There are community foundations in Galesburg, Keokuk, and elsewhere around the region. Now there are plans to begin another one.
The McDonough County Community Foundation is a successor to the Macomb Area Community Foundation, which dates back about a decade. Organizers felt it needed to be more active.
“We have a very good group of board members that have decided it’s time to get a community foundation up and running in full force in McDonough County,” said Scott Coker, chairperson of the new foundation.
Mick Cumbie, the organization’s vice chairperson and secretary, said they made a deliberate decision to make it a country-wide foundation rather than one solely focused on Macomb.
“The work by the folks that came with the Macomb Area Community Foundation was wonderful and it served its purpose. But we think it’s now time to broaden our horizon to the entire county and look to enhance the lives of all of our residents,” Cumbie said.
Cumbie said such foundations give people a mechanism to support their community philanthropically and leave behind a legacy. An example from the past in Macomb is the Fellheimer family.
“Organizations in this town and community thrived because of the legacy that the Fellheimers left,” he said.
“Not everybody has that sort of wealth to pass on, but we are now creating an organization – at whatever level you would like to contribute – where you can create those types of opportunities and leave your own legacy.”
The McDonough County Community Foundation will hold a re-launch event this Friday, Oct. 27, at The Wine Sellers in downtown Macomb.
They will have fact sheets and other information available.
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