COLUMBUS, Ind. – Heritage Fund announced Friday that it has received a $1.5 million grant as part of Lilly Endowment Inc.’s eighth phase of its Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT VIII) initiative designed to help community foundations strengthen the towns, cities, and counties they serve.
Because of Lilly Endowment’s generosity, Heritage Fund can build support for its Community Fund, a permanent resource that allows the foundation to respond to the community’s changing needs. Currently, the Community Fund supports projects and programs in Heritage Fund’s three priority Impact Areas of Youth Development; Arts, Culture & Architecture; and Downtown Vitality.
The foundation has a $525,000 fundraising goal for the Community Fund this year. GIFT VIII will match donations to the Community Fund at $2 for every $1 gifted, for a total impact of over $1.5 million.
“We’re excited about this opportunity and hope the community can help us reach this important goal,” said Kristin Munn, VP of Operations and Development.
In addition to a matching grant for Heritage Fund’s Community Fund, Lilly Endowment’s GIFT VIII has provided dollar-for-dollar matching for several other community projects and programs, including the African American Foundation and the Crump Theatre.