Article from The Clipper Publication; 4/15/2025
Wood River Community Centennial Foundation Executive Secretary Judy Wagoner holds the Foundation’s Book of Memory,
which records an enduring tribute to the memory of a departed loved one for a gift of $10.00 or more to the Foundation.
Foundation seed planted in early 1980’s
Wood River Community Centennial Foundation celebrates over 40 years of dedication to the community
“It’s the community’s foundation. Without the community’s support, we couldn’t make it work,” explained Wood River Community Centennial Foundation (WRCCF) secretary Judy Wagoner, of the organization that has, for over forty years, worked through philanthropic gifts to better the Wood River Community. The WRCCF recently surpassed the one million dollars awarded back to the Wood River community
“After the Wood River Centennial in 1982, there were funds remaining from centennial groups that caused lots of chatter about what to do with these funds,” Ms. Wagoner, who along with the late Donna Moyer and late Lew Welch together conceived the idea of the WRCCF in the form of approved grants. “About this time, we noticed different articles about local community foundations and how they were impacting their local communities. Donna was aware of the Hamilton County Foundation and the growth of different entities in Aurora, Lew was aware of the Phelps County Foundation so we began to check with surrounding towns who had developed community foundations to see if this was a possibility for Wood River.”
“Donna planted the seed,” Ms. Wagoner said of Mrs. Moyer’s influence in getting WRCCF off the ground. “Lew and I helped her gather information from various organizations to contact and sat down with the attorney to get our articles drawn up.”
The organizational meeting for the Wood River Community Centennial Foundation was held on July 25, 1984, according to Ms. Wagoner. A meeting of the centennial committee held previously had agreed to turn the remaining centennial funds over to the Wood River Community Centennial Foundation, Inc.
At this meeting, Mr. John Fry, President of the Lincoln Foundation, explained the formation and operation of the Lincoln Foundation, how it had assisted other Nebraska communities in forming community foundations and how it could help the Wood River Foundation. The proposed articles of incorporation for the WRCCF were read, and after discussion, 45 Wood River supporters signed the proposed articles of incorporation. The articles of incorporation were then filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Nebraska. A certificate of incorporation and a copy of the original filed articles dated August 7, 1984, was received as proof of the foundation’s status as a non-profit corporation.
“In the beginning, we were associated with the Lincoln Foundation, then the Nebraska Community Foundation and in 2007 with the Grand Island Foundation,” Ms. Wagoner related. “These were good relations but we wanted to keep more control over the investments and the policy of our Foundation.”
WRCCF became self-governing in 2013 and received Internal Revenue Tax Exempt Status in 2006, qualifying as a section 501(c)(3) charitable foundation entitling donors tax deductions for federal income and estate tax purposes. The articles of incorporation were on file and current beginning in 2013. Wagoner continued with, “The funds are invested with Heritage Bank Wealth Management in Aurora and Bangs and Stewart prepared the quarterly and annual financial reports. While the foundation board members do not directly go out and seek donations, they are present in the community and help spread the goals of the foundation.”
The mission of WRCCF is today as it was at its inception, to encourage, receive and administer con- contributions and gifts for the benefit of the Wood River area. Funding for WRCCF is received from individuals, businesses, corporations, and estates. Contributions and memorials can be made in the form of cash, securities, real estate, life insurance, and bequests.
Many funds have been created to serve the various desires of donors.
Named Funds are gifts totaling $500.00 or more and will be placed, at the request of the donor, in a separate account. The donor may name this fund and designate its use.
The Founder’s Fund was created as an organizational builder. This gift of $750.00 becomes part of the Founder’s General Endowment Fund, with the income available for grant making.
Benefactor’s status is obtained by a $1,000.00 contribution to the General Fund. This fund may accumulate to $10,000.00 at which time the donor becomes a General Benefactor.
WRCCF is also an appropriate charity to be identified in a person’s estate plan. In designating WRCCF, a person helps ensure the community’s continued vibrancy into the future.
