The CFNRV is pleased to announce the establishment of a new endowed fund by New River Valley (NRV) Leading Lights.
NRV Leading Lights started 2009 by the German Club Alumni Foundation and other community organizations. The organization acknowledges and honors volunteers across the New River Valley who are making community-changing impacts. Each year, the group solicits nominations for awards at the high school, college, and community levels. The process culminates in a banquet to celebrate these “Leading Lights”. In a decade, Leading Lights has given monetary awards to 60 people, including 11 Distinguished Awardees. Each winner receives a $500 award ($1,000 for lifetime winners) to donate to the NRV nonprofit of their choice. To date, this program has honored 574 “Leading Lights” and distributed $57,000 to NRV community organizations.
Securing a long-term impact
With this successful record, NRV Leading Lights is looking to secure long-term, permanent existence. They hope to grow the impact of this program through this endowment that will produce income over time. This long-term planning for the future will allow them to carry out their mission and vision in perpetuity. Judy, Rob, and Amy Job donated a $15,000 gift to create this endowment. They made this gift in honor of Judy’s recently deceased husband, Bob, a longtime board member of Leading Lights. Major donors to the endowment will have the opportunity to name an NRV Leading Lights Distinguished Award.
“We are excited about the endowment for the future of NRV Leading Lights and the community,” said Dick Arnold, President of the NRV Leading Lights Board of Directors. “Establishing this endowment will allow us to begin building sustainability toward honoring volunteer ‘Leading Lights’ for their dedication and leadership, and inspiring a culture of volunteerism that is rewarded and recognized. We thank the Job family who made this possible.”
Endowed funds help build sustainability
Jessica Wirgau, Executive Director of CFNRV, is excited to welcome NRV Leading Lights as an endowed fund holder at CFNRV. Wirgau said, “Creating an endowed fund at the Community Foundation is one of the best ways for organizations like NRV Leading Lights to build sustainability and ensure the long-term impact of their programs. We know how important dedicated volunteers are to all types of organizations, including our own. We are honored to help ensure that the NRV’s many “Leading Lights” are celebrated for generations to come through this endowment.”
Individuals or organizations interested in learning more about designated or agency funds and other ways to magnify the impact of giving with the Foundation can visit https://cfnrv.org/giving/types-of-funds/ or contact Jessica Wirgau for more information.