Connecting Passion to Purpose

Marshall County Community Foundation is a public charity where local roots help great ideas take flight.  We are community-minded partners and trusted investors.  We help shape the vision for Marshall County.  Our passion is to connect caring people with opportunities to make an impact.

Our mission is to serve all of Marshall county — its people and its future — by growing and managing endowment funding and fostering philanthropy.

Explore our timeline to learn more about our history!

Our History

When the community foundation concept was born in the Midwest over a century ago, it revolutionized the way people give. Today, Marshall County Community Foundation is proud to be one of over 90 community foundations in the state of Indiana.

Since our founding in 1991, we have grown to over 400 funds, supporting causes including arts, education, parks, youth and family services, and more. Our donors have trusted us with over $40 million in assets, and we have in turn given over $25 million to charitable interests throughout Marshall County.

1990

Lilly Endowment launches Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT) initiative to establish or strengthen community foundations in Indiana.

1991

Marshall County Community Foundation (MCCF) established as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.

1992

The Kiwanis Club of Plymouth established MCCF’s first endowment fund, paving the way for 34 funds by 1995.

1995

MCCF and United Way of Marshall County (UWMC) begin working under one management team. Together, they established Leadership Marshall County, to fill an existing vacuum of leaders and potential board members for various organizations in the community.

1996

MCCF completes the Lilly Endowment GIFT II Initiative, ensuring the foundation’s future.

The City of Plymouth established a $1 million endowment in the MCCF, the first municipality in the state of Indiana to do so.

1998

The MCCF began administering the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program.

1999

The MCCF completed Lilly Endowment GIFT III, a $1 million initiative.

2000

MCCF completed Lilly Endowment GIFT IV, a $1.4 million initiative. Total assets reach $15 million with 150 separate funds.

2002

Lilly Endowment, Inc. awards MCCF a $4.1 million Community Alliances to Promote Education (CAPE) Grant — the largest single grant given to date to the MCCF; Ancilla College serves as fiscal agent.

2003

Golden Girls Scholarship Fund established in memory of Wilma Leman and the Golden Girls.
MCCF successfully completed

Lilly Endowment GIFT V, a $1.8 million initiative.

2007

Ralph C. Vonnegut, Jr. Fund established with a Charitable Remainder Unitrust.

2008

MCCF concludes the Generations Initiative, with 21 new funds created between May 1, 2007, and June 30, 2008.

2009

Leadership Marshall County launches the Youth Leadership Marshall County program.

2010

The Samuel Elliott Perkins IV Memorial Scholarship is established for students from Marshall County who will attend Purdue University. 

2010

MCCF hosts 12-12-12, a 12 percent matched giving event for 12 hours on December 12, 2012. The event raised $538,565 for endowment funds supporting more than 72 nonprofit agencies and charitable causes, including seven new funds.

2013

Following a year-long process, MCCF hires Northern Trust as the new investment management team.

2014

Lilly Endowment announces Lilly Endowment GIFT VI initiative; MCCF receives $500,000 award to support 1:1 match for unrestricted gifts and 1:2 match for restricted gifts.

2016

The MCCF successfully meets the Lilly Endowment GIFT VI match challenge.

2017

MCCF May Match Madness giving event raises $272,191 over the course of 25 hours, supporting 63 nonprofits and endowment funds.

The Town of Culver receives Indiana Stellar Communities designation; MCCF Community Fund grants support key Stellar projects.

2019

The Foundation, with community partners, launched its first local impact investment, bringing a new child care center and aquatics center to the county.

Marshall County Crossroads named the 2019 Stellar Communities designee, supported by MCCF’s leadership. The region, including Marshall County and its towns, will receive over $13 million in grants to carry out its development plan.

A $500,000 Lilly Endowment GIFT VII Match Grant campaign launched to boost endowments and enhance the Foundation’s ability to address urgent community needs.

2020

MCCF and United Way activated the Marshall County COVID-19 Response Fund, raising $524,389 with community partners to support essential needs.

2021

MCCF celebrates 30 years of community philanthropy.

Staff and Board Members

Many people work behind the scenes to make our communities great, both here at the community foundation and on our board of directors. Their dedication is a driving force behind the positive impact and opportunities we’re able to create in Marshall County.

Annual reports

We believe transparency is important when serving our community. We publish our annual report as a way to keep donors up to date and build trust within the communities we serve.

2021 Annual Report

2019-2020 Annual Report

2016-2018 Annual Report

2013-2015 Annual Report

2011-2012 Annual Report

Careers

If you have a heart for helping others and want to make a difference in our local communities, we’d love to have you on our team. 

To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to hr@marshallcountycf.org with the position title you are applying for and your name in the subject line (e.g. “Fundraising and Finance Assistant, John Smith.”)

The Marshall County Community Foundation and the United Way of Marshall County are equal opportunity employers.

Current openings: