GROUNDED IN 400 N. Whitley Street Columbia City, IN 46725 P: (260) 244-5224 gratitude.COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF WHITLEY COUNTY F: (260) 244-5724 www.cfwhitley.org The Community Foundation of Whitley County exists to INSPIRE philanthropy, ENRICH community, and SERVE donors by creating an enduring source of charitable assets. Director’s Report - Page 2 Endowments - Pages 3-9 Non-Permanent Funds - Pages 10-11 Grants 2015 - Pages 12-13 Grants 2016 - Pages 14-15 Feature Story - Pages 16-17 BIENNIAL REPORT | COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF WHITLEY COUNTY OF WHITLEY COUNTY BIENNIAL REPORT | COMMUNITY FOUNDATION Financial Summary - Pages 18-19 2015 Donors - Pages 20-26 2015 - 2016 2016 Donors - Pages 26-34 Honorary & Memorial Gifts 2015 - Pages 34-36 “When eating fruit, Honorary & Memorial Gifts 2016- Pages 36-40 remember the one who planted the tree.” Board of Directors, Staff & Committees COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF WHITLEY COUNTY 1 DIRECTOR’S REPORT ENDOWMENTS There’s a name for what fuels our Community Foundation. It’s called “gratitude.” From the donors who feel Paying it Forward blessed and inspired to give back to their community, to the appreciative non-profit organizations and charitable One good deed deserves another. That’s the easiest way Typically, only a portion of the earnings are distributed causes on the receiving end, a spirit of gratitude courses through our work on a daily basis. This biennial report to describe “paying it forward.” It’s the simple concept each year, allowing endowment funds to grow over is a reflection of Whitley County’s philanthropic spirit. of paying someone back for a kindness or favor by time and last forever. As the years go by, grants or helping somebody else in the future. Perhaps no one scholarships generated by the endowment will far Founded in 1991, the Community Foundation entered into its 25th year of charitable giving in 2015-16. In understands this idea better than the generous donors exceed the amount of the donor’s original gift. celebration of our anniversary, we unveiled a new logo and formally adopted the name The Community to the Community Foundation who have established or contributed to endowment funds. If a common thread runs through the endowments Foundation of Whitley County, Inc. The graphic puts emphasis “Unityon Found,” reflecting the Foundation’s created at the Community Foundation of Whitley ability to unite the generosity of many for the good of all. It symbolizes our county, the communities we call When a donor starts an endowment fund with the County, it’s gratitude. One donor said it best when home, and the roads that connect us together. Community Foundation, we don’t spend their gift. she shared her sentiments --“It feels really good to be Ever. Instead the money is saved and wisely invested able to give back to this community -- it supported our Our Community Foundation was formed to help people, families and businesses support causes they care about. to produce earnings. Those earnings are used to make family’s business for many years, now we’ll be paying grants or scholarships as directed by the donor. A legal it forward for generations to come.” This common Over time, it has become the leading resource for philanthropy in Whitley County. Guided by generous donors, instrument called a Fund Agreement ensures that the thread is also woven into many of our scholarships that we develop and nurture endowment funds that will benefit this little corner of northeast Indiana, forever. Our Community Foundation is obligated to distribute the were created as memorials. Even in times of loss and efforts have led to millions of dollars directed to deserving projects big and small. In this report you’ll see that earnings pursuant to the donor’s original intent. This sadness, donors have found a way to express gratitude caring donors provided food for the hungry, helped high school students train to be firefighters, and played a means a fund started to help the library, will always for having had someone special in their lives. The loss help the library. And a nursing scholarship will always never goes away, but memorial scholarship funds help role in fostering sustainability for a homeless shelter. You’ll also find a listing of scholarships funded by good- be awarded to a student who wants to become a nurse. them to remember and carry on. hearted residents who believed in assisting local students as they pursue post-secondary educational goals. Housed in a 150 year-old building, our Community Foundation was constructed on sturdy ground. It was also built on a quarter century of generosity and gratitude. As we look to the next 25 years, we plan to expand to become an even stronger resource for all. Look forward to focused growth, a commitment to thoughtful, data-informed decision-making, measured impact, and an increase in strategic collaborations. As the Foundation evolves, you will see more creative innovation and partnerships with our donors. Great communities are a reflection of the people who call them home. It is the continued generosity of Whitley County residents that allows our Community Foundation to continue its role as trusted, transparent stewards of our charitable resources. We are grounded in gratitude. September McConnell, CEO In 2016, the Foundation awarded a $39,000 grant from its Greater Good Unrestricted Endowment Fund to help the Columbia City Fire Department launch a new training program at Columbia City High School. The Fire Academy gives ambitious teens the opportunity to Foundation Director September McConnell shares the organization’s history gain their fire-fighting certification upon completion of the rigorous program. and role in the community with local residents. 