Nebraska s hometowns, though, face tough times ahead. There is pressure to reduce government spending, to comply with mandated spending lids and property tax levy limits, and to cope with reduced funds from both the state and federal levels. Without these resources, continued investment in community infrastructure will challenge communities throughout the state. Without long-term planning and financial resources, the quality of life in our hometowns will deteriorate. Swimming pools, recreation and community centers, parks, and skills programs for rural residents will fall victim to reduced funding.
People have plenty of opportunities to give their money away.
To ensure the long-term health and vitality of Nebraska s hometowns, permanent legacies are needed. Nebraska s donors now have the opportunity to safeguard the quality of life in their communities for generations to come through establishing community endowments . The annual earnings from the endowment will be avail- able for years to come to fund other community priorities. The endowment remains to provide additional funding each year. When communities demonstrate the value of such endowments, and the ability to make choices that enhance the quality of life, donor willingness to fund endowments increases substantially.