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COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
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COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Southeast Fountain
SOUTHEAST FOUNTAIN
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Vermillion County
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About wicf-INC.org
The Western Indiana Community Foundation is a public charity, founded in 1990, conceived by a group of citizens whose desire is to use donated monies for the betterment of their communities. The Foundation shares the same dream as its forefathers: prosperity, expansion, and enhancement for its citizens. The Foundation has four separate and distinct affiliate funds serving their geographical areas, which consist of:


Fountain County, IndianaFOUNTAIN COUNTY AFFILIATES
Attica
Covington
Southeast Fountain

Vermillion County, IndianaVERMILLION COUNTY AFFILIATES
Vermillion County

Mr. Dale White
Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Dale White

"People of all means can leave a lasting impact on the community, because the Community Foundation invests all gifts, regardless of size, so they continue to grow.  Our affiliate structure allows us to combine resources for investments, materials and staff, and our communities reap the benefits."

Recent Foundation News


- Master Plan 2024
The Wabash River Blueway Master Plan was conceived to develop recommendations for activating the Wabash River through Warren, Fountain, and Vermillion Counties. This plan studies the use of the Wabash River as a water trail through the use of existing and proposed river access sites and ties these assets to the towns within the corridor.
- Report 2024
Fountain County Parks
Inventory & Assessment Report
March 2024
Recent Foundation News

Posted: October 03, 2024
AFFILIATES - All
Memorial & Honor Giving

Fountain and Vermillion County are home to many wonderful people who have made a deep impact in the community.

Are you looking for a way to memorialize a loved one or friend who is no longer with us?  Or perhaps you would like to honor a family member, friend, co-worker, or service provider who has a positive influence in your daily life?  MEMORIAL & HONOR GIFTS are great ways to honor those who are or have been significant in your life or the life of your community. Your gift will go to the fund you specify, in the name of the one you’re honoring.

The following individuals have recently passed away and the families have designated donations in their memory go to the Community Foundation.  We honor the following individuals (click on the name for more details): Terry Badger, II, Doug Shelby, Melinda Shepherd, Alice Hathaway, Jill Kirkpatrick, Richard Rennick Sr, Irma Lee Crist, Vera Shew, Ethan Whyde, Mike Stump, Judy Ashton Ferrell,  John Ives, Dr. Donna (Summers) McGrady, Louise Houmes, Gregory Spragg, Brenda Phillips, Carlotta Auter, Harold VanDame, Marvin Potter, Rose Martin, Kenneth Scheurich, Stan Shew, Bill Smail, Richard Pattengale, Jeff Henry, Page Lane, Barbara White, Tim Thomas, Harold R. Long, Cameron Cheuvront, Darleen Swingle, Duaine Ramey, Wanda Clawson, Terry Holland, Marvin ShawDr. Francis McGrady, Jr., Matt Milach, Joe HendersonGinger Orr, Raymond Bush, Carl DismoreRichard Klage, David Rothrock, Ann JohannesRonald Smith, Charles McKinney,  Joe HathawayEdward C. Grubb, Sharon Sue Craft, Henry Meadows, Janice Vietti, Edward “Ed” George, and Carl Swinford.

All memorial and honor gifts are acknowledged to the person or people you designate so that the loved one’s family, or the person you are honoring, is aware of the gift.  Or you can make an anonymous gift if you desire to do so.  The amount of the gift is, of course, confidential and only you will receive a gift acknowledgement for tax purposes.  It’s very easy to give a memorial or honor gift – just CLICK HERE to get started.



Posted: October 03, 2024
AFFILIATES - Attica - Covington - Southeast Fountain - Vermillion County
New Funds to Benefit Area Communities

A variety of new endowment funds have recently been established to benefits area communities and high school students.  For more details click on the link to learn more about each fund.

