When Golden Belt Community Foundation approached Rush County about creating a more flexible community-wide fund through its FOREVER initiative, county leaders were very interested, but uncertain about whether or not they could raise enough to qualify for matching funds. Their dream was to create an endowment that could fund parks and playgrounds, education, health programs, and other community improvements in perpetuity.
“The initial offer was a match of 50 cents on the dollar. They gave us some levels to strive for, like $25,000 or $50,000. We thought we could probably do the $50,000, but none of us had ever gotten involved with fundraising before,” said Kara Jecha, Chair, Forever Rush County. “We’d done small fundraisers like fireworks stands, but that’s about it. But we didn’t want to miss this opportunity. We submitted the paperwork and then got a call back from [Golden Belt Executive Director] Christy Tustin. She said ‘Our board thinks you can do more. If you would go for $100,000 we’d match you dollar for dollar.’”
Rush County leaders stepped up to the challenge. Though the new $100,000 goal was higher than they originally thought possible, they knew the opportunity to secure the matching funds for their community’s endowment was too great to let go.
“It was slow at first as we tried to get the word out. Giving Tuesday was our initial kickoff and we raised $30,000. Not bad, but we had a long way to go. In year two, we got a little more into the fundraising with help from Christy. She and I met with some donors one on one. I was definitely not in my comfort zone, but Christy was so encouraging. By the end of 2019 we were right at $75,000.”
Like so many other organizations in 2020, Forever Rush County is trying to find the best ways to navigate through operating during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“There are people hurting, but there are people still willing to give. People want to leave a legacy behind and make Rush County a better place. We would have been foolish to turn this down. The blessed thing was that I had Christy to bounce ideas off of, and she was such a cheerleader and encourager. We couldn’t have done it without her. She was like a fairy godmother.”
Forever Rush County has until the end of 2020 to raise the remaining funds needed in order to secure the $100,000 in matching funds. Other Golden Belt communities with similar forever matching fund programs include Rozel and Burdett who are working jointly.
