New officers were elected at the Kosciusko County Foundation's annual meeting luncheon Tuesday.

The new officers are board chairman Don Allen; vice chairman Kim Fuller; secretary Kevin Zachary; treasurer Larry Stanley; and executive director Suzie Light.

Recognized for 10 years of service to the foundation were Steve Grill and Lee Heyde.

Allen spoke about the foundation and its future.

The foundation will move to its new location, 102 E. Market St., in December. An open house for the public is planned in the spring, Allen said.

The organization also will evaluate itself, including the use of community focus groups to help with the evaluation.

A board retreat was held in October, he said, and the top three visions for the foundation are: to build the foundation so that it's a model to meet the community needs; to provide educational services to donors and potential donors; and to increase visibility of the foundation in the county.

Allen then spoke on the three distinct features of a community foundation. A community foundation has a permanent endowment and a broad, flexible purpose. Personalized giving also is offered and donors can give in many ways, including cash, stocks, property, charitable remainder trusts and bequests.

Gifts, he said, will gain the maximum tax advantage and the donor can be involved in establishing a fund.

Kosciusko County Foundation was formed in 1968 and reorganized in 1972. This year the foundation has reached more than $15 million in assets and grants.

Some of the grant awards offered by the foundation that meet diverse community needs, Allen said, include the Heart of Gold and youth programs, assistance programs and scholarships.

Some of the reasons people choose community foundations, Allen said, are to build endowment funds, to create legacies and to fulfill multiple interests in giving.

The annual report on the foundation also was presented at the luncheon. [[In-content Ad]]