Mission and History

Our Mission

Working together to strengthen our surrounding communities by significantly improving the lives of our neighbors in need.

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“Whether or not we are good neighbors depends on how we care for each other”

-Lost Tree Foundation
Founding Board Member

Our Core Values

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Community Involvement

We encourage the collective commitment of the entire Lost Tree community to both fund and participate in the activities of the Foundation to improve the quality of life in our surrounding communities.

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Excellence

We strive to be a first-class operation in everything we do. We are professionally and efficiently managed, we operate with integrity and transparency, and follow best practices throughout Foundation committees and operations.

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Impact

We grant funds to professionally managed, sustainable nonprofits to achieve the greatest impact. Criteria includes the ability to help the agency scale its mission and to leverage funding. We also fund impactful, grassroot efforts.

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Financial Stewardship

We distribute every dollar donated to our Annual Fund to achieve our goals. We professionally manage our endowment and use the income/assets to support operations and to fund grants.

Our History

History

The idea of a Lost Tree neighborhood foundation was originally conceived in 1981 by a group of residents who recognized the importance of giving back to the local community.

A founding board member wrote, “We are all neighbors, community with community. And, whether or not we are good neighbors, depends upon how we care for each other.” Since that time, the Foundation has grown into a well-respected, valuable local resource that represents the very best qualities of Lost Tree residents – community caring, commitment and a wonderful sense of generosity. Over the years, the Foundation has also served as a role model for other private communities to follow when establishing their own foundations.

 

Our foundation has compiled a remarkable record of unique grantmaking which is a tribute to hundreds of Lost Tree residents who have given their time, energy, imagination and financial resources to this effort. Because of their vision and commitment, the Foundation has emerged as one of the leading supporters of health and human services in our area. In 1982 the Foundation donated $4,050 to 9 local organizations. Since that time, over $55 million has been granted to nonprofit organizations that seek to improve the quality of life for our neighbors in need. In 2022, the Foundation awarded grants totaling $4.1 million.

 

Pamela Rue served as the executive director of the Foundation for nearly 30 years. Jillian C. Vukusich joined the Foundation as executive director in 2015, following Pam’s retirement.