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08 Oct

Posted at 13:15h in Community News, Featured Story, Grantmaking Impact
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Longtime Grant County residents Lawrence and Otie Sanborn never had children during nearly 63 years of marriage. They spent their professional lives working at a local glass plant and living modestly. But when they passed away, the savings from that careful life were directed in perpetuity to meeting the educational needs of other people's children. While the Lawrence & Otie Sanborn Educational Endowment has provided funding to several Grant County educational organizations and institutions, its support of Marion-based nonprofit Project Leadership for more than a decade has changed how local students find their way into careers. The proof of the endowment's impact on the organization sits in Project Leadership's mission to provide equitable access to education and careers beyond high school. "It wasn't until we dug into the Sanborn work that the word 'career' was added to our mission statement," Project Leadership President & CEO Tammy Pearson said. "On paper, the Sanborn Endowment funds are a small share of our budget, but their impact has been far bigger." Project Leadership works with 22,000 K-12 students across 14 school districts in Grant and Delaware counties to prepare them for their educational and career paths beyond high school. This includes advocating for 21st Century Scholars; teaching...

22 Jul

Posted at 15:42h in Featured Story, Grantmaking Impact
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Marion, Indiana — The Community Foundation of Grant County has awarded a $24K grant to support Team Marion USA as 18 local student-athletes travel to Hualien, Taiwan, from July 30 through August 7, to compete in the 2026 International Children's Games (ICG). This summer, over 1,600 athletes from 60 teams will travel to Taiwan to compete in 8 different sports. Team Marion USA will compete in three sports: 3x3 Boys Basketball, 6v6 Boys Soccer, and 6v6 Girls Soccer. Only 17 cities across North America will participate in this year's International Children's Games. Marion, Indiana, will proudly be the only delegation from the United States represented in these three sports. For these athletes, this journey is about much more than competition. The International Children's Games provide young athletes with the opportunity to compete on an international stage while building friendships across cultures, experiencing new traditions, and serving as ambassadors for their communities. Throughout the Games, Team Marion USA will represent not only Marion and Grant County, but also the State of Indiana and the United States. "These students have worked incredibly hard to earn this opportunity," said Shelly Jones, Chief Development Officer for the Community Foundation of Grant County. "We couldn't be more excited...

22 Jul

Posted at 13:32h in Featured Story, Grantmaking Impact
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Marion, Indiana — The Community Foundation of Grant County has awarded two $200,000 Collaboration Partner grants to support transformational initiatives that will strengthen Grant County's economy by investing in entrepreneurs, students, and the future workforce. The grants were awarded to the Grant County Economic Growth Council and The Academy through the Foundation's Collaboration Partners grant cycle, designed to help trusted organizations deepen their impact, expand capacity, and pursue innovative solutions that create lasting community change. The Grant County Economic Growth Council received $200,000 for its Grant County Entrepreneurial Support initiative, which will establish the county's first coordinated entrepreneurial support ecosystem by connecting aspiring and existing business owners with training, coaching, mentorship, workspace, and access to capital. The initiative is designed to guide entrepreneurs from idea to launch while creating a permanent support network for business growth across Grant County. The Academy received $200,000 for its Talent Pipeline & Workforce Development initiative, which will expand opportunities for local students through paid apprenticeships, dual-enrollment education, mentorship, workforce training, and career development. The initiative is designed to help young people build meaningful careers while encouraging them to live and work in Grant County. "Strong communities don't happen by accident, they are built intentionally," said Dawn Brown, President...

24 Jun

Posted at 12:57h in Community News, Featured Story, Grantmaking Impact
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Grant County, Indiana — The Community Foundation of Grant County awarded $474,617 in scholarships to 104 students through its 2026 Universal Scholarship Program, helping local students take the next step toward their educational and career goals. A total of 196 scholarships were awarded to students enrolling in colleges, universities, and career training programs this fall. The scholarships were made possible through more than 100 donor-established scholarship funds created by individuals, families, businesses, and organizations committed to investing in the future of Grant County. This year's scholarship recipients represent students from across Grant County who plan to pursue a wide variety of academic and career pathways. The Community Foundation's Universal Scholarship Application allows students to complete a single application and be considered for dozens of scholarship opportunities, simplifying the process and increasing access to available funding. The 2026 scholarship program received 249 completed applications, resulting in the award of 196 scholarships to 104 students. The average scholarship award totaled approximately $4,500 per student, helping recipients offset the rising costs of higher education and career training. "Behind every scholarship is a donor who believed in the power of education and wanted to help the next generation succeed," said Dawn Brown, President and CEO of the Community...

04 Mar

Posted at 17:56h in Grantmaking Impact
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Crowdfunding, what is it? It’s pretty simple: You bring the idea, your community brings the support, and we help match it! Selected nonprofits have 60 days to raise an approved amount from community donors. When the organization reaches its fundraising goal, the Community Foundation matches those donations dollar for dollar, up to the amount approved in the grant agreement. Raise $10,000 + receive a $10,000 CoFo match = $20,000 for your project! If you raise more than your crowdfunding goal, your organization will receive the additional donations, too. If you do not reach your goal within the 60-day campaign, your organization will still receive all donations raised for the project, but it will not receive the Community Foundation’s matching grant. All donations raised through the campaign, including funds raised beyond the goal, must be used for the approved project. How It Works A local nonprofit has a great idea, applies for a grant, and requests approval for matching funds. The Community Foundation of Grant County provides a crowdfunding page on our website where community members can support the project. If the nonprofit successfully raises their portion of the funding goal, the Community Foundation will provide a matching grant through the Give To Grant Fund. Step 1: Identify Your...

