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With so many
conservation groups around, what makes MCCF
special?
State and federal tax laws allow the Foundation
to secure grants, solicit funds, support
education initiatives, and pursue other funding
opportunities for which the Conservation
District and our other partners may be
ineligible. For example, the McHenry County
Conservation Foundation serves in the lead role
working for passage of open space referendums in
the county. MCCF can assess public interest in
open space and clean water issues throughout the
county and promote the public education
component of the referendums in order to best
demonstrate community benefits of open space. We
have been successful in passing both
referendums, and together they have brought in
$141.5 million toward securing open spaces and
providing amenities to the counties many sites.
In addition, we have secured legislative funds
and managed private donations for land
acquisition and specific conservation projects.
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Other
than the open space referendum, how does MCCF
support open space?
The McHenry County Conservation Foundation is
uniquely positioned to apply for a number of
grants from state, federal, and privately funded
sources. These outside funding sources and
matching grants have saved the McHenry County
taxpayers thousands of dollars and provided the
Conservation District and other resource groups
the opportunity to purchase many more acres of
natural areas throughout the county without
relying on local taxes. The Conservation
District is bound by a number of state laws
governing property sales. When a parcel of land
is purchased for its natural value, oftentimes
the sale involves a house or other structure.
These can become very costly to maintain and may
even present a major liability. The District
typically does not want to purchase homes
associated with open space. We have partnered
with the Conservation District during land
acquisitions to purchase the buildings and thus
lessen this burden. In doing so, we save the
District literally millions of dollars in
acquisition costs that can be spent on open
space elsewhere. |
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Are there ways to make memorial gifts, a bequest
or other planned giving opportunities? |
| Planned giving will allow you
to leave a legacy that will continue far beyond
your lifetime. There are many different ways to
contribute and to help us continue to preserve
our open spaces and unique habitats within
McHenry County. Visit our Planned Giving Page
HERE |
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