Monroe Center Cemetery Association Organization Fund

For nearly 250 years, the Monroe Center Cemetery has quietly safeguarded the history of its community. Established in 1776, the cemetery later expanded and assumed responsibility for the historic Walker’s Farm Cemetery, becoming the final resting place for generations of local families -- and a living archive of Monroe’s story.  

In 2025, the Monroe Center Cemetery Association (MCC) took deliberate steps to ensure that this legacy endures by establishing an Organization Fund at the Valley Community Foundation (VCF).  

As caretakers of an active cemetery with more than two centuries of history, MCC’s volunteer board understands that its responsibility is not measured in years -- but in perpetuity. Their mission is both simple and profound: to ensure the respectful care and long-term preservation of the cemetery grounds. With such an enduring commitment, the board recognized that its financial stewardship must be equally enduring.  

“Our goal is to take care of the cemetery forever,” said Laura Trautz, MMC’s Board President. “To do that responsibly, we needed our funds to continue to grow and be professionally managed.”  

The board, many of whom have generations of family members buried there, manages far more than investments. They oversee interments, monument approvals, groundskeeping standards, long-term planning, and historic preservation. Yet after a difficult experience with a previous investment firm -- marked by declining value, extensive paperwork, and limited communication -- the board sought a partner that understood the needs of a small, community-based nonprofit.  

“It was frustrating,” said Jean Jones, MCC’s Board Vice President. “There was a lack of communication and assistance. As a small nonprofit, we felt treated like a corporate account when it came to fees, but without the service.  

“But after several meetings with staff, we knew transferring all of our investment funds to VCF was the right decision,” Jones said. “The professionalism, expertise, and personal dedication of the staff gave us confidence.”  

An Organization Fund at VCF allows a nonprofit to invest its assets in a professionally managed, pooled portfolio while retaining control of its mission and governance. VCF provides investment oversight, administrative support, and fiduciary stewardship, helping organizations focus on their work while ensuring long-term financial stability. For MCC, Jones said that stability means peace of mind, and that cemeteries are among the most enduring institutions in any community. They connect generations, preserve local history, and provide sacred space for remembrance.