MARSHALL COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AWARDS $75,850 IN GRANTS

The Marshall County Community Foundation (MCCF) announced the Fall 2020 grant awards from Community Funds totaling $75,850.  Due to COVID-19, no group in-person awards presentation took place this grant cycle. MCCF Board members instead delivered award signs to individual sites. Multi-year grants approved prior rounds were also issued with $12,500 from Community Funds.

 

 

Twice each year, nonprofit organizations are invited to submit funding requests for projects that improve the quality of life in Marshall County. MCCF Grants Committee members evaluate the proposals and conduct site visits during a competitive application process. The MCCF Board of Directors recognizes the critical need to act with urgency to support the people and communities hit hardest by the impacts of COVID-19. Donors may contribute to the Marshall County COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery fund, held in partnership with the United Way of Marshall County, at: https://www.marshallcountyuw.org/donate. 100% of donations to the COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund stay in Marshall County. 

The first grants from unrestricted Community Funds at MCCF were awarded in 1995; since then the MCCF has awarded over $4.2 million in total grants from these funds alone. In addition to the MCCF Community Fund, several named unrestricted funds also support these competitive grant rounds. Named funds include the Barbara and Ralph Winters Community Fund, the Brian and Patricia Kitch Family Community Fund, the C & M Overmyer Unrestricted Endowment Fund, the Eleanor and Randy Danielson Community Aesthetic Improvement Fund, the First Merchants Bank Community Fund, the John and Kay Finlay Community Fund, the Philip and Sylvia Bieghler Community Fund, and the Paul and Carol Nye Community Fund.

All contributions to unrestricted funds only are currently eligible for a 2:1 GIFT VII match from Lilly Endowment Inc. When donors give to Community Funds or create new unrestricted endowment funds, they are joining a rich legacy of philanthropy and investing in the collective well-being of Marshall County.

Community Fund Grants: 
Community Fund endowment funds are the most flexible and responsive of the Foundation’s funds in addressing current and emerging needs. Grants from unrestricted endowment funds typically support projects focusing on the arts, education, health and human services, recreation, and the environment.

  • Antiquarian & Historical Society of Culver: $1,950 towards the rejuvenation of Heritage Park.
  • Cultivate Culinary School & Catering:  $10,500 to serve at-risk children healthy meals over the weekend, when their schools cannot.
  • Culver Boys & Girls Club:  $4,000 to purchase new technology and STEM equipment.
  • Culver Union Township Volunteer Fire Department: $2,150 to purchase medical supplies for the creation of a medical first responder program.
  • Intrepid Phoenix:  $8,000 to sponsor a fitness program at Fitness Forum for people in substance abuse recovery.
  • Ivy Tech:  $12,000 for purchasing training equipment to expand pre-nursing/nursing program.
  • Leadership Marshall County: $2,050 for new student athlete leadership program and scholarships.
  • Marshall County Council on Aging: $11,900 for purchase of a transit bus.
  • Plymouth Community School Corporation:  $2,300 to enhance student exposure to technology using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones) in classroom settings.
  • SAWS: $2,000 to build ADA compliant ramps for two low-income, disabled Marshall County residents.
  • Wild Rose Moon: $4,000 for new equipment.
  • WNIT: $2,500 to support Education Counts Michiana.

Multi-year grants:

  • $12,500 from the Community Funds for Marshall County Crossroads Stellar projects (Biking/walking trails and David’s Courage).

The Spring 2020 Community Fund grant application deadline is Monday, February 1, 2021, at 4:30 pm. The application may be found on the MCCF website: Marshallcountycf.org.

Applicants must be organizations with 501(c)(3) IRS status or organizations with 501(c) IRS status whose request is charitable in nature for the following: 

  • Start-up costs for new programs or the expansion of needed programs
  • One-time projects or needs

Special consideration will be given in the Spring 2021 grant cycle to applications directly related to COVID-19 response and recovery efforts in Marshall County.