Board Of Trustees
The Board of Trustees is the governing body of the Black River Falls Area Foundation. It is responsible for overseeing the investment of donor funds and the distribution of grants in accordance with donors’ wishes. Trustees serve without compensation and are selected because of their judgment, integrity, community involvement and understanding of philanthropic needs. They serve a three-year term of office with a maximum of three consecutive three-year terms.
Report from the Board of Trustees
Cultivate: 1. to prepare and use for the raising of crops. 2. to promote or improve growth by labor and attention. 3. to develop or improve by education or training. 4. to promote growth or development of (an art, science, etc). 5. to devote oneself to (an art or science, etc.). 6. to seek to promote or foster (friendship or love, etc.). 7. to seek acquaintance or friendship.
Cultivate has many definitions, and most can describe the work of the Black River Falls Area Foundation. We have done much to “promote growth and development” of established funds, including the new Legacy Fund; we continue to “plant and nurture” the generous donations of local citizens in well-managed endowment funds; and we are, as an organization, designed to “grow” the dreams of donors to the Foundation and the non-profit organizations in our communities that benefit from grants and awards.
Growth brings change and 2007 was a year of many significant changes for the Black River Falls Area Foundation:
· Bee Herzberg retired at the end of 2007 after serving as Assistant Secretary since the Foundation was established in 1986. The majority of those years were without compensation, and our Trustees have very much appreciated and are extremely grateful for Bee’s contributions. Beth Overlien joined the Foundation as its new Administrative Assistant in late 2007 and has worked with Bee through the transition period.
· The Foundation has a new office in the Lahmayer Building at 1 N. 2nd Street. Al and Jeannette Lahmayer are providing the space without charge. We sincerely thank Al and Jeanette for this gift! The Foundation’s new telephone number is 284-3113, but the mailing address remains Post Office Box 99. We also thank Mike Dougherty who provided funds to purchase our new computer.
· John Hogden retired as trustee after serving nine years (three consecutive three-year terms) with the Foundation. His time, council, and generosity over these years have greatly benefited the Foundation, its objectives, and its projects. Tom Lister has been elected to succeed John as a Trustee. Tom is a local attorney and was a co-founder of the Foundation.
· A Legacy Fund, established in 2007, encourages individuals, who wish to benefit our community, to leave a bequest to the Foundation in their will. A simple bequest form is available from the Foundation.
Growth also brings benefits and in 2007 the Black River Falls area reaped many benefits through the Foundation from the “seeds of generosity” of individuals, businesses and organizations in our communities:
· One example of generosity demonstrated in 2007 actually began over 10 years ago. At that time, the Foundation had acquired options to purchase two parcels of land, one of which would be used for a Community Park and Aquatic Center. The one selected and purchased became the Lunda Community Park and Hoffman Aquatic Center. The other parcel was located across from Burnstad’s on Highway A. When the option on this parcel was about to expire, Milt Lunda suggested it should be purchased and preserved for other community projects including possible expansion of the Forrest Street School. Milt offered to pay both the interest and principal required on the 10-year option contract! The purchase of the property was completed in 2007 with a final donation from Milt of $155,000. Milt’s foresight, combined with the generous donations over 10 years have combined to make a prime piece of property available for future community and school projects. We thank you Milt and Lidy Lunda!
· The Black River Memorial Hospital’s Capital Campaign for their expansion and remodeling project was another beneficiary of the Foundation and generous individuals. In 1997, a major bequest from the estate of Gaylord and Clara Emerson was given to the Foundation to purchase items to enhance the lives of Pine View residents, for which other funds were not available. The fund later received additional gifts from other donors. When the nonprofit Pine View Care Center was sold to a profit organization, the Pine View Endowment Committee responsible for recommending uses of the fund suggested to the Foundation that the Fund in its entirety be donated to the hospital for a new chapel/ meditation room. Foundation Trustees accepted the recommendation and the $63,000 Fund was donated to the hospital. A previous $25,000 pledge by the Foundation now meant a total of $88,000 provided by the Foundation for the hospital’s expansion and remodeling.
· The Foundation Trail Park and Recognition Wall were completed in 2007. The Park provides a quiet resting place for trail walkers, and more than 50 donors contributed $44,000 to the Trail Maintenance Fund! The goal of the fund is to provide the necessary funds to pay all trail maintenance expenses, and donations to it are encouraged and appreciated.
· In our rapidly changing world, continuing education provides an economic cornerstone for our graduates and our country. In 2007, generous donors established 3 new scholarships in the Foundation! The Thomas Robert Gilles Memorial Scholarship Fund will provide an annual $1,000 scholarship beginning in 2008 to the male or female BRF Senior Athlete of the Year. Tom’s brother, Mark, originated this scholarship. The Dustin A. Rozmenoski Memorial Scholarship Fund will provide annual $1,000 scholarships commencing when the Fund reaches a $20,000 balance. Dustin’s parents, Danny and Mary Jo Rozmenoski, established this scholarship. The Betsy Danielson Janssen Nursing Scholarship was established with a donation from Betsy of $25,000. Betsy grew up in the Black River Falls area and the Foundation is especially grateful to people like Betsy who now live elsewhere, but remember and assist our community. Generous people like Mark Gilles, Danny and Mary Jo Rozmenoski, and Betsy Danielson Janssen now provide 20 scholarships annually to our graduates.
· Skyline Golf Course is a community golf course owned by the City of Black River Falls and managed by local volunteers. Recognizing that the golf course is an important community asset and that improvements to the course, and the Clubhouse which serves many community groups, will enhance the community as well, a group of individuals originated The Skyline Legacy Fund, which will be managed by the Foundation and used to improve the course and clubhouse. An initial goal of $50,000 has been set and contributions are encouraged and welcomed, so that the $50,000 goal will be reached in 2008.
· Assets of the Foundation increased over $460,000 in 2007. The majority of this increase came from donations made for construction of the Fair Park and will be paid out as construction progresses. More on this project will be reported in next year’s annual report.
The Black River Falls Area Foundation Trustees thank everyone whose generosity has been described in this report. We also continue to be grateful to the Friends of the Foundation who support the Foundation year after year with their donations, and in 2007 provided $14,000 of grant funds. Their names are listed in this report.
Generous individuals created and continue to support this Foundation. Funds listed in the Annual Report help fund many Community Projects. Please look over the Funds and the grants made by the Foundation, and help us to continue “cultivating the seeds of our communities” by donating to the Foundation or making a bequest in your will. This is Your Community and Your Foundation and Your support will help both to “grow” stronger!
Black River Falls Area Foundation
PO Box 99
Black River Falls, WI 54615
   
   
   
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