Scott County Community Foundation (SCCF) has received a grant of $216,161 as part of Lilly Endowment Inc.?s seventh phase of its Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT) initiative. With GIFT VII, the Endowment is making up to $125 million available to help Indiana community foundations strengthen the towns, cities and counties they serve.
SCCF can use this matching fund grant to build our financial assets and support our charitable activities. At least two-thirds of the matching fund grant must be designated to support the growth of SCCF?s unrestricted endowments, which over time will provide flexibility to help the foundation to meet community needs. Lilly Endowment will provide $2 for every $1 contributed to SCCF?s unrestricted endowments during the matching period, October 1, 2018, through December 31, 2020.
SCCF may choose to designate up to one-third of the matching fund grant to support the foundation?s own operating needs or specific community or charitable projects. Lilly Endowment will provide 50 cents for every $1 that Scott County Community Foundation raises during the matching period for these purposes.
?We are so grateful for the opportunity to build our financial assets through GIFT VII,? said SCCF Board Chairman Christa West. ?With the generosity that runs so deep in Scott County, we are confident we will be able to take full advantage of this initiative and increase our ability to fund worthwhile community projects through grant-making and scholarships. There has never been a better time to look forward and give back!?
SCCF was incorporated in December 1996 and currently manages assets of over $9 million. Over a quarter million dollars is awarded each year in grants and scholarships to the community. SCCF has partnered with United Way of Scott County to increase early childhood literacy through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library and other early childhood initiatives. SCCF has also collaborated with the community foundations of Clark, Floyd, Harrison and Washington counties for regional initiatives to increase the quality of life of our regional residents.
The GIFT initiative is part of Lilly Endowment?s grantmaking to strengthen Indiana communities and has been a priority of the Endowment since the first phase of GIFT in 1990. The initiative?s primary aim is to help Indiana community foundations develop the philanthropic capacity to identify, prioritize and address local opportunities and challenges.
To encourage the engagement of SCCF?s board of directors, the Endowment also will award an additional $100,000 unrestricted grant if the foundation achieves 100 percent financial support from our board members during the period January 1, 2019, through June 30, 2020.
Starting in 2019, SCCF will have the opportunity to apply for more funds through GIFT VII?s community leadership grants. This component includes both planning and implementation grants, which are available to help the foundation deepen its understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing its community; convene key local stakeholders and explore how it can effectively play a leadership role in implementing initiatives and strategies that enhance the quality of life in Scott County.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by three members of the Lilly family ? J.K. Lilly Sr. and sons J.K. Jr. and Eli ? through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly & Company. The Endowment exists to support causes of community development, education and religion. Lilly Endowment?s community development grantmaking is designed to support efforts that enhance the quality of life in Indianapolis and Indiana.
