Compass for Kids Endowment Fund

Investing in the Future

The Compass for Kids Endowment Fund, established by the AA Harvey Foundation and held at the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln, is designed to secure the long-term sustainability of Camp Compass for generations to come.

Founded in 2013, Camp Compass is a free summer learning program for underserved elementary students in Springfield Public Schools – District 186. The program helps prevent summer learning loss, strengthen math and literacy skills, and provide enriching academic, social-emotional, and recreational experiences. Camp Compass is a five-week program provided at no cost to families and includes certified teachers and staff, transportation, meals, academic supplies, and field trips. With analysis of pre- and post- assessment data, results have shown that the program is successful.

Watch video about why Camp Compass is important.

The A.A. Harvey Foundation was established by Chris and Debra Smith at a pivotal moment, when disruptions in federal government funding left crucial social programs and nonprofits vulnerable. For Chris and Debra, their investment isn’t just charity; it’s a strategic partnership with an organization that values both compassion and accountability, building a stronger future for the Springfield community.

“When *Amaria arrived on her first day of camp, she was a little unsure of herself. With a steady routine, encouraging teachers, and classmates who welcomed her, she began to open up. By summer’s end, she was arriving each morning with a smile and had grown as a reader from 36 to 60 of 94 high-frequency words. Watching her confidence bloom has been one of the highlights of the summer.”

– Rita Brinkley, Certified Teacher

*name changed for privacy

By contributing to the Endowment Fund, you can help provide the dependable support that keeps Camp Compass in our community for years to come. This permanent fund creates stability year after year, allowing the program to evolve while staying rooted in its mission.

Understanding the Endowment Fund

An endowment fund is essentially a permanent savings account for a not-for-profit organization. Here’s how it works:

  • Principal is Invested: All gifts to the Endowment Fund are pooled together and invested. The original donation, or “principal,” remains untouched forever.
  • Generates Returns: The investment earns income.
  • Income Supports the Mission: Only a small portion of the investment income is spent annually to support Camp Compass. The rest of the income is reinvested to help the principal grow over time.

The result is a perpetual source of funding that supports our campers year after year.

The Importance of the Endowment

While one-time gifts meet the immediate, operational needs of the program today, making a gift to the Endowment Fund provides the financial bedrock for tomorrow.

  • Financial Stability: Provides a predictable, reliable source of income each year.
  • Perpetuity: Ensures that Camp Compass exists in our community for decades to come.
  • Public Trust: Demonstrates robust, long-term financial planning to our community partners, volunteers, and stakeholders.

Ways to Give Directly to the Endowment

Your contribution to the Endowment Fund is a commitment to the future that yields returns perpetually. We welcome several types of gifts:

1. Assets and Securities

  • Cash Contributions: Make a one-time gift to increase the principal immediately.
  • Gifts of Appreciated Stock: Donate appreciated securities to receive a tax deduction for the full market value while avoiding capital gains tax.
  • Real Estate: Donate residential or commercial property that can be sold to benefit the endowment.

2. Legacy and Planned Giving

These gifts ensure your generosity continues forever and often offer significant tax benefits.

  • Bequests: Name Compass for Kids as a beneficiary in your Will or Trust.
  • Retirement Assets: Designate the Endowment Fund as a beneficiary of your 401(k), IRA, or other qualified retirement plans.
  • Life Insurance: Name the Endowment Fund as a beneficiary on a new or existing life insurance policy.

3. Honoring a Loved One

  • Tribute Gifts: Make a gift to the Endowment Fund in memory or honor of a family member, colleague, friend, or mentor whose values align with our mission. This creates a lasting tribute in their name.

Through the Illinois Gives Tax Credit Program, eligible gifts to qualified permanent endowment funds may qualify for a state income tax credit. Donors should consult their tax advisor to determine eligibility and potential benefits.

For more information, visit: https://cfll.org/Giving/Tax-Credit-Program

To discuss a gift to the Endowment Fund, please contact:

Brandy Apgar, Senior Donor Relations Manager
Brandy@compassforkids.org
217-481-4651