Dear Lake Mills Community Members,

 

The Board of Directors of the Lake Mills Area Community Foundation (LMACF) is pleased to provide
you with our 2023 Annual Financial Report and summary of activities. The mission of the LMACF
is enhancing the quality of life of those who live, work, and play in the community of Lake Mills and
surrounding area that it serves. The LMACF seeks to accomplish these objectives through the
promotion and facilitation of charitable donations and the awarding of grants to worthy projects and
organizations in the community.
Thanks to the continued generosity of our donors who care deeply for our community, the Foundation
received approximately $287,000 in community contributions in 2023. More importantly, the Foundation
facilitated the distribution of grants and sponsorships to various projects, organizations, and causes
totaling almost $40,000, plus over $100,000 in scholarship awards to several local graduating seniors.
Similar to 2022, three new scholarships were established under the Foundation’s umbrella in 2023.
This brings total scholarship funds under the Foundation’s umbrella to 18, representing 26 unique
scholarships and even more individual awards as some scholarships issue multiple awards each
year. The continued growth of these scholarships funds exemplifies Lake Mills community members’
incredible support for young adults’ pursuit of higher education.
Some of the causes and organizations that received donations and grants from the LMACF in 2023
were: Safe Families for Children of Jefferson & Dodge County, Club 55 Senior Center, Opening More
Doors Together (Guitars N Veterans), Lake Mills Police Department for body cameras and squad
system camera equipment, Lake Mills Rotary for pickleball court resurfacing at Rotary Park, Lake Mills
City Band, Lake Mills Fireworks, and Christmas Neighbors. Those representing other area charitable
organizations and causes are encouraged to contact a board member or visit our website at www.
LMACF.org to learn more about the process and requirements of applying for a grant.
The donations and grants listed above were largely made from the LMACF Endowment Fund. The
Endowment Fund is the key component to the LMACF because it enables us to make consistent gifts
to a broad range of causes that better our community. The Endowment Fund is also designed to
make gifts in perpetuity using the growth and earnings of the fund. We wish to continually grow the
Endowment Fund as a means to make a sustainable and ever growing impact on the area we serve.
One of the major advantages of the LMACF being an IRS qualified 501(c)(3) charitable foundation,
is donors may give in several ways, including cash, transfer of highly appreciated investments or
property, bequests through life insurance and retirement plan beneficiary designations, or naming the
Foundation in a person’s will or estate plan. These various methods of giving can be used in order
to pass on donations in the most tax efficient way. Please visit our website or reach out to one of our
Board members directly for more information on giving options.
Please share this report with any friends or neighbors who might be interested in learning more about
the LMACF. We hope that area residents will consider being a part of the Foundation’s work as we
continue to strive to make our wonderful community an even better place to call home and an exciting
destination for others to visit. Whether your desire is to support local initiatives in Health & Education,
Arts & Culture, Environmental, Public Safety, Programs for Youth & Elderly, Parks & Recreation, or
Vocational Development within our community, the Lake Mills Area Community Foundation serves as
the conduit to accomplish all those initiatives.
With Sincere Gratitude,
Jay Smith, President
Richard Mason, Vice President
Kerry Denson, Treasurer & Secretary
Brian Watson, Director
Pam Lazaris, Director
Pam Streich, Director
Rick Wollin, Director
Aaron Genthe, At-Large Director
Mallory Hines, Admin. Assistant