The Waverly Community Fund, which is affiliated with the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, has announced that the Wartburg Community Symphony Association has established a permanent endowment to provide ongoing financial support for the symphony.

The Wartburg Community Symphony Association Fund at the Community Foundation is permanent, meaning only a portion of the earnings on contributions are spent to support the symphony’s needs and activities. The fund was established with the Waverly Community Fund to ensure permanence, take advantage of a large investment pool, and receive endowment support services.

The Wartburg Community Symphony was founded in 1952 as a partnership between Wartburg College and the Waverly community. The symphony is made up of Wartburg College students and community and professional musicians. The association governs the orchestra’s operation through a volunteer board of directors and provides financial support through season memberships and fundraising.

Jon Tehven, president of the symphony board stated, “We are very excited about the WCSA Endowment Fund. The board talked about starting an endowment and had a presentation by the Community Foundation. The board decided to move forward, and then members of the Waverly community stepped forward with a $10,000 donation to start the fund. I believe this donation represents the high regard the symphony has in our community.”

Because the fund is a permanent endowment established with an affiliate of a community foundation that meets national standards, donors are eligible to receive a 25 percent state tax credit in addition to the normal federal deduction for charitable giving.

“I am very excited about the endowment. It will help ensure the long-term financial stability of the symphony,” said Dr. Daniel Kaplunas, conductor of the Wartburg Community Symphony, and associate professor music at Wartburg College.

If you would like to contribute to the endowment fund, call 319 287-9106 or go online at https://www.wartburg.edu/waverly/.