CARTHAGE, Mo. — A long time Carthage postal worker who died in March of 2020 has left a legacy that will continue to benefit the community for generations to come.
The Carthage Community Foundation announced this week a generous gift from the estate of the late Darrell “Butch” M. Newman, of $537,000 that will go into the Foundation’s Carthage Fund.
Community Foundation Board President Jeff Williams said Newman’s gift will add significantly to the number of projects and causes that can be supported by the Foundation in its twice-a-year grant-making rounds.
“We are grateful Mr. Newman thoughtfully chose to leave a planned legacy gift to The Carthage Fund,” Williams said. “And our Board of Directors will be honored to carry out his giving wishes and provide ongoing support to the community he loved.”
About Butch Newman
The Community Foundation said Newman was a lifelong resident of Carthage and a 1964 graduate of Carthage High School.
Newman, 74, died on March 20, 2020, at his home in Carthage, according to his obituary. He was born on March 16, 1946.
He served in the U.S. Army and was employed by the U.S. Postal Service for over 26 years.
“Mr. Newman’s legacy gift to The Carthage Fund at CCF will enhance Carthage through bi-annual grants to support important charities and causes in the community,” the foundation said in a written release. “A planned gift such as Mr. Newman’s will have meaning and impact for generations to come, and the CCF Board of Directors encourages all residents to consider leaving a portion of their estate to the Carthage community to support important charities and causes close to their hearts.”
The Carthage Fund
Heather Collier, Carthage Community Foundation Coordinator, said Newman’s gift will go into what’s called The Carthage Fund, one of 90 funds that are managed by the Foundation.
Collier said many of those funds are designated to support a particular group or cause, but The Carthage Fund is the Foundation’s largest unrestricted fund, meaning proceeds can be used as the Foundation Board sees fit to support needs and causes in Carthage as they change throughout the years.
“From time to time, people like Mr. Newman leave money to that fund in particular because they want to be able to support whatever the greatest needs are in our community as they change over time,” Collier said. “That’s what that fund allows, it’s not earmarked for any specific charity or cause. That fund’s purpose is to support important needs in our community and those needs are going to change over time. Our board of directors reviews applications and makes decisions about the grant funding and tries to use the funding we have available in the best way possible for our community and to support all kinds of things in our community.”
Collier said Newman’s gift of $534,000 will generate an additional $20,000 in interest income a year that can be distributed through grants to people who apply to the foundation.
“Because he’s giving it to the Carthage Fund, which is an endowed fund, that will continue to grow,” Collier said. “This year we’ll have $20,000 more to give to support our community and that amount will only grow year after year. Our typical grants are in the $2,500 to $5,000 range. Sometimes we give larger grants as well. But that will allow us to support an handful of additional projects that we receive grant applications for in these upcoming rounds.”
Board Chairman Williams asked that people consider leaving a planned gift to the Community Foundation so the Foundation can support more worthy causes in Carthage.
“Legacy giving doesn’t have to be complicated, and it doesn’t require a large estate,” Williams said. “It only requires a thoughtful intention to make a difference by identifying a charitable organization in your will or as a beneficiary on an asset.”
