(Council Bluffs, IA) – Officials with Southwest Iowa Nature Trails, Inc. (SWINT) announced Wednesday, that their organization has been selected to receive an incredible annual gift of $25,000 from Dr. Ted and Polly Hoff. Dr. Ted and Polly partnered with Pottawattamie County Community Foundation (PCCF) in 2013 to create a donor-advised fund as a way for their family to financially support area nonprofit organizations in a long-term capacity. The annual gift from the Hoff Family Fund to SWINT will support operational needs and infrastructure repairs for the Wabash Trace Nature Trail.

The Wabash Trace Nature Trail is a converted railroad right-of-way running 63 miles and over 72 bridges through the scenic Southwest Iowa countryside, beginning in Council Bluffs and ending at the Missouri state line. SWINT was established in 1988, and with the invaluable assistance of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and countless volunteers and community stakeholders, the railroad right-of-way was railbanked in 1989, and the trail was completed and dedicated in 1997.

SWINT President Rebecca Castle Laughlin says “The Hoff Family’s annual gift came as such a wonderful surprise to our organization. We operate on a small annual budget and depend upon trail pass fees and donations to fund basic operating needs. Annual planned gifts, such as the donation from the Hoff Family Fund, will become ever important to sustaining the Wabash Trace as the trail’s infrastructure continues to age. We are extremely thankful to the Hoff Family for their generosity. Their commitment will help ensure the public’s enjoyment of the Wabash Trace for many generations to come.”

The aging infrastructure of the trail means that new surfacing, bridge repairs, and tree trimming is a never-ending job. SWINT Board members are fortunate to be able to seek grant assistance for larger projects as they arise, but operational costs for anything from insurance to fuel for maintenance vehicles are dependent upon the organization’s annual fundraising campaigns and donations.

Laughlin added, “We greatly appreciate every donation to SWINT, no matter the size, but having the assurance that we will be receiving this generous contribution from the Hoff Family every year helps us more effectively plan our budget around larger upcoming costs that we know are looming. Dr. Hoff says he and his wife “Are excited about being a part of the future for this wonderful trail. It has so many uses for people of all ages.”

A donor advised fund at PCCF is a type of charitable giving fund created to support a cause (or causes) that the donor cares about. The fund allows a donor to remain involved and active in charitable giving by recommending how the funds should be granted. In 2021, donors and investors at PCCF recommended 269 grants totaling more than $1.9 million. Grants were allocated to projects in a variety of focus areas, such as: Arts & Culture, Community Betterment, Education, Environment and Animals, Health, Human Services, and Youth.

Pottawattamie County Community Foundation is your connection to creating a lasting legacy and ensuring our communities are strong, vibrant, and attractive for generations to come. PCCF works with donors to maximize their charitable gifts, which can include, but are not limited to the following: cash gifts, financial investments, bequests, gifts of grain, stocks and securities, livestock, real estate, and vehicles. For individuals interested in creating a fund, please contact PCCF at 712-256-7007 or visit www.ourpccf.org for more information.