Philanthropy on $1 a day. The idea is simple. You give $365 – a dollar a day – to make our community better. You pool those daily dollars
with those of others. Then you decide together which organizations you want to receive the money.

Frequently Asked Questions
Why join Giving Back 365?

Because anyone can be a philanthropist. Giving Back
365 allows you to leverage your charitable contribution with others to support innovative programs and projects of area interest. The larger the membership, the greater the
impact in Watertown.

Who is eligible to join?

Everyone

What are the membership dues?

The annual donation requirement for membership
is $365. This amount applies to individuals as well as to households. However, only one vote is allowed per household on grant-related issues. Donations can be made in full, monthly, or quarterly.

What do you mean by “endowed fund”?
An endowed fund is a permanent charitable account in which the principal is retained and reinvested. Every year earnings are used to provide charitable grants. Over time the fund’s balance will grow as will annual income available for grant making.

Is $365 the only option?

For $365 you can become a Giving Back 365 member. If you’d like to give without becoming a member, any donation amount will move Giving Back 365 forward. If you’d like to give more, join the Above & Beyond membership level at $500.

But I already support charities I care about.
We hope you will continue to do so. Giving Back 365 is in no way a substitute for directly supporting causes and organizations that are important to you. Giving Back 365 is a way to grow the impact of your charitable giving. It is a way to become involved in philanthropy at a level that might not be available to you individually.

[Click to view Giving Back 365 Brochure]

“It was a privilege to serve on the first Watertown Community Foundation Youth Council. The council introduces its members to the importance of lifelong philanthropy and empowers them to recognize deserving youth programs with grant funds. The experience taught me the importance of giving back to our community’s youth programs, many of which I had benefited from at one time or another. It drove home the principle of giving back and giving to others which has stuck with me to this day.”

— Kristen Henderson, Minneapolis, MN

2001-02 WCF Youth Council Vice President

2002-03 WCF Youth Council President

“It was a great experience to be part of the first Youth Council in Watertown. The experience of giving back to your community as a high school student is big. It taught me at a young age that it is very important not only to give back to the community, but to utilize organizations like the Foundation in order to help others and improve our community.”

—Kelsey (Likness) Raml, Watertown

“It was a great first taste of the nonprofit world. We also got to taste the commitment people have in the nonprofit sector. I remember how grateful those grant recipients were, too. The Youth Council gives young people a great experience, not only in leadership but a real learning experience. You learn there is a bigger picture out there. You learn there are a lot of ways to serve and help your community and those around you – whether it’s a job, being a volunteer or however you find ways to do that.”

—AJ Franken, NeSoDak & Klein Ranch

Foundation supporters have seen a lot of accomplishments in the past 30+ years. While most of those accomplishments center around donors and grants, some are merely about planting seeds they hoped would grow.

The idea of starting a Youth Council was about giving young people a voice, giving them lessons in leadership and philanthropy and  – about planting a seed.

Foundation literature across the country was full of information on Youth Councils in the late 1990s, recalled Paul Hinderaker, a WCF Board member at the time. “We learned that councils were being formed in Sioux Falls and Huron.”  So, the discussion began. “Ultimately, our staff and board embraced the idea – partly to provide training for youth in community leadership and partly to be a resource for the Foundation.”

Nancy Turbak was also a board member then. “I liked the idea of Youth Council for three reasons,” she said. “First, I wanted to get young people – particularly those with strong leadership skills – involved in philanthropy, to plant seeds in their individual lives that hopefully will bear fruit later. Second, I wanted some of the money the WCF was spending on youth in our community to be spent only after consulting young people themselves, to help us target the most worthwhile projects. Finally, giving young people the opportunity to make decisions with real consequences is good practice for them; generally, the more we trust and expect young people to make good decisions, the more they do so.”

“One thing we also believed, was that high school kids should not be bogged down in a continuous fund-raising project,” Paul added. “It was all right for the kids to make a call or two every year, but it was more important to let them start out right away evaluating requests and awarding meaningful grants. The board’s initial and continuing financial support is an important reason that, nearly 10 years later, our Youth Council has succeeded as an organization and that the kids have enjoyed the experience.”

Both Turbak and Hinderaker also credit Deb Popham, 1999 interim director; and Jan DeBerg, executive director from 2000 on, with the initial Youth Council idea and the council’s continuing success.

The first Watertown Community Foundation Youth Council met in August of 2001, and it has been going strong ever since. Generally, youths entering their junior year in high school apply and are elected to a two-year term on the six-member council

The group typically receives two to three times more grant requests than it can award, but the members take on the task responsibly and wholeheartedly. To date, the Watertown Community Foundation Youth Council has given more than $70,000 to local organizations and programs that focus on youth. Those dollars translate into something very positive and meaningful to Watertown youth when you consider what the money becomes: Thousands of free passes to the Bramble Park Zoo, equipment for Watertown Area Special Olympics, the Watertown Youth Soccer Association, Figure Skating Club and other athletic organizations; items for kids at the Watertown (formerly Women’s) Resource Center, Camp Chance, Kid Shift and the Boys & Girls Club… the list goes on.

