Author Archives: Leanna

Generosity, Leadership, Service

Community Foundation approves three-year strategic plan

We are pleased to introduce the next 3-year strategic plan for the LaGrange County Community Foundation. The LaGrange County Community Foundation Board of Directors and Foundation staff have worked together over several months to develop this plan.

With the assistance of Jen Pendleton from Aly Sterling Philanthropy, we hosted focus groups with LaGrange County nonprofit directors and community leaders, and surveyed key stakeholders, including donors, board members, nonprofits, community partners and volunteers in October of 2021.

Our Board of Directors and staff listened to the feedback and ideas from those conversations at our annual Board Retreat in November. We challenged ourselves to be open to new ideas, to strive for excellence, and to listen to community needs. After several months of evaluating our goals and initiatives, our Board of Directors approved the strategic plan in February 2022.

The Foundation identified four strategic areas that will guide the core of our work: Asset Development, Community Catalyst, Leadership and Strengthen Nonprofits.

  • Asset Development – We will proactively raise funds to increase impact around community needs. By expanding our outreach efforts, we seek to grow funds and engage new donors in supporting charitable purposes and community needs in LaGrange County.
  • Community Catalyst – We will define and develop the Foundation’s role as a community leader. Staying to true to our mission as a grantmaker, we seek to find additional opportunities for collaborative solutions and partnerships around our community’s greatest needs.
  • Leadership – We will foster, recruit, and retain people, resources, and knowledge to excel in our mission. By creating a leadership pipeline in the Foundation’s board and staff, we will broaden the Foundation’s ability to meet community needs and be more effective and efficient in our work.
  • Strengthen Nonprofits – We will align Foundation grant and education opportunities with nonprofit needs. By providing more resources to our local nonprofit community, we seek to build up their organizational sustainability and capacity to do more good work.

We will carry out these areas of focus by following the Foundation’s mission statement: To inspire and sustain generosity, leadership and service in LaGrange County.

We are guided by our core values: approachable, caring, catalyst, connector, empowering, trusted.

We will keep our eyes on helping generous people make a difference in LaGrange County and continue to support initiatives in LaGrange County that promote a better quality of life for all.

New scholarship fund honors longtime Westview teacher

Jean Seagly Crouse Memorial Scholarship Fund

Jean was an advocate for education, teaching for Westview School Corporation for 25 years. She had a passion for children and taught fifth grade at Topeka Elementary, retiring in 1988.

Jean was deeply rooted in Topeka, serving as a member of the Topeka United Methodist Church since 1950 and the United Methodist Women of the church, holding many offices and positions in both. She was a homemaker, Sunday school teacher, and Girl Scout leader. Jean received the Thanks Award for her 10 years of service in Scouting.

She enjoyed history and education, serving as a member of the Topeka Area Historical Society as Vice President. It was clear Jean had a passion for education and community.

The Jean Seagly Crouse Memorial Scholarship Fund will support a LaGrange County high school senior pursuing a degree in education. The scholarship fund will begin to accept applications in the fall of 2023.

Fund sparks LaGrange County Early Learning Coalition

A new fund at the LaGrange County Community Foundation will support community efforts to improve access to early learning and childcare in LaGrange County.

The LaGrange County Early Learning Coalition Fund will support efforts underway to improve early childhood education in LaGrange County. Early learning supports the need for childcare and access to quality care, for infants, toddlers, and young children.

In 2020, Parkview LaGrange spearheaded efforts to discuss childcare needs in the community with community leaders and businesses, leading to the formation of the LaGrange County Early Learning Coalition.

The coalition includes representatives from Farmers State Bank, LaGrange County Chamber of Commerce, Parkview LaGrange, Agape Childcare Ministry, Rainbow Years Learning Ministry, LaGrange County Community Foundation, LaGrange County Economic Development Corp., LaGrange County REMC, Lakeland School Corporation, and other community leaders.

The coalition is focused on improving access to care and understanding the needs around childcare and early learning opportunities for parents, providers, and businesses.

Parkview LaGrange contributed $10,000 to launch the LaGrange County Early Learning Coalition fund. The fund will support the coalition’s efforts to improve access to childcare and allows fundraising efforts to begin.

