BRODHEAD - A generous donation from the estate of William S. Knight was recently received by the Brodhead Area Foundation Inc. and discussed by its board of directors at its June meeting. The donation consists of both cash and stock for a sum of about $2.2 million, which is the largest single donation ever made to the foundation.
Committee members discussed Knight's interests and various suggestions they had discussed with him before his death. Knight was a member of the foundation board of directors, so the committee has some insights but there are no specific, pre-identified funding directions with the donation. The board of directors is Lon Lederman, president; Ray Pawlisch, vice president; Ron Braun, secretary; Teri LaBorde, treasurer; and Bill Prochnow, DeAnne Boegli, Jerry Elmer and Frank Gombar.
The donation allows the foundation to solidify its financial position for many generations to come and fund future important community projects. The board will be accepting requests for donations from community members and organizations.
At the meeting, the committee also reviewed a request from Patrick Weeden, the new curator of the envisioned Kelch Airport Museum in Brodhead. The group approved $30,000 in matching funds. The aviation museum has a $1 million goal and is widely supported by board members, who understand the significant tourism benefits a well-done aviation museum could have on the community.
It also approved a request from the Wildflower Festival Committee for its upcoming event in August. Other recent projects supported by the foundation include Pearl Island, Brodhead Library and Sports Booster's Food Stand.
Community leaders with active or planned projects are welcome to submit funding requests to the committee. A request form can be obtained from Lon Lederman at his LPL Financial downtown office. A Facebook page @brodheadfoundation is available. Once a request is received, the board may request more information or a formal meeting to discuss the plans before rendering any decisions.
Committee members discussed Knight's interests and various suggestions they had discussed with him before his death. Knight was a member of the foundation board of directors, so the committee has some insights but there are no specific, pre-identified funding directions with the donation. The board of directors is Lon Lederman, president; Ray Pawlisch, vice president; Ron Braun, secretary; Teri LaBorde, treasurer; and Bill Prochnow, DeAnne Boegli, Jerry Elmer and Frank Gombar.
The donation allows the foundation to solidify its financial position for many generations to come and fund future important community projects. The board will be accepting requests for donations from community members and organizations.
At the meeting, the committee also reviewed a request from Patrick Weeden, the new curator of the envisioned Kelch Airport Museum in Brodhead. The group approved $30,000 in matching funds. The aviation museum has a $1 million goal and is widely supported by board members, who understand the significant tourism benefits a well-done aviation museum could have on the community.
It also approved a request from the Wildflower Festival Committee for its upcoming event in August. Other recent projects supported by the foundation include Pearl Island, Brodhead Library and Sports Booster's Food Stand.
Community leaders with active or planned projects are welcome to submit funding requests to the committee. A request form can be obtained from Lon Lederman at his LPL Financial downtown office. A Facebook page @brodheadfoundation is available. Once a request is received, the board may request more information or a formal meeting to discuss the plans before rendering any decisions.