White Horse Village establishes a new charitable foundation

White Horse Village, a nonprofit active senior living community in Edgmont Township, Delaware County, announced the establishment and approval of the White Horse Village Foundation Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.

The foundation will replace the White Horse Village Endowment Fund, which has served as a nonprofit entity to receive and administer donations to support White Horse Village.

In 1991, White Horse Village residents created a Resident’s Reserve Fund to assist residents who might suffer financial reverses so they would not be forced to leave the community. In 1993, residents recognized other needs, and The White Horse Village Endowment Fund was established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity.

For three decades, the fund successfully supported campus improvements, the Resident’s Reserve Fund, special community activities and educational scholarships for team members.

White Horse Village is dedicated to implementing new strategies to meet the evolving needs of current residents while responding to the changing environment of providing housing, healthcare and other services to older adults.

The new organizational structure of a public foundation allows the senior living community to expand external fundraising sources, such as private or family foundations, individual donors, donor-advised funds or government agencies, to support programmatic and physical improvements.

“I anticipate that transitioning from an endowment fund to a foundation will open possibilities for attracting external funding to support innovative programs for senior living while continuing the traditional community-based programs of the former Endowment Fund,” said resident Robert Bruce, president of the board of directors of the White Horse Village Foundation Inc.

Susan Abtouche, vice president of mission enhancement for White Horse Village, has been named as executive director of the White Horse Village Foundation Inc.

Abtouche is a certified professional fundraiser with over 18 years of experience in the senior living industry. She has been a member of the White Horse Village management team for nearly four years and has served as the executive liaison between White Horse Village and the former endowment fund.

“I’m excited to work with Susan and the foundation board of directors,” said Len Weiser, president and CEO of White Horse Village. “I want to thank the former Endowment Fund trustees and the current foundation board of directors for their leadership in building a strong endowment fund and their vision for creating our new foundation.”

“I look forward to leading the White Horse Village Foundation and expanding opportunities for funding and continued growth while preserving the spirit and intent of the original residents who established the Endowment Fund,” said Abtouche, vice president of mission enhancement. “Donations have made, and continue to make, a positive difference to the quality of life in our community.”