Community Foundation Awarded $750,000 in Matching Funds
March 25, 2024
Putnam County Community Foundation (PCCF) has received a matching fund grant totaling $750,000 as part of the eighth phase of Lilly Endowment Inc.’s initiative, Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT VIII).
PCCF will use the funding to grow its unrestricted endowments, a collection of discretionary funds which fuel the organization’s grantmaking programs and other initiatives which seek to meet the current and future needs of Putnam County. PCCF aims to raise $375,000 by December 31, 2025, to maximize the matching opportunity.
Qualifying matching funds raised to support the PCCF’s unrestricted endowments will be eligible for a $2(grantor)-to-$1(grantee) match from the Lilly Endowment.
“Growing our unrestricted endowments allows the Putnam County Community Foundation to remain responsive to emerging community needs,” said Neysa Meyer, PCCF executive director. “Lilly Endowment has recognized how invaluable those resources are in improving the quality of life for communities across Indiana. We are grateful for the opportunity to leverage upwards of $1.1 million for Putnam County through this matching grant.”
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.
“Thanks to Lilly Endowment, the Putnam County Community Foundation has an exciting opportunity to grow sustainable, flexible resources to support our community for generations to come,” said Marianne Savage, PCCF board president. “We are eager to take on this challenge and are confident that our community will join us in doing so.”
In 2023, Lilly Endowment launched GIFT VIII to help community foundations strengthen the towns, cities and counties they serve. Matching fund grants are one 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.
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.
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.
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.