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COLUMBUS, Ind. — Heritage Fund has received a $1.5 million grant as part of Lilly Endowment Inc.’s eighth phase of its Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT) initiative designed to help community foundations strengthen the towns, cities and counties they serve.
Because of Lilly Endowment’s generosity, Heritage Fund is able to build support for its Community Fund, a permanent resource that allows the foundation to respond to the changing needs of the community. Currently the Community Fund is supporting projects and programs in Heritage Fund’s three priority Impact Areas of Youth Development; Arts, Culture & Architecture; and Downtown Vitality. The foundation has a goal of raising $525,000 for the
Community Fund by the end of the year. GIFT VIII will match donations to the
Community Fund at $2 for every $1 gifted, for a total impact of more than $1.5
million.
“We’re excited for this opportunity and hope that the community can help us
reach this important goal,” said Kristin Munn, vice president of operations
and development. “In the past few years the Community Fund has allowed us
to respond to community challenges and opportunities including COVID-19,
support for early learning initiatives such as early literacy and creating the
downtown Arts Alley, to name just a few. None of this would be possible without
generous support from the public – every gift helps us build a better community.”
Lilly Endowment launched the latest installment of its GIFT program last year.
Matching fund grants for GIFT VIII are one of several opportunities designed to
help community foundations promote long-term viability; further strengthen
their abilities to lead; encourage board engagement; and support and develop
strategic efforts to enhance quality of life in their communities. Through GIFT
VIII, more than $134 million in matching fund grants have been awarded to
community foundations serving all 92 of Indiana’s counties. Eligible foundations
submitted proposals requesting grants ranging from $675,000 to $15 million
based on the populations of the counties they serve.
In addition to a matching grant for Heritage Fund’s Community Fund, GIFT VIII
also has provided dollar-for-dollar matching for several community projects
and programs, including African American Foundation, Crump Theatre, First
Presbyterian Bicentennial Legacy Fund, kidscommons and Experimental
Aircraft Association.
Community members who would like to support the Community Fund and have
their gift matched by Lilly Endowment can visit heritagefundbc.org or mail to
538 Franklin St., Columbus, IN 47201.
