MISSION

The mission of the Lenawee Community Foundation is to enhance the quality of life of the citizens of Lenawee County, Michigan through permanent endowments by:

· Identifying and addressing current and anticipated community needs, and

·Raising, managing, and distributing the funds for charitable purposes in the area of civic, cultural, health, educational, and social services.

OVERVIEW

The Lenawee Community Foundation was organized in the 1950’s as the Tecumseh Community Fund Foundation. In the earlier days, this foundation operated as an annual fundraiser, distributing the funds raised each year.

In 1996 the Foundation changed its focus to become a true foundation, utilizing the permanent endowment concept. Because of a commitment to serve the entire county, the name was legally changed to Lenawee Community Foundation in 2005.

The Lenawee Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, approved by the Internal Revenue Service for federal deductions for gifts. It is also a qualified Michigan community foundation, which allows donors to take Michigan tax credits.

The Lenawee Community Foundation is unique when compared to the other nonprofits in Lenawee County.

1. We work for the future of our community. Although we provide funds to address current community needs, most of our funds are permanently invested with a portion of the earnings utilized for charitable causes. Thus, you can think of us as a community “savings account” with our major focus on Lenawee’s anticipated needs.

2. We are broad-based. No other nonprofit in Lenawee works in the five areas we do – Health, Civic, Culture, Education, and Human Services.

3. Individuals, couples, corporations, and resident estates and trusts qualify for the Michigan tax credit when making donations to endowed funds in the Lenawee Community Foundation.