$20,000 Matching Gift Opportunity Available for Newly Established Prairie Springs Recreational Trail Endowment Fund
Howard County Community Foundation
September 7, 2021
The Prairie Springs Recreational Trail Endowment Fund has been established with the Howard County Community Foundation by donors John and Jo Ann O’Byrne. The fund will support betterment activities of the Prairie Springs Recreational Trail (PSRT).
In addition, the O’Byrne family and Amy Bouska are offering a combined $20,000 in matching funds for gifts made to the Prairie Springs Recreational Trail Endowment Fund. The opportunity is a dollar for dollar match, meaning if PSRT raises $20,000, the O’Byrnes and Bouska will give $20,000 to double the money. Donations will go to the fund to increase the impact for the trail and all who enjoy it. Gifts can be made online at fund.cfneia.org/prairiesprings-endowment.
The Prairie Springs Recreational Trail is a three-mile paved trail accessed from downtown Cresco at Balk Park to Vernon Springs, winding along the Prairie’s Edge Nature Center next to the Turkey River. The trail is lined with prairie grass, flowers, rolling farmland, and shaded woods which provides a scenic view for outdoor recreation enthusiasts. Fitness equipment is also strategically placed along the trail and offers a workout for all ages and levels.
“We are grateful to the O’Byrne family and Amy Bouska for providing such generous gifts to establish this endowment fund,” said Tim Wolter, president of the Prairie Springs Recreational Trail. “Creating this sustainable source of funding helps us with the ongoing upkeep and beautification of the trail that many people utilize and enjoy.”
The Prairie Springs Recreational Trail Endowment Fund is professionally managed and invested to grow over time. Gifts to the endowment fund are also eligible to receive a 25% state tax credit through the Endow Iowa program in addition to normal tax deductions as allowed by law. More information about Endow Iowa can be found at www.cfneia.org/endowiowa.
Gifts of cash/check and stock are accepted through the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, 3117 Greenhill Circle, Cedar Falls, IA, 50613, which is the administrative office of the Howard County Community Foundation. Checks should be made payable to the Prairie Springs Recreational Trail Endowment Fund.
Questions about giving may be directed to Terry Gaumer, affiliate development director with the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, at 319-243-1354 or tgaumer@cfneia.org.
More information about the Howard County Community Foundation can be found at www.howardccf.org.
