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Community foundation celebrates 50th anniversary with $50,000 endowment challenge for 10 youth serving organizations

Wednesday, May 30, 2018
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The Kosciusko County Community Foundation is pleased to announce the ten youth-serving nonprofit organizations selected to participate in “Endowment Challenge 50” (EC50).

This August will mark the 50th anniversary celebration of the Community Foundation. The EC50 marks the first of many ways the Community Foundation will celebrate the milestone throughout the coming year.

The Community Foundation accepted proposals from youth serving organizations who desired to participate in an endowment challenge in which the organization would commit to raising $10,000 for their endowment AND to participate in multiple trainings focused on sustainability and donor development. In return, the selected youth serving organizations receive a $40,000 in match for a total of $50,000 for their endowment funds.

Participating organizations were selected based on a rubric which scored them on numerous metrics including: number of youth served; program goals; how they build skill, character and knowledge in youth; financial management; the level of their board’s commitment to fundraising; and more.

The following youth-serving organizations were selected as the EC50 cohort:

  • Anthony Wayne Boy Scout Council
  • Baker Youth Club
  • Camp C O Mollenhour
  • CASA
  • Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan
  • Joe’s Kids
  • Kosciusko County 4-H Council
  • Kosciusko Literacy Services
  • Lakeland Youth Center
  • Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts

“We are so thrilled that the participating organizations represent a variety of youth serving groups committed to protecting children from abuse and neglect, providing medical therapies, promoting literacy and mentoring, and giving kids access to the arts and outdoor recreation,” said Community Foundation Executive Director, Suzie Light. “This challenge will help ensure that organizations have a source of consistent revenue for the future and that they have the knowledge and tools they need to serve youth for many generations to come.”

The EC50 was made possible through the generous financial partnership of Dekko Foundation, Kosciusko County Community Foundation, the Ruth Lilly Philanthropic Foundation, and the Dr. Dane & Mary Louise Miller Foundation.

For more information about EC50, contact the Community Foundation by calling 574-267-1901, emailing kcf@kcfoundation.org or visiting their office at 102 E Market Street, Warsaw, Indiana.

Since 1968, Kosciusko County Community Foundation, Inc. has helped donors achieve their charitable dreams. The Community Foundation is a public charity that grants over $2 million annually in the areas of education, health, arts and culture, recreation, civic projects, environment and human services. Gifts made to the Community Foundation are tax-deductible.


PHOTO: Representatives from 10 youth serving organizations in Kosciusko County mark their participation in Kosciusko County Community Foundation’s Endowment Challenge 50 in celebration of the Community Foundation’s 50th anniversary.

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