The following story is based on a real situation with the Winona Community Foundation. Names and certain details have been changed to maintain the privacy of those involved.

When Bob, the executive director of a long‑established Winona nonprofit, received notice of a $100,000 bequest from a will, he felt both honored and cautious. The organization was on solid footing already, but he wanted to protect the gift for the long term and ensure it would support the organization’s mission well into the future.

Bob knew that managing invested charitable assets came with responsibilities: forming an investment committee, drafting policies, monitoring performance, and staying compliant. None of that aligned with his team’s capacity or skill set. He wanted stewardship without adding administrative burden.

A board member recommended that he talk with the Winona Community Foundation.

From the moment Bob sat down with the Foundation staff, he understood why they were highly recommended. The team listened carefully, explained options clearly, and helped him navigate whether an endowment or another type of invested fund would best protect the bequest. The Foundation often helps nonprofits explore endowments and already holds endowment funds for many nonprofits in the area.

What stood out most to Bob was how simple the arrangement could be. Instead of creating an internal investment committee or drafting new investment and spending policies, the nonprofit could rely on the Foundation’s established structure, professional oversight, and existing policies. The Foundation already provides investment services for nonprofits that want to invest savings or surplus funds, whether long‑term or for an upcoming project.

The staff explained that once the fund was established, Bob’s team wouldn’t need to manage the details. They would simply receive quarterly reports and decided to set up an annual meeting to hear updates on fund performance. This gave the board the information they needed without the administrative lift.

By the time he wrapped up the meeting, Bob felt confident. He didn’t feel pushed toward any one solution, rather, supported in choosing the option that aligned with his nonprofit’s goals and capacity. The bequest gift would be protected. The administrative load would stay manageable. And the nonprofit would gain a reliable partner that understood nonprofits and made complex stewardship easy.

Fast forward nine years later, that original $100,000 gift is now valued at $154,000, and the organization has received income of $34,100 to support their mission work!

If you want to discuss endowments with the Community Foundation, reach out to Mandi!

To learn more about Endowments, click here or watch this one-hour webinar: https://youtu.be/qsvdUtNr7P4

The Winona Community Foundation is a catalyst for igniting generosity and building the vibrant and enduring place we call home. The Foundation exists to support and build our community. We work with donors, nonprofits and professional advisors to meet immediate and long-term community needs through giving and granting. We offer a range of charitable options and funds for individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits to accomplish their philanthropic goals. As your trusted partner, resource, and steward for community philanthropy, the Foundation is committed to helping every individual give back in a way that is both meaningful to them and the causes they care about.