WAUSA – The Wausa Community Foundation Fund recently announced that it had approved grants totaling $9,084 to three local initiatives.
The grants went toward: - Wausa Public Schools: FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) National Leadership Conference, $4,000.
- Wausa Community Club: Wausa social media project, $3,084.
- Village of Wausa: Swimming lessons, $2,000. “Our community will always experience changing needs, and the Wausa Community Foundation Fund hopes to continue to invest in community communication, housing, education, recreation and more to adapt to those changes,” said Darren Vanness, WCFF president.
“WCFF’s vision encourages us to promote a welcoming community that will preserve the integrity of our smalltown history and heritage,” he said. “The fund is achieving this vision by growing an unrestricted community endowment.
“This is a crucial tool to keep Wausa growing, thriving and improving for future generations because it creates a steady stream of revenue for community needs today and those that will arise in the years to come,” he said.
Through local investment from generous donors who care about the future of Wausa, the WCFF supports opportunities and amenities that attract people of all means to visit, live and work in the community.
In 2021, the Nebraska Community Foundation announced the findings of its Nebraska Transfer of Wealth Study, documenting more than $100 billion in Nebraska wealth passing from one generation to the next over the next 10 years. Over 50 years, the figure swells to $950 billion.
In Knox County alone, the study estimates the 10-year transfer of wealth to be $747 million.
The study findings marked the beginning of the NCF’s Five to Thrive campaign, which urges Nebraskans to consider leaving 5 percent of their respective estates to their hometowns.
Giving just 5 percent to local charitable causes would amount to $37 million going back into Knox County over the next decade.
There is always a transfer from generation to generation, as parents pass away and leave their estates to their children. But if the heirs no longer live in Wausa, those critical resources leave as well.
Importantly, many Nebraska counties are approaching or are already amid their peak transfer years. The Transfer of Wealth Study illustrates the real urgency to act now.
“In no way are we suggesting parents not leave money to their heirs; however, we are firm in the belief that giving back does not need to be a choice between family and charity,” Vanness said.
“When you leave just 5 percent to a community’s endowment, you can secure your family’s legacy and help your hometown thrive,” he said. “There are many options available in charitable estate planning to allow you to benefit your family and your hometown.”
The WCFF asks all who care about the future of Wausa to consider contributing to the unrestricted endowment through current giving, planned giving or both.
The fund is equipped to accept all kinds of gifts, including cash, gifts of grain, livestock, real estate, life insurance and other assets that have the potential to make high-impact, tax-advantageous charitable gifts.
As for ensuring some of the transfer of wealth remains in the community, there are five simple things people can do: -Visit www.fivetothrivene.org and learn more about the transfer of wealth in Knox County.
-Explore the NCF’s planned giving resources online at www.nebcommfound. giftlegacy.com.
-Talk to their professional advisor about including their community in their estate plans.
-Give to the WCFF by visiting www.nebcommfound.org/give/ wausa-community-foundation-fund or sending a donation to: Wausa Community Foundation Fund, P.O. Box 43, Wausa, NE 68786.
-Contact one of the WCFF advisory committee members: Debbie Vanness, Carlie Johnston, Rod Banks, Bob Marks, Brian ElDorado, Carolyn Johnson, Heather Carlson or Darren Vanness.
“Spread the word,” Darren Vanness said. “When we all leave five, our hometown thrives. Remember: Once our wealth leaves the community, it is gone forever. Once our wealth is endowed in our community, it is here forever. The time to act is now – the opportunity will never be greater.”
A group of thoughtful community leaders launched the WCFF in 2005 as an affiliated fund of the NCF.
