Investments with Lenawee Community Foundation can pay off now and 100 years from now

As a recent board member with the Lenawee Community Foundation, I am still amazed by the work being done in Lenawee County.

Recently, a group of philanthropic women sat down with Paula Trentman and Cynthia Heady to explore ways we can make a difference during and after our lifetime throughout any community in Lenawee County. Discussion centered on the various programs that the foundation provides. First and foremost, the Lenawee Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization representing tax advantages in most instances.

Julie Goll
Julie Goll

There are many funds that might fit your desire for current and future support: Lenawee Trust, Field of Interest Funds, Donor Advised Funds, Scholarships, Designated Funds, Supporting Organizations and donor specific funds in your name. Some of the direct programs that are ongoing and well established from past and current donors include: Lenawee YOUTH Council, Lenawee Youth Leadership, Lenawee Imagination Library, grants and scholarships for secondary education awarded each year in the county, and Hunters Helping Lenawee (hunters donate deer for processing and donation to local food/meal programs). Lenawee Cares is another outstanding program focused on funding health and human services and meeting basic needs in the county.

In our recent meeting of local women, the topic came up frequently of how we could make a difference 100 years from now. That is an interesting concept given so much attention on history. News outlets, including The Daily Telegram, publish a daily column, “100 Years Ago.” The column gives a local news story within the county that happened on the published date. Also, news outlets give date specific events that occurred throughout the country and/or world. Why so much emphasis on looking back? Can we really learn from the past? And, if we’ve learned anything, efforts for good can make a difference in people’s lives. History and Lenawee Community Foundation prove that.

We discovered in our philanthropic discussion that most communities in Lenawee County have funds ready and available through LCF. We work to help educate community leaders on these funds and how they can be used. A person can make a contribution to an existing fund — it’s easy, today! Or, with the guidance of an attorney or a CPA, future funds from an IRA or life insurance policy can be designated to either an existing fund or one of the many options available.

Paula and Cynthia are available to assist with education and discussion leading you to the best way to make a difference — even 100 years from now. LCF may be Lenawee’s greatest secret when it comes to philanthropy! We want to shout it from the rooftop — make a difference today and in 100 years! We can!

Lenawee Community Foundation is at 1440 W. Maumee St., Adrian and can be reached at 517-263-4696 or through www.lenaweecf.com.

Julie Goll is a lifelong resident of the Blissfield area, graduate of Blissfield High school and a graduate of Siena Heights University. She is the CEO/President of Blissfield State Bank and has spent an entire career with BSB holding various positions throughout the years. She has served as a Blissfield Village Council member, DDA/Main Street board member, Kiwanis officer and member of the former Blissfield Kiwanis. She has sat on the Community Bankers of Michigan Board of Directors and currently serves on the Hospice of Lenawee board. 

For information about how your business, any group, your family, or you can get involved in the work of the Lenawee Community Foundation, call 517-263-4696 or contact paula@lenaweecf.com. We would be delighted to be of service as you invest time, talent and treasure now and forever.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Community Foundation: Investments for today and 100 years from now