Geneseo Is For Tomorrow celebrating 10 years of giving

Posted on April 13, 2013 on www.qconline.com, written by Claudia Loucks

GENESEO — The GIFT Foundation — Geneseo Is For Tomorrow — will celebrate its 10-year anniversary April 21.

The community foundation, founded in 2002, will host the anniversary celebration from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Geneseo Country Club. The event is open to the public. For reservations, call 309-944-4438 or email gift@geneseogift.org.

There will be appetizers, discussion of GIFT's new teen philanthropy program and presentation of the annual Community Caring Award to someone who goes "above and beyond."

GIFT president Mike Ricketts said the gathering "will celebrate 10 years of endowment and giving to the Geneseo community. The event will highlight the growth of GIFT over the years, acknowledge gift recipients and donors and look ahead to the promising future of the organization."

The foundation was formed after the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce held brainstorming sessions seeking ideas that could propel the community into the future.

Mr. Ricketts said the Quad Cities Community Foundation provided a good example and offered support.

"GIFT was born as an affiliate of the Great River Bend, allowing it to pool assets with the larger foundation for administrative and investment purposes," he said. "GIFT also avoided costs normally associated with the establishment of a foundation and did not have to set up policies and procedures on its own. GIFT also has access to the parent foundation's specialized software and other resources.

"GIFT continues to be an outstanding leader in the local community, and thrives on the compassion of its leaders and supporters."

The organization helps donors build and save funds for charitable purposes, meets the financial needs of local non-profit organizations and individuals, and provides a forum for the community to discuss and solve issues, Ricketts said.

Fourteen nonprofit organizations in Geneseo and the surrounding area received grants totaling $170,000 from GIFT in 2012. The money willhelp the organizations provide everything from food and shelter to education, care for the elderly, historic preservation and renovations.

"Not only is the foundation providing monetary means for multiple organizations and individuals," Mr. Rickets said, "but it also is creating a benevolent mindset for everyone, which will make an impact far beyond Geneseo."

 To learn more about GIFT, visit their website: www.geneseogift.org. For additional information about the affiliate foundations of Community Foundation, visit www.qccommunityfoundation.org.