By raising funds to qualify for the dollar for dollar match, each organization will double their permanent funds in three years. New Richmond-based organizations include the New Richmond Preservation Society and Turningpoint for Victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence.

SCVCF announced the Partners for the Future Initiative last April when it celebrated the Foundation's tenth anniversary year. "The Community Foundation belongs to everyone, and is designed to benefit everyone," remarked Stein. "This challenge will encourage more people to contribute to the organizations and services they most care about."

The Foundation will also help each organization's board of directors raise their goal by providing training and coaching assistance. "We selected a cross-section of organizations to participate in this endeavor," remarked Bill Campbell, chair of the selection committee. "They represent everything from large organizations with seasoned fundraisers to organizations with little fundraising experience and staffed entirely by volunteers. Arts, environmental, health and social service organizations are included," Campbell added. "Their services are responsive to the people, communities and scenic landscapes that characterize our valley."

SCVCF launched this initiative by raising $1 million dollars from a few local foundations to create the challenge pool. These include: Hardenbergh Foundation (fka. the St. Croix Foundation), Otto Bremer Foundation, Bush Foundation and an anonymous donor. Support for initiative expenses has come from the Hugh J. Andersen Foundation, F.R. Bigelow Foundation and John and Ruth Huss Foundation.