Message from the Executive Director
Lynn Bohart, FAHP

The Renton Community Foundation is growing quickly. Because of that, we have been very busy reaching out to the community and adding new funds. For instance, this past year we launched “ Parties With A Purpose,“, a series of themed dinners aimed at making new friends. Over 190 guests attended one or more of the parties, including a bar-b-que, a tour of homes, a holiday party and even a day at the races. We also launched the “Community Briefing Program,“ a PowerPoint presentation illustrating how community foundations are making an impact across the country and, especially, right here in our area. We made seven presentations to over 100 people. As a result, we were given the opportunity to participate in the employee giving campaign at First Savings Bank Northwest, providing over $1,900 in contributions to a variety of funds within the Foundation. We also established several new funds this past year and began several new program initiatives. A unique and exciting fund was established by Pam Gidlund in memory of her son, Jeremy, who died as the result of an accident earlier in the year. Jeremy was a special needs student at Lindbergh High School and Pam decided to use money donated in his honor to establish a scholarship fund for students suffering from a variety of learning disabilities. We launched our Community Leadership Society, honoring those individuals who have completed, or intend to complete, a planned gift through their will or other estate planning tool. A new committee was formed to begin the Betty Jacobsen Memorial Scholarship Program, aimed at providing scholarships to qualifying high school seniors or adults wishing to further their education. Lastly, we increased our assets by over $470,000 in 2007, so that today, the Renton Community Foundation manages over $3.7 million on of the communities we serve. I am honored and privileged to serve as the Executive Director for the Renton Community Foundation as we continue to find new ways to serve our community and meet emerging needs.