Long-term endowment fund leaves legacy for generations of Camas kids
Awarding annual grants to teachers for innovative educational programs and supporting strategic district educational needs has been a worthy endeavor of the Camas Educational Foundation (CEF) since its inception eight years ago. While the efforts of CEF have dramatically enhanced education in Camas classrooms, its financial base was a bit dormant, with capacity to address only short-term needs. But the CEF has now turned a good idea into reality by establishing a long-term endowment program. Suitably called the Legacy Fund, the program builds a permanent and sustainable source of school funding to benefit future generations of Camas children.
The Legacy Fund continually grows from investment, interest and dividend earnings. The options for charitable giving to the Legacy Fund include trusts, transfer of stocks and assets, estate planning, beneficiary designations and gift annuities. Legacy Team co-chairs Karen Stermitz and Marcia Johnson said they hope to raise $500,000 for the Legacy Fund in the next five years, with a strategy to eventually build a $1 million fund over time.
"The CEF's short-term investments have helped provide wonderful enrichment opportunities for thousands of Camas students," said Johnson. "But we want the ability to leave a lasting legacy for the children of our community. This fund helps support our vision of building and maintaining a world-class education system now and into the future," she added. Johnson said money from the fund is intended to sustain "high dollar" budget items that need financial support to thrive over a long period of time. An example might be creating a new educational program and operational costs associated with the program. All Legacy Fund gifts to the Camas School District will be determined by the CEF Board of Directors.
Managed by the Community Foundation of Southwest Washington, the Legacy Fund is has already banked $130,000 since it began two years ago. The fund will eventually become the primary source of grant funding with the goal of reducing the need for annual volunteer-intensive fund raising events.
Individuals who donate any amount to the fund are recognized with their name on a plaque. Those who commit to a beginning gift of $500 or those who remember the Legacy Fund in their wills or estate plans are recognized as members of the "Legacy Society." Those individuals are honored with their names engraved on a beautiful artistic leaf, created and engraved by Brad Lorang of Dellafiamma Studios. The leaf becomes part of the Legacy Tree - a permanent acknowledgement located on large columns in the Camas High School commons. The color of the leaves changes each year as new ones are added to the columns.
For those wishing to meet with a member of the Legacy Team to discuss options for giving are encouraged to call Stermitz at 834-9343 or email CEF@camas.wednet.edu.
Lori Simpson - May 2005