Matching fund campaign launched

• DeGroot

Greg DeGroot, along with his wife, Cindy (not pictured), is issuing a $25,000 matching gift to the Worthington Area Foundation, which benefits local non-profit organizations.

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WORTHINGTON — Opportunity knocks: The Worthington Area Foundation (WAF) is launching a new $25,000 matching campaign, thanks to the generosity of Worthington residents Greg and Cindy DeGroot.

With the DeGroots promising to match each dollar donated, up to a total of $25,000, WAF is hoping to increase its endowment fund by $50,000 or more within the coming year.

“Our current permanent endowment fund is valued at nearly $120,000,” explained WAF committee member Mark Shepherd. “The principal is retained and never spent, but a portion of the annual interest earnings is distributed to eligible organizations each year.

“Giving to this endowment fund is a way to leave a lasting legacy and support Worthington far into the future.”

The DeGroots certainly see it that way.

“Whatever we can do to help the community grow is a plus,” opined Greg, president of the modular home building company Highland Manufacturing. “The rewards we have were reaped here in Worthington, so to give back to this community is only fair.”

Shepherd explains that WAF was established in 1991 with the encouragement of past Worthington mayor Bob Demuth, who had been approached by a couple wishing to donate a significant sum of money.

“They wanted to give it to a community fund or foundation — if this were Monopoly, it would be like the ‘Community Chest’ cards, completely independent of city government — with the ability to donate proceeds to worthy local charitable entities,” detailed Shepherd.

So WAF was created, initially under the 501c3 umbrella of The Minnesota Foundation. About 10 years ago, WAF shifted its affiliation to the Hutchinson-based Southwest Initiative Foundation (SWIF).

“That affiliation is good and necessary so smaller groups like ours can take advantage of SWIF’s not-for-profit status and larger investment capabilities and expertise,” related Shepherd. “Last year, SWIF offered us a $25,000 matching opportunity for our endowment fund, and we were able to meet that challenge and expand our endowment.

“We’re hoping to build on that again this year with the DeGroots’ offer.”

The WAF committee, chaired by Dr. Conrad Schmidt, is in the process of accepting grant requests from local charitable organizations in anticipation of distributing available funds for 2009.

“All non-profit, non-religious and non-political organizations or community projects that need assistance in reaching their goals or working toward their mission are welcome to apply,” assured Schmidt, noting that WAF secretary Beve Vajgrt is the point person for requests.

“A formal committee reviews the grant requests, ranks them and then gifts out the available funds annually,” continued Schmidt.

Among the organizations receiving WAF funds in recent years were the Manna Food Pantry, Helping Hands Pregnancy Center, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, Friends of the (Memorial) Auditorium, Southwest Crisis Center, District 518, the Worthington Area YMCA, the Worthington Concert Series and the Calvin-Knuth American Legion Post 5 Baseball Program.

Shepherd and Schmidt join the DeGroots in unabashed advocacy for Worthington.

“Many people I’ve talked to who have lived here longer than I have — and I’ve been here 30 years this November — have strong feelings about the Worthington area, have made their livings here and want to support our community,” stressed Shepherd.

“Right now, with governments cutting back — and many think government has spent too much on some things, anyway — this is an opportunity for us as private citizens to help fund the things we believe in, and to direct our resources where we want them to go.”

Added Schmidt, “WAF provides a way for people to establish a lasting gift for causes that are close to their hearts, whether that be the Worthington Hospice Cottage, Chautauqua Park, the YMCA or the Veterans’ War Memorial.

“This endowment is specifically for Worthington, and we want to assist in any way we can to help more people feel it’s the best place to live in southwest Minnesota.”

Greg and Cindy DeGroot and their sons, Lance and Seth, are all alumni of Worthington High School.

“Our boys came up with the Y programs, through high school athletics, all the usual things,” offered Greg. “Cindy and I grew up here — this is our hometown — and we believe that if you’re in a community and you want it to thrive, at some point you just have to step forward, no matter what kind of economic conditions are going on around you.

“You can’t depend on others to always do things for you, so we thought we’d put out this seed money and see if we can get others to help double it so we can do more for this community.”

It isn’t the first time the DeGroots have done their part, and then some, to improve Worthington; their support of the new Worthington Area YMCA facility was key to its conception and completion, and both Cindy and Greg are active and longtime volunteers for a variety of local endeavors.

Understandably, the WAF committee is grateful for the DeGroots’ leadership and hopeful others will follow their example.

“We are very fortunate to have Greg and Cindy DeGroot here,” expressed Shepherd. “Their past and present generosity has been a major factor in the funding of various programs, activities and organizations in our area.

“The WAF committee thanks them for their gift, but the best way we can collectively honor their contribution is by making a concerted effort to match their dollars.”

Schmidt echoed, “We know times are tough and it’s not easy right now, but we feel the community will respond and help us reach our goal. A donation at any level demonstrates your support and will help us do a lot of good things here.”

Emphasized Shepherd, “Through the WAF endowment fund, we are striving to improve the quality of life for those of us who live here now, and for future generations.”

For more information and/or to donate to the Worthington Area Foundation’s matching fund campaign, contact the WAF at P.O. Box 373, Worthington, MN 56187. Grant applications are available at the Worthington Area Chamber of Commerce, 1121 Third Ave., Worthington.

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