The new funds include: Jack & Marguerite Fenoglio Community Fund, The Galloway-Hoagland Farm Scholarship, The Nancy Moreman Strawser Nursing Scholarship, Larry & Merry Addison Family Community Impact Fund, James and Martha Foster Family Unrestricted Fund, Don and Jane Coonce Family Fund, Delores Kokotkiewicz Covington Park Fund, Fountain County Teacher Classroom Supply Assistance Program, Dallas Ponder Memorial Scholarship, Mark and Kathy Haas Unrestricted Fund, John & Pauline Bossaer Unrestricted Fund, Clinton Community Improvement Fund, E. Stanley & Vera Shew Unrestricted Fund, Lawrence & Patricia DeSutter Family Farm Memorial Scholarship, Dr. William Somerville Scholarship Fund, Robert & Helen Shelby Community Fund, Marilyn’s Village Inc., John & Madeline Ives Community Fund,  Terry A. Badger III Scholarship Fund,  Coal Creek Cemetery Endowment & Pass-Through Funds, and more!

To learn how you can establish a fund to benefit your community contact Dale at (765) 793-0702 or by email at dwhite@wicf-inc.org.



Posted: September 10, 2024
AFFILIATES - All
Recent Grant Recipients

Congratulations to recent grant recipients:
Veedersburg Park Program ($2,750), ECO Shred ($500), Covington Park Program ($4,000), Marilyn’s Village ($35,000), Covington Apple Fest ($500), Covington Music Boosters ($1,014), Charles Forrest American Legion Post 288 ($2,154), Attica First United Methodist Church ($1,168), Attica Baseball-Softball Association ($2000), City of Covington ($1,500), Miss Fountain County 4H Queen Pageant ($500), Bundles of Blessings ($4500), Covington Youth Football ($12,500), Purdue Extension Fountain County ($6,500), Community Action Program of Western Indiana ($3,250), Covington United Methodist Church ($2,000), Community Action Program of Western Indiana ($4,000), Covington 5K ($1,000), Parke-Vermillion Retired Teachers ($750), Clinton Little League ($1,300), North Vermillion Jr High Softball ($1,500), Newport American Legion Post 184 ($5,000), Clinton Wrestling Club ($4,000), City of Clinton ($3,000), Covington High School ($1,000), Attica Park Board ($1,000),   More →



Posted: June 05, 2024
AFFILIATES - All
Spring Newsletters Released

Check out the Fountain County & Vermillion County Spring Newsletters at: WICF – Publications (wicf-inc.org)



Posted: February 13, 2024
AFFILIATES - Attica - Covington - Southeast Fountain
Parks and Recreation in Fountain County Community Survey

The Western Indiana Community Foundation is embarking on an exciting initiative to understand and address the needs of our residents, and we need your valuable input!

We’ve created a brief Community Needs Survey to gather insights and perspectives from individuals like you in Fountain County. Your responses will play a crucial role in shaping future initiatives and making our community an even better place to live. Specifically, creating a better quality of life for our communities through parks and recreation.

Would you be willing to take a few minutes to complete the survey and share it with your friends, family, and neighbors? Your collective input will help us prioritize projects and allocate resources where they are needed most.

Thank you for being an essential part of our community. Your voice matters, and together, we can build a stronger, more vibrant future.

Take the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7MD3MT9



Posted: February 09, 2024
AFFILIATES - Vermillion County
Transforming Ernie Pyle Elementary: Childcare in Vermillion County Community Survey

The Vermillion County Community Foundation, in partnership with the Vermillion County Redevelopment Commission, is embarking on an exciting initiative to understand and address the needs of our residents, and we need your valuable input!

We’ve created a brief Community Needs Survey to gather insights and perspectives from individuals like you in Vermillion County. Your responses will play a crucial role in shaping future initiatives and making our community an even better place to live. Information from this survey will also be utilized as the Vermillion County Redevelopment Commission continues work on the Ernie Pyle Childhood Center. The future center could include an additional wing that may house a partner organization and collaborate with the child care center. To optimize its use for the community, we are actively seeking input on the most effective ways to utilize this space.

