Helping at Home
John Edward and Frances Amstutz celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary.
The Amstutz family’s roots run deep in Davis County. John Edward has called the area home for 100 years and together with his wife, Frances, raised three children who continue to live and work in the area. This long standing connection to community made partnering with their county community foundation appealing as they considered how to best give back to their hometown.
“My parents made smart financial investments over their lifetimes and decided to use these assets to support charitable causes,” shares the couple’s daughter, Karen. “They wanted to have an impact in the community, but didn’t have a specific project in mind as they realized the returns on their investments. By working with the Davis County Community Foundation they could open a charitable giving fund using these assets, and wait until opportunities arose to make meaningful gifts to community projects.”
As their hometown of Bloomfield began fundraising for a new library, the family came together and decided this project was the perfect opportunity to use a portion of their charitable fund to support the community. “My parents saw giving to the library’s capital campaign as an investment in those who are interested in learning and education. The library is a resource the entire community benefits from, including four generations of our family who continue to call Bloomfield home,” says Karen. “While my mother passed away before the library was completed, my father is thrilled to be able to see the results of our family’s gift and its impact in the community.”
Because the Amstutz family chose to facilitate their charitable giving through the Davis County Community Foundation, an affiliate community foundation of the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, their charitable assets will continue to grow through the Community Foundation’s investment portfolios. This provides a unique opportunity to continue to support causes in the community for years to come. The Amstutz’s may not know the future needs of their community, but thanks to their generosity and charitable giving fund they are well positioned to assist in ensuring the future success of their beloved hometown.
“Our family’s heart has always been in Davis County. By working with the Community Foundation we are pleased to be a part of local philanthropy that is improving the county and community we love.” – Karen Spurgeon
