Not everyone who graduates from high school is planning to attend a 4-year college or university. There are many jobs in our community that do not require a 4-year degree. There are numerous individuals in this community who perform critical jobs each day that each of us values and depends upon. When we stop and review who these people are, we realize that plumbers, builders, heating and air conditioning contractors, automotive technicians and electricians are among the indispensable people upon whom we rely each day. There was a time when future craftsmen/women learned by being apprentices to experienced craftspeople, but today, as the use of technology grows everywhere, our craftspeople need vocational /technical school training to be able to compete in the crafts workforce. These students are as worthy of financial help as those who intend to attend 4-year institutions. To assist such students, the GLCCF is establishing an Endowed Scholarship under its Education Pillar for students heading to vocational /technical schools to advance their career prospects.

GLCCF Vocational/Technical Scholarship

To kick off this new thrust, the GLCCF Board is setting up a $5,000 challenge match whereby for each dollar donated by a Foundation supporter, a dollar match will be provided by The Foundation from its endowment. When the fund balance reaches $10,000, a scholar-ship will be awarded based on the earnings of the fund. The hope is that through time this endowment will grow and be able to provide multiple scholarships each year to students who plan to attend vocational/technical schools.

If this donation option is of interest to you, donations can be sent to PO Box 86.

Make checks payable to GLCCF and note in the memo space that it is for the vocational and technical scholarship. If you have stocks, etc. to transfer or have other ideas, please contact Bruce Carlstrom (651-345-3373), Jim Schreck (651-345-9834), or Steven Lang (651-345-0186), each of whom is a GLCCF Board member with experience in such matters.

Photo: GLCCF directors Beth Krehbiel , Jim Schreck and Kim Vetter with Jennifer Woodford, President of the Rochester Area Foundation

Over the past two years, GLCCF has been working very hard to improve its ability to better serve the citizens of this region. After much discussion with other foundations, we decided the best course of action would be to work closely with another successful foundation to be able to offer new options for philanthropy while remaining independent under local control.

In December, an agreement was reached whereby the Greater Lake City Community Foundation has become an affiliate of the Rochester Area Foundation. With affiliation, we now have access to many donating options that give choices to donors as to how to serve their philanthropy interests as well as meet their personal financial needs.

We now will be offering Donor Advised Funds, Field of Interest Funds, Endowment options for many interests such as scholarships, civic organizations, Churches, or Community Areas such as the Arts, and areas like community Improvement and beautification.

There are options to roll contributions directly from retirement accounts, stock brokerage accounts etc. directly to the GLCCF without triggering taxable events such as having to sell stocks prior to making the donation. There are benefits to those who have a significant event such as sale of a business or farm whereby taxes can be reduced via making a charita-ble donation. If this interests you please contact one of our board mem-bers or drop a note to PO Box. 86.