“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” –Anonymous
Think back for a moment. Iced tea on the club patio; two movie-perfect swans on the lake below. Meatloaf better than your mom’s at Americana trivia night; an early morning Thanksgiving Turkey Trot with the reward of a steaming cup of coffee at the end.
These memories--these experiences--exist at Governors Club because of the scores of employees who work here. Whether in housekeeping, on the golf course, at the fitness center, or in the dining rooms, these employees make a difference. And you can, too.
The New Initiative
In 2024, Step Forward will launch “Legacy Gifting,” a scholarship category separate and distinct from the current yearly award program. Each legacy donation--made either in one payment or pledged over a five-year period--will award 3 to 4 percent of its value each year to an applicant. A legacy recipient must have previously received a traditional SFSF grant. However, unique to the planned giving scholarship, the donor may stipulate the type of candidate desired. The recipient could be the first individual in a family to go to college, or a student aiming toward a particular field of study. The grant can also be titled in the donor’s name. Think of the impact: Your gift can provide up to an additional $4,000 to applicants in addition to their base SF award. Even better, this grant will fund a scholarship for several years. This means a Governors Club employee or dependent of an employee can receive a maximum scholarship of $10,000 in a given year. We already have received one Legacy gift from club members Bill and Ajka Wallace who have pledged $100,000 over the next five years targeted specifically for applicants who are the first in their families to attend college. The first Bill and Ajka Wallace Legacy Fund will be awarded in 2024.
How does Legacy Gifting Work?
The donations will be invested and managed separately by a large not-for-profit foundation under the supervision of the SFSF Board. The SFSF’s scholarship committee will select the recipient through a written application and interview. You, the legacy donor, will receive quarterly updates regarding your scholar’s progress.
As a donor, you may provide your gift in accordance with IRS regulations for chapter 501(c)(3) organizations. Your gift could be in the form of cash, a will, or other instruments, subject to SF board approval. Donor levels will be established on this web page by 12/31/23. We would love to work with you—simply contact SFSF at 4gcstepforward@gmail.com.