Community Foundation reaches historic $10 million milestone

Members of the Putnam County Community Foundation Board of Directors celebrate reaching the milestone of giving away $10 million. Celebrating outside the Putnam Partnership Center in Greencastle are (front row, from left) Susan Price, Susan Lemon, Ellie Ypma, Ellen Dittmer, Vivian Whitaker, Carolyn Mann, (second row, from left) Rodger Winger, David Archer, Ken Eitel, Nancy Wells, Debbi Christy, Keith Archer, (third row, from left) Todd Lewis, Brad Hayes, Keith Brackney, Karen Nelson Heavin and Scott Herrick.

Friday morning during its Spring Grant Breakfast at Area 30 Career Center, the Putnam County Community Foundation announced reaching an historic milestone: Awarding $10 million in grants and scholarships enriching life in Putnam County.

"Since inception, the Community Foundation has been entrusted with $21 million," Foundation President Ellie Ypma said. "We have given away $10 million, and today we have more than $25 million that we are investing and growing for the future of our county.

"These numbers tell the story of the power of endowments to positively change our community," she added. "This year alone, our endowments could distribute nearly $860,000; and every year, that number will grow."

Ypma reported the Community Foundation supports all geographic areas of the county:

-- 29 percent benefited the entire county.

-- 26 percent benefited the Greencastle area.

-- 13 percent benefited the Cloverdale area.

-- 13 percent benefited the South Putnam area.

-- 8.5 percent benefited the North Putnam area.

--The remaining 10.5 percent reflect the charitable wishes of Putnam County donors.

Ypma reported that the Foundation supports many different charitable areas:

-- 28 percent (more than $2.5 million) provided scholarship assistance.

-- 13 percent enhanced education in the county.

-- 13 percent supported health and human service organizations.

-- 10 percent (almost $1 million) facilitated economic development.

-- The remaining 36 percent supported a variety of charitable works affecting animal welfare, arts and culture, churches, civic work, the environment, recreation, senior citizens and youth.

To illustrate the power of endowment, Ypma talked about the initial endowment established at the Community Foundation: The Clinton Township Scholarship.

Clinton Township schools no longer exist. The high school closed in 1947, but alums still get together each year. In 1986, the alums decided to establish a perpetual scholarship and started an endowment with $11,355 in donations. They made their first scholarship award in 1987.

"With the help of the Community Foundation," Ypma noted, "over the years, the Clinton Township alums have donated $61,801, given away more than $38,000, and their scholarship fund balance is now more than $113,000."

The Putnam County Community Foundation is a nonprofit public charity established in 1985 to help donors establish endowments, award grants, and provide leadership, enriching the quality of life and strengthening community in Putnam County. The Foundation has been entrusted with more than 250 funds and endowments for donors, supporting a variety of charitable purposes.