On Friday, September 8, 2017, School District of Loyal Superintendent Cale Jackson officially accepted a $25,000 grant from the Draper Hills Financial Literacy Endowment, which was established by Dr. Eldon Hill. This grant will not only fund a new Financial Literacy program for Loyal students, but could inspire similar collaboration between philanthropists and public schools in the future.

The Draper Hills Financial Literacy Endowment is the second fund created by Dr. Hill. In 2014, he established the Draper Hills Scholarship Fund at the Eau Claire Community Foundation in honor of the Draper and Hills families from Loyal, Wisconsin. These families had played a pivotal role in his life. In particular, Anna Hills, Bernice Draper, and Bessie Edsall all inspired him with their belief in the importance of education.

Each year, two Loyal High School graduates receive $12,000 scholarships to attend 4 year post-secondary institutions, and one student attending a 2 year technical college receives a $5000 scholarship with the opportunity, if transferring to a 4 year institution, to receive an additional $7000. Since 2014, this fund has awarded $93,000 in scholarships.

Dr. Hill considers these scholarships to be from his entire graduating Class of 1938. His hope is to inspire recipients to pay his generosity forward to future generations.

He also wants to realize a much larger vision: To educate students in Loyal—and eventually beyond—about financial literacy and the importance of saving. That’s why he established the Draper Hills Financial Literacy Endowment with a one million dollar donation.

The initial $25,000 grant from this fund will support expenses of a new Financial Literacy program at Loyal, including salary for a part-time teacher. Once the program is up and running, the Endowment will support a full-time teacher so students in grades K-12 will receive Financial Literacy education. Eventually, it will also support evening classes so adults can receive Financial Literacy education as well.

Dr. Hill is a member of the Eau Claire Community Foundation’s Legacy Society, which recognizes philanthropists who have made provisions in their estate plans for making a gift to the Foundation for the causes they care about most. His bequest will ensure that the Funds will continue fulfilling their missions for years to come.

Dr. Hill, a retired OB/GYN who practiced in Eau Claire but currently lives in Seattle, was unable to attend the check presentation ceremony. However, his son, Dr. Carter Hill, spoke about his father’s vision and presented the check to Loyal Superintendent Cale Jackson, who spoke about the impact of this gift on his school district. Eau Claire Community Foundation Executive Director Sue Bornick and Board of Trustees Chair Laura Talley also spoke about the Draper Hills Financial Literacy Endowment and its ability to inspire other donors to create similar partnerships with schools throughout Wisconsin.

As Loyal’s Financial Literacy program grows, Dr. Eldon Hill’s vision will be realized: A new generation will graduate high school with a strong understanding of financial concepts and the ability to manage their money wisely.

Anyone interested in supporting the Draper Hills Scholarship Fund and/or the Draper Hills Financial Literacy Endowment is welcome to make a gift. Online donations can be made by following the links above. Checks can be made out to “ECCF” and mailed to the Eau Claire Community Foundation office at 306 S. Barstow St. Suite 104, Eau Claire, WI 54701; the Fund name should be noted on the memo line.

For more information, please write to [email protected] or call (715) 552-3801.

CLICK HERE TO SEE WEAU'S COVERAGE OF THIS GRANT

CLICK HERE TO READ THE LEADER-TELEGRAM'S ARTICLE ABOUT THIS GRANT

CLICK HERE TO READ THE LEADER-TELEGRAM'S ARTICLE ABOUT THE DRAPER HILLS FINANCIAL LITERACY ENDOWMENT