The LaGrange County Early Coalition will address these primary goals with the fund:

  • Conduct a feasibility study to determine the needs in LaGrange County for childcare and early learning facilities;
  • To acquire a facility to start a childcare and early learning program; and
  • To hire staff to run the facility and classrooms.

The LaGrange County Early Learning Coalition is dedicated to improving early learning in LaGrange County. We are excited to create this fund to support the needs around early learning and childcare.

Christina Blaskie, coordinator of the LaGrange County Early Learning Coalition.

To donate to the LaGrange County Early Learning Coalition Fund, visit lccf.net/donate.

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Historic Gift from Howe School

LaGrange County Community Foundation received a $2.5 million gift from Howe School Board of Trustees to establish two endowments in honor of the school’s legacy.

Howe Military School Board of Trustee President Phil Malone signs an agreement establishing two endowment funds in honor of the school and donating $2.5 million to the LaGrange County Community Foundation. Looking on is Foundation Executive Director Octavia Yoder. In back, from left, are Howe Board Trustee Eleni Mitropoulous, Howe Board Treasurer Dave Houser, Howe Vice Chairman Bob Fanning, Howe Military School Superintendent Thurston Jones, and Foundation Board President Neal Wolheter.

The gift comes from the sale of the Howe Military campus after the school’s closing in 2019 – it is the largest contribution in the Foundation’s history.

Following the sale of the campus, the Howe Board of Trustees sought an opportunity to use the remaining funds to enhance the community of Howe and provide educational scholarships.

The Trustees began working with the Foundation in 2019 to identify their plans and the scope of how their charitable gift should be permanently managed. They settled on creating two endowments: the Howe Legacy Fund – a community grantmaking fund and the Howe Legacy Scholarship Fund – a scholarship fund for college, trade, or vocational education.    

The Howe Legacy Fund will support community development efforts in Howe and LaGrange County, with a significant priority on charitable projects and nonprofits in the Howe community. The Foundation will establish a committee of Howe community members who will be responsible for reviewing applications to the fund and making recommendations on philanthropic investments to the Foundation Board of Directors.

The second endowment – the Howe Legacy Scholarship Fund – will provide scholarships to the descendants of Howe School graduates and LaGrange County students pursuing post-secondary education. The core mission of Howe was education, and it resonated with the Board to carry on that vision.

It was important to us to continue the legacy of Howe School; we partnered with the Community Foundation because they understand the size and impact of this gift and could help us realize its mission.

Phil Malone, Howe School Board President

The Foundation anticipates both program funds will begin accepting applications in 2024 and make its first distributions that same year. The establishing gift will be endowed and protected; only the investment earnings will be distributed, ensuring the community and scholarship fund will have continual funding available.  

Howe Military Academy was founded in 1884 as the Howe Grammar School with a bequest by John Badlam Howe, a prominent banker, lawyer, and politician, who moved to Howe in 1833. His widow, Frances Marie Glidden Howe, took the $10,000 bequest left by John Howe, and with the help of the Episcopal church, established it as a preparatory school for young men seeking ordination in the church. The school opened in the former home of Mr. and Mrs. Howe, a Greek revival building still standing at the east end of the former campus.

The school became a military school in 1895. At its peak, Howe Military School enrollment was 458 in 1966-1967. As the climate in the world changed so did the attitude towards military prep schools, enrollment began to decline. The continuing enrollment decline and aging campus produced annual operating deficits that eventually consumed assets. The school closed in 2019, ending its remarkable 135-year history in Howe. 

We are honored to be able to offer community grants to historic Howe and provide educational scholarships to students seeking higher education. It was bittersweet for Howe School to close, and we plan to honor the legacy of the school and the vision of the school’s initial founders – John and Frances Howe – in using these funds to enhance the community of Howe and provide educational opportunities.

