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Author: Shelly Jones

16 Dec

Posted at 20:23h in Featured Story
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GRANT COUNTY —The Community Foundation of Grant County recently received accreditation with the nation’s highest standard for philanthropic excellence. Community Foundations National Standards® establish legal, ethical, effective practices for community foundations everywhere. “Meeting the National Standards benchmarks is a rigorous, comprehensive process,” said Susie Nelson, board chair of National Standards. “This accreditation is a significant accomplishment that indicates the Community Foundation of Grant County demonstrates a commitment to transparency, quality, integrity and accountability as it carries out its mission.” The Community Foundations National Standards® program requires community foundations to document their policies for donor services, investments, grantmaking and administration. With over 500 community foundations already accredited nationwide, the program is designed to provide quality assurance to donors, as well as to their legal and financial advisors. “This is critically important to our donors,” said Dawn Brown, Community Foundation president. “When people make a charitable bequest or establish a fund, they are putting their trust in us. They are counting on us to manage the investment wisely, honor their charitable wishes and, in some cases, provide lifetime income to a loved one. The National Standards accreditation says our house is in order.” The Foundation works to meet critical community needs and support local causes, including...

10 Dec

Posted at 20:00h in Featured Story
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For 40 years, the Community Foundation of Grant County has helped community members make the year-end giving season easy and joyful. The end of the calendar year is often when donors think strategically about how to maximize the impact of their charitable dollars, while minimizing their tax burden. To support your end-of-year giving in being tax-wise and making a difference, here are ten tips below. 1. Donate appreciated stock. If you have stocks or other publicly traded securities that are worth more than what you paid for them, donating these to charity at the end of the year removes your tax liability from the stock sale and is a cost-efficient donation. Stock transfer timelines can vary by provider, but must be received by December 31. (For assistance with a stock gift, contact the CoFo Team or click here for instructions.) 2. “Bundle up” your giving through a Donor Advised Fund (DAF). A DAF is a popular charitable giving vehicle allowing for a tax deduction at the time it’s opened or added to. Then, you can spread your grants to the causes and nonprofits of your choosing throughout the year(s). Setting up a DAF is easy, and once it’s opened, the Fund can accept...

10 Dec

Posted at 17:49h in Featured Story
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If you saw the movie Wicked in the past couple of weeks, raise your hand.  Yeah, me too!  If you saw it more than once, you’re my people. I’ve always connected to that story.  I’ve seen the Broadway play four times—once in South Bend, once in Indy, and twice in New York City. I’m known as a Wizomaniac. I can’t help it; it inspires me! And it also reminds me that not everything you see, or think, is always true. Quite often, you need to dig a little deeper… if you’re willing.  But before I get too far into this tale, let me set the stage for those of you who haven't seen Wicked (the play or the movie) yet. There are some foundational truths about Oz that might help connect the dots. The Land of Oz is full of much innuendo and outuendo, as you will quickly discover. The music is swankified and the dancing is highly Ozmopolitan.  But the best part is the dichotomy, and unlikely friendship, between Glinda and Elphaba. It was so cleverly written and produced. Of course, people quickly jump to the conclusion that the green girl (the steamed asparagus) dressed in back is the...

14 Nov

Posted at 16:09h in Featured Story
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What are some important questions to ask your parents before they die? Here are some tips on starting meaningful estate planning conversations this Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and many of us are mentally preparing for the holidays and spending time with family. Something you’re probably not preparing, though, is a list of questions to ask your parents before they die. (Uh, morbid! Why?) We’re totally aware—death, money, and inheritance are some table topics that many families won’t touch with a ten-foot pole. With that said, please hear us out on why Thanksgiving is a great time to check in with your family about their affairs, and how to broach the subject in a way that isn’t totally cringey.   Thanksgiving: A Portal of Gratitude, Sentiment, and Tradition Thanksgiving is the season of gratitude, and for many, family makes it to the top of that list. By bringing up estate planning in ways that honor gratitude and sentimentalism can show them that you care. We’re asking you to consider this for a few key reasons: Talking to your loved ones about estate planning is crucial. Thanksgiving is one of the key family gatherings of the year. Awkwardness and procrastination can prevent these conversations from happening, leaving everyone in the dark. ...

07 Nov

Posted at 19:15h in Featured Story
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 This is my favorite recipe for homemade carrot cake! This cake is so easy to make, perfectly moist and topped with an easy homemade cream cheese frosting. And we just have to give credit to the original recipe writer here www.livewellbakeoften.com. Prep Time: 35 minutes | Cook Time: 35 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes | Servings: 10 Slices Ingredients For the carrot cake: ▢ 2 cups all-purpose flour spooned & leveled (250 grams) ▢ 2 teaspoons baking powder ▢ 1 teaspoon baking soda ▢ 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon ▢ ½ teaspoon ground ginger ▢ ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg ▢ ½ teaspoon salt ▢ ¾ cup canola or vegetable oil (180ml) ▢ 4 large eggs at room temperature ▢ 1 ½ cups packed light brown sugar (300 grams) ▢ ½ cup granulated sugar (100 grams) ▢ ½ cup unsweetened applesauce (125 grams) ▢ 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract ▢ 3 cups lightly packed grated carrots (300 grams)   For the cream cheese frosting: ▢ 1 (8-ounce) package brick style cream cheese (226 grams) softened ▢ ½ cup unsalted butter (115 grams) softened ▢ 2 cups powdered sugar (240 grams) ▢ 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract   How To Make Thanksgiving Carrot Cake Make The Cake Layers: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Spray two 9-inch round cake pans well with nonstick cooking spray, then line the bottoms of each pan with a parchment paper circle. This will make it much easier to remove your cake layers from the pan! Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt to a large mixing bowl and give it a good whisk. ...

