PCEF Initiates New Three-Year Pledged Endowment Option
(Ponca Community Educational Foundation)
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At the annual meeting on January 19, 2021, the Ponca Community Educational Foundation (PCEF) Board of Directors voted to develop a new option for donors wishing to establish an endowment through the Foundation. Individuals, families, businesses or organizations will now be able to establish a new endowment using a three-year pledge option. The minimum amount needed to start an endowment is $7,500. Donors may now pledge to meet that minimum amount over a three year pledge period. A pledged endowment of $7,500 must be paid in full at the end of the third pledge year in order for the endowment to be awarded according to the donor(s) guidelines.
The idea behind the three-year pledge option is to provide donors the opportunity to establish their own endowment through planned budgeting over time. Planned giving allows donors the ability to make larger gifts during or after their lifetime providing support to nonprofits of their choice. Planned giving also enables donors to create legacies at organizations that hold meaning to them.
What is an endowment? An investment fund which is typically funded by donations that are tax deductible for the donor. Usually the principal stays in the account and the annual accrued interest is awarded and distributed according to guidelines used for specific purposes which the donor has requested.
What types of endowments would help the Foundation? Categories include:
Endowments for Scholarships for graduating seniors
Endowments for Scholarships for alumni
Endowments for special projects or programs
What are some examples of special projects/programs currently funded through PCEF endowments?
Library Books
Music Resources
Projects for 2nd Grade
School Maintenance & Landscaping
Hot Lunch Program
Athletic Programs
Business Classes
Afterschool Homework Help Program
Guidance & Counseling Resources
Elementary Classroom Resources
You may have a great idea to improve and promote the educational avenues of the Ponca School District! Please talk to us about your ideas! An endowment is a fantastic way to leave a long-term, on-going gift to the education of our young people! If you are interested in establishing an endowment please contact Richard Dohma, PCEF President, at (#402-755-2224) or richard@bankofdc.com.
On Saturday afternoon, March 20, 2021, while sitting around her kitchen table Norma Rickett initiated the first three-year pledged endowment to the PCEF in her family’s name. Funds from the “Dean Rickett Family Special Use Endowment” will support the hot lunch program and elementary school projects in alternate years. Norma is pictured here with PCEF President Richard Dohma and Doug Rickett. Norma shared that her family has three generations of long-standing ties to the Ponca School District. Norma’s late husband, Dean, graduated from PHS with the Class of ‘56. Norma was employed by the school district for 29 years where she served as a Title-One paraeducator, an assistant to long-time business manager and friend, Diane Neill, and most recently Norma was affectionately known by many Ponca students as the “lunch lady” when she supervised the lunchroom. All three of Norma’s children (Doug, Karla, and Dennis) are graduates of Ponca School. Additionally, Doug served on the Ponca School Board for 20 years from 1996-2016. Norma has 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Six of Norma’s great-grandchildren are already in the Ponca School system.