Octavia Yoder, Community Foundation Executive Director

$78,438 awarded in Fall Community Impact Grants

The LaGrange County Community Foundation presents a grant for $40,000 to LaGrange County Trails on Nov. 11. In front, from left are Octavia Yoder; LaGrange County Community Foundation Executive Director; Sherryl Rhinesmith, Vice President, LaGrange County Trails; Beth Thornburg, Secretary, LaGrange County Trails, and Fritz Helmuth, Board Member, LaGrange County Trails. In back, from left, are Jeff Wingstrom, President, LaGrange County Trails; and Bradd Giggy, Board Member, LaGrange County Trails.
The LaGrange County Community Foundation presents a grant for $13,000 to the Stroh Volunteer Fire Department on Nov. 16 to update its technology for volunteer training and field reporting. From left are Blaine Williams, Stroh Volunteer Fire Department; Mandy Williams, Stroh Volunteer Fire Department; Octavia Yoder, LaGrange County Community Foundation Executive Director; and Tyler Terry, Chief, Stroh Volunteer Fire Department.

The Community Foundation awarded $78,439 to seven nonprofits during its 2021 Fall Community Impact Grants cycle.

The grants will address community needs in recreation, education and health and human services.

“Some of the grants will support the development of the recreational Hawpatch Trail in Topeka, training and technology equipment for the Stroh Fire Department and the development of baseball and softball fields at Spreuer Park in LaGrange,” said Octavia Yoder, Executive Director.

“All of the nonprofits are providing important services and programs to the LaGrange County community. We are thrilled to support their efforts as they seek to improve the quality of life and help meet critical community needs,” Yoder added.

The 2021 Fall Community Impact Grant recipients include:

  • LaGrange County Trails Inc., The Hawpatch Trail, development of the trail, $40,000;
  • Stroh Volunteer Fire Department, Audio Video Technology Advancement, update technology including conferencing equipment and computers for ease of filing reports and access to virtual training and conferences, $13,000;
  • LaGrange Baseball League Inc., Spreuer Park Development, construction of baseball and softball fields at Spreuer Park, $10,000;
  • LaGrange County Department of Parks & Recreation, Delt Church Park Playground equipment, replacement of two current playground pieces, $7,439;
  • Junior Achievement of LaGrange County, Junior Achievement Capstone Experiences, sending Lakeland and Westview students to participate in JA Biztown and Finance Park, education on financial literacy, community, economy, and business management, $5,000;
  • Kate’s Kart, Book distribution at Parkview LaGrange Hospital, provides new books to patients in all areas of the hospital, $1,500; and
  • Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana, LaGrange County Farm Wagon Mobile Pantry Program, serving families with fresh produce, dairy products and other healthy foods at no cost, $1,500.

Each year, the Community Foundation seeks proposals for charitable projects and programs that help local nonprofit organizations provide services in LaGrange County. The Grants Advisory Committee reviews the submitted grant applications and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors who approve the grant awards.

The Community Impact Grants are made possible by the generosity of donors who give to the unrestricted and field of interest funds at the Foundation.

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National Standards Accreditation Affirms Our Commitment to Excellence

LaGrange County Community Foundation is pleased to announce that we have recently received accreditation with National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations®. This accreditation, signified by the Seal shown here, indicates that LaGrange County Community Foundation meets the highest standards for philanthropic excellence.

This is a significant accomplishment. When people trust LaGrange County Community Foundation with a charitable bequest, to establish a fund, or set up an annuity, they do it knowing that we have met rigorous standards for donor services, investment management, grantmaking and administration.

Octavia Yoder, Executive Director

We’ve always worked hard to do good, right here in LaGrange County. And we’ll continue to work with you to achieve your charitable goals. National Standards ensures that we have policies in place for financial stability and longevity, affirming our continued commitment to our donors, grantees, and community.

In short: We are a proven place to give.

The process of earning National Standards accreditation is arduous. The program requires community foundations to document our policies for donor services, investments, grantmaking, and administration. Our documentation was reviewed by a community foundation expert from a panel appointed by the Community Foundations National Standards Board, a supporting organization of the Council on Foundations in Washington, D.C.

The National Standards accreditation says this house is in order. It is excellent validation of the work we do on behalf of our donors and our community.

Octavia Yoder, Executive Director

With your help, LaGrange County Community Foundation has become a more effective partner for impacting the causes you care about. Thanks for working with us.

