PCCFF Treasurer Michelle Ross, middle, receives a plaque of thanks from PCCFF Chairman Dennis Demmel, left, and Grant Pinnacle Bank Branch President Kevin Chavira, for her dedication and support to PCCFF for the past 20 years. Photo by Shari Friedel | Grant Tribune-Sentinel
Ross recognized for long service to foundation fund
Michelle Ross loves her community of Perkins County. As an employee of Pinnacle Bank, she works tirelessly to support many community initiatives. The Perkins County Community Foundation Fund, PCCFF, recently recognized Ross and Pinnacle Bank for 20 years of support of the Fund’s activities. That support has continued from 2003 when the PCCFF was first organized, bringing the Fund to its 20th anniversary.
As Operations Officer at Pinnacle Bank, Ross uses any spare time to assist non-profit and government entities to apply for grants from the Fund. In addition, she receives contributions for the Fund and as treasurer of the Fund issues financial reports to the Fund Advisory Committee. Ross was recently presented a plaque recognizing 20 years of support to the Fund. Pinnacle Bank was likewise recognized for its support. But, Kevin Chavira, Market President for Pinnacle Bank of Grant, said, “Michelle does deserve most of the recognition for her work.”
Ross worked on several endowment campaigns during the first decade of the Foundation Fund, raising several hundred thousand dollars for the Funds endowment accounts with the Nebraska Community Foundation, NCF. “Those campaigns kept me very busy, but they were inspiring to realize the wonderful generosity of Perkins County residents.” Another campaign in 2018 and 2019 generated an additional $190,000 to the principal of the endowment.
Ross has recorded the funding of various community projects over the 20 years of operations. Nearly $125,000 has been returned to various entities over the 20-year period. Currently, nearly $30,000 is available annually in “payout” from the endowment funds. The funds are managed by the Nebraska Community Foundation, which calculates the payout for the Fund each year beginning July 1.
The Fund Advisory Committee also recognizes the support of the United Methodist Church of Grant. Most of the meetings of the committee are held at the Church, along with some other events such as “listening sessions” for the Committee to gain a better understanding of the needs of the communities of the county. Such sessions are being planned at the four communities of the county.
The next column will continue the history of the Fund in more recent years.
The author is Chair of the Fund Advisory Committee of the Perkins County Community Foundation Fund. PCCFF has a vision of “vibrant communities and a high quality of life” for the County. Government and nonprofit entities can apply for grant funding from the Fund. The PCCFF is a nonprofit 501c3 affiliate of the Nebraska Community Foundation.