Would you be willing to take a few minutes to complete the survey and share it with your friends, family, and neighbors? Your collective input will help us prioritize projects and allocate resources where they are needed most.

Thank you for being an essential part of our community. Your voice matters, and together, we can build a stronger, more vibrant future.

Take the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VermillionNeedsAssessment



Posted: December 19, 2023
AFFILIATES - Vermillion County
Vermillion County Community Foundation Receives $50,000 Grant from Lilly Endowment

Vermillion County Community Foundation has received a $50,000 planning grant as part of the eighth phase of Lilly Endowment Inc.’s initiative, Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT VIII). With the grant, the community foundation will work closely with RJL Solutions, a Terre Haute-based consulting firm, and the Vermillion County Redevelopment Commission to conduct a Vermillion County Needs Assessment to learn more about the need for additional childcare resources, which could be utilized in the former Ernie Pyle Elementary School. These resources could include but are not limited to, before and after-school care, early learning initiatives, summer learning programs, and adult education learning opportunities. The closure of Ernie Pyle Elementary School at the end of the 2022-2023 school year, due to declining enrollment and its impact on state funding, has prompted the Redevelopment Commission’s commitment to preserving the facility. In Vermillion County, an estimated 345 children under the age of six and 257 school-aged children are in need of childcare services.

The Vermillion County Community Foundation is one of 92 community foundations and affiliate funds in Indiana receiving planning grants through GIFT VIII. These grants are designed to help community foundations collaborate with local partners to engage broad and diverse stakeholders in their communities and deepen their understanding of their communities’ highest-priority challenges and opportunities. In 2024, Vermillion County Community Foundation will have the opportunity to request funding to implement strategic initiatives and activities developed during the planning period that address especially compelling needs in Vermillion County.

“Great communities work tirelessly to identify strategic ways to support employers, families, and childcare providers in a community as well as to labor vigorously to advance childcare, early learning initiatives, and provide local opportunities for advancing adult education.  Through our partnerships with the Vermillion County Redevelopment Commission and RJL Solutions we are looking to understand the unique needs of Vermillion County and help turn vision into reality,” said Dale White, CEO of the Vermillion County Community Foundation.

Residents are encouraged to keep an eye out for public meetings and both online and in-person surveys as part of collaborative efforts concerning additional childcare resources needed in Vermillion County. This work will take place over the next four months.

Lilly Endowment created the GIFT initiative in 1990 to help local communities in Indiana develop the philanthropic capacity to identify local needs and challenges and work with other organizations to help their communities thrive. Through GIFT VIII, Lilly Endowment has allocated up to $210 million to support Indiana’s community foundations in growing their financial resources and further strengthening their ability to address their community’s highest-priority challenges and opportunities.

Vermillion County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Western Indiana Community Foundation, is a not-for-profit public charity established in 1996 to serve donors, award grants and scholarships, and provide leadership to improve all of Vermillion County.

About Lilly Endowment Inc.

Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private 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. Although the gifts of stock remain a financial bedrock of the Endowment, it 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.



Posted: December 19, 2023
AFFILIATES - All
Tri-County Community Foundation Partnership Receives $50,000 Regional Grant from Lilly Endowment

A tri-county partnership comprised of the Western Indiana Community Foundation (Fountain County), Vermillion County Community Foundation, and Warren County Community Foundation have received a $50,000 regional planning grant as part of the eighth phase of Lilly Endowment Inc.’s initiative, Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT VIII).  With the grant, the community foundations will engage with Indianapolis consulting firm Kimley-Horn to help create the Wabash River Blueway Plan.  Fountain, Vermillion, and Warren counties have over 60 miles of the Wabash River forming their borders.  The river has untapped potential for recreation, historic and scientific education, the arts, and attracting visitors. The next four months will be spent looking at some of the possibilities.

