Gift Supports Development, Grantmaking Efforts
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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 Fort Wayne has secured a $2 million matching grant from Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc. The gift will boost development efforts around Fort Wayne's riverfront and beef up the organization's grantmaking fund. March 3, 2015
News Release
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – A $2 million matching grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. will support grantmaking in Allen County and the City of Fort Wayne's riverfront development efforts.
Under Phase VI of the Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT) program, the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne has received $2 million from Lilly Endowment Inc. That money will be used to match gifts of two types.
For gifts to the Community Foundation's Community Grantmaking Fund, gifts will be matched $1-for-$1. GIFT Phase VI will provide up to $1 million in matching funds for gifts to the Community Grantmaking Fund. The Community Grantmaking Fund is used to provide grants to local charitable organizations. “If we are successful in raising these matching dollars,” said board member Tom Trent, “we will be able to increase our annual grantmaking budget and provide more financial assistance to the nonprofits that serve our community.”
In addition, GIFT Phase VI will also provide $1 million in matching funds to gifts contributed to a fund at the Community Foundation to promote riverfront development. These gifts will be matched 50 percent, or $1-for-$2. When the Community Foundation is successful in raising $2 million, then the Lilly Endowment match will provide an additional $1 million, providing $3 million for the City's riverfront development efforts.
“The entire county will benefit when we reach our goal,” said board member Don Steininger. “We also want to build on the excitement generated by the release of the riverfront development study, and provide a financial boost to get those efforts off to a good start.”
The matching period for gifts made under Phase VI ends March 31, 2016 or whenever the matching limit is reached, whichever comes first.
To make a donation online, go to www.cfgfw.org and click the 'Donate Now' button. Or mail a check to: Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne, 555 E. Wayne St., Fort Wayne, IN 46802. Please write “Community Grantmaking Fund” or “Riverfront Development Fund” in the memo section of your check.
Established in 1922, the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne is a public, charitable foundation serving Allen County. The Community Foundation had assets of more than $143 million as of December 31, 2014, and awarded $4.9 million in charitable grants and scholarships in that year. The Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne exists to serve as a community leader to improve the quality of life by building permanent endowments, promoting effective grantmaking, fostering philanthropy, stimulating community dialogue, and helping donors achieve their charitable goals.
Source: The Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne