Community Foundation thanks generous donors

The Putnam County Community Foundation is crediting the generous people of Putnam County with the successful completion of Lilly Endowment Inc.'s Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT) challenge.

Inspired by a GIFT matching grant of $500,000, donors contributed more than $500,000 to the Community Foundation. As a result, the Community Foundation's unrestricted endowment grew by $1,189,833 since August 2014 when the GIFT challenge began. It ended March 31, 2016.

"This is so important for our local philanthropic organizations," Community Foundation President Todd Lewis said. "Twice each year, the Community Foundation receives grant applications requesting $4 for every dollar we have available for granting. The successful achievement of the GIFT challenge means that we have 23 percent more every year for community grantmaking than we had before."

Elaine Peck, executive director of the Community Foundation, reported that 272 donors made a total of 487 gifts during the GIFT challenge and that 100 percent of the Community Foundation's board members participated.

Nineteen new unrestricted Community Grants endowments were created. They are:

1. 100 Plus Men Community Endowment

2. Anonymous Community Endowment

3. Ascena Retail Group Community Endowment

4. David C. and Teresa L. Masten Community Endowment

5. DePauw University Community Endowment

6. Donna Draper Welter and William J. Welter Family Endowment

7. First National Bank Community Endowment

8. John and Rea Zeiner Family Endowment

9. Kenneth J. and Jacquelyn A. Eitel Community Endowment

10. Maxine Callender Community Endowment

11. McDonald's Jedele Enterprises Endowment

12. Nancy J. Davis and Robert V. Robinson Community Endowment

13. Neil and Michele Irwin Family Endowment

14. North Salem State Bank Endowment

15. Richard A. and Christina M. Bittles Community Endowment

16. Rokicki Cunningham Insurance Endowment

17. Susan and Gary Lemon Community Endowment

18. Todd and Suzanne Masten Family Endowment

19. Vicki L. and David C. Archer Community Endowment