Craft Agency sets up new charitable fund

In celebration of its 80th year in Jackson, the Craft Agency Inc., 750 W. Michigan Ave., has established the Robert D. Craft Family Fund at the Jackson County Community Foundation.

The Craft Agency, an insurance services company, has supported a variety of activities and organizations locally including the American Cancer Society, the Fitness Council Region 1 and the Ella Sharp Museum.

Establishing the charitable business fund provides a vehicle for the family to continue its philanthropy, said Carole Booms, vice president of operations for the Community Foundation.

"By working with the Community Foundation, we're able to create a permanent legacy and resource for our family so we can more efficiently address the causes we care about today and those we can't predict in the future," said David W. Craft, the company's vice president.

Booms said a charitable business fund allows a company to make a gift to the foundation, then remain involved in suggesting uses for the gift. The funds are typically less costly and easier to administer than other forms of philanthropy, she said.

To establish a fund, a company or individual makes a minimum gift of $10,000 to the foundation. An endowment fund is set up in the company or person's name and a portion of the earnings is used to address community needs each year.

The JCCF handles all administrative details and awards grants to charities in the name of the fund. www.jacksoncf.org/

reprint of December 31, 2002 Jackson Citizen Patriot article 

Brother’s Merrill and Rafe Craft founded the Craft Agency in 1923. For seven decades the Craft Agency has been family owned and operated. Establishing and maintaining a tradition of excellence, the agency has grown to a staff of over 30 employees, including 17 licensed agents, 2 on-staff attorneys, and a business consultant, serving businesses and family’s nation-wide. Robert D. Craft, Chairman of the board, and sons, Robert M. Craft, President, Richard M. Craft, Vice President and David W. Craft, Vice President and Legal Counsel, continue the tradition.