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Home > Blogs > West Chester News and Issues > Archives > 2010 > February > 08 > Entry
Foundation celebrates decade of service, gifts
Story from last week’s PJ:
WEST CHESTER TWP. — In an effort to help bring awareness to its gifts and givers, the Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty will highlight its most unique and generous services during the next two months.
It’s all part of the foundation’s 10-year anniversary, which — although officially marked in November 2009 — will be celebrated during its annual event April 30, according to Melissa Benedict, vice president of donor services.
“It’s a way to let people know what kinds of things we’re involved in and what kinds of grants we offer to the community,” Benedict said. “Without the community’s support of the foundation and all of our events … we wouldn’t have been able to continue to grow over the past 10 years.”
The foundation’s first seeds were planted in 1994 with an event that supported the American Cancer Society. After three years of raising money for outside organizations, founding members decided to focus on the needs of West Chester and Liberty township residents, according to the agency’s Web site.
Ten years later, the foundation has established more than 100 charitable funds and dished out close to $2 million in grant awards, Benedict said.
The foundation’s Forever Fund Balance — where its operations are derived — now stands at just more than $3 million, Benedict said, but they’re looking to raise $5 million to allow them to become self-sustainable for the next 10 years and beyond.
The agency’s total assets top out at $5.9 million, Benedict said.
“In these difficult economic times, we have been able to rely on our Forever Fund Endowment to pull us through,” she said.
“The Endowment allows us to continue facilitating charitable giving in our community, while providing assets for us to provide much needed grants to West Chester and Liberty Township,” she said.
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