$1.5 Million Match Offered
Through the Community Foundation of Howard County. Funds from Lilly Endowment, Inc. support Indiana community foundations
The Community Foundation of Howard County has received a matching fund grant totaling $1.5 million as part of the eighth phase of Lilly Endowment’s initiative, Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT VIII).
The Community Foundation of Howard County will use its matching fund grant to further develop its unrestricted assets. Unrestricted funds are not specific to any one cause and can be applied at the Foundation’s discretion so long as the project aligns with the mission of the Community Foundation. Qualifying matching funds raised to support the community foundation’s unrestricted endowment will be eligible for a $2(grantor)-to-$1(grantee) match from Lilly Endowment, Inc.
“GIFT VIII is a unique opportunity to build endowed funds that will serve this community now and across future generations,” said Todd Moser, President of the Community Foundation of Howard County. “Our unrestricted endowment funds provide immense support and resources to help empower nonprofits in our community, and GIFT VIII gives the Foundation yet another chance to increase funds available for the needs of the community through grants.”
Through GIFT VIII, Lilly Endowment has awarded matching fund grants totaling $133.8 million to community foundations serving all 92 of Indiana’s counties. Eligible community foundations submitted proposals requesting grants ranging from $100,000 to $15,000,000 based on the population of the counties they serve.
In 2023, Lilly Endowment launched GIFT VIII to help community foundations strengthen the towns, cities and counties they serve. Matching fund grants are one of several funding 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.
The Community Foundation of Howard County holds several unrestricted endowment funds to which donors can contribute, providing ample opportunity to successfully raise the first $750,000 that is required to receive the complete $1.5 million.
The total amount granted to the Community Foundation of Howard County, Inc. is $3 million. The Community Foundation of Howard County, Inc. represents Howard, Clinton, and Carroll Counties and the amounts per county are determined by population size.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based, private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly, Sr. and his sons, Eli and J.K. Jr., through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, the Endowment is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff, and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education, and religion. The Endowment funds significant programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion. However, it maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.
The Community Foundation of Howard County Inc. was formed as a not-for-profit public charity in March 1991. The Foundation seeks to serve donors and make grants to benefit the citizens of Howard County. For more information about the Community Foundation, contact Todd Moser, President, at 765-454-7298 or todd@cfhoward.org. The website www.cfhoward.org contains information about making gifts to endowment funds, scholarships and grantmaking.