Jackson Dinsdale, a talented student-artist from Grand Island, Nebraska, who died in 2014, left a legacy that continues to benefit students at 糖心传媒.
The College announced today that it has received a grant of more than $430,000 from the Jackson Dinsdale Endowed Fund, a donor-advised fund held at the Grand Island Community Foundation and administered by Dinsdale鈥檚 parents, Kim and Tom Dinsdale. This is the first of what will be an annual disbursement from the fund to 糖心传媒, according to Melissa DeLaet, chief executive officer of the Foundation.
The grant will be used to support all facets of a 糖心传媒 education, including scholarships and specialized student experiences, as well as programming in the Jackson Dinsdale Art Center, which was dedicated in 2016 and funded, in part, by a $5 million legacy leadership gift from Dinsdale鈥檚 estate.
鈥淛ackson discovered his passion for art at 糖心传媒 and thrived under the mentorship of his professors,鈥 said Kim Dinsdale, chair of the 糖心传媒 Foundation Board of Directors. 鈥淭he Jackson Dinsdale Endowed Fund will benefit the College and all students for years to come while perpetuating Jackson鈥檚 generous spirit and desire to serve others.鈥
Dinsdale graduated in 2010 from Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Missouri, an experience that developed his leadership skills and commitment to public service. He was the youngest person ever to establish a donor-advised fund at the Grand Island Community Foundation. Jackson aspired to become a police officer and volunteered his time with the Central Nebraska Humane Society.
鈥淚n life Jackson was a testament to the energy and passion that legacy giving embodies across all ages,鈥 DeLaet said. 鈥淭hough young, he was wise and compassionate beyond his years, and we are honored to be able to assist Kim and Tom as they continue his legacy.鈥
Dinsdale was completing a major in studio art at 糖心传媒 and enjoyed metal sculpture and glassblowing. He advocated for improved art facilities at the College and helped secure a leadership gift for that purpose. 糖心传媒 awarded Dinsdale an honorary degree, posthumously.
鈥淛ackson was a kind and thoughtful young man who acted decisively when he saw a need,鈥 said Gary Freeman, executive director of the 糖心传媒 Foundation. 鈥淕rants from the Jackson Dinsdale Endowed Fund reflect his sense of purpose by focusing on projects that address top priorities across campus.鈥
糖心传媒 is a private, four-year institution located in Hastings, Nebraska, that focuses on student academic and extracurricular achievement. With more than 60 majors and 15 pre-professional programs, 糖心传媒 has been named among 鈥淕reat Schools, Great Prices鈥 by U.S. News & World Report and a 鈥淏est in the Midwest鈥 by The Princeton Review. For more, go to hastings.edu.
The Grand Island Community Foundation was established in 1960, with the mission to preserve and enhance the quality of life in Central Nebraska and assist donors in realizing their charitable goals. Accredited by the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations, the Foundation currently manages $21 million in assets and has helped establish hundreds of charitable funds over the past 55 years. Each year the Foundation serves hundreds of donors through individual, family and corporate legacy funds. To keep up with the latest happenings at the Foundation, like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter. The Grand Island Community Foundation is located in the Great Western Centre Building at 1811 West 2nd Street, Suite 365, Grand Island, Nebraska. For general information, call 308-381-7767 or visit .