THREE RIVERS — Lou Adele May, chair of the board, and other representatives of the Coastal Bend Community Foundation recently met with Live Oak County residents to discuss the possibility of the Foundation accepting Live Oak County as a member county once specific conditions are met.

Being a part of the Coastal Bend Community Foundation would afford Live Oak County donors access to the Foundation’s expertise and potential recipients of grants and scholarships access to another source of funds.

To be adopted into the foundation, Live Oak County must raise $2 million by July 2014. Those gathered for the meeting discussed the advantages of becoming a member of this long established community foundation in the Coastal Bend area.

Karen Selim, J.D., the Foundation’s president and CEO, noted that the Coastal Bend Community Foundation was incorporated in 1981 with the mission of enhancing and improving the quality of life in Aransas, Bee, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Nueces, Refugio and San Patricio counties in the Coastal Bend.

The Foundation serves donors by providing a vehicle for the establishment of various types of charitable funds designed to fulfill their wishes.

Since its inception, the Foundation has distributed more than $69 million from donor contributions and revenues to scholarships to students and grants to nonprofit organizations.

The Foundation’s board, which is comprised of representatives from the seven counties served, has approved more than $1.8 million in grants in 2012, including $500,000 to 90 charities through the Foundation’s annual grant process, and $495,000 in scholarships.

In addition, the Foundation has raised $310,000 with other local foundations for the Nov. 13 Coastal Bend Day of Giving that will allow 30 chosen charities to receive matching funds for their donations received through the website www.coastalbenddayofgiving.org for their causes on that day.

Nonprofits that potentially that have an impact on Live Oak County include HALO Flight, the Food Bank, and the Women’s Shelter of South Texas. This annual one-day event has raised more than $1.7 million in the prior three years.

Initially, County Judge Jim Huff investigated the possibility of starting a Live Oak County Foundation to receive monies from those who wish to support Live Oak County charities, scholarships, and other 501(c)3 organizations.

In the course of his investigation, it became apparent that joining this trusted foundation would afford Live Oak County donors the benefits of contributing to a well-established institution – annual audits, wise investments, grant expertise and board representation.

There are many advantages to giving toward the $2 million in donations that are required for Live Oak County to become a part of the Coastal Bend Community Foundation.

Donors may receive tax deductions for their gifts to reduce their payments to the Internal Revenue Service.

Those interested in learning more about the Foundation or who are interested in making a donation may contact County Judge Huff at the Live Oak County Courthouse at 361-449-2733, ext. 1003, or Karen Selim at the Coastal Bend Community Foundation. The Foundation phone number is 361-882-9745, and her email is kselim@cbcfoundation.org.