Tree Fundraiser Boosts Nonprofits

The Watertown Community Foundation’s 2^nd annual Christmas Tree Fundraiser brought in gifts totaling $5,476.55. Those dollars came in as many varying amounts as the people who gave them. All ages participated, some gifts were from families, others from individuals – all were given to an organization the donor cared about.

The dollars received by the 12 nonprofits participating are unrestricted and Jan DeBerg, Foundation Executive Director, says that fact in itself is a bigger “gift” than most people realize. “Unrestricted dollars, especially in this tough economy, are invaluable to nonprofits,” she explained. “The nonprofits can meet their greatest needs at the current time and for some that may be administrative costs to help sustain that organization.”

Matching dollars from the Foundation, including the extra $500 to the organization with the largest total, came to $3,050.05. That made the event’s grand total for the nonprofits $8,527.05.

The breakdown of individual grand totals (including the match) is as follows: Big Brothers Big Sisters, $690; Codington County 4H, $192; Girl Scouts, $268; Glacial Lakes Humane Society, $800; Lake Area Zoological Society, $1,003.50; Mellette House, $2,247.50; Volunteers of America – Dakotas, $476; Watertown Boys & Girls Club, $359; Watertown Regional Library Fund, $848.10; Watertown Resource Center, $306; Watertown Senior Citizens Center, $640.95; and Watertown Volunteer Center, $696.

Some of those dollars are helping nonprofits with immediate needs. Some dollars are helping projects at organizations become a reality. Among them are: An outdoor cement pad for the dogs at the Humane Society and a sound system at theSeniorCenter. Gifts to the Lake Area Zoological Society will go toward Roots & Shoots programming.

As for the Mellette House, which was the largest benefactor, its director Prudy Calvin puts it best. “When a house is over 125 years old and has several thousand visitors each year, it is not difficult to find a place to spend money,” she said. “The problem is finding enough money to cover the needs. We started doing some major landscaping last year and hope to continue with that project. We also need to do things that visitors don’t as readily see such as pay our utility bills. This will be a great help.”

Calvin and the other nonprofit directors thank the Foundation and the community for their support. “Everyone who participates in this event is a winner,” Calvin said. “We are delighted that the Mellette House did so well. We’re grateful that the Watertown Community Foundation again sponsored the Christmas Tree Fundraiser at the library and appreciate that so many people came and donated.”

Watertown Schools Superintendent Dr. Lesli Jutting & Watertown Community Foundation Board Chair Dale Christensen

The Watertown School District and the Watertown Community Foundation have joined hands on numerous projects through the years for the benefit of Watertown students. The partners were honored this month in Sioux Falls at the School Administrators of South Dakota annual luncheon by being named recipients of the SASD Community Helping Hands Award.

The award recognizes a school district and its non-school community partner for their outstanding collboration in implementing a successful  program, project or activity that generated significant local community involvement and positively impacted the education of children.

It was easy for me to submit the application because the school district and the Watertown Community Foundation have had a very strong, long-standing relationship, said Dr. Lesli Jutting Watertown School District superintendent. “The Foundation continues to help our schools and our kids become more successful in our community.”

Education is one of the main focuses of the Foundation’s mission to invest in the future and vitality of Watertown.

Recent grants from the Foundation have included a field trip for all 7th- through 12-graders to attend the Bodies Human exhibit in Watertown as well as Watertown’s first Native American Pow Wow. The organization has helped young mothers complete their education by providing support to the Lake Area Technical Institute Educare Center. Even the youngest of students have received scholarships to the school district’s preschool program. Finally, in support of LATI’s Excellence by Design Campaign, the Foundation awarded a three-year grant totaling $100,000 from 2010 to 2012. In the last five years, Foundation support to the school district has totaled $239,681.

Even the WCF Youth Council has been in on the action with appropriations of $1,750 for the After Prom Party in recent years.

“Whether it is the K-12 school district or LATI, the Foundation has always been supportive,” said Dr. Jutting.

“On behalf of the Foundation, and its volunteer Board members, I am proud to receive such an honor on a statewide level,” said Jan DeBerg, executive director of the Foundation. “Our students are our future and we look forward to supporting them all the way.”

SASD is a nonprofit educational organization that promotes and provides leadership for the improvement and advancement of PreK-12 South Dakota schools. It works to improve administrative leadership skills and educational funding and policies.

One such family is that of Clark and MaryAnn Redlinger. The community and the Watertown Community Foundation lost Mr. and Mrs. Redlinger in 2008 and 2006, respectively, but we didn’t lose the greatness these friends gave us. Not only do their contributions continue to make a positive impact in Watertown, but they will continue to give to the community in other ways, none the least of which is through their children and through the couple’s fund at the Foundation.

