Dean Decker/Courtesy photo
LOS ALAMOS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION NEWS RELEASE
Local documentarian and author Dean Decker has spent more than a decade researching and documenting Los Alamos places and history, so it is no surprise that he is creating a fund to benefit the Los Alamos Historical Society.
“Los Alamos history is of course fascinating. So much has already been written about the science of the Manhattan Project. I’ve spent my efforts documenting the community aspects and life in Los Alamos,” explains Decker in addressing what has compelled him to start a seed fund at Los Alamos Community Foundation for the Historical Society. “Los Alamos Historical Society maintains a very large archive,” said Decker, “and they strive to present new and varied displays about our history. I believe this work is important, and I want to make sure that it continues indefinitely. An endowment is a great way to do that.”
Decker’s fund is termed a “Seed Fund,” which means that the community has five years to raise the $10,000 necessary to create a permanent endowment fund to benefit the Los Alamos Historical Society. While Decker has kicked it off with a personal donation, everyone can help ensure the endowment is fully funded well before the five-year deadline. Donations may be sent to Los Alamos Community Foundation, with a note designating “Los Alamos Historical Society.”
LACF Executive Director Liz Martineau said, “As someone who personally treasures our local history, I’m very excited that this endowment will provide a new revenue stream and annual funding disbursements to the Historical Society to preserve and share our local stories.”
Los Alamos Historical Society Executive Director, Todd Nickols adds, “Dean is an exceptionally generous person, as demonstrated through his writing, his support of our Archives and Collections, his active participation in our exhibit openings, and now with the creation of this seed fund. The Historical Society’s Board of Directors and staff sincerely appreciate Dean’s longstanding support and friendship, which have been invaluable to both the Society and the Los Alamos community. Thank you, Dean!”
Martineau said endowments held at the Los Alamos Community Foundation (LACF) offer several benefits for donors and local organizations, including expert investing monitoring, providing funding diversity for organizations, providing a consistent revenue stream in perpetuity to local nonprofits, and protecting funds from fraud or bankruptcy.
“We encourage Los Alamos residents who value our unique local history to donate to this new endowment fund for the Los Alamos Historical Society,” said Martineau, “or to the Pajarito Heritage Fund, which focuses specifically on preserving our homesteading history.”
Martineau said LACF accepts online donations on their website (losalamoscf.org), monthly donations through the LANL giving tool, Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), and one time gifts.
“You may even designate a fund through your will or trust. We are proud to be local. You are welcome to stop by our office (in the Enterprise Bank and Trust building) to discuss giving options with us,” said Martineau. LACF is located on the ground floor of the Enterprise Bank and Trust building, which provides the space to the Foundation.
A current list of the 24 permanent endowment funds LACF manages is available on the website losalamoscf.org under “donate to a fund.”
Martineau said, “If your favorite organization is listed there, consider donating. If it isn’t listed, maybe you can be the one to start a permanent fund for them. An Endowment Fund is giving that lasts!”
About the Los Alamos Community Foundation:
Established in 2015, the mission of the Los Alamos Community Foundation is to build enduring philanthropy to empower our community’s nonprofit organizations. LACF stewards 24 permanent endowment funds and supports local nonprofits through training, initiatives, and
grantmaking. For more information about the Los Alamos Community Foundation, visit https://www.losalamoscf.org.