Since Lincoln Rotary Club 14 Foundation was founded on February 7, 1997, Rotarians have been encouraged to support the foundation in a variety of ways to build an endowment in service to our community. The broadest area of support has come from our pledge campaigns: The Founders' Group, Centennial Club, Vision 2020, and the current 5/25 campaign to reach our goal of $5 Million by the year 2025. Additional opportunities include The Memory Book, The Legacy Society, and the Endowment Leadership Group.
The Founders' Group
A number of individuals pledged support to the foundation in the beginning years of the organization. Founders’ Group members made a commitment of at least $2,010 to be paid over 10 years, an amount that represents the year the club celebrated its 100th anniversary, from the time the foundation was established through the end of the Founders’ Group campaign on December 31, 2001.
Centennial Club
Established at the end of the Founders’ Group campaign on December 31, 2001, new members and others who had not contributed previously joined the Centennial Club. This campaign began in January of 2002, lasting through our club centennial year of 2010, included gifts of $2,010 or more, again paid over 10 years. These gifts were used to support two major projects. In 2005, in celebration of Rotary International's 100th anniversary, we gave $42,000 for the Rotary Pavilion at Sunken Gardens as part of the renovation project. In 2010, we made a major community gift of $100,000 to help fund the Elliott Park & Playground Project as our Centennial Project, and to build the future giving capacity of Club 14.
Vision 2020
As we began our second century of service as a club, we continued the process of building an even greater vision for the future of our foundation and the new initiatives it will make possible in the future. The Vision 2020 campaign, invited new Rotarians and those that had completed an earlier pledge, to pledge a total of $2,020, or $202 per year for 10 years. This campaign began in February of 2011 and achieved the goal of having a $2.2 million endowment in the year 2020, which allowed us to make a $200,000 gift for a Signature Project in celebration of the 110th anniversary of Club 14. The Signature Project selected was supporting renovation of the Bicentennial Cascade Fountain.
5/25 Campaign
As we celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Foundation, in the summer of 2022, we embarked on a new campaign with a goal of $5 Million in assets by the year 2025. Our mission is to build a significant endowment that can support the many service needs of Rotary Club 14 in the community of Lincoln as well as select projects around the world. Rotarians are asked to commit to $250 per year for 10 years for a total pledge of $2,500. In addition to supporting the many outstanding club projects each year, we expect to support a Signature Project in the range of $100,000 every five years or so.
Memory Book - Living Tribute
Many individuals have been remembered by their friends and family through the Lincoln Rotary Club 14 Foundation Memory Book. This special recognition is provided when a memorial donation is made in their name. Since 2021, donors have been able to request such donations be passed along to the City of Lincoln parks department for the purchase of trees as part of a Living Tribute. Contributions not so designated, remain with the Foundation where the earnings are made available to fund club projects and grants in perpetuity.
Legacy Society
Individuals who have designated $1,000 or more in their will or through a life insurance policy are recognized as members of the Legacy Society. This is one of the most important elements of our foundation support, and we gratefully acknowledge those who have made this commitment.
Endowment Leadership Group
A select group of contributors have chosen to fund special endowments. These individuals, families and organizations will touch the lives of many endowment recipients for many years to come.
