The Scott County Community Foundation will benefit from a matching grant initiative of Lilly Endowment, Inc. The Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT), launched in 1990, helps local Indiana communities develop the philanthropic capacity to address their own needs and challenges. This is the sixth phase of the GIFT program, and Scott County Community Foundation is eligible to receive $500,000, said Foundation Executive Director Jaime Toppe.
?Lilly Endowment has been extremely supportive of community foundations over the years,? Toppe said. ?In fact, more than $9 million has come to Scott County through Lilly Endowment. This includes the Community Alliance to Promote Education (CAPE) grant for educational initiatives; funding for the Lifelong Learning Center; Scott County Family YMCA; Scott County Clearinghouse; construction of baseball facilities in Austin, Lexington and Scottsburg; improvements to parks, scholarships; and our recent intern program.?
The GIFT initiative has strengthened community foundations and raised public awareness of the role they can play in improving the quality of life in Indiana communities, said Ace Yakey, vice president for community development at Lilly Endowment.
The number of community foundations in the state has grown from about a dozen in 1990 to 94 in 2014, making Indiana a leader in the nation. Since it was first established in 1997, the Scott County Community Foundation has grown to $7.7 million in assets with more than 70 funds, all supporting the passions of local donors who desire to make an impact in the community.
?We are very excited about this opportunity and the difference this will make not only today, but for our future generations,? Toppe said. ?We invite the members of our community to think about what they would like to see accomplished in our community, and how we can work together to achieve those goals through their charitable giving.?
For more information, please contact the Scott County Community Foundation at 752-2057, email info@www.scottcountyfoundation.org or stop in the office at 60 N. Main St., Scottsburg. You may also learn more about the Foundation at www.www.scottcountyfoundation.org.
