The Laredo Area Community Foundation held its 11th Annual Disbursement Ceremony on May 23rd at Texas A&M International University. Over $376,000 was given out in grants for the 2018 fiscal year.
Recipients included Congregation Agudas Acim, Laredo Center for the Arts, Imaginarium of South Texas, TAMIU, LCC, St. Augustine High School, Laredo Boy Scouts of America, United Way of Laredo, Laredo Food Bank, Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra.. Numerous scholarships were also awarded to high school students from Cotulla High School, Zapata High School and Bruni High School to help them further their higher education.
“Its a great opportunity for our donors and recipients to gather for this philanthropic occasion,” explains LACF President Keith Franklin. “We are proud to do our part as a Board to help our funds grow and to show the communities we serve that so many participate in charitable giving,” said Franklin. Board Member Elizabeth Sames added, “The more donors give to their LACF fund, the more they give to their causes, not just for now, but forever.”
Non-profit funds receiving LACF Board gifts included Bethany House, Children’s Advocacy Center, Communities in Schools, Ruthe B. Cowl, Imaginarium of South Texas, Junior Achievement of Laredo, Laredo Kidney Foundation, Laredo Center for the Arts, Laredo Theater Guild International, Boys and Girls Clubs of Laredo, TAMIU Engineering Program, , United Way, and LCC.
To date, the Foundation has disbursed over $4 million in donor funds to benefit local and area non-profits and has grown to over 95 funds, with total assets of over $11 million. LACF offers a myriad of gifting options for anyone and any budget, including direct donations of cash, property, or stock, five different types of endowment funds, and vehicles for gifting after death such as life insurance, will bequests, and charitable trusts. “We truly are a One Stop Shop for charitable giving,” explained Board President Keith Franklin. “LACF takes care of all the paperwork, tax returns, and disbursements from each fund, and makes sure donor’s gifting goals are respected and carried out in perpetuity.”
