Maquoketa preschool plans for sustainable future
Little Shepherd Preschool has established a new endowment fund with the Community Foundation of Jackson County
After decades of building successful futures for children in Maquoketa, Little Shepherd Preschool is making plans for sustainability.
Little Shepherd has established a new endowment fund at the Community Foundation of Jackson County (CFJC) to provide a reliable and sustainable source of income.
“Little Shepherd has provided quality education for young children since 1983,” said Director Dana Howell. “By giving to the Little Shepherd Preschool endowment, community members are helping us keep our doors open for many years to come.”
Little Shepherd Preschool joins a growing list of endowments funds in our region. In 2016, CFJC endowment funds paid out more than $323,000 to support causes in Jackson County. Nonprofit organizations and community members can create endowment funds at CFJC to benefit charitable causes. These funds are invested and pay out 5% annually.
Dollars from the fund will provide annual support and allow Little Shepherd to expand to offer daycare services too.
“Our preschool staff provides students with a broad range of educational and fun opportunities that will help each child learn to the best of his or her abilities,” said Howell. “We’re trying to broaden our horizons to become a daycare too. We don’t want transportation to be an issue for families and adding daycare will help eliminate that barrier.”
Gifts to endowed funds held at the Foundation are eligible for the Endow Iowa 25% State Tax Credit. This tax credit is in addition to the federal deduction for charitable gifts. Endow Iowa is a financial incentive for individual donors, families, and businesses to create or build endowments to give back to their community. For some donors, the actual cost of the gift is 40 cents on the dollar, and the increased charitable impact per dollar gifted is one of the reasons endowments are growing in Jackson County.
For more information, visit www.jacksoncountyfoundation.org or call 563.652.4179.