07 Nov

Posted at 19:04h in Featured Story
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We have some exciting news to share! Not only is the Community Foundation of Grant County celebrating our 40th birthday this year, but we also have an incredible Matching Opportunity that we’d like to tell you more about! Because of the tremendous support you’ve provided over the years, there have been meaningful, lasting changes in our community—and now we’ve got the chance for you to make an even bigger impact. With a gift from Lilly Endowment Inc., every dollar you donate to any new or existing Give To Grant Fund will be matched 2-to-1. That means your $100 becomes $300, your $1,000 turns into $3,000, and so on, until the remaining $500,000 in matching funds is used up. It’s like a birthday present for the whole community! Your donation will support both our annual grantmaking and our bold new community leadership initiatives. Here’s just a glimpse of what Give To Grant Funds are currently supporting: Collabora: We’ve purchased the building at 100 S. Washington Street in Marion, and after renovations, we’ll be moving in with six nonprofit partners— Grant County Visitors Bureau, Grant County Economic Growth Council, Greater Grant County Chamber of Commerce, Project Leadership, and United Way of Grant...

07 Nov

Posted at 14:52h in Featured Story, Grantmaking Impact
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City of Marion partners with Community Foundation to award $400,000 in grants to fifteen nonprofit organizations serving Marion The Community Foundation of Grant County, in partnership with the City of Marion, is excited to announce the award of $400,000 in grants to fifteen nonprofit organizations that are making a significant impact in the city. Through the 212° Grant Cycle, these organizations will receive essential funding for programs and projects that drive positive change across the City of Marion. The grant cycle's name is inspired by the metaphor that at 211 degrees, water is hot, but at 212 degrees, it boils—creating steam powerful enough to move a train—this grant cycle reflects the transformative impact of small but powerful efforts. The nonprofits selected are making that extra degree of difference, driving progress that propels our community forward. The City of Marion formally celebrated the grant recipients during the Community Spotlight segment of the City Council meeting on Wednesday, November 6th. This celebration was an opportunity for the city to honor the remarkable work of local nonprofits and the impact they continue to make across Marion. Dawn Brown, President and CEO of the Community Foundation, shared her enthusiasm for the impact of the 212° grant cycle and...

02 Nov

Posted at 16:57h in Featured Story
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Politics, according to the report, is the biggest source of tension, with post-election dynamics likely amplifying this trend NEW YORK, Nov. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly 40% of families report open disagreements during holiday gatherings, according to a recent survey by Trust & Will, a leading online estate planning platform. Notably, a full one-third of these conflicts escalate into lasting family rifts, with nearly 20% of respondents indicating that these disputes have even led to changes in a family member's will or estate plan. The report identifies the top five topics most likely to trigger holiday conflicts: politics (34%), past family grievances (32%), relationships (25%), finances (25%), and parenting (17%). Politics, on the heels of a contentious presidential election, is expected to remain a primary driver of family tensions this year. While sensitive topics like inheritance or family heirlooms are often avoided, 38% of respondents in this survey admit that holiday conversations sometimes touch on these subjects in lighthearted ways. Psychologists and mental health experts note that while not every family encounters conflict, data suggest that disagreements during holiday togetherness are common enough to be recognized as a widespread phenomenon. Age, Gender, and Regional Differences in Holiday Tensions Trust & Will's survey also reveals intriguing differences in holiday conflict dynamics...

22 Oct

Posted at 16:45h in Community News, Featured Story, Grantmaking Impact
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GRANT COUNTY — Greater Grant County has been awarded a $325,000 CAPE II Career Exploration Grant from the Community Foundation of Grant County and Indiana Wesleyan University. The grant, distributed over five years at $65,000 annually, aims to bridge the gap between local education and career readiness by funding a newly established Director of Workforce Development position. The CAPE II Career Exploration Grant aligns with Greater Grant County’s mission to be a catalyst for business growth, a convener of leaders, and a champion for a stronger community. The new position will focus on fostering meaningful connections between local schools and employers, facilitating internship opportunities, and guiding students toward successful career pathways. “This grant will make a significant impact in helping us address a critical need in our community,” said Kylie Jackson, President/CEO of Greater Grant County. “By investing in the future workforce, we are creating stronger connections between education and career opportunities, ultimately driving economic growth in Grant County.” Dawn Brown, President/CEO of the Community Foundation of Grant County, shared her enthusiasm for the initiative, stating, “This is a momentous step for our community. I truly believe we will look back at this as a pivotal moment in Grant County’s history. Congratulations to...