LaGrange County Community Foundation was accredited with National Standards in September of 2021.

The Next 30 Years, Donation Matching Program

Since 1991, the LaGrange County Community Foundation has been a charitable partner in LaGrange County, helping connect donors to their charitable dreams and building permanent community funds.

In celebration of the Community Foundation’s 30 years, the Next 30 Years donation matching program will match one-for-one up to $30,000. The time is now, time to be intentional and compassionate, time to invest in your community for the next generation. The Next 30 Years donation matching program will run through December 31, 2021. Gifts of no more than $3,000 will be matched $1 for $1 to existing endowed funds.

A community foundation is a tax-exempt public charity serving thousands of people who share a common interest – improving the quality of life in a geographic region. Individuals, families, businesses and organizations create charitable funds that help meet those local challenges.

Our responsibility is to be a wise steward of the assets entrusted in our care. The Foundation works on behalf of donors who want to do charitable good in LaGrange County

Octavia Yoder, Executive Director

It is simple, choose from the endowment fund list that supports a passion you are interested in. If you are not sure give us a call we love to chat about what our funds support, 260-463-4363.

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Domer, Staton receive 2021 Heart of Gold Award

Each year, we are honored to shine the spotlight on volunteerism in LaGrange County. We ask the community to share the stories of people making a difference in our community and honor the volunteers through the Heart of Gold Award.

We received nine nominations for our 12th annual Heart of Gold Award. For the first time in the award’s history, the Community Foundation selected two individuals for the top volunteerism honor: Dean Domer of Wolcottville, and Shanan Staton of Mongo.

We made the surprise announcement at our Annual Meeting on August 31 at the Blue Gate Garden Inn in Shipshewana.

For the past 30 years, Dean has been volunteering for the Little League as a baseball coach, the Lion’s Club Egg Hunt, BBQ, and numerous fundraisers and events. He has served on the LaGrange County Economic Development board, Wolcottville Town Board, the Lakeland School Board, and is a member of the Wolcottville Lions Club. Dean is recognized by youth as he has served as a sports official for decades.

Shanan is an active volunteer in the Mongo and Prairie Heights community. She volunteers for the Mongo Community Development Association, summer parks programs, Stroh Little League, H.O.B.O., the Community Harvest Food Bank, Reason 4 Hope, Mongo UMC Youth Group, NELCC car show, Mongo UMC Food Pantry, and Prairie Heights Athletics and Student Council.

From left are the 2021 Heart of Gold nominees: Lauri Couture, Matt Gingerich, Melissa Bateman, Shanan Staton, Dean Domer, Jamelle Godlewski, Linda Simmons, and Carolyn Hostetler. Not pictured is Brett Bateman.

All nine community volunteers were honored at the Annual Meeting, though, they deserve more than recognition. The time, energy, and commitment each of the nominees put into their volunteer efforts is beyond measurable. We are truly blessed to have such kind-hearted volunteers serving our community.

2021 Heart of Gold Nominees

  • Brett Bateman, Howe
  • Carolyn Hostetler, LaGrange
  • Dean Domer, Wolcottville
  • Jamelle Godlewski, LaGrange
  • Lauri Couture, Shipshewana
  • Linda Simmons, Howe
  • Matt Gingerich, Shipshewana
  • Melissa Bateman, Howe
  • Shanan Staton, Mongo

Each nominee was able to direct a $500 grant to the favorite LaGrange County charity of their choice. The Heart of Gold recipients were given the honor of directing a $1,000 grant toward their favorite charity.

Previous Heart of Gold recipients are Erica Cook, 2020; Richard Yoder, 2019; Larry Strayer, 2018; Kevin Lambright, 2017; Steve Sherck, 2016; Sue Keenan, 2015; Jack Miller, 2014; Randy Packer, 2013; Colton Strawser, 2012; Rhonda Bartlett, 2011; and Dave Clark, 2010.

Finalists announced for LaGrange County’s 2022 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship

Five LaGrange County high school seniors have been named finalists for the 2022 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship. The prestigious award goes to an outstanding high school senior in LaGrange County. The 2022 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar will be awarded a full-tuition scholarship including a $900 book stipend per year, for four years to any accredited college or university in Indiana.

