Over the years, Twin Falls residents have donated generously to projects such as the skateboard park and the band shell in City Park. A new organization has been formed to manage future donations and fund more community projects.

The formation of the Twin Falls Community Foundation was announced at an informational meeting Thursday in the Twin Falls City Council Chambers. Ken Edmunds, the chairman of the foundation, said it is an organization that will raise money for community projects and help other groups raise and manage funds for projects.

"Twin Falls is a giving community, and we want to find a way to organize so we can take advantage of that and make it more successful in the future," Edmunds said.

Although the city is providing the foundation with some administrative support tohelp get it started, it is a separate entity. Edmunds said the foundation has four goals - to en-courage philanth-ropy within the co-mmunity; identify projects that need funding; maintain a permanent fund; and serve as stewards of that fund. It has also applied for 501(c)(3) status, so any donations made to the foundation will be tax deductible.

The idea for the foundation came when Twin Falls Mayor Lance Clow received a $10,000 donation from the Seagraves Foundation. Clow began contacting people he thought might like to be involved in the new organization.

According to Edmonds, about 20 to 25 people attended those early meetings, and they formed a seven-person board of directors, all of whom are volunteers. At their first board meeting in September, the group drew up bylaws and a mission statement.

The foundation will have its first general membership meeting in March 2008. Until then, the group has plans to develop a Web site and marketing materials and make presentations to community organizations.

Clow said funds from the foundation could go to a variety of different projects, including a community recreation center or expanding the Canyon Rim Trail system.

"I want the community to know that (the foundation) is here as a vehicle to enhance the quality of life," Clow said.

Bill Block, one of the foundation's board members, said forming a new foundation rather than partnering with an existing organization, such as the Idaho Community Foundation, will allow them to fund a broad spectrum of projects while still maintaining a local focus.

"I think individuals who make smaller donations will feel more comfortable if they were going to see those dollars at work in the community," said Block.

Erica Littlefield may be reached at 961-4515 or erica.littlefield@gmail.com.

Want to join? Cost for membership in the Twin Falls Community Foundation is $10 a year. To become a member or get involved with the foundation: Chairman Ken Edmunds, 735-0144.