3/30/2011
Placer Land Trust’s Promise for Future Generations
“Natural Wonders Forever Endowment” Supports Permanent Protection of Placer County Land
In 2011 Placer Land Trust renewed its commitment to Placer County and future generations with the establishment of the Natural Wonders Forever endowment fund at the Placer Community Foundation.
Placer Land Trust has established the Natural Wonders Forever endowment fund to provide a secure and sustainable source of annual earnings needed to manage and steward protected land … forever.
At the Auburn School Park Preserve, Placer Land Trust presented their founding gift of $100,000 to the Placer Community Foundation to establish the Natural Wonders Forever endowment fund.
“This endowment fund will grow over time with investments from the trust and from community members,” states Jeff Darlington, Executive Director of Placer Land Trust. “When you contribute through the Natural Wonders Forever fund, you become part of a community effort to protect our rural heritage and quality of life.”
Establishing the fund at the Placer Community Foundation furthered a partnership that has grown between the two organizations over the years. Members of the respective boards of directors have worked together on philanthropic projects such as the Auburn School Park Preserve, and Placer Land Trust’s fundraising campaign to acquire the 1,773-acre Bruin Ranch on the Bear River.
“It made sense to open the Natural Wonders Forever fund at the Placer Community Foundation because they are a trusted, local resource for donors and they offer the financial stewardship necessary to manage endowment funds such as ours,” states Fred Yeager, President of the Board of Placer Land Trust.
Endowment funds work by investing the principal of a charitable gift—using only the interest to make grants in the community. For the Natural Wonders Forever fund, the result is a pool of gifts that continue to grow and support the work of Placer Land Trust for generations to come.
“Our board believes in the work of Placer Land Trust,” states Jeff Birkholz, Chairman of the Board for Placer Community Foundation. “We are very pleased to be the charitable conduit for people to support their work. Through this fund Placer Land Trust can continue to preserve the natural landscape we all enjoy in Placer County.
Placer Land Trust was accredited by the National Land Trust Accreditation Commission in 2008. Today Placer Land Trust is a sustainable organization, with five staff, dozens of volunteers, 500 contributing members, and the fiscal health to fund its ongoing obligation to manage and steward our region’s protected lands forever.
To donate to the Natural Wonders Forever Fund visit www.placercf.org or call 530.885.4920.
