INDIANA COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS RECOGNIZED FOR INNOVATIVE PHILANTHROPY

Governor Mitch Daniels proclaims July 25 'Community Foundation Day'

July 22, 2011 — Governor Mitch Daniels is recognizing the important work of Indiana's community foundations by proclaiming Monday, July 25 as "Community Foundation Day." Together, Indiana's 1,400 private, corporate and community foundations have a positive influence on the state's economy, education, environment and people in need. The community foundation infrastructure was designed to be a part of a larger philanthropic sector.

"Indiana has taken an innovative approach to philanthropy though its foundations," said Ron Harper, president of the Community Foundation of Howard County. "This recognition from Governor Mitch Daniels confirms the importance of organized philanthropy as it helps to shape Indiana. This extends to the Community Foundation of Howard County as donor support has allowed us to grow during the last 20 years, and enabled us to have a noticeable impact in the community. In 2010, we distributed more than $380,000 through scholarships and grants, and that helps to shape our community."

The Community Foundation of Howard County serves the needs of people through the philanthropic aspirations of donors who wish to better their community, now and in the future. The foundation's activities range from funding scholarships to leading community initiatives that help fulfill local economic impact goals. Individuals may become involved in a variety of ways, including creating a fund, donating to an existing fund, giving through estate plans or participating on a community panel or committee.

Every resident in each of Indiana's 92 counties has access to a community foundation or affiliate fund in their home county — an asset no other state enjoys. In 1990, Lilly Endowment Inc. created the Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT) initiative to seed the development of community foundations throughout the state. This initial project helped organizations both raise funds and give funds back to the communities they represent.

The Community Foundation of Howard County, Inc. was formed as a not-for-profit public charity in March 1991. For more information about the Foundation, contact Ron Harper or Hilda Burns at 765-454-7298 or ron@cfhoward.org and hilda@cfhoward.org. The Web site www.cfhoward.org contains information about making gifts to endowment funds, scholarships and grantmaking.