Peabody Community Fund shows growth
The Peabody Community Fund has been slowly growing since establishment in 2000, with this year being the best year of all. The fund has grown to more than $65,000 and continues to grow through earnings and donations.
One of the major areas of growth this year was an endowed fund started for the purpose of awarding scholarships to student graduates who are members or regular attendees of Peabody United Methodist Church. This fund was established by an anonymous donor with an offer to match additional funds received up to $5,000.
Local grants were awarded this year to the Peabody Senior Center, The Hub, and Peabody Swim Team. The fund will be awarding grants again in 2008 with recipients to be announced at the annual "Ground Hog Day" pancake feed in February.
Community charitable organizations are encouraged to plan a project that will benefit the community and then submit that information to the fund by Jan. 18 for consideration of a grant.
Peabody Community Fund is available to assist donors in planning their charitable gifts. Donations to the PCF, an affiliate of the Greater Newton Community Foundation, are tax deductible and contributions are endowed to support charitable projects in the Peabody area. Those who wish to explore the possibility of leaving a legacy to support their community can take advantage of complimentary estate planning services to help establish or update their will or trust.
Peabody Community Fund currently has seven established endowments. An endowment is a permanent fund, which is invested to earn income to be given to the designated charities. Contributions can be made to the following PCF endowments: Peabody Undesignated Fund, Peabody Mainstreet Fund, Peabody United Methodist Church Scholarship Fund, Ralph and Una Ewert Vocational Scholarship, Edna May Ewert Scholarship, USD 398 Education Fund, and Catlin Community Cemetery Fund.
Peabody Community Fund also can help establish a new fund to support a charitable cause.
For more information about PCF, please contact any of the following board members: Lynn Berns, Gene Schmill, Mary Avery, John Carroll, Gary Jones, Gilbert Loewen, Mark Whitney, Barry Peter, or Sharlene Brooks.