30 Jan

Posted at 20:34h in Featured Story, Grantmaking Impact
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Grant County, Indiana — The Community Foundation of Grant County is proud to announce the recent distribution of $403,095 in designated grants to local nonprofit organizations serving Grant County. These grants were awarded from designated endowment funds, which are established by donors to provide ongoing, annual support to specific nonprofit organizations they care about most. By investing these funds for long-term growth, designated endowments create a reliable source of funding that nonprofits can count on year after year. “Endowment giving is one of the most powerful ways donors can support the future of Grant County,” said Dawn Brown, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Grant County. “These funds create stability for nonprofits today while ensuring resources remain available to meet community needs well into the future.”  Each year, the Community Foundation calculates the available spendable amount from designated endowment funds through a disciplined financial process that balances current grantmaking with the long-term health of each fund. For 2026, the Community Foundation has determined the available spendable funding for all designated funds, each playing a unique role in strengthening the community. The $403,095 distributed this month represents the annual charitable support generated by these funds and directed to nonprofits across Grant County...

05 Jan

Posted at 21:16h in Community News, Featured Story, Grantmaking Impact
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Grant County, IN — The Community Foundation of Grant County has received a grant of $1,500,000 from Lilly Endowment Inc. through the Community Support Grant component of the ninth phase of its Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT IX) initiative. This is one of 92 Community Support Grants being awarded through GIFT IX, a statewide Lilly Endowment initiative designed to support the efforts of community foundations to strengthen the quality of life in the communities they serve. The Community Support Grant is designed to provide the community foundation with flexible funding to enhance its grantmaking capacity to address compelling, near-term needs in its county. The community foundation will have up to three years to use its grant to address community-driven priorities. “This investment gives us the flexibility to listen deeply, respond thoughtfully, and act strategically on behalf of Grant County,” said Dawn Brown, President & CEO of the Community Foundation of Grant County. “GIFT IX strengthens our capacity to support meaningful solutions—whether that means addressing urgent needs or seizing emerging opportunities that can create lasting impact for our communities.” In the coming months, the Community Foundation will begin exploring how best to leverage this funding to support Grant County. While specific next steps...

17 Dec

Posted at 19:48h in Community News, Grantmaking Impact
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Grant County, IN — The Community Foundation of Grant County is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Grant County: Alexis Nuber of Oak Hill High School and Ciaran Moeschberger of Eastbrook High School. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are recognized for their community involvement, academic achievement, character, and leadership. Each Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship provides full tuition, required fees, and up to $900 per year for required books and equipment for four years of full-time undergraduate study leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university. Scholars also join the Lilly Scholars Network (LSN), which connects them with resources and opportunities to lead on campus and in their communities. Both the scholarship program and LSN are supported by grants from Lilly Endowment to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI). In nominating Grant County’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholars, the committee considered GPA, SAT/ACT scores, work history, community service, school activities, and interview performance. After narrowing the field of applicants, nominees were submitted to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI), the statewide administrator of the program, for final selection. “Each year, the Lilly Endowment Community Scholars give us great hope for the future of...

16 Dec

Posted at 21:39h in Community News, Grantmaking Impact
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Grant County, IN — The Community Foundation of Grant County and Project Leadership announced their selection as recipients of a 2025 General Motors Marion Community Impact Grant. This generous award, made on behalf of GM Corporate Giving, provides critical support for the implementation of LaunchPoint: Career Readiness Program, a five-month experience designed to strengthen soft skills, workplace readiness, and long-term career success for local high school students. Through this $20,000 investment, General Motors is helping ensure that Grant County’s emerging workforce develops essential skills—communication, teamwork, problem-solving, reliability, and adaptability—that employers across STEAM and manufacturing sectors consistently identify as vital for success. LaunchPoint is delivered by Project Leadership, a local certified career-coaching organization formally trained and approved by the state to guide students through structured career exploration, skill development, and post–high school planning. Its certified Career Coaches work directly with youth, helping them understand their strengths, explore career pathways, build workforce readiness, and navigate the transition from high school into college, training programs, or employment. Each LaunchPoint cohort consists of approximately 40 juniors and seniors nominated by school staff for their readiness to engage in focused career preparation. During the five-month program, students participate in sessions that cover: - Foundations of Personal Identity: Who Am...

06 Nov

Posted at 22:29h in Community News, Featured Story, Grantmaking Impact
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The Community Foundation of Grant County awarded $100,000 in proactive grants—$25,000 each—to four local organizations on the frontlines of fighting hunger in our community:  - Martin Community Center - Grant County Rescue Mission - The Salvation Army of Marion - Meals on Wheels of Grant County These grants come at a critical time for families and individuals across the county. Although federal officials have announced that SNAP benefits will resume this month, they will do so at a reduced rate, and payments are expected to be delayed. Additionally, the ongoing federal government shutdown means some residents are not receiving income as usual, leaving many households uncertain about when or how they will be able to put food on the table. Recognizing this urgent need, the Community Foundation took swift, proactive action to help sustain local food programs and ensure that no one in Grant County goes hungry. “When we heard that some of our neighbors might experience disruptions in accessing food, we wanted to help our direct service providers locally,” said Dawn Brown, President/CEO of the Community Foundation of Grant County. “Together, we can make sure every family has something to eat by supporting these amazing nonprofit organizations who serve Grant County families daily.”   Each of the four...