06 Nov Press Release: $7.5 Million Investment
Community Foundation of Grant County’s $7.5 Million Investment Driving Economic Vitality in Marion’s Downtown Riverfront District
Renovations to Begin Soon; Estimated Completion Date Set for August 2026
Grant County, IN —A $7.5 million restoration and expansion project in the heart of Marion’s Riverfront District is set to begin this month as the Community Foundation of Grant County transforms a once vacant, historic building into a thriving, vibrant workspace for several nonprofit organizations.
Located at 100 South Washington Street, the shared space builds on the Foundation’s vision of creating a collaborative environment that fosters cooperation, efficiency, and impact among the organizations serving Grant County.
The Foundation Board of Directors and Team initiated an innovative idea more than a year ago, inviting local nonprofits to collaborate on bringing to life the vision of a shared space for visionaries and innovators to face challenges and create solutions together. The Foundation purchased the building in October 2024 and is the sole owner of the property.
“This investment is about more than bricks and mortar. It’s about building capacity for the organizations that drive Grant County forward,” said Mark Atkinson, Board Chair of the Community Foundation of Grant County. “Our board is proud to play a part in restoring an important downtown building while creating a home for cooperation, innovation, and lasting community benefit.”
The renovation project partners include Halstead Architects and Patterson Horth construction contractor. Indiana Wesleyan University has also partnered with the Foundation to support the acquisition of furniture, fixtures, and equipment as part of a $1.5 million Lilly Endowment Inc. College and Community Collaboration Grant.
With an estimated completion date of the end of August 2026, the extensive renovations and a more than 2,600-square-foot addition will house the Collabora partner nonprofits that commit to working together intentionally, sharing resources generously, and leading collaboratively for the greater good of Grant County. The building will also feature small, medium, and large conference rooms, as well as a community room that will accommodate up to 80 people.
“Our work over the next 10 months includes the monumental task of bringing our shared collaborative space to life—a project that will serve the entire Grant County community,” said Dawn Brown, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Grant County. “Even as we take on this big build, our partners and programs continue moving forward. We’re excited for the way daily collaboration will spark big ideas, shared solutions, and stronger impact.”
As renovation plans advance, the Foundation’s review of two large murals on the building’s exterior is ongoing.
Atkinson, the Foundation’s new Board Chair, has requested a thorough internal review of the issue, including engaging a national intellectual property law firm to review potential copyright and rights-of-publicity matters related to the images used in the artwork.
“The Foundation is committed to a process that preserves the artwork responsibly while ensuring future installations authentically represent the people of Grant County,” Atkinson added. “To that end, we have advocated for a public art project that will involve the community in submitting ideas for the new art that will reflect the diversity of Grant County.”
Community leaders have voiced strong support for the project’s long-term impact on downtown revitalization and civic collaboration.
“This project represents the kind of momentum we want for Marion’s downtown,” Marion Mayor Ronald Morrell, Jr. said. “The Foundation’s investment will strengthen the heart of our city and create opportunities for collaboration that reach far beyond its walls.”
This renovation is part of a broader effort by the Community Foundation to invest in the economic vitality and civic infrastructure in the City of Marion and Grant County.
About Community Foundation of Grant County, Indiana, Inc.
The Community Foundation of Grant County is an advocate for local philanthropy and is dedicated to improving the lives of people in the Grant County area. An effective steward of the community’s charitable resources since 1984, the Foundation partners with donors to establish charitable funds and supports nonprofits through a variety of grantmaking efforts. The Community Foundation connects people, resources, and causes to promote sustainable impact for the betterment of Grant County. Today, the Foundation manages over 400 charitable funds, advancing a broad range of causes that strengthen Grant County. For more information, visit www.GiveToGrant.org.
Contact: Mark Atkinson
Email: Mark@GiveToGrant.org
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