Lake Benton Area Foundation was founded in September 2006 after community philanthropists Lloyd and the late Barbara Amundson challenged each community in which they owned a bank to start a local community foundation in partnership with Southwest Initiative Foundation. To help jumpstart fundraising efforts, Lloyd offered $5,000 in matching funds. Lake Benton Area Foundation raised $30,000 the first year, with a $25,000 match from SWIF.
The LBAF works to enrich the quality of life for present and future residents by providing the opportunity and inspiration to give back to the Lake Benton area, using its resources through leadership and stewardship.
Since 2007, the foundation has hosted an annual fundraising gala. This year’s gala was a special partnership with the Lake Benton Volunteer Fire Department. The department has been working on updating its turn out gear by adding three Air-Pak breathing apparatuses, at a cost of $5,400 each.
Packed with food and entertainment, a demonstration of the fire department’s turnout gear and great live and silent auctions, this year’s gala was a success, and LBAF presented the fire department with $11,000, half the gala proceeds and enough to cover two units. The remainder was reinvested into LBAF endowment fund and its project fund.
“Without the community’s tremendous support of this event – everyone who donated items or attended, and the local businesses that sponsor it — the LBAF would not be able to grant funds to support the Lake Benton community,” said Jess Gum, LBAF Advisory Board Chair.
This fall, the foundation awarded $6,500 in grants to improve learning and safety at the Lake Benton Elementary School, to help with upkeep at the city cemetery, to enhance performances at Lake Benton Opera House and more.
Pictured: Karen Lichtsinn and Ka Finzen of the Lake Benton Diner’s Club senior dining group accept a $500 grant from Lake Benton Area Foundation Advisory Board Chair Jess Gums to purchase a computer. Photo Credit: Lake Benton Valley Journal
Glenn L. Krog | May 4, 1935 – June 20, 2019
Glenn Krog will be remembered for his dedicated involvement and generous support of his community, local organizations and projects. He loved his hometown of Lake Benton. He graduated from high school there in 1952, attended college in South Dakota and then joined the United States Marine Corps. After his service, he returned to work the Krog family farm in rural Lincoln County. Being a good steward of the land was of great importance to Glenn, and he was passionate about supporting the next generation of farmers by offering them opportunities and wisdom regarding farming. Glenn continued to farm until just prior to his passing in June 2019.
More than a decade ago, Glenn decided to donate 320 acres to support his hometown through our Keep It Growing farmland giving program. Glenn was a willing ambassador in promoting this unique tool for retaining wealth in our rural region, and we’re grateful for his enthusiasm on our behalf. Glenn structured his incredible gift so that it first supports a longtime friend and farmer, with the ultimate benefit to the community he loved via the Lake Benton Area Foundation. We’re proud to be part of this legacy, offering a way for Glenn to support his friends and neighbors.
This tribute appears in Looking Forward, Giving Back, our annual report to donors and friends.