Western Indiana Community Foundation and Warren County Community Foundation are among the 92 community foundations and affiliate funds in Indiana receiving planning grants through GIFT VIII.  These grants are designed to help community foundations collaborate with local partners to engage broad and diverse stakeholders in their communities and deepen their understanding of their communities’ highest-priority challenges and opportunities.  In 2024, Western Indiana Community Foundation and Warren County Community Foundation will have the opportunity to request funding to implement strategic initiatives and activities developed during the planning period that address especially compelling needs in Fountain, Vermillion, and Warren Counties.

“The GIFT VIIII opportunity to apply for a regional planning grant gives us the unique opportunity to collaborate with our neighboring counties.  We look forward to working with experts in the formation of the Wabash River Blueway Master Plan,” said Dale White, Chief Executive Officer of the Western Indiana Community Foundation.

Residents should watch for an invitation to a public meeting for collaboration regarding the Wabash River through Fountain, Vermillion, and Warren counties.  This work will take place over the next four months.

Lilly Endowment created the GIFT initiative in 1990 to help local communities in Indiana develop the philanthropic capacity to identify local needs and challenges and work with other organizations to help their communities thrive.  Through GIFT VIII, Lilly Endowment has allocated up to $210 million to support Indiana’s community foundations in growing their financial resources and further strengthening their ability to address their community’s highest-priority challenges and opportunities.

Western Indiana Community Foundation, established in 1990, is a nonprofit, tax-exempt philanthropic organization that was founded as Western Indiana’s partner, resource, and steward in philanthropy.  The Foundation manages $34.3 million in charitable assets and administers over 315 charitable funds – each of which supports the unique charitable intent of the donor who established the fund.  Annually, the Foundation awards nearly 1.2 million dollars in grants and scholarships to support Fountain County communities and is a National Standards certified community foundation.

About Lilly Endowment Inc.

Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private 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. Although the gifts of stock remain a financial bedrock of the Endowment, it 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.



Posted: December 19, 2023
AFFILIATES - Attica - Covington - Southeast Fountain
Foundation Receives $50,000 Grant from Lilly Endowment

The Western Indiana Community Foundation (Fountain County) has received a $50,000 planning grant as part of the eighth phase of Lilly Endowment Inc.’s initiative, Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT VIII). With the grant, the community foundation will engage with Kimley-Horn an Indianapolis-based consulting firm to evaluate the quality of existing parks and facilities within Fountain County, Indiana based on existing conditions including but not limited to park infrastructure, amenities, and buildings. These grant dollars will be used to further enhance the efforts to create a better quality of life for our local communities through parks and recreation.

The Western Indiana Community Foundation is one of 92 community foundations and affiliate funds in Indiana receiving planning grants through GIFT VIII. These grants are designed to help community foundations collaborate with local partners to engage broad and diverse stakeholders in their communities and deepen their understanding of their communities’ highest-priority challenges and opportunities. In 2024, the Western Indiana Community Foundation will have the opportunity to request funding to implement strategic initiatives and activities developed during the planning period that address especially compelling needs in Fountain County.

“Great parks are more than just a place to play. When careful planning and design come together, parks can provide beauty and tremendous environmental, economic, and social benefits to a community.  This planning grant will provide a thorough study of the 15 parks throughout Fountain County which consist of over 2,000 acres of green space.  We are looking to understand the unique needs of Fountain County and help turn vision into reality,” said Dale White, CEO of the Western Indiana Community Foundation.

Residents should anticipate a needs assessment survey, in both online and printed formats, seeking public input for the project. An in-person kick-off meeting will discuss the project’s vision, goals, and key issues. Concurrently, the consultant will interview key stakeholders, conduct site evaluations, and lead virtual meetings over the next four months.

Lilly Endowment created the GIFT initiative in 1990 to help local communities in Indiana develop the philanthropic capacity to identify local needs and challenges and work with other organizations to help their communities thrive. Through GIFT VIII, Lilly Endowment has allocated up to $210 million to support Indiana’s community foundations in growing their financial resources and further strengthening their ability to address their community’s highest-priority challenges and opportunities.