Finalists for the award are Lillian Eash of Westview High School, daughter of Cory and Vanessa Eash; Kaylyn Gates of Westview High School, daughter of Marty and Lora Gates; Jackson Minix of Westview High School, son of Douglas and Mary Minix; Isaac Rogers of Westview High School, son of Jeremiah and Elizabeth Rogers, and Lillian Schackow of Lakeland High School, daughter of Jason and Elisa Schackow.

The scholarship is awarded to a well-rounded LaGrange County graduating senior who exemplifies service and leadership in their community, while maintaining a commitment to academics.

The scholarship program is offered each year by the LaGrange County Community Foundation, and other Indiana community foundations across the state to help raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana; to increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations can play in their communities; and 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.

  • Isaac Rogers
  • Jackson Minix
  • Kaylyn Gates
  • Lillian Eash
  • Lillian Schackow

    After a competitive application process that evaluates academics, community and school activities, leadership, and written essays, the finalists are interviewed by the Foundation’s Lilly Scholarship Advisory Committee. The results of the interview round are combined with the application round to determine the 2022 nominees who will be submitted to Independent Colleges of Indiana for final selection of the LaGrange County recipient.

    Announcement of the recipient will be made in mid-December. The four remaining finalists will each receive a $1,000 renewable four-year scholarship from the Lambright Leadership Scholarship Fund, established by Kevin and Carrie Lambright in 2013.

    To help students with the cost of tuition, donate to a local school’s scholarship fund.

    Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship

    LaGrange County’s 2022 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship application opens on July 31.  The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program (LECSP) will provide 143 scholarships statewide and one (1) scholarship in LaGrange County.  

    LECSP scholarships may be used for otherwise unreimbursed full tuition, required fees, and a special allocation of up to $900 per year.  The special allocation may cover the costs for required books and required equipment for four years of undergraduate study on a full-time basis leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university.

    2020 Lilly Scholar, Mary Hostetler

    The program, administered statewide by Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) and locally in LaGrange County through the LaGrange County Community Foundation, is open to all Indiana residents who:

    • graduate from an accredited Indiana high school by 2022 and receive their diploma no later than June 30, 2022;
    • intend to pursue a full-time baccalaureate course of study at an eligible college or university in Indiana; and
    • meet the criteria specific to their local community foundation.  Students applying in LaGrange County must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0; be a LaGrange County resident; and be graduate from a LaGrange County high school.

    Students can learn more about the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship in LaGrange County and apply for this scholarship by visiting www.lccf.net/lillyscholarship. Applications must be completed and submitted by Sept. 15, 2021, at 5 p.m. to be considered.

    Applications will be evaluated on, but not limited to, the following criteria:

    • academic achievement
    • demonstrated service to others
    • leadership ability
    • commitment and motivation to succeed
    • employment history
    • extracurricular involvement and essay responses

    Two recommendations must also be submitted with the application. A personal interview will assist in determining the scholarship recipient.

    Five students will be selected as finalists and be interviewed in October 2021.  Following the interviews, the LaGrange County Community Foundation will nominate one local graduating senior for the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship; their name will be submitted to ICI for final approval. The scholarship recipient will be announced in December.

    The finalists not selected for the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship will receive a $1,000 four-year renewable scholarship from the Lambright Leadership Fund established by Kevin and Carrie Lambright.

    Lilly Endowment created LECSP for the 1997 – 1998 school year and has supported the program every year since with tuition grants totaling more than $424 million. Nearly 5,000 Indiana students have received Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships since the program’s inception.

    The primary purposes of LECSP 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.

    LaGrange County Community Foundation is again pleased to offer LECSP for its 25th year in LaGrange County.    

    We are grateful to be able to offer the LECSP Scholarship to our local students. It opens opportunities for the recipient to attend a school that otherwise might not have been possible. LaGrange County is home to exceptional student scholars who are committed, caring community members. We look forward to recognizing the hearts and minds of our community’s talented young people.

    Octavia Yoder, executive director

    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 Inc. Founded in 1948, ICI serves as the collective voice for the state’s 30 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.