2 COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF WHITLEY COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF WHITLEY COUNTY 3 Agency Endowments Designated Endowments These funds were created to support specific causes or These endowment funds benefit the non-profit organizations for which they are named by creating a stable, annual income stream. organizations. While they benefit specific organizations, they are an asset of the Community Foundation. 4-H Beef Club Fund* Methodist Federation of Social Action Fund ACRES Land Trust Peabody Library Endowment Fund Les Bills’ Family Firemen’s Christmas Fund^ Mihsihkinaahkwa Pow Wow Fund W. Byron & Marian Bollinger Fund South Whitley/ Simon J. Peabody Library Endowment Fund Columbia City Firefighters Christmas Candy Fund^ Old Settlers Foundation Operating Endowment Fund Cleveland Township Library TROY Center School Fund Columbia City United Methodist Church Fund Old Settlers Association Fund Camp Whitley Fund United Way of Whitley County Fund George Scott & Mildred Smith Gates Fund Parkview Whitley Memorial Hospital Fund The Center for Whitley County Youth Fund Whitley County Council on Aging and Aged Fund Lloyd & Maryjane Geyer/Denzil & Betty Schrader Phyllis Vandersaul Fund^ Churubusco Public Library Fund Whitley County Historical Society Fund Memorial Fund^ George Franklin Schultz Fund Faith Christian Academy Fund Whitley County Literacy Council Fund HANDS Fund Splash Pad (Columbia City) Fund Freedom Academy Fund Whitley County YMCA Fund Imagination Library Fund South Whitley United Methodist Church Habitat for Humanity of Whitley County Fund YWCA Whitley County Fund Donovan Kessler Little Swimmers Fund C. Byron & Marian E. Bollinger Fund Interfaith Mission Fund Bernice Kessler Whitley County Humane Society Fund Sherman & Marjorie M. Kneller Fund Stepping Stones Childcare Endowment Fund Junior Achievement Fund Passages to the Future Fund Loon Lake Conservation Fund Whitley County Cancer Care Fund Walter Malicki Whitko Art Fund YMCA Life Lessons Endowment Fund Margaret Priscilla Waterfall Whitley County Dazzlers Fund ^Established in 2015 *Established in 2016 Youth philanthropy is alive and well In Whitley County! Members of the H.A.N.D.S. Foundation meet monthly to review funding requests A collaborative approach to meeting community needs is growing–and so are the beans at the Lighthouse! from local educators and hone their leadership skills. 4 COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF WHITLEY COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF WHITLEY COUNTY 5 Donor Advised Endowments Field of Interest Endowments Unrestricted Endowments When a donor creates or contributes to an unrestricted fund, they understand that community needs are ever changing and that the These funds allow for on-going input from the donors and As the name suggests, these funds help to support an area earnings from their gift will be directed wherever the need is the greatest. Grants from Unrestricted Funds are available by application permit distribution to any charitable project or cause. of interest such as the arts or recreation rather than a single and are awarded at the recommendation of the Grants Committee and acceptance of the Board of Directors. The donor, their designees, or an advisory group makes organization. recommendations as to where grants should be made. Final grant making authority rests with the Community Arts Alive! Fund Don Armstrong Community Fund^ Don & Jane Langeloh Community Fund^ Foundation’s Board of Directors. Centurylink Fund Don & Sharlene Berkshire Community Fund^ Jean & Roger Long Community Fund^ Benton W. & Thelma L. Bloom Fund Count Me In! Youth Asset Building Fund Tim & Beth Bloom Community Fund^ Jack & Judy Moore Community Fund^ Copp Family Fund Dekko Childcare Enhancement Fund Jerry Busche Community Fund Andy & Toni More Community Fund^ M. Russel Fahl Family Fund Education for a New Generation Fund Dekko Enhancement Fund William & Barbara Overdeer Community Fund^ John & Laura Lefever Fund Shirley A. Gates Fund Gary & Ann Dillon Community Fund Scientific & Regulatory Consultants Community Fund* James & September McConnell Family Fund Edwin E. & Flossie L. Heupel Good Samaritan Fund Greg & Ann Fahl Community Fund^ Rosemary Steiner Community Fund* Patricia A. McNagny Crooked Lake Conservation Fund^ Roy Kilby Youth Sports Endowment Fund Ferber Family Fund Whitley County Greater Good Fund Steve & Gloria More Fund* Oak Grove Church of God Children’s Ministries Fund Alan Fox Community Endowment Fund^ C.