
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, October 19, 1994                   TAG: 9410190046
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: KENNETH SINGLETARY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AIMS AT ENHANCING QUALITY OF LIFE

People who want to give locally will soon have a new way to enhance the area's quality of life through a growing nationwide charitable network that is taking hold in the New River Valley.

The Community Foundation of the New River Valley will hold a dutch-treat breakfast meeting from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Thursday at the Best Western Red Lion Inn to introduce itself to local donors.

"There are some people we know are waiting in the wings for this to get under way," said Peggy Eaton, the group's newly hired local executive director.

The Community Fund will collect large and small donations, invest them, and then distribute the income.

It will target an array of causes, including health, human services, cultural, educational and artistic projects.

The Community Foundation will not compete with other charitable organizations, such as the United Way, organizers say.

"Actually, what we are is in cooperation with each other," said Kymn Davidson-Hamley, executive director of the United Way of Montgomery County.

The United Way, which focuses on health and human services, raises money "for different purposes from different donors."

With most of the 300 local Community Foundation chapters founded in the last 10 to 15 years, organizers hope to ride a wave in which donors are increasingly giving to local causes, said Robert Stuart, who is helping with the search for a board of directors.

Community Foundations "often concentrate on the gaps, on the things that are not being served by existing sources," he said.

Margot Sebba, who helped introduce the idea to area organizers a year ago, called it "the most exciting method of gifting."

The foundation has drafted by-laws, become incorporated and filed for tax-free status.

Choosing a board of directors is the next step, and then organizers will focus on community education, a task they know may take a few years, and collecting money.

Estates and trust funds, and local financial advisers will receive special attention.

Donors, who can earmark their contributions for specific projects, will receive tax credit.

by CNB