Community News

We are thrilled to share this exclusive preview of our 2024 grantmaking-to-date—40th Anniversary Grantmaking Report, celebrating four decades of unwavering dedication to Grant County. Together, we’ve achieved incredible milestones, including over $28 million in charitable investments since our founding and over $4 million in grantmaking from January through November of 2024 alone. This report highlights the transformative power of our shared commitment to Asset Development, Grantmaking, and Community Leadership—the three pillars that guide our work and guide our mission. Take a moment to explore the remarkable stories, inspiring grants, and the impact made possible by our generous donors and partners. THANK YOU for being a vital part of this journey as we look ahead to an even brighter future for Grant County. Let’s celebrate together!  Click Here to check out ALL the grantmaking awarded yet this year and see how we’ve partnered with people and nonprofits to make Grant County a better place—all because of YOU.  Triple Your Impact Today This impact could be tripled when your end-of-year donation is matched! With your generosity, we can continue supporting vital programs and initiatives that create real, lasting change in Grant County. This is a rare opportunity to triple the power of your generosity and make a lasting difference. This is a...

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...

Come hear the outcomes of the listening sessions and discover what you have collectively identified as our county-wide strategic vision. We invited the citizens of Grant County to help shape our community's vision, and you responded with an enthusiastic YES! In February, over 100 people participated in our community listening sessions held throughout Grant County. Join us on June 25th to hear the outcomes of these sessions and discover what you have collectively identified as our county-wide strategic vision. Tuesday, June 25th @ 8:00 Ivy Tech Conference Center Auditorium 261 Commerce Dr, Marion, IN 46953 Light breakfast and coffee available at 8:00am. The presentation will be from 8:30am to 10:30am. RSVP HERE TODAY Auditorium Location and Parking:            Marion City Bus Route: If you need transportation, the Marion City Bus will run from the downtown bus station (202 S Adams St, Marion) to Ivy Tech at 8:20 for an 8:35 arrival time.  ...

  Planning ahead is the ultimate gift of love for your family. Join us for a Free Advance Planning Seminar on Thursday, April 18th. 11:30 AM - Storey Chapel: 400 E Main St, Gas City 5:30 PM - North Chapel: 1341 N Baldwin Ave, Marion Presented to you by Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral & Cremation Service and the Community Foundation of Grant County. A light meal will be served during each session. Call for more information and to register: 📞 765-664-5030 Reserve your spot today!...

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]The Community Foundation of Grant County has received a matching fund grant totaling $1.5 million as part of the eighth phase of Lilly Endowment Inc.’s initiative, Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT VIII). This $1.5 million grant includes two matching fund components that will significantly bolster the Foundation’s ability to build financial assets and support charitable activities. Specifically, $1,050,000 will be allocated to enhance the Foundation's unrestricted endowments, known as the Give to Grant funds. These funds provide crucial flexibility to address community needs through strategic grantmaking over time. During the matching period from October 1, 2023, to December 31, 2025, the Endowment will generously provide $2 for every $1 contributed to any new or existing Give to Grant unrestricted endowment. This remarkable matching ratio underscores Lilly Endowment's dedication to maximizing the impact of philanthropic investments in Grant County. In alignment with strategic priorities, the Foundation has also designated $450,000 of the matching fund grant to support initiatives targeting childhood poverty, a systemic issue in the county. The Endowment will provide $1 for every $1 raised by the Community Foundation for projects and programs related to Thriving Grant County, Thriving Mill Township during the matching...

In a landmark collaboration, the Community Foundation of Grant County and United Way of Grant County have announced a strategic partnership to amplify funding opportunities for local non-profit organizations. For the first time, the Community Foundation will channel a portion of their Give to Grant Cycle funds into United Way's Community Investment funding process. This innovative approach will expand the pool of resources available to agencies, enhancing the impact on the community's health, education, and financial stability. The Community Foundation of Grant County will now integrate these funds with United Way's Community Investment process. This integration is designed to streamline and enhance the support system for local non-profits by leveraging United Way's meticulous investment process, where a diverse committee of community members reviews, interviews, and evaluates agency funding applications. Dawn Brown, President/Chief Executive Officer of the Community Foundation of Grant County, shared her excitement about the partnership: "We are delighted to join forces with United Way of Grant County, uniting our resources to foster greater impact in the community. This collaboration not only enlarges the funding available to local agencies but also utilizes United Way's comprehensive investment process to ensure these funds are allocated where they can be most effective." LeeAnna Smith, Executive...

The Community Foundation of Grant County announces an extension of the deadline for the 2024 scholarship application due to unforeseen delays with the processing of the Department of Education’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The first step of the universal scholarship application submission process has been extended to March 31, 2024, to accommodate this delay. Hannah Yopp, Scholarship Solutions Manager at the Community Foundation, emphasized the impact on local students, stating, "First and foremost, these changes impact local students. While the FAFSA process is out of our control, we are always prioritizing students and their needs. We want to ensure that students will be considered for as many Community Foundation scholarships as possible. We appreciate the patience of everyone involved in our scholarship program as we adapt to the changes this year." The Foundation uses information from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) and college choice to paint an applicant’s full financial picture. Yopp further explained, "The Foundation uses information from FAFSA and college choice to determine an applicant’s financial need, ensuring students are not being over-scholared. This allows our limited scholarship funds to go even further in assisting more students in their pursuit of higher education." Due to the...

In a significant boost to the local nonprofit sector, the Community Foundation of Grant County recently announced the distribution of more than $260,500 in grants to 64 deserving organizations. These grants were awarded from endowment funds established at the Foundation to serve as a vital resource for supporting charitable organizations across the community. The grants were awarded from designated funds, tailored to provide essential operating support for specific nonprofit organizations. Whether established by the nonprofit or by compassionate donors, these funds signify a commitment to provide a permanent source of support for organizations and charitable causes that hold profound importance. This year’s designated fund grants range from approximately $260 to exceeding $27,000. Each year, a portion of each fund’s growth is distributed through a grant and a portion is retained for continued growth. Earnings provide an additional source of annual income for the nonprofit organizations. Depending on the donor’s intent, the grants will be used for much-needed operating support or for a specific purpose within the organization(s). As a result, they contribute significantly to the ongoing activities and missions of the recipient organizations. Dawn Brown, president and CEO of the Community Foundation, emphasized the foresight and dedication of both donors and nonprofits in...

The Community Foundation of Grant County has received a $60,000 planning grant as part of the eighth phase of Lilly Endowment Inc.’s initiative, Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT VIII). With the grant, the Community Foundation will leverage the Collective Impact Framework as a strategic initiative to bring together cross-sector partners, nonprofits, government agencies, and businesses to work towards a common agenda focused on collaborative community-building to address child poverty and related issues. In 2015, Grant County ranked No. 1 in the state of Indiana for the percentage of children living in poverty. That above-the-fold headline was the catalyst that led partners to work together to seek solutions resulting in the formation of a supporting organization for the Community Foundation of Grant County called Thriving Grant County, Thriving Mill Township. “Thriving is a collective impact initiative driven by residents who are imagining a brighter future,” said Dawn Brown, president/CEO of the Community Foundation of Grant County. “Through the execution of the collective impact method of community-building, we have learned the importance of doing things ‘with people’ and not ‘to people’. This is why we’d like to continue utilizing this approach with our Phase I Planning Grant.” The Community Foundation of Grant County is...