Lilly Endowment Inc. has launched the eighth phase of its Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT) initiative, allocating up to $210 million to help Indiana community foundations strengthen the quality of life in the towns, cities and counties they serve. The GIFT initiative is based upon Lilly Endowment’s longstanding belief that community foundations are uniquely positioned to play central roles in building the prosperity of communities throughout Indiana.
Through this new GIFT phase (GIFT VIII) Lilly Endowment has invited the Putnam County Community Foundation (PCCF) and other eligible Indiana community foundations to participate in three funding opportunities designed to help them grow their financial resources to enhance their effectiveness and promote long-term viability; further strengthen their abilities to lead on important community priorities; encourage board engagement; and support and develop strategic efforts to enhance quality of life in their communities. The grant opportunities include:
- Matching Fund Grants, which will enable community foundations to develop unrestricted assets, implement projects and programs that address community needs, and build their internal capacity. Lilly Endowment has allocated up to $135.3 million for this opportunity.
- Community Leadership Grants, which will enable community foundations to continue to seek input from a diverse range of community stakeholders and, if desired, request funding to develop and implement large-scale action plans that address high-priority challenges and opportunities in their communities. Additionally, community foundations can choose to work collaboratively to address shared priorities by submitting a joint/regional proposal. Community Leadership Grants will be available in a two-phase process: a non-competitive planning phase and a competitive implementation phase. Lilly Endowment has allocated up to $65.5 million for this opportunity.
- Board Engagement Grants, which will encourage board members of community foundations to make financial contributions to their foundations. Each community foundation demonstrating 100 percent board member giving will receive a $100,000 unrestricted grant. Lilly Endowment has allocated up to $9.2 million for this opportunity.
“The Putnam County Community Foundation is humbled to receive this invitation from Lilly Endowment. While we recognize the responsibility that comes with such a tremendous opportunity for our community, we are grateful for Lilly Endowment’s trust in community foundations like ours,” said Neysa Meyer, PCCF executive director. “We are excited to explore the impact that GIFT VIII could have on Putnam County.”
Lilly Endowment has yet to award any GIFT VIII grants, and local funding is contingent on Lilly Endowment’s approval of PCCF’s proposal(s). However, PCCF leaders believe the organization is equipped to effectively develop and implement sustainable solutions to address the county’s most pressing concerns.
“Our Board of Directors is excited about the GIFT VIII initiative, and we are confident that our team is well-positioned to tackle the hard work required of this opportunity,” said Marianne Savage, PCCF board president.
To learn more about GIFT VIII, please visit Lilly Endowment’s website. For additional information about the Putnam County Community Foundation or its role in the GIFT VIII initiative, individuals may contact Sarah Stone at sstone@pcfoundation.org or call the office at 765.653.4978.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based, private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and sons J.K. Jr. and Eli 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. Although the Endowment funds programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion, it maintains a special commitment to its hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.
GIFT is a series of statewide initiatives and programs that began in 1990 as part of Lilly Endowment’s efforts to help establish and strengthen community foundations in Indiana and build their capacity to address the needs of their local communities. The primary aim of GIFT is to help Indiana community foundations in all 92 of Indiana’s counties develop the philanthropic capacity to identify, prioritize and address local opportunities and challenges.
The Putnam County Community Foundation (PCCF) works alongside individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations to build a stronger Putnam County. PCCF is home to more than 350 charitable funds and has awarded more than $21 million in grants and scholarships since its founding in 1985. To learn more about PCCF, visit www.pcfoundation.org or call 765.653.4978.