Community Concerns

by Jan Horton

Every school child knows that old Ben Franklin was a creative fellow we've all heard the thrilling story of the kite, the key and the dramatic experiment that made a reality out of the theory of electricity. But few know of Ben's ingenious gift to his favorite cities and cause a gift that lives on today, albeit in some cases the subject of controversy.

Always a visionary, Ben left a gift that demonstrated vividly the power of investment and the power of endowment. Here are the terms.

In 1790, Ben Franklin died and left a bequest of "One thousand pounds sterling each" (about $4,000) to his favorite cities of Boston and Philadelphia. Each was to last 200 years and was designated to create economic opportunity for young tradesmen.

At the end of the first 100 years, Franklin specified that a portion be distributed for public improvements, presumably connected to assisting the young tradesmen. The remaining balance was to be held for another 100 years, and then be divided between state and local inhabitants.

Finally, in 1990, after 200 years, the fund terminated by its own terms, and to it was added the 1816 bequest of a Scots chemist, John Scott, who specified it be "applied to the same purposes as (Franklin's) legacy."

Scott's bequest was $3,000, and it had grown to the impressive sum of $417,535.

By 1992, the courts were ready to distribute the Franklin Fund, by then valued at $2,256,952.05 (not including the Scott bequest), as specified: 73.87 percent to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and 26.13 percent to the city of Philadelphia.

The mayor of Philadelphia appointed a committee of distinguished Franklin scholars to determine an appropriate way to use the city of Philadelphia's share, and this group chose the Philadelphia (community) Foundation from among the more than 225 proposals submitted.

With the 26.13 percent, or $698,845, the Philadelphia Foundation created the Benjamin Franklin Fund, a permanent endowment fund, with income to be used to assist students in obtaining additional training in trades, crafts or applied sciences; to make awards to schools or others providing such education; and to recognize individual excellence in such activities.

In April of 1998, the Benjamin Franklin Fund at the Philadelphia Foundation had grown to $1,373,750.

The 73.87 percent share for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was divided between the Franklin Institute of Philadelphia for educational and employment programs and the other half to the 18 community foundations of Pennsylvania all to be held in endowment funds permanently benefiting those communities.

The story of what happened to the other 50 percent of Franklin's bequest, which was bequeathed to the State of Massachusetts, will have to be the subject of another column. I can't wait to find it out myself!

Franklin stated he wished "to be useful, even after my death, if possible." If you're listening, Ben, congratulations! Your charity and vision have long outlived your stay on earth.

Tis a privilege to give in the Ozarks. . . .

Previously in this space, I have related stories of monetary charitable gifts. Today, I want to tell the story of a couple who give gifts beyond price the gift of parenting.

John and Janet Harp raised two children of their own, and then made a decision which has given an impressive number of less fortunate children a better chance at life.

Deciding to become foster parents in 1991, the Harps embarked on a journey which has provided a temporary home for more than 70 foster children and a permanent home for the two foster children they adopted.

Along the way, they became trainers for others who stepped forward and were given the designation "master foster parents."

In December, the Community Foundation's Humanitarian of the Year Award was given to John Harp, nominated by an organization of which he is a longtime member, the Home Builders Association.

The Humanitarian cash award of $3,000 was made possible by an endowment fund in the Community Foundation established by Jewell Thompson Schweitzer, and guess how John directed it be used?

On a Christmas party for all the foster children in town, and gifts to the Child Advocacy Council, the Developmental Center of the Ozarks and Heartland Ecumenical Camino. Congratulations to you, John, and to Janet, you have given something to many children that has a value beyond dollars the gift of yourself.

(Jan Horton is executive director of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks.)

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