Scott County Community Foundation (“SCCF”) has been awarded a grant for $750,000 from Lilly Endowment Inc. through the Community Support Grant component of the ninth phase of its Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT IX) initiative. This is one of 92 Community Support Grants being awarded through GIFT IX, a statewide Lilly Endowment initiative designed to support the efforts of community foundations to strengthen the quality of life in the communities they serve.
The Community Support Grant is designed to provide SCCF with flexible funding to enhance its grantmaking capacity to address compelling, near-term needs in Scott County. Scott County Community Foundation will have up to three years to use its grant to address community-driven priorities.
“Thanks to Lilly Endowment Inc.’s generous $750,000 Community Support Grant, we will be able to address critical community needs and help fill gaps created by state and federal funding cuts,” said SCCF Executive Director Jaime Toppe. “This investment in Scott County strengthens our ability to support the organizations and people who rely on these essential services.”
To ensure these funds have the greatest impact, SCCF will be hosting two community listening sessions to gather input from local organizations and community leaders. Feedback from these sessions will help guide grantmaking decisions aimed at strengthening organizational capacity across Scott County. The Community Support Grant will be distributed over a three-year period ending Dec. 31, 2028. Funds are in addition to SCCF’s annual unrestricted grantmaking.
The listening sessions will be held Jan. 23 and Jan. 27, both from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Lifelong Learning Center’s large classroom. Attendees can participate in the session that best fits their schedule. Lunch will be provided, but registration is required by calling 812-752-2057 or emailing info@scottcountyfoundation.org.
Lilly Endowment created the GIFT initiative in 1990 to help local communities in Indiana develop the philanthropic capacity to identify local needs and challenges and work with other organizations and residents to help their communities thrive. Through GIFT IX, Lilly Endowment has allocated up to $271.5 million to support Indiana’s community foundations in growing their financial resources and further strengthening their ability to address their community’s highest-priority challenges and opportunities.
Scott County Community Foundation has been in existence since December 1996. Since awarding its first community grants totaling $50,000 in 1997, SCCF has been Scott County’s partner for positive change. Scholarships and grants totaling more than $6.8 million have made it possible for local students to attend college and for the diverse needs of our residents to be served. For more information, please call 812-752-2057, email info@scottcountyfoundation.org or stop in the office at 60 N. Main St., Scottsburg. You may also visit www.scottcountyfoundation.org.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based, private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and sons J.K. Jr. and Eli through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, the Endowment is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion and maintains a special commitment to its hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.
