June 17, 2023 at 5:02 a.m.
TDF board OKs merger
TDF board OKs merger
DUNKIRK — The merger of Jay County’s two community foundations is one step closer.
The Dunkirk Foundation’s board of directors voted unanimously Thursday evening to merge with The Portland Foundation.
The next step is a vote by The Portland Foundation’s board next week. If approved, the organizations will merge effective July 1.
The Dunkirk Foundation made its plans to merge with The Portland Foundation public a couple of weeks ago and held a public meeting Tuesday to explain reasoning and hear public comment on the issue.
Jesse Bivens, president of The Dunkirk Foundation, and other board members explained that discussions regarding a potential merger had been happening on-and-off since 1994. The Dunkirk Foundation revisited the idea again in the last three years and brought in consultant Mitch Isaacs of Shafer Leadership Academy in October to help guide the decision-making process.
Bivens said the focus has been on making The Dunkirk Foundation better. Through the merger, the organization would gain a full-time staff to handle management of funds and administrative work.
It would also have a physical presence for the first time, something emeritus board member Chuck Huffman said has been a goal but has not been feasible. He noted that with an all-volunteer board it has become more challenging to manage the funds that now total $2.06 million.
A memorandum of understanding indicates that The Dunkirk Foundation’s 14 funds would be moved to The Portland Foundation and become the Dunkirk Community Funds.
They would be maintained in their current form, with their own section in The Portland Foundation’s annual report.
The current board of The Dunkirk Foundation — Christy Curts, Jill Ford, Judy Geesaman, Kathy Nelson, Don Hall, Dan Watson, Will Masters, Jim Weiseman and Bivens — will become the Dunkirk Community Advisors. As such, they will make recommendations for both grants and scholarships supported by the Dunkirk Community Funds. The memorandum of understanding indicates that The Portland Foundation has agreed to follow the advisors’ wishes as long as they follow the rules for the fund and don’t violate laws or regulations, or jeopardize The Portland Foundation’s tax status.
The Dunkirk Foundation was founded in 1970.
The Dunkirk Foundation’s board of directors voted unanimously Thursday evening to merge with The Portland Foundation.
The next step is a vote by The Portland Foundation’s board next week. If approved, the organizations will merge effective July 1.
The Dunkirk Foundation made its plans to merge with The Portland Foundation public a couple of weeks ago and held a public meeting Tuesday to explain reasoning and hear public comment on the issue.
Jesse Bivens, president of The Dunkirk Foundation, and other board members explained that discussions regarding a potential merger had been happening on-and-off since 1994. The Dunkirk Foundation revisited the idea again in the last three years and brought in consultant Mitch Isaacs of Shafer Leadership Academy in October to help guide the decision-making process.
Bivens said the focus has been on making The Dunkirk Foundation better. Through the merger, the organization would gain a full-time staff to handle management of funds and administrative work.
It would also have a physical presence for the first time, something emeritus board member Chuck Huffman said has been a goal but has not been feasible. He noted that with an all-volunteer board it has become more challenging to manage the funds that now total $2.06 million.
A memorandum of understanding indicates that The Dunkirk Foundation’s 14 funds would be moved to The Portland Foundation and become the Dunkirk Community Funds.
They would be maintained in their current form, with their own section in The Portland Foundation’s annual report.
The current board of The Dunkirk Foundation — Christy Curts, Jill Ford, Judy Geesaman, Kathy Nelson, Don Hall, Dan Watson, Will Masters, Jim Weiseman and Bivens — will become the Dunkirk Community Advisors. As such, they will make recommendations for both grants and scholarships supported by the Dunkirk Community Funds. The memorandum of understanding indicates that The Portland Foundation has agreed to follow the advisors’ wishes as long as they follow the rules for the fund and don’t violate laws or regulations, or jeopardize The Portland Foundation’s tax status.
The Dunkirk Foundation was founded in 1970.
Top Stories
9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit
Chartwells marketing
September 17, 2024 7:36 a.m.
Events
250 X 250 AD