Endowment Partners Fund

In 2006, the governing board of the Youth Symphony of Southern Oregon entered into a formal partnership with The Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) to manage and administer an Endowment Fund for the YSSO. The OCF is a statewide nonprofit foundation established in 1973 as a vehicle for Oregonians to increase philanthropy through current gifts and estate planning. The OCF currently manages and administers more than 1,700 charitable funds on behalf of individuals, families, nonprofit organizations and businesses to support humanitarian, educational and cultural programs that benefit their communities.

Funding from the estate of Robert Johnson and contributions from individuals and families provided the seed money for the YSSO’s initial investment with The OCF. Contributors to the YSSO Endowment Fund to date include:

Penny Lee Austin
Alan Bergstrom
Hardt Family Fund of The Oregon Community Foundation
Robert Johnson Estate
Michael Klein
Sharon Minchow
Neil & Davida Stockton
Ron & Lynda Weinhold
Sharon Wilson

The YSSO board’s commitment to fiscal stability and sustainable growth and The Oregon Community Foundation’s history of fund management, as well as the technical assistance it offers to Endowment Partners in the areas of planned giving will mean that the partnership will yield dividends for years to come. The OCF is available to assist donors who wish to make gifts of real estate or stock to benefit the YSSO and it can facilitate charitable trusts or annuities. To learn more about The OCF and its relationship with the YSSO, please contact Cristina Sanz, Southern Oregon OCF Regional Director (541-773-8987) for southern Oregon or Sharon Wilson, YSSO Executive Director (541-858-8859).