Board Of Directors
- Wade Mathes– President
- Craig Turner – Secretary
- Marcella Parker – Treasurer
- Linda Ritter – Member
- Christopher Johnston – Member
Overview
The Taum Sauk Fund is a non-profit corporation that invests its assets for the sole purpose of using the returns to fund projects that will substantially affect travel & tourism and economic development in Iron and Reynolds Counties in Missouri.
Every year we solicit grant proposals for projects that will help us carry out our charitable purpose.
Then we face the challenging task of selecting from the many worthy projects proposed those that will best achieve the Taum Sauk Fund’s goals, as identified in our bylaws and articles of incorporation.
Our vision is to improve community life for the people of Reynolds and Iron Counties. We want to do this by promoting the features and attractions that draw visitors here from around the world. The Taum Sauk Fund also works to improve the economic climate of the area by working to attract jobs, improve infrastructure, develop and expand existing economic enterprises, and encourage growth of new sectors, industries, and services.
We administer and oversee the projects that are funded through our grants, working with grantees to ensure that the benefits of their work are maximized.
Since 2008 the Taum Sauk Fund has been working to help the people of Reynolds and Iron Counties (Missouri) improve their way of life by sponsoring and funding economic development and travel & tourism development projects.
The current focus of the Taum Sauk Fund is grant making. We want to learn about, conceive, develop, fund, nurture, and oversee projects that make a difference in the communities we serve through improving the economy and attracting travelers and tourists.
These goals and efforts are not short sighted. Our aim is long-term, sustained improvement in quality of life for the people who live, work, and travel in our area of concern.
The Taum Sauk Fund serves individuals and organizations throughout Reynolds County.
In alignment with our Mission and Bylaws we concentrate our efforts only on travel & tourism development and economic development.
Although distributions of grant funds may be made to organizations outside the affected area, all projects must benefit the people and communities of Reynolds County.
Financials
The Taum Sauk Fund is a new organization that received initial funding of seven million dollars in February, 2008.
Our record of returns on investment of this initial special deposit has only begun.
If you have questions about the Taum Sauk Fund financials, please contact…
taumsauk@outlook.com
Our History
The Taum Sauk Fund was built on a shared vision for improving the quality of life of people adversely impacted by breach of the Taum Sauk Reservoir in 2005.
When settlement moneys became available, community leaders asked Missouri’s Attorney General Jay Nixon to give local citizens the opportunity to invest and direct the use of these assets in a manner that they believed would best benefit their neighbors.
The Taum Sauk Fund, Inc. was incorporated on February 7, 2008 as a tax-exempt non-profit organization. On March 14, 2008 Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon came to Lesterville to swear in the first nine-member Board of Directors, including:
- Judith (Judy) Allen, Bunker
- Henry Balderas, Black
- Larry Barnes, Ellington
- Thomas W. Crowell, Arcadia
- Jim Erpenbach, Ironton
- Jim Hill, Ellington
- Kurt Homeyer, Ellington
- Mary Peterson, Van Buren
- Paul V. Usher II, Ironton
The Taum Sauk Fund continues its efforts in conjunction with grant recipients and community volunteers to achieve the vision of economic development and travel & tourism development conceived by community and state leaders.
Investments
Every dollar entrusted to the Taum Sauk Fund has the potential to positively impact our communities for many years into the future. Therefore, our investment decisions are focused on making sure our assets grow as much as possible. Greater returns on our investments mean that greater work can be done to positively affect travel and tourism and the economic conditions of our area.
Funds are invested according to an investment policy recommended by the Investment Committee and adopted by the Board of Directors. All Taum Sauk Fund funds are professionally managed.
Investment Returns
The Taum Sauk Fund is currently targeting a rate of return of 5.5% under the current investment policy.
Investment Management
Under the oversight of the Taum Sauk Fund Investment Committee, Edward Jones and Great Southern Bank, are the asset management companies for the fund.
Who We Serve
The Taum Sauk Fund serves individuals and organizations throughout Reynolds County.
In alignment with our Mission and Bylaws we concentrate our efforts only on travel & tourism development and economic development.
Although distributions of grant funds may be made to organizations outside the affected area, all projects must benefit the people and communities of Reynolds County.
