Wausa, Neb. – The Wausa Community Foundation FundAdvisory Committee invites all community members to join them in seizing the immense charitable potential of Knox County as illustrated by the 2021 Transfer of Wealth Study recently released by Nebraska Community Foundation (NCF).
Study scenarios suggest that in Nebraska, more than $100 billion will transfer from older to younger generations during the nextdecade. Over the next 50 years, the figure swells to $950 billion.Scenarios are driven by conservative assumptions about the future, based on historical trends, census data, increasing agricultural land values, household income and other key indicators.
There is always an intergenerational transfer as parents pass away and leave their estates to their children, but if the heirs no longer live where they grew up those critical resources may leave our Nebraska hometowns entirely.
The study’s release marks the beginning of NCF’s Five to Thrive campaign, which urges Nebraskans to consider leaving just 5% of their estate to their hometown. Doing so would amount to more than $5 billion in the next decade – and $47.5 billion over the next half-century.
In Knox County, $747 Million could transfer in the next 10 years. If 5% of that were endowed, our county would receive a $37 Million boost.
“If endowed, think of the impact that kind of money could have on education, health, prosperity and quality of life,” said Nebraska Community Foundation President and CEO Jeff Yost. “Think of how it could contribute to a community’s ability to attract quality talent and young families. Harnessing just a small percentage of the transfer of wealth could be a game changer for the future of our hometowns.”
Wausa Community Foundation has funded over $39 ,000 in the past 3 years through local philanthropy. Some of the projectsfunded include, FBLA, TeamMates, Anderson Career and Technical Center, wausane.com and social media site and more.
Importantly, many Nebraska counties are approaching or are already experiencing their peak transfer years. The Transfer of Wealth Study illustrates the real urgency to act now to secure this tremendous community-building abundance.
“Wausa has always had a proud heritage represented by extremely generous leaders. The transfer of wealth is a significant pathway to strengthening our community,” said Wausa Community Foundation chairman, Darren Vanness. “The potential for substantial impact is right in front of us. When we all leave five, Wausa thrives.”
Learn more about the transfer of wealth and how you can get involved in this massive opportunity at www.fivetothrivene.org.
About the Wausa Community Foundation
Now part of a statewide movement to spearhead community development and create prosperity, the Wausa Community Foundation Fund is working to build a culture of philanthropy and a robust unrestricted endowment to benefit our community long into the future.
Our Vision: We strive to promote a welcoming community that will preserve the integrity of our small-town history and heritage. Through local investment from generous benefactors, we encourage opportunities and services that attract people of all means to live. work, and visit our community.
To inquire about applying for grants or making donations to the fund, go to our Community foundation link within organizations at https://wausane.com/organizations/ or contact chairman Darren Vanness
The Wausa Community Foundation is an affiliated fund of Nebraska Community Foundation.
About Nebraska Community Foundation
Nebraska Community Foundation unleashes abundant local assets, inspires charitable giving and connects ambitious people to build stronger communities and a Greater Nebraska.
Headquartered in Lincoln, the Foundation serves communities, donors and organizations by providing financial management, strategic development, education and training to a statewide network of 1,500 volunteers serving over 270 communities.
In the last five years, 45,915 contributions have been made to NCF and its affiliated funds. Since 1994, NCF has reinvested $423 million in Nebraska’s people and places. For information, visit NebraskaHometown.org.