COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF ELKHART COUNTY INC

THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF ELKHART COUNTY, INC. (THE "FOUNDATION") IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION ORGANIZED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF INDIANA. ESTABLISHED IN 1988, THE FOUNDATION EXISTS TO INSPIRE PEOPLE TO MAKE CHARITABLE GIFTS THAT IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN ELKHART COUNTY, ASSISTING INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS WITH CHARITABLE GIVING THROUGH THE MANAGEMENT OF BOTH ENDOWED AND NON-ENDOWED FUNDS, PRIMARILY WORKING WITH DONORS AND GRANTEES WITH TIES TO THE COUNTY.GRANTS FROM RESTRICTED FUNDS ARE ISSUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS ESTABLISHED IN THE RESPECTIVE GOVERNING FUND AGREEMENT. MOST OF THESE GRANTS ARE TO LOCAL TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS OR MUNICIPALITIES AND SPAN A WIDE ARRAY OF CHARITABLE CAUSES, INCLUDING ARTS AND CULTURE, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, EDUCATION, YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, SCHOLARSHIPS, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS.THE FOUNDATION ALSO MAINTAINS AN UNRESTRICTED FUND. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRIMARILY USES THE UNRESTRICTED FUND TO SUPPORT ITS THREE FOCUS AREAS IN SERVICE TO THE COUNTY: CAREER PATHWAYS, KIDS & FAMILIES, AND PLACEMAKING. WHILE A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THIS WORK IS RESPONDING TO GRANT APPLICATIONS, SPECIFIC AREAS OF EMPHASIS WITHIN THE FOCUS AREAS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED IN WHICH THE FOUNDATION IS PROACTIVELY ALLOCATING DOLLARS TO HELP ADDRESS COMMUNITY NEEDS (REFERRED TO AS "INITIATIVE WORK").CAREER PATHWAYS: THIS GROUP OVERSEES THE FOUNDATION'S SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS AND ALSO SERVES AS THE LOCAL ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE LILLY ENDOWMENT, INC. COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIP. THE INITIATIVE WORK IS STILL BEING CONCEPTUALIZED.KIDS & FAMILIES: THE INITIATIVE WORK, KNOWN AS BUILDING STRONG BRAINS, ELKHART COUNTY'S EARLY CHILDHOOD INITIATIVE, INVOLVES WORKING WITH A COALITION OF PARTNERS TO SHIFT THE EARLY CHILDHOOD SYSTEM TOWARDS BETTER OUTCOMES FOR YOUNG CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES IN THE AREAS OF MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH, QUALITY CHILDCARE AND EARLY LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS, AND COMMUNITY AND FAMILY SUPPORTS. PARTNERS IN THE INITIATIVE WORK INCLUDE A CROSS SECTION OF HEALTH, NONPROFIT, CHILDCARE, AND EDUCATION PROVIDERS, BUSINESSES, AND COMMUNITY COLLABORATORS.PLACEMAKING: THIS INITIATIVE, KNOWN AS PUMPKINVINE TRAILS COALITION, IS FOCUSED ON INCREASING THE COUNTY'S TRAIL NETWORK FROM ITS CURRENT 72 MILES TO 130 MILES OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS. IT IS DRIVEN BY THE BELIEF THAT TRAILS PROVIDE AN INFRASTRUCTURE FOR RECREATION AND EVERYDAY NEEDS, BUILD BETTER-CONNECTED COMMUNITIES, AND ENHANCE THE OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE WITHIN THE COUNTY. THE INITIATIVE INVOLVES COLLABORATIVE WORK WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS, MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY STAFF, ENTHUSIASTS, CORPORATE CITIZENS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS.IN ADDITION TO GRANTMAKING, ONGOING SERVICES THE FOUNDATION OFFERS TO THE COMMUNITY INCLUDE:ACTS OF SERVICE: THIS IS A COMMUNITY SERVICE HUB THAT HELPS MATCH THE NEEDS OF NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS WITH THE WILLING HANDS OF INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEERS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS, WHICH INCLUDES WORKING WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES ON ESTABLISHING/MAINTAINING EMPLOYEE VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS.THE CENTER FOR NONPROFIT EXCELLENCE: THIS LEADERSHIP OFFERING IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING QUALITY LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR NONPROFIT LEADERS IN THE FOUNDATION'S SERVICE AREA. THESE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES ARE FOCUSED ON PLANNING, FUNDRAISING, STRATEGIC PLANNING, BOARD DEVELOPMENT, AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT. THE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES ARE GEARED SPECIFICALLY TO NONPROFIT LEADERS TO ASSIST THEM IN ADVANCING THEIR MISSIONS.