Jacobs giving back with new community fund

Posted 1/26/18

Rochelle Area Community Foundation leader wants to see organization improve public visibility with permanent office.

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Jacobs giving back with new community fund

Posted

ROCHELLE — The Rochelle Area Community Foundation is excited to announce the creation of the Jacobs Family Fund, which is being spearheaded by local resident Cal Jacobs.
This new donor-advised fund will provide assets to assist in the acquisition of a permanent home for the Foundation in the future.
Originally from Powell Wyo., Jacobs came to Rochelle in 1995 as the president and general manager of Rochelle Foods, a subsidiary of Hormel.
During his tenure at Rochelle Foods, he became involved with the RACF as a vehicle to help support local organizations whose work includes hunger relief.
His efforts resulted in the creation of a permanent hunger relief fund of the foundation, which raises more than $10,000 each year for hunger relief in the region.

Soon after his retirement in 2011, Jacobs accepted an invitation to join the foundation’s board of directors, which he eagerly accepted. He currently serves as president of board.
“It is my firm belief that the foundation is not visible enough. We need to have our name better known in the community, because that will cause us to grow,” Jacobs said. “We need to touch more people and give them the opportunity to support the foundation, which in turn supports the community much more than people know.”
Jacobs said he was fortunate to have come to Rochelle and build his career, so he is excited to be able to create the new fund.
“If I hadn’t been transferred to Rochelle (but I was), and if I hadn’t had one of the best workforces in the world (but I did), and if we hadn’t made Rochelle Foods as successful as it was (but we did), then I wouldn’t be as financially able to start the Jacobs Family Fund… but I am, so I did.”
Foundation director Kim Montgomery said that the leadership and involvement by Jacobs, along with a passion to share his good fortune with others is inspirational.
“I look forward with excitement to see what the future holds for the Rochelle Area Community Foundation, and this contribution sets us on a great path”, she said.
The Rochelle Area Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving the residents of the Rochelle Township High School District with donor services, grant making and community leadership.
The foundation’s mission is to improve the community through charitable giving, encourage a spirit of philanthropy and improve the quality of life of the community.
To learn more or to support the work of the Foundation, contact Kim Montgomery, Executive Director at 815-561-3600 or visit www.rochellefoundation.org