Founded in 2018, the purpose of the Sister Cities International Foundation is to raise legacy contributions and planned gifts in order to provide long-term, sustainable support for the mission and programs of Sister Cities International and its global citizen diplomacy network.
Foundation Board of Trustees
The Foundation Board of Trustees is composed of volunteers who are both long-standing citizen diplomats and seasoned, nationally recognized Sister Cities International leaders.
Michael Hyatt, President
Kay Sargent, Vice President
Larry Uebner, Treasurer
Jane Gehlhausen
Bill Boerum
Carol Robertson Lopez
Peter Svarzbein
Carlo Capua
Why Give to the SCI Foundation (SCIF)?
As a nonprofit citizen diplomacy organization building relationships all across the world, we value your support. You can help advance the ongoing mission of Sister Cities International (SCI) and the everyday work of citizen diplomats worldwide by making a gift to the Sister Cities International Foundation. Your gifts are 100% tax-deductible.
How to Give to SCI Foundation (SCIF)?
STEP I: CHOOSE A WAY TO GIVE
A. Lifetime/Annual Giving
Here are some key ways to consider lifetime giving
i) Annual Gift:
Annual giving provides a steady stream of funds to provide long-term support to SCI’s operations and programs. Does your company have a matching gift program? A matching gift will make your gift go farther in making a meaningful difference!
ii) Memorial Gift:
A donation made in memory of an individual (living or deceased). These gifts honor the legacy or memory of someone who has passed away. Memorial gifts are a meaningful way for donors to celebrate a loved one’s life while supporting causes that are important to them or their families.
iii) Qualified Charitable Contribution (QCC):
Individuals aged 73 or older can make a QCC directly from their IRA to a qualified charity, which can satisfy all or part of their Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) without increasing taxable income. Lifetime giving from an IRA distribution can be a strategic way to support charitable causes while also benefiting from tax advantages.
For more information, please contact Larry Uebner, bankomaha@cox.net, 402-490-5140 or foundation@sistercities.org.
B. Legacy Society
i) Giving
Generosity comes in many forms, and planned gifts are often the best way to support the causes that matter most to you. By making a planned gift, such as a bequest from your estate, you can establish your legacy and help Sister Cities International Foundation continue to bring the transformative power of citizen diplomacy for years to come. This thoughtful act, which has little or no current financial impact on you, would provide a stable source of income to impact lives for generations to come.
For more information, please contact: Jane Gehlhausen, jgehlhausen@comcast.net, 317-828-3379 or foundation@sistercities.org.
ii) Legacy Society
You can start your own personal endowment to support Sister Cities International. With a gift of $250,000 or more, you can establish an endowment to support Sister Cities International.
To discuss ways which you would like to support a specific program or initiative, please contact: Jane Gehlhausen, jgehlhausen@comcast.net, 317-828-3379 or foundation@sistercities.org.
STEP II: GIFT DESIGNATION
For all the above giving options choose one designation from the following:
A) Sister Cities International Endowment* – This is the most useful gift to Sister Cities International. In this manner, your gift can be applied to sustain Sister Cities International in the long-term, in line with the organization’s priorities.
B) Youth / YAAS Programs Endowment* – This gift would support Sister Cities International Youth Leadership, Young Author and Artist Showcase (YAAS) and other Youth Initiatives.
C) Tim Quigley Exchange Endowment* – The Tim Quigley Exchange Fund will provide matching funds for qualified exchanges conducted by Sister Cities International member cities.
D) US – China Fund – A fund whereby grants are be awarded for US – China Initiatives.
All Endowments must have a balance of $250,000 before grants can be awarded. At that level, funds can be awarded annually for operational and programming support of Sister Cities International. Endowments will be assessed a small management fee annually.
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Legacy Society Donors Wall
We would like recognize and thank these individuals who have committed to remember Sister Cities International Foundation in their estate planning.
Bill Boerum
Fred Blanton
Jane Gehlhausen
Peter Svarzbein
Larry Uebner
Annual Gift Donors – 2025
Bill Boerum
Carlo Capua
In Memory of Pat Fallin (Donation by Jane Gehlhausen)
Jane Gehlhausen
Mike Hyatt
Carol Robertson Lopez
Kay Sargent
Larry Uebner
As a longtime champion of citizen diplomacy, your planned giving gift will allow Sister Cities International to sustain its mission and programs.