JETT empowering local giving today and tomorrow

What began as an inkling of an idea for a way to empower employees’ generosity about 12 years ago has grown into a $500,000 endowment and more than $460,000 in grants to local nonprofits.

The program has its roots in Mark Balsmeyer’s involvement in Emerging Leaders, a giving circle established by the Huntingburg Foundation in 2012 with support from Jasper Engines and German American Bank.

A giving circle pools the financial resources of its members to strengthen Dubois County by contributing those dollars to nonprofits and projects that benefit the community.

Working with Emerging Leaders sparked an idea for Balsmeyer.

“What was going through my mind, was that we could do this at Jasper Engines,” he explained.

He pitched Jasper Engine’s CEO, Doug Bawel, with the idea that they could create a giving circle in the company. They would donate 75 percent of the membership dues as a pass-through to nonprofits on an annual basis and invest 25 percent in an endowment at the Dubois County Community Foundation to create a fund that would make grants into perpetuity.

Bawel supported the idea more than Balsmeyer expected.

“He said, ‘Here’s what we’ll do, Jasper Engines is going to match dollar for dollar with the pass-through, and we’ll match two for one with the endowed dollars,'” Balsmeyer said.

Not only did the company financially support the new group that would become Jasper Endows Today and Tomorrow, but it also supported the group’s activities and volunteers in their efforts within the giving circle as they held events or hosted lunch-and-learns to grow.

That first year, 28 employees joined JETT, and the group granted $7,575. This year, JETT has grown to 360 members, comprising employees and their spouses from two companies within the Jasper Holdings footprint: Jasper Engines and Weller Truck Parts.

“We’ve continued to grow year over year,” Balsmeyer said. “I was looking at the dollars, $7,500 in that first year, and so far this year, we’ve granted more than $57,000.”

The program has evolved from its simple beginnings to include a volunteer board with three subcommittees covering community involvement, membership recruitment and retention, and grant making. Strategic planning facilitated by the Community Foundation helped shape the organization’s growth.

Employee participation occurs primarily through payroll deduction, with individual membership costing $2 per week and family membership at $4 weekly. Many members contribute more than the minimum amount, driving the program’s financial growth beyond what basic membership numbers would suggest.

The endowment component provides long-term sustainability, generating approximately $20,000 annually in interest that can either increase the grant budget or be reinvested for future growth. This structure ensures the program’s continuation even if membership contributions decline.

The list of benefactors includes organizations supporting our communities in a myriad of ways. Organizations like SoberDuco, Young Women LEAD, Brothers for Veterans, Traditional Arts Today, Hoosier Mountain Biking Association, Mentors for Youth and many others have been impacted by the giving circle.

Balsmeyer appreciates the impact JETT has had on the community but he loves witnessing the growth in the giving circle’s members. Whether that’s through simply becoming involved in charitable giving, leading a committee, or serving on the board, witnessing and helping employees discover their own capacity to lead and make a difference is what he finds most rewarding.

“I’m all about people development,” he explained.

He gets excited about every new member and wants them to understand the organization’s goals and what it means to be a part of JETT.

“I love helping the person get the most out of the experience,” Mark said.

The program will hold its third JETT Live and Silent Auction on Sept. 26 at the River Centre, marking the first time the event opens to the public. This year’s event has three beneficiaries — Anderson Woods, Dove Recovery Home for Women, and Crisis Connection.

The event features live music, various menu items from local restaurants and a live auction hosted by Jasper CEO Doug Bawel.

You can learn more about the event and purchase tickets at this link.