MCCF News

Marshall County Community Foundation Announces Ralph C. Vonnegut, Jr. Fund

Present at the MCCF annual meeting pictured left to right: Tammy Houin, MCCF board president, son-in-law David Vonnegut-Gabovitch, daughter Eleanor (Nonie) Vonnegut-Gabovitch, grandsons, Ezra and Eli Vonnegut-Gabovitch, and Jennifer Maddox, MCCF Executive Director.

1/04//08 - The Marshall County Community Foundation (MCCF) is pleased to announce the Ralph C. Vonnegut, Jr. Fund. The purpose of the endowment is to provide funding for environmental, educational, or recreational projects directly related to Lake Maxinkuckee, located in Culver, Indiana. Not-for-profit organizations can submit proposals annually during the Community Foundation's spring grants round. Winning proposals will be chosen by the Community Foundation's Grants Committee. With an approximate endowment of $400,000, the MCCF estimates an annual distribution of $20,000 each year to one or more applicants.

Ralph C. Vonnegut, Jr. grew up in Indianapolis and attended Shortridge High School. As a young man he earned the rank of Eagle Scout and spent his summers at Lake Maxinkuckee. Mr. Vonnegut was a graduate of Wabash College and went on to a career as a farmer and stockbroker. He was the father of four children: Robert Vonnegut (Islamorada, FL), Kristin Vonnegut (Avon, MN), Daniel Vonnegut (Brooklyn, NY), and Eleanor (Nonie) Vonnegut-Gabovitch (Indianapolis, IN), and the grandfather of 12 including Ezra and Eli Vonnegut-Gabovitch. Ralph was an avid outdoorsman, enjoyed nature, sailing, kayaking, and was a voracious reader. With a love of Lake Maxinkuckee in his heart, Ralph returned to the lake as a full time resident in 1987.

The mission of the Marshall County Community Foundation is to serve all of Marshall County, its people and its future through the growth and administration of endowment funding and philanthropy.

For more information contact the Marshall County Community Foundation at (574) 935-5159. Grant applications are available on the MCCF website at www.marshallcountycf.org and are due February 1, 2008.