A Joint Initiative Between     Heart of Wisconsin     Business & Economic Alliance and     Community Foundation of Greater     South Wood County

Home About Us B2B Club Breaking News Contact Donate Events / Programs Feedback Ideas Incubator Industry Clusters Links / Resources Progess Funds Progress Teams Public Art / Murals Publications		Breaking News June 3, 2005 - Rome to get a taste of endowments By Karen Madden, Daily Tribune Staff A new summer event called A Taste of Rome will highlight not only good food and businesses in the town but also a new way for residents to donate toward future projects. With the help of a $5,000 grant from the Community Foundation of South Wood County, the Rome Community Fund Committee has directed one of its first grants to A Taste of Rome. The event, which takes place July 16, will showcase Rome restaurants, businesses and organizations, said Kathleen Krueger, co-chairwoman of the Rome Connection Committee, the organizing group. "It was the very first money we received," Krueger said. "It was the seed money for A Taste of Rome event." The Community Fund Committee formed as part of the Community Progress Initiative and has started an endowment fund - a permanent account that will generate interest to pay for projects to benefit Rome. The Connection Committee received just less than $1,000 from the Fund Committee for the event, Krueger said. The Community Fund Committee has set an initial goal of raising $100,000 for the endowment fund, said member John Prey. The fund will be administered through the South Wood County foundation. It is important that the community raise at least $20,000 by Dec. 31. The Barker Mead Fund, through the Community Foundation of South Wood County, has pledged to match contributions to each of the community endowment funds set up by Progress Initiative participants. The first $20,000 contributed to the Rome fund will become $40,000. The Community Fund Committee will kick off its fundraising efforts this summer, said member Jane Spencer. The committee soon will mail information to residents about donating. It also will provide information on the endowment fund at A Taste of Rome and hold informational meetings about it during the summer. The Community Fund Committee will accept applications for grants from the endowment fund, Prey said. It then will award grants based on projects' benefit to the community and feasibility. The principal investments in the fund will not be touched - only the interest, said committee member Bob Ebben. That way, the money will be available forever, he said.
		Copyright © 2005, Community Progress Initiative, South Wood County & Town of Rome