Dear Fellow Supporters of Lake Mills,
Throughout most of 2020 our entire community, much like the rest of the world, has had to make tremendous adjustments and sacrifices due to the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic. In the face of all this adversity, Lake Mills residents have rallied to help support local businesses, adjusted their schedules to volunteer their time to help individuals in need, worked together to come up with innovative ideas to help support non-profits, and even Santa Claus recently paid a visit to our streets by way of a firetruck escort through town waving to many children outside their homes.
As we look to brighter days ahead, 2021 marks a significant milestone for the Lake Mills Area Community Foundation (LMACF), when it celebrates the 25 year anniversary of existence. Several people have contributed to the growth of LMACF within our community over all those years to help provide an avenue for charitably minded people to give back to their community with gratitude for all those things that make them thankful to call Lake Mills “Home”. Financial gifts to LMACF can be a rewarding and tax-deductible way to help ensure that the Lake Mills area can continue to thrive well into the future for generations to follow. The Foundation’s core mission is to enhance the quality of life of the local people we serve through the acceptance of charitable gifts, then investing them back into the community through donations and grants to worthy projects and non-profit organizations that share those same objectives and values.
Over the last few years, the Board of Directors has stressed the importance of the perpetual LMACF Endowment Fund within the organization and began a “March to a Million” campaign to accomplish a milestone of reaching $1 million in this very important fund. Through an outpouring of support from many donors in 2020 and a large private donation from a local resident, we’re happy to announce that we reached this important $1 million milestone in November. Thanks to donors like you, the LMACF can now make significant contributions back into our community, upwards of $40,000-$50,000 annually from this fund.
Early in 2020, the LMACF established a pass-through Covid-19 Recovery Fund to accept community donations that would benefit area non-profits and public agencies in financial need, with a $20,000 matching gift from the Foundation. There have been over $43,000 in additional community donations to this recovery fund throughout the year and we’re pleased to inform everyone that $46,000 has already been granted to local organizations. Many fundraisers had to be cancelled this year that benefit the Chamber of Commerce, the Main Street Program and Rock Lake Activity Center, so we’re excited that they’ve been some of the largest benefactors of those funds to date.
Included with this letter is a flyer summarizing some of the LMACF activities recently, donation options for your consideration along with the corresponding recognition levels you may qualify for and a return envelope to enclose your contribution. Please see our website at www.LMACF.org for more detailed explanations of the various fund choices within LMACF or to donate electronically.
There have been tax law changes by the IRS regarding itemized charitable donations along with Coronavirus Aid, Relief & Economic Security Act “Cares Act” establishing an “above the line” deduction of $300 to stimulate charitable giving in 2020. Please consult with your tax or financial advisor to see if you might be able to take advantage of any tax strategies available before year-end.
Thank you for your support of the Lake Mills Area Community Foundation and we hope the New Year brings you and your family good health, prosperity, and all the blessings to be thankful for.
With Sincere Gratitude,
Aaron M. Genthe, President - (920) 648-3876
Lake Mills Area Community Foundation
