Endowment Grows Thanks to Anonymous Donor

by Don Linebaugh, VAF Treasurer

Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, the VAF endowment just grew by another $100,000! It appears that this is the same donor who contributed $100,000 in each of the last 3 years. In which case, the total donation is now at $400,000. Thanks to these donations along with the generosity of all of our members who have contributed to the endowment via the 30^th anniversary campaign, the Fund for Fieldwork, or special annual gifts, our endowment now stands at over $550,000! This endowment corpus is invested in a variety of funds and the investment income is starting to make a major contribution to the VAF’s annual budget, allowing us to fund fellowships, scholarships, etc.  As VAF President Chris Wilson wrote in his thank you to the donor, “a substantial contribution to a permanent endowment such as yours plays a particularly important role in the life, stability and continuity of an organization. A dependable on-going source of income allows an organization to weather rocky time, to augment its current programs and to take on new initiatives.” A great thanks is in order for this wonderful donation to support the organization that we all cherish so very much.

Treasurer Stepping Down

Photo Courtesy of Don Linebaugh

Don Linebaugh, VAF Treasurer the past ten years, is stepping down. Long-time Director of Historic Preservation at the University of Maryland, Linebaugh will be taking on the additional role of Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, which will prevent him from continuing his VAF work.

            

“Dennis Domer, the previous Treasurer, got me to say yes when I had had one too many beers,” remembers Linebaugh. “I continued because I enjoyed getting to meet great folks who have become close friends and colleagues over the years. I also liked the sense that I was contributing to an important organization that is close to my heart.”

            

“Don has not only given many years of valuable serve to the organization,” responded Chris Wilson to the news, “but also was an indispensable advisor to me as I got up to speed as VAF President this past year. He and Secretary Gabrielle Lanier have provided similar continuity for a succession of new presidents.”

           

The Nominating Committee, chaired by VP Claire Dempsey, is working to identify a replacement. Basic financial and accounting experience is sufficient for the position, although the establishment of a VAF endowment also makes investment experience desirable. The job requires about a day a month of work, then multiple days before each of two board meetings, and around tax and audit times.

             

Please contact Claire Dempsey, dempseyc@bu.edu, if you are interested in the job, or if you know of someone who might have the necessary experience . . . and also might like to share a glass of Leinenkugel’s.