|
Our Mission: To Maintain and Improve the
Quality of Life in the Greater Lewes Region
CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE
For decades, the unique geography of Lewes - bounded by the Atlantic
Ocean, Delaware Bay, farmlands, and Great Marsh - has helped protect
and preserve our historic City. Lewes' rich history, temperate
climate, proximity to the water, low taxes, and natural beauty have
made it one of the most attractive locations on the East Coast.
During 2007, the appeal of those unique characteristics created a
serious challenge to Lewes' continued preservation, as the farmland
encircling the City came under intense development for residential
and commercial purposes.
The GLF takes no position on matters relating to the use of
property. Clearly, however, doubling the population in greater Lewes
and increased commercialization will result in challenging issues
that could threaten our continued sense of place and community. How
our elected officials, landowners, and residents respond to these
challenges in 2008 and beyond will determine whether Lewes can
continue to exist as the "jewel" of Delaware.
During 2007, the Greater Lewes Foundation launched perhaps the most
important project of its eight year existence - a "Future Scan" of
the greater Lewes region. The purpose of this effort is to help
local leaders of institutions and organizations understand what the
next decade of growth in Lewes and the aging of its population will
mean- and to allow the citizens of Lewes to help determine the top
priorities that need to be addressed by both the public and private
sectors. We invite each of you to participate in this discussion to
help envision the future of Lewes, and we ask for your support.
Sincerely,
Dennis N. Forney
CHAIRMAN
Like more than 800 other community foundations across
the country, GLF’s role is to encourage and facilitate philanthropy
in our home region— Greater Lewes.
Through GLF, any Lewes resident can create their own individual or
family fund to support whatever causes they wish.
Once charitable funds are established with tax- deductible gifts,
GLF handles the accounting, audit, reporting, record-keeping, grant
distributions, tax filing, and investment oversight—all for a modest
annual fee.
You can use GLF to create a named fund to make donations you
recommend, a memorial fund, a scholarship, or a fund dedicated to a
given non-profit or charitable cause. Donations can be made anywhere
in the world.
After your fund is established, it will last forever. You can
designate children and even grandchildren to help advise your fund
in the future. And you can use any type of asset to create your
personal fund — stocks, property, life insurance, pension assets,
even non-cash gifts, all of which will receive the highest tax deduction allowed.
Some charitable funds are created via bequest or other planned giving
vehicles, providing a wonderful way to ensure that you will always
be a part of this community that you love.
If you would like to learn more, please contact Mike Rawl at the GLF,
645-7873, or write to us c/o PO Box 110, Lewes DE 19958. We look
forward to working with you to help achieve your philanthropic
objectives.
|
