Community Foundation Statement Regarding Impact Grant Funding

The Community Foundation understands that significant grantmaking decisions can generate questions, and we want to provide additional context about the Impact Grant process.  

The Impact Grant program was made possible through one-time funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. and was designed to address compelling, near-term needs in Howard County at a scale beyond the Foundation’s typical annual grantmaking.  

Impact Grant applications were reviewed at the county level and recommended by the committee, then approved by the Foundation's Board of Directors. Each proposal was evaluated based on the project presented, the community need it sought to address and its potential impact on local residents.  

Organization size was not a determining factor in the review process. The purpose of the Impact Grant was to invest in significant projects with the potential to address local needs.  

In the case of Ascension St. Vincent Kokomo Hospital Foundation, the grant supports a specific project that will expand life-saving emergency medical care, including the ability for paramedics to administer blood in the field before patients reach the hospital. The Ascension St. Vincent Kokomo Hospital Foundation is a separate 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to supporting healthcare needs and initiatives in Howard County. Grant dollars awarded through the Impact Grant program of the Community Foundation of Howard County remain in our community as well, and are not directed to the broader Ascension healthcare system.  

The Hospital Foundation’s proposal followed the same review and approval process as all other applications. Community Foundation President Todd Moser did not participate in either vote to recommend or approve the Hospital Foundation’s application, or any other Impact Grant application. Funding recommendations were made by the Howard County committee and approved by the Howard County Board of Directors.  

We recognize that many local organizations are doing important work throughout Howard County and making a meaningful difference in the lives of our residents. We are grateful to every organization that brought forward a proposal and shared its vision for making a difference.  

Whether or not an organization was selected to receive an Impact Grant, the Foundation will continue to support and work alongside organizations serving Howard County. We remain focused on our role as stewards, helping donors make our community a better place to live every day, and connecting charitable resources with needs and opportunities that can make a lasting difference.