The Shipman family vision, born some 32 years ago, is far from complete. The goal ultimately is living space on the campus for 225 students. That means, in addition to raising sufficient funds to complete the "15-Year Advancement Plan" (thirteen more Living Units, larger Chapel, Academic Complex, Medical Clinic, and more), there must be endowment in place sufficient to provide the major portion of the annual operating budget for that 225 students. Fees and tutition from the children average less than 8% of the annual budget currently. That will continue, since the Farm's mission is to provide care and education regardless of a family's ability to pay.

There is a permanent Happy Hill Farm Academy/Home Endowment Fund in place. There are separate funds within the Permanent Endowment for athletics, the agricultural program, music, ministries, and others. This means that a donor wishing to make a gift to the Permanent Endowment may designate where those endowment funds will be used. The donor's gift to the Permanent Endowment Fund remains in the Endowment Fund indefinitely. Only a portion of the earned annual interest from the Endowment is applied to the operating budget.

"The goal is to continue building the finest residential school of its kind in America," says Ed Shipman, the Founder. "Happy Hill Farm provides a healing community that offers another effective option to the growing number of at-risk children in our country -- children who are not being served effectively in the foster care system, but children who must be out of their home environments if they are to survive and succeed." We continue to improve our program," says Chuck Shipman, Administrator/COO. "We are providing social, academic, and vocational components that are otherwise unavailable to these at-risk boys and girls."

"In the process of growth and expansion," says Todd Shipman, President/CFO, "we must continue to find new donors who will catch our vision. We will need a lot of help if we are to continue to impact for good the thousands of children who come to our door looking for another chance in life."

ENDOWMENT GIVING VITAL TO
ONGOING OPERATION OF HAPPY HILL FARM

The program at Happy Hill Farm has been operational for more than 30 years. Though quite small initially, the Farm is caring for more than 100 residential students. Most have little or no funding, (less than 8% annually), available for their care -- education, clothing, and all the things that it takes to help an at-risk child. With the goal in motion to expand the campus to more than 200 residential students, the operational costs will also continue to escalate. To raise above 90% of the budget annually is no small feat. Individuals, foundations, corporations, and special events is permanent endowment. These are monies that have been designated by the donor to be placed in the permanent Endowment Fund. The funds are managed by professional money managers. Approximately 5% of income earned annually is designated to be spent on operations. Help with the Endowment Fund by factoring a gift into your Estate Plan. This may be done by a cash donation, insurance proceeds, property, annuities, or other means. Help the student at Happy Hill Farm beyond your lifetime with a gift to the Endowment Fund. See Planned Giving on the website.