Wabash County, IN – The Community Foundation of Wabash County has received a $750,000 Community Support Grant through Lilly Endowment Inc.’s GIFT IX initiative, which is designed to help Indiana community foundations strengthen their leadership capacity and address high‑priority community needs.
The Community Foundation will use this investment to support and strengthen the Wabash County nonprofit community. Nonprofits across Indiana are navigating a changing government landscape at the local, state, and federal levels. Shifts in public funding are requiring many nonprofits to do more with fewer resources as community needs grow more complex. The Community Support Grant will help Wabash County nonprofits strengthen their capacity to adapt to these changes and continue serving residents effectively.
Through collaboration with units of government, philanthropy, and the private sector, local nonprofits play an essential role in the county’s economic and community development. They provide critical services, expand access to childcare, support families, enhance arts and culture, and partner with schools and employers to build a stronger workforce. Their work contributes directly to the quality of life and community vitality that help attract and retain residents and businesses.
The Foundation’s Nonprofit Capacity Building work includes grantmaking, education for nonprofit leaders, and shared services. While the grant will strengthen all three areas, the primary emphasis will be on developing a shared services framework that helps nonprofits identify and pursue innovative opportunities for collaboration. These shared services will reduce administrative burdens, expand access to specialized expertise, and create efficiencies that individual organizations might not achieve on their own.
“This award is a tremendous affirmation of the work happening across Wabash County,” said Sam McFadden, Director of Nonprofit Capacity Building at the Community Foundation of Wabash County.
“Nonprofits are essential to our community’s well‑being and economic future. This grant allows us to invest in their long‑term strength and stability.”
Lilly Endowment launched GIFT (Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow) in 1990 to help Indiana community foundations build unrestricted endowments and strengthen their leadership in local philanthropy. GIFT IX, the latest phase of the initiative, provides funding to help community foundations grow their capacity and respond to evolving community priorities.
The Community Foundation of Wabash County will share additional details about grant‑supported initiatives as planning and partnerships continue.
The Community Foundation of Wabash County is a nonprofit public charity established in 1954. It creates lasting impact through asset development, nonprofit capacity building, and community leadership. Guided by its vision to enrich the lives of Wabash County residents, the Foundation works to address local challenges and create opportunities for the future. The Foundation is located at 220 East Main Street, North Manchester, Indiana. Visit us at www.cfwabash.org and like us on Facebook.
