Marshall County Community Foundation
| 1990 | The Lilly Endowment launches the GIFT (Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow) initiative to establish or strengthen community foundations in Indiana. The first phase of the GIFT initiative (GIFT I) offers a $2 for $1 match of all funds raised locally.
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1991
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The Marshall County Community Foundation (MCCF) is established as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization on February 19, 1991 with the defined purpose of being a publicly-supported philanthropic institution and a repository for funds which will serve the citizens of Marshall County. The driving force to embrace the Lilly Endowment initiative and the initial board of directors includes Jan M. Garrison (Plymouth), Betty L. Laramore (Plymouth), Everett D. Colvin (Plymouth), Karen L. Dehne (Culver), and Phil Reidenbach (Bremen). The incorporators of the Marshall County Community Foundation, Jan M. Garrison, G. Dean Byers, and Ronald D. Gifford (all of Plymouth) submitt the articles of incorporation to the State of Indiana on February 13, 1991. The MCCF receives their IRS determination letter dated December 10, 1991. Ron Gifford serves as the MCCF’s first legal counsel. Sylvia Bieghler begins serving as the first executive director of the MCCF in a volunteer capacity. The original and only office of the MCCF is its current location at 2701 N. Michigan Street, Plymouth, Indiana.
The MCCF is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of 30 volunteer citizens from throughout Marshall County who are dedicated to serving the best interests of all concerned. The county is divided into three tiers: Northern, Central, and Southern with eight board members from each tier plus six at-large positions. Board members are charged with the responsibility of administering the endowment funds contributed by individuals, businesses, corporations, other foundations, and units of government. The funds are invested for both income and growth, consistent with prudence and the preservation of capitol. Each year, earnings from the unrestricted funds are distributed as grants for worthy charitable purposes throughout Marshall County. In addition to the initial board members, the first full board includes the following members: Cecil Burkett, June Erwin, Melba Reese, Sally Manuel, Paul Pare, Bruce Stauffer, Roger Moynahan, Jean Seltenright, Everett Missman (all elected 6/12/91), Alice Neal, Angela Mason, V. Richard Miller, Dan Schmelter (all elected 8/22/91), Rob Bowen, Kent Guild, Dean Byers, Dale Cox, Mark Day, Greg Downes, Dave Gibson, Sister Virginia Kampwerth, Charles Schramm, Jean Williams (all elected 9/26/91), and Tom Steffen (elected 10/24/91). The first annual meeting of the MCCF is held on September 26, 1991 at First United Church of Christ in Plymouth. The first officers elected are: Jan Garrison, President; Everett Colvin, Vice President; Betty Laramore, Secretary; and Karen Dehne, Treasurer.
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1992
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MCCF introduces itself to the citizens of Marshall County. Its first board of directors is elected. From 1992 to 1995 thirty-four endowed funds are established to meet the charitable needs of the founding contributors. Assets exceed $100,000.
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1993
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Lilly Endowment gifts enable the MCCF to give grants totaling $20,000.
From 1993 to 1996 the MCCF is able to award grants totaling $150,000.
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1995
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In January the MCCF and the United Way of Marshall County (UWMC) establish a working relationship under one management team.
MCCF hires its first executive director – R. Jeffrey Honzik. The MCCF and the UWMC begin a strategic program in 1995 called Leadership Marshall County to fill an existing vacuum of leaders and potential board members for various organizations in our community. Everett Colvin, then president of the United Way of Marshall County and Dave Gibson, then president of the MCCF, and board members from both organizations plus representatives from Ancilla College, Culver Academies, and the Bremen and Plymouth Chambers of Commerce compose the first steering committee. Bill Shustowksi, then President of Ancilla College and a new MCCF board member lead the creation of curriculum and brochure for the new program. The LMC program is designed to identify, motivate, and develop community leaders through education and skills development, involving sessions taught by currently established leaders in Marshall County government, education, economic development, arts, tourism, health and human services, and criminal justice.
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1996
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The City of Plymouth establishes a one million dollar endowment in the MCCF, the first municipality in the State of Indiana to do so.
The MCCF completes the GIFT I Initiative, ensuring the Foundation’s future.
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1997
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The MCCF hosts a community celebration and brings the South Bend Symphony Orchestra to Centennial Park at the Young Outdoor Amphitheater.
MCCF assets grow to over $5 million dollars with 67 separate funds.
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1998
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The Leman family establishes the largest single gift in the MCCF by creating three charitable trusts.
The MCCF begins to administer the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program. Through this program, area high school students are able to attend an Indiana college or university with full tuition and fees paid by the Lilly Endowment.
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1999
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The MCCF successfully completes Gift III, another million-dollar initiative. Total assets reach $10 million dollars and a professional money manager, Fund Evaluation Group (FEG) is hired.
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2000
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The MCCF successfully completes Gift IV, a 1.4 million-dollar initiative and reaches $15 million dollars in total assets.
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2001
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The first web site for MCCF is created by Ginny Gibson, Chair, Public/Donor Relations.
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2002
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The MCCF is a major player in securing a five million dollar CAPE (Community Alliances to Promote Education) Grant-the largest single grant ever, public or private, to Marshall County.
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2003
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The MCCF successfully completes Gift V, a 1.8 million-dollar initiative and almost reaches $20 million in total assets with 227 separate funds.
The MCCF institutes the “Friends of the Foundation” award which honors individuals and/or organizations that have made significant contributions over the years to the growth and development of the Foundation. The award provides $50,000 towards a new or existing fund at the MCCF chosen by the recipient. The first honoree is Wilma S. Leman.
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2004
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The MCCF completes a yearlong community needs assessment which researched the needs in Marshall County and explored the best ways to invest grant making dollars.
Total assets of the MCCF exceed $20 million dollars.
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2005
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MCCF begins planning for a 3-year asset development and strategic plan.
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2006
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MCCF honors Will & June Erwin with the Friends of the Foundation award. With the $50,000 award they establish the Tony and Mary Woods Endowment Fund to benefit Heart & Hands, Inc.
MCCF executive director R. Jeffrey Honzik retires.
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2007
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MCCF hires new executive director Jennifer S. Maddox.
Total Foundation assets exceed $25 million dollars. The MCCF web site is updated with a new look. MCCF launches the Generations Initiative on May 1, 2007. MCCF launches the Pennies from Heaven Youth Philanthropy program.
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2008
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BEAM (Bettering Every Aspect of Marshall County) is created by the MCCF in the Spring of 2008 as our first county-wide youth philanthropy group.
MCCF creates the Youth Leadership Marshall County program, which is modeled after the adult Leadership Marshall County. YLMC is an eigth grade-based leadership development program designed to teach young people with high potential but without access to developmental opportunities.
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2009
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MCCF recieves a Lilly Endowment grant for sustaining resource development.
Joseph K. Goepfrich, CFRE joins the MCCF staff as Vice President for Development in November. MCCF receives recognition for compliance with National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations. These standards demonstrate transparency and financial responsibility and guide governing boards in adopting sound policies and practices.
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2010
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MCCF unveils its new look including a new logo and brand statement
MCCF introduces the Samuel Elliott Perkins IV Memorial Scholarship, which is offered annually to students from Marshall County who will attend Purdue University. On November 17, the MCCF helps host the Community Conversation on Economic development. The event aims to engage, educate, and connect community leaders in a discussion on the economic future of Marshall County.
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| Since inception the MCCF has awarded over $8.9 million in grants to the community. | |
Assets from 1992-2010
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