The Bowling Green Community Foundation is similar to the well-funded community foundations in many of our neighboring communities. These foundations provide scholarships, seed money for new art and cultural groups, athletic sponsorships, and health services. . .the kinds of things that are needed but not covered by tax monies. A community foundation provides an efficient and effective structure for linking individuals' charitable interests with important programs and services.
Since its founding, The Bowling Green Community Foundation has worked to build a permanent endowment which will support a variety of charitable programs. The Foundation is a conduit through which donors can make individal gifts to benefit the community in a collective way. A sizeable endowment is critical to ensuring that community needs will be met for years to come. Only the interest is expended from the endowed account, assuring that dollars will always be available to improve the quality of life and work in the grant distribution region, which includes both the Bowling Green zip code and school district areas.
The Foundation also offers ongoing sound leadership and professional management. It is operated by a board of trustees whose members are chosen for their knowledge and understanding of the community. They serve on a voluntary basis to protect the long-term interests and growth of the Foundation's assets. Operating expenses for the Foundation are minimal--averaging just over $2,400 per year for five years.
The Bowling Green Community Foundation gains additional strength from its affiliation with the Toledo Community Foundation for investment purposes. However, decisions regarding fund-raising and the distribution of funds remain in Bowling Green. Professional staff from the Toledo Foundation and trustees of the Bowling Green Foundation are available to meet with donors and their financial advisors to discuss benefits and services available to meet individual charitable objectives.
