LAWRENCE COUNTY Removing obstacles to setting up charity

The foundation handles the mechanics of establishing funds or scholarships.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- At their 25-year reunion, members of the Neshannock High School Class of 1977 decided they wanted to establish a lasting tribute to deceased classmate Doug Case.
They agreed a scholarship fund would best commemorate Case, who had been an exceptional student. He was killed in 1987 by a hitchhiker he had picked up in Mount Morris, Pa.
But Case's classmates weren't sure about the mechanics of putting the fund together.
Then they found the Lawrence Community Foundation.
The foundation, established last year, is a public, nonprofit charitable organization designed to attract and invest permanent endowment resources that donors can use to leave a lasting legacy in their communities.
Jay Prothero, a member of the 1977 Neshannock class helping to organize the scholarship in Case's memory, said the foundation is able to do what class members cannot.
"One of the largest obstacles that you have when contemplating setting up a charitable fund or scholarship is the management and the organization of some of the legal and accounting issues," Prothero said. "That causes people to really break down and not get beyond the thought stage."
But the foundation was able to get the idea off the ground, and the class of 1977 plans to give out its first scholarship this spring.
Keeping it going
Prothero said the first scholarship isn't expected to be large, but it should grow each year with the foundation's help. Classmates have promised yearly donations that will then be invested, he said.
"We want this to be something that is self-funding so it has the aspect of perpetuity. Otherwise, we are relying on the membership staying the same forever and, of course, that doesn't happen," Prothero said.
That's the idea behind the charitable foundation, said Larry Haynes, executive director.
It is modeled after the Pittsburgh Foundation and the Shenango Valley Foundation, based in Sharon. It is run by a board of directors with help from a community advisory board.
Since starting just over a year ago with four member funds, the community foundation has grown to 19 member funds and about $5 million in assets, Haynes said.
The member funds range from scholarships to family foundations.
"We feel we are making good progress," Haynes said.
Dividing the work
The foundation does all of the administrative work; those operating the fund can direct how the money will be spent, he said.
"What we always try to tell people is, everybody can be a philanthropist, and you don't have to be wealthy to make a difference in your community," Haynes said. "As creative as the donors are in what they want to accomplish, we can help them facilitate whatever charitable desire they have."
Prothero said he's been pleased with the foundation because it has handled all of the money and even sent out thank-you cards to donors.
"The foundation just lifts a terrific amount of the burden from us," Prothero said.
cioffi@vindy.com
XTo contact the Lawrence Community Foundation, call (724) 981-5882.