Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First

Kimball Area Foundation raising funds for Kimball

The Kimball Area Foundation (KAF) is a non-profit charitable organization located in Kimball for the benefit of providing financial assistance to qualified people, groups and businesses from the Kimball and Banner County areas.

Formed in 2005 with the intention of preserving and enhancing the quality of living in Kimball and the surrounding communities, KAF is funded solely through donations.

There are four funds that donors may choose to donate towards. An endowment fund was created, which allows for donations to be received and held in the perpetual fund, of which only the interest generated from it may be used towards grants that are available to the public.

There is an unrestricted/general cash fund that, once received, can be used at the discretion of the Funds Advisory Committee.

The restricted or “donor-advised fund” is money that was donated with the intention of the donor to be used for specific purposes. Designated funds are donated with the intention that only a particular organization, program or purpose may use their donations.

Application for grant fund opportunities are available on the KAF website.

KAF an affiliated fund of the Nebraska Community Foundation (NCF), a Sec. 501(c)(3) organization that was the result of a group of individuals, who in 1993, envisioned a better future for rural communities throughout the state.

NCF has over 224 affiliated funds throughout Nebraska benefitting 251communities in 79 counties of which KAF is one of the community-based affiliated funds. The mission of NCF is to “use the tools of philanthropy, community development and economic development to help communities help themselves.” This is done through helping to develop local leadership and talent, fund community needs and opportunities, inspire charitable giving and grow endowments, manage financial resources and to build and leverage local assets.

The overall goal or vision of NCF is to create opportunities for all people in Nebraska to reach their highest potential through the help and “culture of giving and the values of good work, accountability and responsibility.”

Since 1993, NCF and its affiliates have reinvested $263.8 million back into Nebraska. According to the NCF website, “as of June 30, 2016 NCF had $117.7 million in total assets with $70.9 million in permanent endowments under management.”

To learn more about the Kimball Area Foundation and Nebraska Community Foundation, there will be a meeting at the Kimball library at noon on December 14. Please bring your own sack lunch.