MITCHELL — The Lawrence County Community Foundation Partnership celebrated local philanthropy Thursday evening at the Spring Mill Inn, highlighting a year of community giving and unveiling two major announcements that will impact the county’s future.
CEO Hope Flores announced that Lilly Endowment Inc. has launched Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT) Phase IX, a new statewide initiative that will bring matching funds to local community foundations. For Lawrence County, contributions to unrestricted endowment funds will be matched two dollars for every one dollar donated beginning in January.
Because Lawrence County and neighboring Martin County exceeded their fundraising goals early during the previous matching phase, Lilly Endowment will allow the new match to apply retroactively, further increasing local grant capacity. This means even more support for projects like the Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence County and other local organizations, Flores said during her remarks.
The foundation also revealed a $50,000 matching challenge grant to help the City of Mitchell launch a major park revitalization campaign focused on accessibility and inclusion. Mitchell Mayor Don Caudell, the city’s park board, and community members were recognized for their efforts to create what would become the county’s first fully accessible playground.
You can watch the announcements here:
Mitchell City Park Board Member Sally Miller shared her thoughts on the announcement: “On behalf of the Mitchell parks and rec board, we are so grateful for the Lawrence County Community Foundation, for investing in project playground. We are excited to launch our campaign to raise the funds needed to complete the first inclusive playground in Lawrence County. The support from organizations like LCCF remind us why we work so hard towards these goals. We appreciate the support from all of our community partners.”
The initiative follows survey data showing that nearly 70 percent of Mitchell residents consider accessibility a high priority in local parks. The new campaign will run through the winter, giving residents the chance to contribute toward matching the foundation’s $50,000 challenge.
The evening also featured dinner from Spring Mill Inn Catering, an invocation by Tim Thompson, remarks from Brent Maudlin and Frank Decker, and a keynote address by former Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman, focusing on the importance of local leadership.
Frank Decker, Chief Professional Officer of the Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence County, shared his testimony of how the Lawrence County Community Foundation has impacted the Club: “(The) latest few impact grants helped renovate kitchen equipment, and we are in the process of ordering and receiving ‘Individual Teaching Kits’ for members to use during our healthy choices programming.”
Board members of the Lawrence County Community Foundation Partnership include Brad Dykes, Carol Highhouse, Shea Hooten, Lee Plummer, Kim Sipes, George Sorrells, Tim Thompson, Brandi Weyer, and Michelle Zollman.
