After interviewing several organizations, the Rusk County Community Foundation (RCCF) is proud to announce that it has partnered with the Community Foundation of Chippewa County (CFCC). “In eight years the Chippewa Foundation has grown their endowments to over three and a half million dollars and has distributed over $500,000 in Chippewa county communities. They have the investment experience and business staff in place to assist us, at minimal cost to our organization,” said Kathy Pakes, RCCF chair. “To keep our local operating expenses at a bare minimum and have an experienced, professional organization like the Chippewa Foundation track all donations and endowed funds is a win-win for the RCCF. Through prudent fiscal management the RCCF can guarantee local donors that their gifts will remain local, keep on giving, and not be frittered away on unnecessary expenses.”
The Rusk County Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization and donations are tax deductible. As a local organization, it is run by an all-volunteer board of directors, and all grants are distributed to organizations that have an impact on the citizens of Rusk County. By partnering with the Chippewa Foundation the RCCF will maintain its status as an all-volunteer organization, thereby keeping operating expenses at a minimum.
This year the RCCF awarded grants for projects related to refurbishing the Weyerhaeuser community park, creating an outdoor guide to the Blue Hills, the Bass Lake clean up, and the “Food for Families” program which involves students in raising an organic garden for donation to a local food pantry.
Through the generosity of local donors, the RCCF has established permanent endowed funds for the Flambeau School (scholarship fund), the Ladysmith-Hawkins school district, the Women with Courage Foundation, Norda, Inc. (scholarship fund), an anonymous fund, and a general endowed fund. Anyone interested in donating to any of these funds, or creating their own fund, should visit the RCCF foundation website, ruskfoundation.org, or contact board members who are listed on that site.
