The Greensboro Association and Fund for Greensboro
The Greensboro Association was formed in 1934 to protect our lake environment and support and enhance our community. The GA has a long history of supporting 4th of July festivities, public beach maintenance, the swim program, Greensboro Free Library and more. Annual grants from membership dues and gifts have been made for most or all of our history. The Fund for Greensboro was created to steward this legacy for generations to come.
What is the Fund for Greensboro?
About 20 years ahead of the Fund for Greensboro, the Caspian Lake Fund was started to combat a serious potential environmental threat, when Eurasian Milfoil invaded many Vermont lakes.
In 2015, the Fund for Greensboro was launched to provide a tangible lasting means to give back to our community and lake environment. It started with the existing Lake Fund of $65K and a new Community Endowment Fund, the income from which would augment the growing annual grants program. The Unrestricted Fund was soon added when a number of members wanted their gifts to be available for grants and unforeseen needs, not limited to the income from it, as the Endowment would eventually provide.
In 2019 the Emergency Relief Fund was created to support pandemic-related needs of our front line organizations. $65K was raised over two years and returned to the community in grants to local human service organizations.
How much has been raised and how much given out?
Over $300,000 in grants have been made over the 88 year life of the GA; about half of this provided in the last 8 years since the FFG was founded, including $65K for pandemic Relief.
The Lake Reserve, Endowment and Unrestricted funds now together exceed $500K. But the needs in our region are great: lake protection and environmental stewardship, human services for our youth and aging population; educational, cultural, and recreational amenities all benefit from our additional support, which we hope can grow.
What is the 1781 Society?
The 1781 Society was formed in 2018 to recognize and honor the first estate provisions for the Fund for Greensboro. Forty-five 1781 Society members to date, in 25 households have either notified us of an IRA designation or will provision of $10,000 or more, or made lifetime gifts of that amount.
Goals – Fund for Greensboro and 1781 Society
In 2-4 years, we hope to double the Fund for Greensboro balance to $1M and our 1781 Society membership to 100.
In 5-10 years we hope to double our fund balance again to $2M, and commence granting an annual 6 figure contribution to our community, to address new and existing needs and initiatives, to support and enhance this community and protect our lake environment.
Where is the money now going?
In 2022 $25,000 has been approved for 20 grantees:
- Greensboro Bend Revitalization Initiative
- Greensboro Community Gardens – on town hall green
- Greensboro Fire Department
- Greensboro Free Library
- Greensboro Historical Society
- Greensboro Nursing Home
- Greensboro Public Beach committee
- Greensboro Swim Program
- Greensboro Ski Trails
- Greensboro Cemetery Commission
- Caspian Sailing race buoys
- Hardwick Food Pantry
- Hardwick Rescue Squad
- Rural Arts Collaborative – formerly Wonder Arts, GRACE & SPARK
- AWARE – domestic abuse services
- Four Seasons of Early Learning child care center, Greensboro
- Saplings child care center, Craftsbury
- Craftsbury Community Care Center
- Modern Times Theatre Halloween Celebration
- Vermont Learning Collaborative – supporting neuro-diverse youth in our area
- Additionally,
- Vermont LakeWise Program for lakeshore protection – $12K was allocated in 2021 for the first two years of the program at Caspian.
Please join the 1781 Society
In an effort to provide lasting return for Caspian Lake and the Greensboro Community, the Greensboro Association 1781 Society was formed to recognize those who have made a current gift, or lifetime gifts, or a planned gift of a will or IRA provision of $10,000 or more, in support of the Fund for Greensboro. 1781 Society members have collectively made gifts and commitments of over $500,000 in future support of the lake and community. All gifts and commitments, large and small, support the whole.
Special thanks to our 1781 Society membership of 45 GA members in 25 households.
Our sincere thanks to all who have supported the Fund for Greensboro.
The Fund for Greensboro (FFG)
The Fund for Greensboro
c/o The Greensboro Association
P.O. Box 59
Greensboro, VT 05841
The Fund for Greensboro (FFG) supports social, cultural, environmental, educational, human service, and recreational initiatives in and around Greensboro, VT. The FFG operates under the auspices of the Greensboro Association, a registered non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The FFG is supported by tax-deductible gifts from individuals who wish to support and strengthen the Greensboro community now and in perpetuity.
Mission: To establish reserve funds and an endowment to support initiatives and organizations that enrich, strengthen, and preserve the vitality of the community of Greensboro, Caspian Lake, and its surrounding watershed.
Structure: The FFG is comprised of three distinct funds: 1) the Community Endowment Fund; 2) the Lake Reserve Fund, and 3) the Unrestricted Fund.
- The Community Endowment Fund is used to supplement the Greensboro Association’s annual Grants Program. Grant applications are reviewed by the Grants Committee, recommendations made, and distributions approved by the Greensboro Association Board. These funds are invested for long-term growth; a variable percentage of this Fund is used annually, preserving the principle.
- The Lake Reserve Fund supports initiatives, activities, and resources that protect the environmental health of Caspian Lake and its watershed. These funds are invested for growth and liquidity and are distributed with guidance from the Lake Committee and approval of the Greensboro Association Board.
- The Unrestricted Fund is invested for growth and liquidity, to be used for grants and initiatives at the discretion of the Greensboro Association Board.
Types of Donations
The Fund for Greensboro gratefully accepts gifts of cash, marketable securities, bequests, and IRA and insurance designations. Donations to any of the three FFG funds may also be made as deferred gifts (e.g. within an estate plan or IRA designation).
1781 Society
The Greensboro Association 1781 Society honors lifetime gifts and estate provisions of $10,000 or more.
To Make a Donation
CASH & CHECK Please make checks payable to the Greensboro Association, Fund For Greensboro, designating Community Endowment, Lake Reserve, or Unrestricted.
Stocks and marketable securities transfer instructions:
DTC transfer to NFS, LLC, DTC#0226
For further credit to:
Greensboro Association FFG Community Endowment Fund #C9B-024450
Greensboro Association FFG Lake Reserve Fund #C9B-024446
Greensboro Association FFG Unrestricted Fund #C9B-026109
Fed Fund wire transfer instructions to NFS, LLC:
1 Chase Manhattan Plaza, New York NY. 10041
ABA: 021000021 Account # 066196-221
For further credit to:
Greensboro Association FFG Community Endowment Fund #C9B-024450
Greensboro Association FFG Lake Reserve Fund #C9B-024446
Greensboro Association FFG Unrestricted Fund #C9B-026109
Contact us:
For more information regarding the Fund for Greensboro, different ways of giving, grants, or special inquiries, please visit our website at: www.GreensboroAssociation.org/FFG
or email us at: [email protected]
1781 Society
The FFG 1781 Society recognizes lifetime gifts or legacy bequests of $10,000 or more.
Questions?
Please contact Becky Arnold or any committee member with questions about donations or bequests to the FFG.
FFG Committee: Becky Arnold, Vince Cubbage, Tim Nisbet, Naomi Ranz-Schneider, John Stone III, Mary White, Peter Watkinson
Gift Forms and Instructions
Please download the gift instructions and commitment form here:
FFG 1781 Society and Legacy Gift Instructions
FFG Statement of Estate Commitment
Please contact Becky Arnold with any questions relating to the Fund for Greensboro and opportunities to donate.