A Book of Memory was created to provide a dignified and enduring tribute to the memory of a departed friend or relative. A gift of $10.00 or more, given in memory of a loved one, assures the inscription of the name of the departed in the Book of Memory. Memo- rial gifts that total or exceed $100.00 receive a “Special Mention” designation.
A complete list of funds, open and closed, may be found on the yearly report or on the WRCCF website. Also a Book of Honor was created to provide a dignified and enduring tribute to the honor of an event or person. For example, a gift can be made for someone’s birthday or for an anniversary. A gift of $10.00 or more will assure the inscription of the name and or event in the Book of Honor.
“At an early meeting of the WRCCF, (January 3, 1986), the board adopted the policy that the foundation’s responsibil- ity is the financial support of programs initiated by private individuals or groups seeking additional funding, that met the criteria of civic, cultural and charitable growth,” Wagoner explained. “This policy was further defined in a meeting on March 13, 1986. It was determined that until a specific fund is established, the Foundation will make grants to help sponsor groups and not individual needs. So, while we do not spearhead any projects or programs, it was suggested several times that the grant requesters expand their request.”
“One specific example is when a request was received from the school for equipment for the new fitness center,” Judy continued. “We asked them for the total picture of what they envisioned and then worked with the school to raise funds through donations, Go Big GIVE that year, and from named funds that ap- approved this request for the equipment and the flooring. Names of the donors for the indoor walking track are on display at the Fitness Center.”
The first grant, in the amount of $300, was awarded on November 20, 1985, which was for an Artist in Residence at Wood River Elementary School for a week-long program on writing. The first scholarship was established on April 3, 1985, by Dr. Bay, and the first Named Fund was endowed to the Maltman Memorial Library by Sabra, Hazel and Roscoe Abbott for the purchase of books.
“Everyone in the community is considered a member and is invited to attend the board meetings, held quarterly and the annual meeting in November,” stated Ms. Wagoner. “These meetings are advertised and we would welcome everyone to come learn about the year’s activities. If you would be interested in serving on the board, please contact one of the board members or myself and we will place your name in consideration. There will be one opening this November and we would like to have interested parties step forward.”
Currently, the WRCCF Board of Directors is made up of Kaye Doane, Adrienne Gill, Andrea Johnson, Kim Canfield, Abby Rennau, Jason Rotter, Tracy Jakubowski, Dave Harders, Blanca Rodriguez, Jenny Reeder and Judd Haahr.
When asked why she originally chose to become involved with WRCCF, Ms. Wagoner offered, “I had seen how other community foundations had benefited their communities and was encouraged by the possibilities for Wood River.”
“I was asked to take on this role as executive secretary, which I accepted. Ms. Wagoner said of serving as executive secretary. “In the years that followed, the board has renewed this request and I have agreed to continue in that capacity.”
“When I completed my second two year term on the board, the board recognized how important it was to have someone locally who could keep track of the donations, the correspondence (formation of the various funds, follow-ups, legal require- ments and acknowledgements of the dona- tions),” Ms. Wagoner said of her service as WRCCF treasurer. “I believe in the role of the Foundation in the community and find this is a way I can be involved in the future growth.”
Ms. Wagoner added, “The foundation has been blessed with many supporters, who agreed to serve as board members. The names of former board members, who have reached the status as Ambassadors of the Foundation number over 80. They have contributed their time, talent and treasure to the growth and success of our Foundation. There names will soon be listed on our webpage, wrcommunityfoundation.com”
Ms. Wagoner expressed gratitude to the many loyal supporters who continue to support the foundation with their monetary memorial gifts and donations. “When I compile the annual reports, I’m grateful to recognize individuals and families who have invested in the future growth and dreams of the Wood River community,” she said.
Finally, the Wood River Community Centennial Foundation will be taking part in Go Big GIVE on Thursday, May 1, a day to make gifts to the Foundation (online giving begins on April 21) or stop by the Wood River Community Room to make a donation from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Ms. Wagoner concluded with, “We are proud of the past and want to build on this for a promising future as new grants are received.”
