The Challenge

It was the desire of Verner and Mildred Vinzant of Lexington, Nebraska to create a community foundation for Bertrand. Mildred died in 1999 and after Verner’s death in 2007, The Verner and Mildred Vinzant Donor Advised Fund was established. In April, 2011, a challenge grant in the amount of $195,000 was issued from this fund to the Bertrand Community. Mrs. Vinzant, the former Mildred Scheel, grew up on a farm southwest of Bertrand. She and Mr. Vinzant wanted to establish the endowment as a means of supporting future projects that would benefit the area citizens. To meet the challenge, the local foundation must raise the matching $195,000 by December, 2013. These assets will be invested to generate an ongoing source of income year after year.

MEETING THE CHALLENGE

Funds from the Vinzant Donor Advised Fund will be matched 1:1 with new contributions. Matching funds will be disbursed in $50,000 increments. As of June 1, 2012, the Bertrand Area Community Foundation Fund has raised more than $100,000 to meet Mr. and Mrs. Vinzant’s challenge. Matching funds have been issued to the Bertrand Community Endowment Fund. The third increment of $50,000 will be followed by the final increment of $45,000, payable by December, 2013.

Contributing to the Foundation is a way to invest in the future of the Bertrand area, to help build a better community, to support a specific cause and to be a part of keeping our community a wonderful place to call home.

WAYS TO HELP

The Foundation is dedicated to the improvement of our community and the surrounding area. Insuring the success of that goal requires the help of individual donations. There are many ways to invest in our future:

Gifts of cash or property

Gifts of grain or livestock

Bequests in your will

Retirements plans

Gifts of life insurance

Memorial/Honor gifts

Gift annuities that provide lifelong income for you and your loved ones

Whether large or small, your contribution or pledge will have a lasting impact on our community.

SUPPORTED PROJECTS

Reaching the first $50,000 in contributions allowed the committee to give a grant to the Bertrand Village Board to be used for improvements at the Hi-Line Golf Course. Other projects are currently being considered.

Projects in progress are:

Bertrand Community Building Exterior Renovations

Bertrand Community School Library

General Fund for Future Projects

Young at Heart Senior Center

Bertrand Fire Depart. New Emergency Unit