Maxwell College Classic Benefits Foundation 

March 2005 -  According to Nancy Rabb, Board Chair, Greater Round Rock Community Foundation: "We want to thank the Maxwell College Classic for its generous donation to the newly formed Greater Round Rock Community Foundation. I and other community leaders are very excited about the Foundation and its potential impact on our community. I also want to express my appreciation to the Round Rock Chamber of Commerce for its inception and administration of the Foundation. I am honored to be named the Founding Chair, and am dedicated to creating a solid base for the future success of the Foundation. The members of our board are recognized community leaders, already familiar with the needs of our community, who are intent upon creating a vehicle through which these needs can be addressed.

The concept of a community foundation is new to many of us. But, our goal is to go beyond simply making grants to also identify current and emerging issues, stimulate resources to address those needs and help our region prepare for the future. By giving to the Greater Round Rock Community Foundation, a donor has the ideal opportunity to create a legacy for his/herself and for Round Rock. (And take advantage of lucrative tax incentives!) The result is a lasting legacy that addresses the needs of today and the challenges of tomorrow... it establishes a tradition of philanthropy ...and ensures a donor's gifts will develop community capital to improve the quality of life now... and well into the future."

Community Foundations represent one of the fastest growing areas of philanthropy with over 650 in operation across the United States. There are over 25 community foundations in the state of Texas alone. These foundations collectively hold more than 1.1 billion dollars in endowed funds and distribute in excess of 82 million dollars annually in local grants.

Community foundations are private, philanthropic organizations governed by a cross-section of their community's leadership. Within their specified geographical area, they raise and manage permanent local endowment funds, distribute grants, and mobilize leadership and organizational resources to address community needs and opportunities.

Donors to community foundations range from people of relatively modest means to some of the most prominent names in American philanthropy. The community foundation stands apart within the filed of philanthropy due to its ability to grow-to bring into philanthropy an infinite number of donors, both large and small and to create permanent and lasting capital to fund a community's needs.

According to Kamali Barron, Executive Director: "The Community Foundation is truly in its infancy - the board has literally conducted one official board meeting. But we are progressing very quickly, as the community and board's enthusiasm has created such positive momentum. I am very excited to work with this founding board as they represent our most respected, connected and concerned leaders. We are also pleased to know that the community is already behind us and excited about the idea.

We will first dedicate ourselves to the organizational aspects, including the creation of the policies and procedures that will govern the Foundation's operations. This will include the formation of a strategic plan to support our mission as follows:

To serve as a catalyst to nurture and inspire philanthropic giving

  • To build "community capital" through a permanent endowment fund
  • To provide a flexible vehicle for donors with varied philanthropic interests
  • To take initiative in addressing needs and shaping effective responses
  • To enrich the quality of life in the Greater Round Rock Area

I am personally honored to serve as the Executive Director of the Foundation, and for the opportunity to serve my community. Our fundamental goals are outlined in our mission statement, but I believe in the possibility of the foundation affecting Round Rock in even greater, more philosophical aspects: Most importantly, its ability to build social capital. According to "An Agile Servant", edited by Richard Magat: 'The values which (foundations) recognize, nurture and promulgate can have an impact which far surpasses the effect of their material resources.' The success of the Greater Round Rock Community Foundation is assured based on the strong leadership of its Board of Directors and the generosity and caring of the Round Rock community."

According to Charlie Dromgoole, President, Round Rock Chamber of Commerce

"Mayor Maxwell became an advocate of the concept when I shared with him the success of the Community Foundation of Abilene. Other community leaders willingly came on board to support the idea, and became the founding Board of Directors.

Although the Foundation is a stand alone agency with its own 501c3 charitable designation, the Chamber is pleased to offer our support by providing staff to administer the Foundation during its early stages to allow time to build assets."