The Clinton County Community Foundation is celebrating a significant milestone as Clinton County has successfully met the $750,000 matching grant challenge made possible through Lilly Endowment Inc’s ninth phase of its Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT IX) initiative.
Through the generosity of donors, the Foundation raised $375,000 in qualifying gifts, securing an additional $750,000 from Lilly Endowment through its $2-to-$1 matching opportunity.
Together, these contributions will add a total of $1.125 million to Clinton County’s unrestricted community endowment funds, providing a permanent source of charitable support to help address the county’s changing needs, strengthen local nonprofits and create opportunities for the future.
“This is an incredible achievement for Clinton County, and it belongs to the donors who made it possible,” said Todd Moser, President of the Clinton County Community Foundation. “Their generosity reflects a belief in the future of this community and a commitment to making a difference that extends far beyond today.”
Unlike funds designated for a specific organization or purpose, unrestricted endowment funds provide the flexibility to support a wide range of charitable initiatives throughout Clinton County.
“Unrestricted gifts are especially powerful because they allows us to respond to needs we know exist today, while preparing for challenges and opportunities we cannot yet anticipate,” Moser added. “We are deeply grateful to every donor who helped make this possible.”
For Gene Marshall, Board Chair of the Clinton County Community Foundation, reaching the match represents another significant chapter in the Foundation’s history.
“This summer, we celebrated 30 years of the Clinton County Community Foundation. This milestone is a powerful reminder of what can happen when people come together with a shared commitment to the place they call home,” Marshall said. “For three decades, our donors have helped shape the future of Clinton County, and reaching this match ensures their generosity will continue making a lasting difference. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who made this achievement possible.”
Lilly Endowment created the GIFT initiative in 1990 to help Indiana communities develop the philanthropic capacity to identify local needs and challenges and work with other organizations and residents to help their communities thrive. Through GIFT IX, Lilly Endowment has awarded $259.7 million to support community foundations across all 92 Indiana counties, strengthening their ability to respond to local needs.
The Foundation extends its sincere appreciation to the donors who made this milestone possible and to Lilly Endowment for its continued investment in Clinton County and communities throughout Indiana.
About the Clinton County Community Foundation
The Clinton County Community Foundation is a not-for-profit charitable organization created in 1996. The mission of the Foundation is to connect people, resources and causes to produce a positive and sustainable change in the communities it serves. For details about making a charitable gift or establishing a permanent endowment fund to benefit a charitable organization or interest in Clinton County, please contact the Community Foundation at (800) 964-0508 or visit the website at www.cfclinton.org.
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.
