Continuing our spotlight on donors who are making a difference in their community, this month we are highlighting three impressive fundraising efforts: an incredible group of volunteers, donors and staff attempting to replace an outdated double wide trailer with a modern, permanent, attractive library to better serve their patrons; a thriving arts group building an endowment to ensure the future of the very successful school-to-art (STArt) Project; and a county-wide effort to establish the Preston Community Fund.
The Mountaintop Public Library (MTPL) New Building Fund was established November 2013 by an anonymous donor determined to kick-start the campaign to build an endowment for the sole purpose of constructing a new library in Thomas. The donation came with a match challenge that fueled an energetic and passionate librarian, a dedicated Library Board of Trustees, an active volunteer group (Friends of the MTPL), a strong Mountaintop Readers Run For It team, an incredible outreach program, and a long roster of generous donors. Combined, those efforts have grown the endowment to more than $65,500 in less than two years. The target amount to build the new library is approximately $375,000 and the goal is to break ground within the next four years.
Another very active and engaged group is on the fast track for establishing the STArt Fund. The seed fund was launched in 2013 by the WVHighlands Artisans Group for the purpose of assisting and perpetuating the vision of its STArt Project. The project has a threefold purpose: to support art instruction through Tucker county schools; give visibility to the results; and encourage students to take active roles in the indigenous arts community. Bruce and Gerri Wilson, Titi and John Ferguson and many others are putting their creativity to work to raise awareness and support. They are well on their way to meeting the minimum fund requirement that allows the fund to begin generating grants.
Motivated by a $1 for $1 match challenge, our friends in Preston County recently established the Preston Community Fund to provide unrestricted grants and scholarships for Preston County. The endowment will produce its first grant or scholarship this year based on the recommendation from an advisory board that represents the Preston Community. Members of the advisory board will be announced in May.
For more information on existing endowed funds, or to create your own fund, contact the Tucker Community Foundation Development Office at 304-259-5008.