Sidney and Greater Area Foundation Fund (SAGA); A big step forward

By Dr. Wendall Gaston

For the last 40 to 50 years, several individuals and groups have tried to start a local or area foundation to help fund local projects and groups. Well, the SAGA Fund, an affiliated fund Nebraska Community Foundation, successfully organized a little over a year ago. The fund members have begun fundraising to kick off an unrestricted endowment. An annual payout from that endowment will help fund local projects and programs. A very energetic group has been selected as the local governing committee and the process of asking for donations has begun.

So why is this so important for Sidney and the surrounding area. SAGA is building a permanent endowment, (forever money), where the principal is invested, and an annual payout will advance ideas and projects for generations to come. It gives area residents a local foundation fund to support and keep the area growing. It can also help establish a legacy for families that want to give back to the community they love. It is often a struggle to find volunteers to help current foundations with tax reporting, board members, fundraising or even distribution of funds. This fund will allow other foundations to partner with SAGA to help control costs and keep the funds vibrant. This fund also gives families a resource to give back to the community. It allows a legacy to be established.

SAGA’s goal is to provide a way for individuals, families, friends and business to donate to the future of our community in a permanent way. This fund will give distinguished Alumni, who care deeply about their hometown, a way to “give back” to Sidney and the area. Sidney has many groups, foundations and clubs whose goal is to help projects and people in Sidney and the surrounding area. This fund is just one more tool to help those groups succeed. Many clubs and foundations have come and gone, but SAGA with the assistance of the Nebraska Community Foundation, is designed to last forever. The Nebraska Community Foundations provides the expertise and tools to help the local fund grow and thrive. There are 245 such affiliated funds in Nebraska. This fund will become a game-changer for Sidney and the surrounding area. We know this because it is happening across Nebraska.

It just takes a trip to the local cemetery to realize that the surrounding area has had some very important family names, people who committed themselves to this area of Nebraska, which no longer has a presence in the area. It seems that after 3 to 4 generations, family members have moved on and the work of the parents or grandparents or even great-grandparents are not recognized with time. SAGA offers an avenue to recognize that legacy, which in turn continues to give back to the surrounding area. We have been very lucky to have people that have for years shared their time, talent and treasure to fund projects. It takes a foundation like SAGA a while to build enough capital to make a difference, but it is a start. Each dollar is a step forward in building a new and stronger future for the community and area we love.

We are asking for your help. The SAGA fund has been issued a challenge grant. SAGA must raise at least $250,000 and they will receive $1 Million to help build the unrestricted endowment. This makes your donation worth 4 times as much.

This means for every dollar you give to SAGA will be matched by 4 dollars up to $1 million in the form of a grant. The SAGA fund can accept many types of assets-cash is the most common, but SAGA can also accept gifts of grain, cattle, real estate, retirement assets and appreciated stock. Please consider a donation. It lasts forever and will help Sidney and the surrounding area forever. If you have questions or would like to help, please contact a SAGA Fund Advisory Committee member or myself.