Decorah Bank & Trust makes $50,000 challenge gift for newly established Decorah Parks and Recreation Endowment Fund

(Left to right) Decorah Bank & Trust CEO Ben Grimstad, Decorah Parks & Rec Board Vice Chair Cindy Albers, Decorah Parks & Rec Board member Jeff O'Gara, Decorah Park & Rec Board Chair Rich Gaard, Decorah Bank & Trust COO Joe Grimstad and Decorah Parks & Recreation Director Andy Nimrod)

A $50,000 pledge by Decorah Bank & Trust is helping the Decorah Parks and Recreation Board to establish a new permanent endowment fund with the Winneshiek County Community Foundation to support the future of the Decorah park system.

The purpose of the endowment fund is to help maintain and enhance Decorah's many parks and trails, its recreational facilities, the campground and swimming pool. The Parks and Recreation Board established the fund with an initial $10,000 investment.

"The creation of this endowment fund and the long-term benefits to Decorah Parks and Recreation is very exciting," said Decorah Parks and Recreation Director Andy Nimrod. "Funding is always an obstacle for any organization wanting to make improvements. This endowment fund will help staff in the budgeting process and will help the Parks and Recreation Board in its long range planning of park improvements."
                                       
Decorah Bank & Trust is announcing a $50,000 challenge gift in hopes of encouraging donations to the fund.

"We have such wonderful recreational assets here. It takes money to maintain the condition of these properties and we believe there are plenty of folks who will consider donating to such a worthy cause to ensure these recreational opportunities exist for generations to come," said Decorah Bank & Trust President and CEO Ben Grimstad. "We are pleased to match dollar for dollar the first $50,000 in gifts given to the Decorah Parks and Recreation permanent endowment fund which is being established to help maintain and preserve our beautiful park system. We hope individuals, families and business owners will join us in funding this mission."

Financial gifts of any size are welcome and all gifts are tax-deductible (gifts may qualify for Endow Iowa 25 percent state income tax credit). Gifts can be mailed to the WCCF administrative office at 425 Cedar Street, Suite 310, Waterloo, IA 50701 or dropped off at the Decorah Parks and Recreation office located in City Hall. Checks should be made payable to the Decorah Parks and Recreation Endowment Fund. Gifts can also be made on WCCF's secure website by going to www.winneshiekccf.org beginning Monday, September 8th.