Since 1974, millions of Americans have saved billions of pre-tax dollars in Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). Thanks to continued savings and investment returns, an estimated $3.6 trillion is currently invested in IRAs, and the total continues to grow. Last December, Congress extended a federal law allowing IRA owners to share the wealth of their retirement savings by giving directly to charity, without first counting it as income and paying income tax.

Applications for the Community Foundation’s Unrestricted Granting Program are now being accepted.  2012 grants will be directed to organizations and programs addressing one or more strategies within the following Strategic Community Impact Plan focus areas as outlined in the SCIP document:  Education; Family Safety and Security; Health and Well-Being; Elderly; Disabled Population; and Self Sufficiency.

Celebrating the success of the five year, $10 million Waltersdorf Henson Endowment Challenge, the Community Foundation proudly unveiled the Waltersdorf Henson Tribute Circle in the quad at Hagerstown Community College.  The tribute circle credits the John M. Waltersdorf Family and the Richard A. Henson Foundation with the vision and commitment to the 16 participating nonprofit agencies whose endowments under the challenge have the potential to generate $500,000 annually in grants to benefit Washington County.