January 24, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information contact:
Katie Allen, Angus Foundation marketing and public relations assistant, at 816-383-5100 or kallen@angusfoundation.org; or
Vision of Value: Campaign for Angus Reaches $7.6 Million in
Outright Cash Gifts, Pledges and Planned Giving Commitments
The multi-year
$11 million fundraising drive to support the Angus Foundation’s education,
youth and research efforts concluded on Dec. 31, 2011.
In 2005, the
Angus Foundation embarked on a fundraising campaign never-before attempted by
similar livestock and agricultural entities. The Vision of Value: Campaign for Angus was the first capital campaign
launched by the Angus Foundation and aimed to preserve our rich Angus heritage
for future generations through an $11 million fundraising effort. The campaign,
which concluded Dec. 31, 2011, raised more than $7.6 million in outright cash
gifts, pledges and planned giving commitments.
The funds
raised in the campaign will allow every Angus breeder, friend and allied
industry interest to benefit. It has allowed for growth in financial support
for educational programs, such as Cattlemen’s Boot Camps, Young Cattlemen’s
Conference and Beef Leaders Institute. It has also funded more youth
opportunities through educational scholarships and conferences such as the
Leaders Engaged in Angus Development (LEAD) conference. Many research projects
at universities across the
The initial
funding goals of the campaign were to provide $3.5 million for education, $6
million for youth, and $1.5 million for research. Although the $11 million goal
was not reached,
“It is my view,
and I believe it is one that will be shared by countless other Angus breeders
and members across the country, that we weren’t satisfied with the status quo
at the beginning of the campaign, so why would we want to settle for the status
quo today, especially now that we’ve seen the leaps and bounds of progress that
can be made with the help of charitable gifts to the Angus Foundation from our
members, allied industry partners and friends of the Angus breed,” Jenkins
says.
In addition to generating
more support for education, youth and research activities due to the campaign,
even more importantly and invaluable is that Vision of Value: Campaign for
Angus has instilled an even higher sense of accomplishment and confidence
in our Angus breeders across the country.
“One can only be humbled by the response from thousands of Angus breeders, allied industry interests and friends who supported the campaign over the years,” Jenkins says. “It was tremendously rewarding to see this high level of synergy and excitement be carried all the way through to Dec. 31, the official last day of the campaign, with many Angus enthusiasts making generous outright cash contributions and commitments, including a wonderful major gift announcement by the Montana Angus Association and Montana Angus Auxiliary establishing a permanent $25,000 scholarship endowment fund with the Angus Foundation!”
Following the
campaign, greater emphasis will be given to raising funds for specific
initiatives, for example, the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS), as well as
other areas deemed priorities in education and research, Jenkins says.
Nearly $1 million was raised to support the Vision of Value campaign through four
events that included “That Old Black Magic,” hosted by Fred and Betty Johnson
of Summitcrest Farms in 2004; “Magic of the Vine,”
hosted by Jim and Sue Coleman of Vintage Angus Ranch in 2006; “That Old West
Magic,” hosted by Bob Funk of Express Ranches in 2008; and “BLACKONTRACK! Angus Magic at Churchill
Serving as the campaign advisors on the Vision of Value: Campaign for Angus Leadership
Cabinet included Chairman Howard
Hillman of Bon View Farms in South Dakota, Co-Chairman Jim Coleman of Vintage
Angus Ranch in California, Co-Chairman David McMahon of Belle Point Ranch in
Arkansas and the following members: Dick Beck, Three Trees Ranch in Georgia;
Mark Gardiner, Gardiner Angus Ranch in Kansas; John Morgan, Morgan Angus in
Georgia; Abbie Nelson, Five Star Land & Livestock
in California; Bob Norton, BioZyme, Inc. in Missouri;
Blanford Pierce, Woodlawn Farms in Illinois; Anne
Patton Schubert of Kentucky, representing the American Angus Auxiliary; Ron Simek, Canyon Creek Angus in Wyoming; Eddie Sydenstricker,
Sydenstricker Genetics in Missouri; Jake Tiedeman of
Nebraska, a former chairman of the NJAA Board of Directors; Bob Weaver, Weaver
Angus Farm in Illinois; and Laurie Widdowson, SandPoint Cattle Co. in Nebraska. Ex-officio members
include Paul Hill, Champion Hill Angus in
“The Angus Foundation would be terribly remiss if we didn’t again convey our genuine appreciation to the campaign’s Leadership Cabinet and the many volunteers who invested an enormous amount of time, energy and resources to this monumental fundraising effort for the benefit of our beloved Angus breed, our Association’s members and youth across the country,” Jenkins says.
The Angus Foundation was established in 1980 as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization to support Angus education, youth and research. To learn more about the Angus Foundation and the programs it supports or how you can contribute to the Vision of Value: Campaign for Angus, log on to www.angusfoundation.org or call 816-383-5100.
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