Western Indiana Community Foundation, established in 1990, is a nonprofit, tax-exempt philanthropic organization that was founded as Western Indiana’s partner, resource, and steward in philanthropy.  The Foundation manages $34.3 million in charitable assets and administers over 315 charitable funds – each of which supports the unique charitable intent of the donor who established the fund.  Annually, the Foundation awards nearly 1.2 million dollars in grants and scholarships to support Fountain County communities and is a National Standards-certified community foundation.

About Lilly Endowment Inc.

Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private 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. Although the gifts of stock remain a financial bedrock of the Endowment, it 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.



Posted: December 05, 2023
AFFILIATES - Vermillion County
Vermillion County Community Foundation Announces Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Recipient

The Vermillion County Community Foundation is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2024 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Vermillion County, Cash Jones of South Vermillion High School. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are known for their community involvement, academic achievement, character, and leadership.

“Cash excels in all the scholarship criteria but what sets him apart is his maturity and genuine interest in people. He wants to listen, offer support, prevent heartache, and give back to others with a purpose. He has strong goals for a reason but is so compassionate. Cash is a balance of confidence and humbleness,” said Nancy Reed, Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Coordinator for the Vermillion County Community Foundation.

Each Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship provides for full tuition, required fees, and a special allocation of up to $900 per year for required books and required equipment for four years. The scholarship is for full-time undergraduate students leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars may also participate in the Lilly Scholars Network (LSN), which connects both current scholars and alumni with resources and opportunities to be active leaders on their campuses and in their communities. Both the scholarship program and LSN are supported by grants from Lilly Endowment to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) and Indiana Humanities.

“This scholarship is life-changing. It gives me the opportunity to focus on the next chapter of my life and not worry about financial concerns. I am just really grateful. It is hard to express,” Cash Jones stated when notified he was the 2024 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar.

In determining Vermillion County’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholar nominees, consideration was given to criterion of academic performance, school activities and/or work, volunteerism, personal statement of need, letters of recommendation, goal essay, and interviews by the Vermillion County’s Nominating Committee.  After the field of applicants was narrowed down, nominees were submitted to ICI, the statewide administrator of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program, which approves the final selection of scholarship recipients.

“The high caliber applicants from North Vermillion and South Vermillion high schools are very impressive every year. These students are mature, goal-oriented, highly involved in their schools and communities, and strongly recommended by their counselors, teachers, and peers. Interviews reveal their character, personality, and factors that have led students to their career goals. The Vermillion County Community Foundation Nominating Committee is committed to their serious and compassionate decision-making task and aware of the impact of their decisions,” says Nancy Reed, Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Coordinator for the Vermillion County Community Foundation.

Lilly Endowment created the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program for the 1998-99 school year and has supported the program every year since with grants totaling in excess of $505 million. More than 5,200 Indiana students have received the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship since the program’s inception.

The primary purposes of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program are: 1) to help raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana; 2) to increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations can play in their communities; and 3) to encourage and support the efforts of current and past Lilly Endowment Community Scholars to engage with each other and with Indiana business, governmental, educational, nonprofit and civic leaders to improve the quality of life in Indiana generally and in local communities throughout the state.

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. Although the gifts of stock remain a financial bedrock of the Endowment, it 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.

Since 1997, Independent Colleges of Indiana has administered the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program statewide with funding provided by Lilly Endowment. Founded in 1948, ICI serves as the collective voice for the state’s 29 private, nonprofit colleges and universities. ICI institutions employ over 22,000 Hoosiers and generate a total local economic impact of over $5 billion annually. Students at ICI colleges have Indiana’s highest four-year, on-time graduation rates, and ICI institutions produce 30 percent of Indiana’s bachelor’s degrees while enrolling 20 percent of its undergraduates.

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135 S. Stringtown Rd.
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Covington, IN. 47932
Phone: 765-793-0702
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