Community Foundation Begins Campaign
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Community Foundation of Greater Lafayette has launched a $3 million fundraising campaign. The organization says the effort involves up to $1.5 million in potential matching grant funds from Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc.
December 16, 2014
News Release
Lafayette, Ind. — The Community Foundation of Greater Lafayette announced at a news conference Tuesday, December 16, that it is launching a $3 million fundraising campaign, with $1.5 million of it potentially coming in matching grant funds from Lilly Endowment.
The organization also announced its most recent grants to local nonprofits and its year-to-date total so far of $1,145,702—a record amount—given to 167 local organizations. The announcement was made at its offices in the Elmhurst Community Building, 1114 E. State St., Lafayette.
Lilly Endowment Matching Grant
Under the $3 million fundraising campaign, unrestricted gifts to The Community Foundation will be matched 100 percent by Lilly Endowment, said board chair David Luhman. Restricted gifts to donor-advised, designated and field-of-interest endowment funds will be matched 50 percent.
“At least half of the money raised must be unrestricted giving, which we use to meet current community needs, as our board of directors determines,” Luhman said. “Our current priority areas area education, children/youth, health, diversity, physical environment, and arts and culture.”
“The amount of Lilly Endowment’s matching grant is based on our county’s population,” said Marianne Rose, president and chief executive officer. “Similar opportunities are being extended to other community foundations statewide.”
The grant is the sixth phase of Lilly Endowment’s Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT) initiative, begun in 1990 and since disbursing $258 million in asset-building grants to Indiana community foundations. The sixth phase offers another $66 million statewide, and runs until March 31, 2016, or until all matching funds have been raised.
“Those seeking a fantastic opportunity for year-end giving will appreciate today’s announcement,” said Candy Silver, director of philanthropy. “In essence, what donors give in unrestricted dollars is doubled by Lilly Endowment. That has great impact for our community. We are energized by the challenge, eager to achieve the goal and here to assist donors.”
Community Foundation Grants to Local Nonprofits
The foundation’s latest round of grants, for requests of up to $7,499, went to 15 nonprofits and totaled $77,923. These awards come from 19 unrestricted endowments established by individuals and families committed to supporting community programs. They include the Barbara Cook Endowment, Douglas Eberle Endowment, Sonya and Dale Margerum Endowment, Betty Nelson Community Endowment and Mary Jo and Tom Sparrow Endowment.
“These grants fund capital needs that nonprofits simply can’t finance on their own,” said Leslie Fernung, grants and scholarship administrator. “The Community Foundation can provide these funds because donors have established unrestricted endowments.”
The 15 receiving funds are: Art Museum of Greater Lafayette, The Center @ Jenks Rest, Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette, Family Promise of Greater Lafayette, HomesteadCS, Hoosier Burn Camp, Lafayette Urban Ministry, Matrix Pregnancy Resource Center, Mental Health America of Tippecanoe County, Ponies and Kids, Public Schools Foundation of Tippecanoe County, St. Matthew 25 Care & Share Soup Kitchen, Sunnyside Intermediate School, Tippecanoe County Historical Association and YWCA Greater Lafayette
Founded in 1970, The Community Foundation of Greater Lafayette inspires, nurtures and practices philanthropy, stewardship and leadership. Its assets include more than 170 funds established by individuals, families, agencies and businesses. It awards grants several times a year; details and its latest annual report are available at www.cfglaf.org.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based, private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by members of the Lilly family through gifts of stock in their business, Eli Lilly and Co. Lilly Endowment supports the causes of religion, education and community development, with special emphasis on projects benefiting young people and promoting leadership education and financial self-sufficiency in the nonprofit, charitable sector.
Source: Community Foundation of Greater Lafayette