ABOUT
Background & Mission
We make it easy to be a philanthropist!
The concept of the Slaton Area Endowment is simple but practical. It provides a vehicle to build, over time, substantial endowed funds through contributions both large and small and put them to work in Slaton. Assets are made up of many separate endowments called funds. Although funds are usually pooled for investment purposes, each retains its separate identity for financial accountability and grantmaking purposes.
Such a community endowment enjoys economies of scale, offering the affluent and modest donor alike the professional administration of a major institution.
History and Mission
The Slaton Area Endowment was created in 2013 as the first regional affiliate of Community Foundation of West Texas – the Community Foundation for the Texas South Plains. The Slaton Area Endowment is dedicated to improving the quality of life in Slaton.
The Slaton Area Endowment is an instrument for philanthropy. Donors do not so much give TO the Slaton Area Endowment as THROUGH it. Donors can support the broadest array of philanthropic organizations and causes through the Slaton Area Endowment, using a wide variety of assets. Permanent endowment funds can be established for as little as $5000.
We help donors establish philanthropic funds to perpetuate their values.
We build endowments that will grow and benefit this area forever.
We help donors create personal charitable legacies.
We provide a way to fulfill multiple charitable interests with one gift.
We can accept a wide variety of assets.
We ensure that the donor’s charitable intent will be honored.
The Slaton Area Endowment provides opportunities for donors to achieve their varied philanthropic goals, invest contributed funds prudently, and serves as a responsible steward for the charitable gifts of individuals, families and organizations.
Through our grant making program we are able to provide area non-profits with much needed assistance for programs and operations.
Read more about the Community Foundation of West Texas and the Slaton Area Endowment in the annual report linked below:
Roadmap to Strengthening Communities: Community Opportunities and Needs Assessment
The Community Foundation of West Texas and its affiliates have embarked on an initiative to identify the region’s best opportunities and most pressing needs, and to set bold goals to achieve over the coming years.
What is it like living today in the each of the counties that make up the South Plains region – and what opportunities and challenges face us as we forge a future together? This is a conversation worth having. The facts and figures and perspective offered in each Community Opportunities and Needs Report are meant to help open that conversation.
This important work is a collaboration between the Foundation, many community volunteers, and a partnership team from two national organizations with expertise in regional and rural development: the Center for Rural Entrepreneurship and the Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group.
Read the Slaton Area Community Needs and Opportunities: A Conversation Opener
What is a “Transfer of Wealth?”
As assets transfer from one generation to the next, families have a unique opportunity to create a lasting community impact. In places where residents care deeply about the future of their community, like communities in West Texas, this transfer of wealth (TOW) is an important opportunity. Handing down from one generation to the next represents the largest under-developed financial resource in the area. Timing is also critical. For the communities of West Texas, the TOW opportunity begins sooner because of the aging demographics of the region.
If community members want to do something to keep their place great and make it even better, the experiences of other rural communities will show you, this is one of the best ways to achieve it. Starting today will help communities strategize to keep a portion of these transferring assets in your communities – and endowed and used for purposes you and your neighbors care about.
How big is that opportunity?
Advisory Board
The Slaton Area Endowment is advised by a committee of Slaton community leaders representing a broad array of community interests. This committee is responsible for promoting the benefits of the Slaton Area Endowment in the community, raising funds for it, establishing guidelines for grants and recommending grantees.
Slaton Area Endowment Advisory Board
Jonathan Bloxom
Kevin Buxkemper
Glenn Culver
Amber Davis
Mark Heinrich
Darlene Jones
Sandra Jones
Mark Meurer, Board Chair
Courtney Pace
Carla Rodriguez