Foundation Envision '16 effort: Moving Putnam County forward

Susan Price

While the Putnam County Community Foundation had a great deal to celebrate from this past year at its annual meeting, the Foundation invited the community to envision the future as it unveiled its newest initiative -- Envision 2016: Moving Putnam County Forward

This new project aims to advance Putnam County by allocating up to $200,000 in grants to fund innovative projects or programs that focus on one or more of the following areas: Arts and culture, economic development, education, recreation or youth.

The Foundation will award two to eight grants of $25,000 to $100,000.

Because Envision 2016 is such an impactful initiative, the Foundation believes that collaboration is essential. At least two organizations must partner to be eligible for a grant submission, and the lead organization must be a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit.

Applications for Envision 2016 are due on September 30. The grants will be announced on Jan. 31, 2015, and winning projects should be completed by Sept. 30, 2016.

"We are eagerly anticipating having a lot to celebrate in Putnam County on Dec.11, 2016 -- the date of Indiana's bicentennial celebration in Putnam County," said Susan Price, board member who chairs the Community Foundation's Grant Committee.

Envision 2016 is made possible by the Art Evans Family Endowment, the Bohmer Family Endowment, the Howard Moore Endowment, the Lyon Family Endowment, the Mary Louise Miller Endowment, the Old National Endowment, Cunningham Family Community Endowment, Stuart Fabe and Marla Helton Endowment, Frank Hutcheson Family Community Endowment, Charles A. Jones Family Endowment, Ed and Ellie Ypma Community Endowment, Sally H. Gray Community Endowment, Aura May Durham Community Endowment, John and Marilynn Sturgeon Family Endowment, Jinsie Scott Bingham Community Endowment, Al and Joan Tucker Family Endowment and the Sanford and Irene Romine Community Endowment.

"We hope that these generous persons are pleased with all the good that their gifts are producing in Putnam County," Price added.

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 Community Foundation has been entrusted with more than 250 funds and endowments for donors, supporting a variety of charitable purposes.