3821-R2_ML&P_LSLA_2015_Web_WinterNewsletter

LSLA Partners with Maine Community Foundation

Earlier this year, the LSLA Board of Directors reviewed the investment strategy that has been in place for the past several years to guide the investment of our endowment and other reserve Funds. Since the Endowment Fund was created back in 2011, the funds were held in a Merrill Lynch account, but the principle was relatively low and the fund did not generate much growth or income. Through additional gifts, the fund had grown to over $13,000 by the end of 2014. The LSLA Reserve Fund reflects money that has been put aside over the years to be used for special contingencies, a possible emergency with the dam, and other non-operating investments or improvements. These funds come primarily from any surpluses realized in our annual operating budget. At year-end 2014, we had almost $138,000 in reserves, and the funds were invested in 5-year CDs. However, as the CDs mature, if we rolled over these assets into new CDs the interest rates would be very low due to market conditions. After considering other options, the LSLA Board decided to partner with the prestigious Maine Community Foundation to manage both the Endowment Fund and the Reserve Fund for the association. The Maine Community Foundation is a statewide public foundation whose core purpose is to work with donors and other partners to improve the quality of life for all Maine people. With a professional staff of 30 and a volunteer Board from across Maine, the foundation is a respected and trusted leader in philanthropy. The community

foundation manages almost 1,500 funds with a total value of $380 million, including more than 150 endowment funds for various non- profits around Maine. The Maine Community Foundation (MCF) will invest our funds, along with the other assets in their Primary Investment Portfolio, with a goal to preserve and enhance the real value through prudent institutional investment strategies. MCF offers professional investment management, regular reporting and updates to the LSLA Board, and easy access to withdraw our funds if needed. The rate of return for MCF’s primary portfolio over the 5 years ending in 2014 was 8.9%, so our funds should generate higher income and growth over time as compared to the alternative of reinvesting in CDs. Over the past five months, we have transferred all of the endowment and reserve funds over to MCF. At the end of September our Endowment totaled $15,235 and our Reserve Fund totaled $139,263. Much more information about Maine Community Foundation may be found on their website at www.MaineCF.org . Through partnering with MCF, Little Sebago Lake Association joins a long list of many of the most highly respected non-profits and other community organizations across Maine. And on behalf of our members, the Board of Directors was proud to learn that Little Sebago was the first Lake Association to join in partnership with the MCF family. Here’s to a long and successful relationship!

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