The Scott County Community Foundation Board of Directors had plenty to celebrate at its recent board meeting. Executive Director Jaime Toppe shared with the Board the results of the matching grant challenge, Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT), a program of Lilly Endowment Inc. The campaign, which was announced by Lilly Endowment in August 2014, ended on March 31.
The Board of Directors was very pleased with the accomplishments of the matching grant initiative. During the 18-month GIFT challenge, the Scott County Community Foundation raised $546,000, which included Lilly Endowment matching funds and donations not eligible for the GIFT program match. Giving from individuals and organizations in 2015 was more than double the average amount of giving for the three previous years. Two new unrestricted funds were established, as well as nine new funds for a specific purpose. Five existing funds grew enough to reach the level allowing them to award grants to the community each year. Because of this giving, the Community Foundation has the potential to award an additional $20,000 in grants and scholarships to the community every year.
Giving in all amounts from many donors made these results possible. From school fundraisers to current donors supporting their own funds, the community came together and demonstrated their generosity.
?We are so very fortunate to have an organization such as the Community Foundation in our county to assist the community in planning and preparing for the future,? said Board Chairman L.L. Lowry. ?Over 60 percent of our present fundholders took advantage of this recent promotion recognizing the impact it will have on generations of the future. We are very grateful for those who understand and recognize with us the value of these efforts.?
Since 1997, the Scott County Community Foundation has awarded over $3 million in grants and scholarships to the community. By investing the original donations and only spending a portion of the earnings each year, the Board of Directors is ensuring giving to the community will be made possible for generations to come!
In addition, over $10 million has come to Scott County through Lilly Endowment. Those projects include: ballparks in Austin, Lexington and Scottsburg; Scott County Community Clearinghouse; Scott County Family YMCA; Lifelong Learning Center; Scott County Heritage Center and Museum; historical site signs; Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships; and an internship program to provide real-life experiences to numerous college students.
Donors have the ability to support their passion ? education, arts and historical preservation, youth development, beautification efforts, health, senior citizens, social service agencies and more. The Scott County Community Foundation also supports three major initiatives: free books for children from birth through age 5 through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library; teaching philanthropy to youth in 5th-12th grade through the Scott County Youth Grantmaking Council; and supporting efforts for adult degree completion through the Education Matters Southern Indiana initiative.
The Scott County Community Foundation will commemorate its 20th anniversary next year and hopes the community will continue to join in the celebration through many activities that are being planned.
For more information on how the Community Foundation can assist with your charitable giving, please call 812-752-2057, email info@www.scottcountyfoundation.org or stop in the office at 60 N. Main St., Scottsburg. You may also visit the website at www.www.scottcountyfoundation.org.
