Greetings:

Searching for ways to benefit WRWA financially, some of us are exploring community foundations, attempting to discover whether or not they might benefit WRWA. If you want to join in the search, the following are recommended websites:

I’ve learned that “A community foundation is a public charity that enables individuals and qualified organizations to establish or contribute to permanent charitable funds.” Wisconsin is the first in the nation to develop a certification process for community foundations and has developed a stringent review process to assure compliance with National Standards for U.S. Foundations.

Donors to community foundations can give cash, appreciated stocks, real estate, or other assets and receive a tax benefit in the year the gift is made. The community foundation invests these contributions, sets up a special fund in the name of the donor, and issues grants in the name of the fund the donor establishes. The donor can recommend an area or organization to receive those grants. Please share your ideas with us.

Often I send information like the following to Boyd for inclusion as a separate item. Because I received it close to the February 15th deadline, not because it is more important or less important, I’m including it in my message. Study creative writing and earn a degree through the brief-residency Master of Fine Arts in Writing Program at Spalding University in Louisville, KY. Study fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, writing for children, screenwriting, or playwriting. Each semester begins with a 10-day residency away from home, after which you return home to study one-on-one with a faculty mentor by correspondence. Request brochure FA35 by e-mail mfa@spalding.edu, by phone (800) 896-8941, ext 2423, or see the Web site www.spalding.edu/mfa.

I don’t like winter. That causes me to doubly anticipate spring and the wonderful conference that Roxanne, Barb, Robin, and Jane planned for May 5th at the Holiday Inn in Manitowoc. Registration forms are in this issue of The Wisconsin Regional Writer and on the WRWA Web site. Hopefully all of you have entered the Florence Lindemann and Al P. Nelson Contests so some will be honored as a winner at the Spring Conference.

The Spring Board Meeting will be at 1:00 p.m. at the Holiday Inn. All members are welcome to attend. If you have items you want the Board to consider, send them to Robin Butler,

Remember, the Jade Ring Contest opens March 15th.

Looking forward to spring and seeing you in Manitowoc.