The Redlingers taught their children about “giving back” from a very young age. “It was always a huge thing for the family,” said their son Jim Redlinger of Watertown. “From an early age – back in the ‘60’s when I was in single digits – Dad was involved with the Watertown Development Company which later became Focus Watertown. It was really a way of life for us.

“It was an ongoing thing for Mom, too,” Redlinger added. “They were extremely community involved.” Mr. Redlinger was on the hospital board when the two hospitals in Watertown decided to come together. “That was one of his proudest moments,” Redlinger said. “It was one of the dearest things to his and Mom’s hearts.”

Some of the projects were large like the hospital merger. Others were smaller like making and installing goal posts at a local park.

“I’m very proud of what my parents did for Watertown through the Foundation and other organizations,” Redlinger said.

“Clark was always very concerned with all phases of Watertown’s growth,” said Earle Kinsman, longtime friend and fellow Foundation Board member. “Whether that be educational opportunities or the business environment, he worked very hard. He was definitely a leader and his work at the Foundation was significant.”

Mr. Redlinger was one of the founders of the Watertown Community Foundation and in doing so, continues to give back to Watertown. But on a more personal level, he and Mary Ann set up their own fund at the Foundation in 1992.

There are many ways to give to the Foundation. Clark and Mary Ann chose to purchase a life insurance policy and name the Foundation as the beneficiary. This fund will live on forever to help improve the quality of life in Watertown through grants to various organizations. Their generosity and foresight, perhaps in part comes from their own knowledge and life experiences.

“Theirs was an age that is special,” Redlinger explained. “They are people who have gone through The Depression. When they got to the good times, they could still remember what the bad times felt like. They knew they had a responsibility to help out.”

Today’s economy is tough, Redlinger noted. “Sometimes you have to hurt to give, but it always seems to come back. “It all makes for a better community.

“Mom and Dad lived to be in their eighties and we were fortunate to have them that long,” Redlinger said. ”

Whatever the couple’s involvement, their giving attitude spread not just to their children but to their employees. Many years ago, Redlinger Bros. donated the materials and the employees decided to donate their labor to build restrooms at a Watertown park.

“Giving back is good not only from a family standpoint, but also as a business,” Redlinger said. “We were very fortunate that we were able to participate in these things. It makes for stronger family values and stronger communities.”

He carries on the tradition as today Redlinger Bros., in all three locations – Watertown, Aberdeen, and Yankton – always gives a percentage back. Jim and his sisters, Jill Noell of Billings, MT, and Jann Redlinger Heaphy of  Sheridan, WY, help their respective communities in various ways. In addition, the siblings have established 3 Red Arrows together to support different charities.

“I’ve tried to follow in their footsteps,” Redlinger says of his parents. And now he is seeing his own sons starting to give back.

Many of us knew who Eric Tennis was. He attended nearly every Arrows’ game to cheer them on and he greeted many of us at a local grocery store always finishing with “Have a nice day.” His endless good nature made you smile regardless of what your mood was before you saw him. In the year 2000, he received the Hospitality Award from Governor Bill Janklow.

Though supposedly having many things against him, this young man could teach anyone how attitude makes all the difference. He purchased his own home in 2007 where he lived independently. He was a mentor at Roosevelt Elementary School in Watertown and a graduate of Partners in Policymaking, a six-month course in Pierre, SD, teaching self advocacy for people with disabilities and families of people with disabilities. Eric was also a dedicated member of Cornerstone United Methodist Church in Watertown.

Eric’s life was way too short, June 19, 1978, to Nov. 8, 2008, but many will never forget the impact he had on their lives. Jeff and Annette Gamber of Watertown are two of those people. Just prior to June 19, 2011,which would have been Eric’s 33^rd birthday, the couple established a scholarship fund in Eric’s memory that will honor him with each scholarship awarded annually by the Watertown Community Foundation beginning in 2012.

The scholarship recipient will have a physical disability, mental challenge or learning disability. Despite these challenges and adversity, they will have opportunity with the help of the Jeff and Annette Gamber Family Scholarship Fund in memory of Eric P. Tennis.

If you would like more information, please contact the Watertown Community Foundation, 211 E Kemp, uptown Watertown; or call: 882-3731 or email: assistant@watertowncommunityfoundation.org

Through the years women have raised and donated thousands of dollars.  Each year, the number participating has grown and gratefully each year the amount of money raised and granted has increased.  A few of the many projects that have benefited are Roots and Shoots/Girls Rule, the Watertown Area Special Olympics, scholarships for women attending LATI,  and the Smile Mobile which provides dental care to children who would otherwise have none.  These varied projects change and improve the lives of local women and children.   It is a rewarding experience to be able to participate in such a worthwhile program.

Because of the success of the Women and Giving program and to ensure its future, it was decided in 2010 to start a permanent endowment fund within the Watertown Community Foundation.  We look forward to being able to work with more recipients in the coming years.   Whether you call it a “Giving Circle,” the “Power of the Purse” or “Women and Giving” this is a dynamic program that makes a difference for Watertown’s women and children.

Sincerely,

Prudy Calvin

Women & Giving Sponsor