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History
of the Marshall County Community Foundation, Inc.
| 1990 |
The
Lilly Endowment launches the GIFT (Giving Indiana Funds for
Tomorrow) initiative to establish or strengthen community foundations
in Indiana. The first phase of the GIFT initiative (GIFT I)
offered a $2 for $1 match of all funds raised locally. |
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1991
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The
Marshall County Community Foundation (MCCF) was established
as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization on February 19, 1991
with the defined purpose of being a publicly-supported philanthropic
institution and a repository for funds which will serve the
citizens of Marshall County. The driving force to embrace the
Lilly Endowment initiative and the initial board of directors
includes: Jan M. Garrison (Plymouth), Betty L. Laramore (Plymouth),
Everett D. Colvin (Plymouth), Karen L. Dehne (Culver), and Phil
Reidenbach (Bremen). The incorporators of the Marshall County
Community Foundation Jan. M. Garrison, G. Dean Byers, and Ronald
D. Gifford, all of Plymouth submitted the articles of incorporation
to the State of Indiana on February 13, 1991. The MCCF received
their IRS determination letter dated December 10, 1991. Ron
Gifford serves as the MCCF's first legal counsel. Sylvia Bieghler
began serving as the first executive director of the MCCF in
a volunteer capacity. The original and only office of the MCCF
is its current location at 2701 N. Michigan Street, Plymouth,
Indiana.
The MCCF
is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of 30 volunteer
citizens from throughout Marshall County who are dedicated
to serving the best interests of all concerned. The county
is divided into three tiers: Northern, Central, and Southern
with eight board members from each tier plus six at-large
positions. Board members are charged with the responsibility
of administering the endowment funds contributed by individuals,
businesses, corporations, other foundations, and units of
government. The funds are invested for both income and growth,
consistent with prudence and the preservation of capitol.
Each year, earnings from the unrestricted funds are distributed
as grants for worthy charitable purposes throughout Marshall
County.
In addition
to the initial board members, the first full board includes
the following members: Cecil Burkett, June Erwin, Melba Reese,
Sally Manuel, Paul Pare, Bruce Stauffer, Roger Moynahan, Jean
Seltenright, Everett Missman (all elected 6/12/91), Alice
Neal, Angela Mason, V. Richard Miller, Dan Schmelter (all
elected 8/22/91), Rob Bowen, Kent Guild, Dean Byers, Dale
Cox, Mark Day, Greg Downes, Dave Gibson, Sister Virginia Kampwerth,
Charles Schramm, Jean Williams (all elected 9/26/91), and
Tom Steffen (elected 10/24/91).
The first
annual meeting of the MCCF is held on September 26, 1991 at
First United Church of Christ in Plymouth. The first officers
elected were: Jan Garrison, President, Everett Colvin, Vice
President, Betty Laramore, Secretary, and Karen Dehne, Treasurer.
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1992
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MCCF
introduces itself to the citizens of Marshall County. First
board of directors is elected. From 1992 to 1995 thirty-four
endowed funds were established to meet the charitable needs
of the founding contributors. Assets exceeded $100,000. |
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1993
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Lilly Endowment gifts enabled the MCCF to give grants totaling
$20,000.
From 1993 to 1996 the MCCF was able to award grants totaling
$150,000. |
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1995
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In
January the MCCF and the United Way of Marshall County (UWMC)
establish a working relationship under one management team.
MCCF hires its first executive director - R. Jeffrey Honzik.
Leadership Marshall County (LMC) - The MCCF and the UWMC began
a strategic program in 1995 called Leadership Marshall County
to fill an existing vacuum of leaders and potential board members
for various organizations in our community. Everett Colvin,
then president of the United Way of Marshall County and Dave
Gibson, then president of the MCCF, and board members from both
organizations plus representatives from Ancilla College, Culver
Academies, and the Bremen and Plymouth Chambers of Commerce
composed the first steering committee. Bill Shustowksi, then
President of Ancilla College and a new MCCF board member lead
the creation of curriculum and brochure for the new program.
The LMC program is designed to identify, motivate, and develop
community leaders through education and skills development,
involving sessions taught by currently established leaders in
Marshall County government, education, economic development,
arts, tourism, health and human services, and criminal justice.
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1996
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The
City of Plymouth established a one million dollar endowment
in the MCCF, the first municipality in the State of Indiana
to do so.
The MCCF completes the GIFT I Initiative, ensuring the Foundation's
future. |
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1997
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The
MCCF hosts a community celebration and brings the South Bend
Symphony Orchestra to Centennial Park at the Young Outdoor Amphitheater.
MCCF assets grow to over $5 million dollars with 67 separate
funds. |
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1998
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The
Leman family establishes the largest single gift in the MCCF
by creating three charitable trusts.
The MCCF begins to administer the Lilly Endowment Community
Scholarship Program. Through this program, area high school
students are able to attend an Indiana college or university
with full tuition and fees paid by the Lilly Endowment. |
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1999
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The
MCCF successfully completes Gift III, another million-dollar
initiative. Total assets reach $10 million dollars and a professional
money manager, Fund Evaluation Group (FEG) was hired. |
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2000
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The
MCCF successfully completes Gift IV, a 1.4 million-dollar initiative
and reaches $15 million dollars in total assets. |
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2001
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The
first web site for MCCF was created by Ginny Gibson, Chair,
Public/Donor Relations. |
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2002
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The
MCCF was a major player in securing a five million dollar CAPE
(Community Alliances to Promote Education) Grant-the largest
single grant ever, public or private, to Marshall County. |
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2003
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The
MCCF successfully completes Gift V, a 1.8 million-dollar initiative
and almost reaches $20 million in total assets with 227 separate
funds.
The MCCF institutes the "Friends of the Foundation" award which
honors individuals and/or organizations that have made significant
contributions over the years to the growth and development of
the Foundation. The award provides $50,000 towards a new or
existing fund at the MCCF chosen by the recipient. The first
honoree was Wilma S. Leman. |
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2004
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The
MCCF completes a yearlong community needs assessment which researched
the needs in Marshall County and explored the best ways to invest
grant making dollars.
Total assets of the MCCF exceed $20 million dollars. |
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2005
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MCCF
begins planning for a 3-year asset development and strategic
plan. |
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2006
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MCCF
honors Will & June Erwin with the Friends of the Foundation
award. With the $50,000 award they established the Tony and
Mary Woods Endowment Fund to benefit Heart & Hands, Inc.
MCCF executive director R. Jeffrey Honzik retires. |
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2007
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MCCF
hires new executive director Jennifer S. Maddox.
Total Foundation assets exceed $25 million dollars.
The MCCF web site is updated with new look.
MCCF launches the Generations Initiative on May 1, 2007.
MCCF launches the Pennies from Heaven Youth Philanthropy program.
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| Since
inception the MCCF has awarded over $8.9 million in grants to
the community. |
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