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Donor challenges Milton community

MILTON — The Milton Fund is one of those organizations that benefits everyone but few people know about, officials said.

"Unless you're engaged directly with it, you don't know about it," said Theresa Rusch, an advisory board member.

Somebody wants to change that, and that somebody is putting money where his or her mouth is.

A donor who asked not to be identified has promised to give $10,000 to the Milton Fund if the community can raise that much in 2009.

The goal of the challenge grant is to get people talking about the Milton Fund and find new donors, said Jane Duesterbeck, who oversees the program through the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin.

"It isn't a subject or a topic that would come up in everyday conversation," she said. "This is a way to make them have the conversation."

The fund since 1999 has awarded more than 60 grants totaling $40,000. Past projects include a new sign for Milton's Historic District, assisting seniors with transportation and placing trash bins around the city.

Other recipients include the Milton School District, Milton Public Library, Boy Scouts and Milton College Preservation Society.

"It's things the community may need or want that will not be covered in a budget," Duesterbeck said. "With more budgets being tightened, it's more important that people know the Milton Fund exists to fill the gaps."

As principal of Milton East Elementary School, Rusch has seen the fund benefit local children. The school has a grant this year to rebuild part of its playground, she said. A few years ago, it received a grant to restore a 19th-century school bell.

Her first year on the advisory board has taught her just how much the fund helps the rest of the community, too, she said.

"It really has a broad spectrum in how it helps the community," she said.