Thanks to a new match opportunity from Lilly Endowment, qualifying gifts to the Community Foundation’s unrestricted endowment funds will be matched $2 for every $1 donation.

Unrestricted funds provide the Community Foundation with the resources and flexibility to meet the ever-changing needs of our community today and tomorrow. When you make a gift to an unrestricted endowment fund, your donation will be matched with funds from Lilly Endowment through the Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT IX) Initiative. Triple your impact today!

Gifts made through June 30, 2028, will be matched while funds last. There has never been a better time to create impact and a legacy through our unrestricted funds than with this match opportunity.

Give to an Existing Unrestricted Fund

Many of our unrestricted funds were created to honor a loved one or to memorialize the legacy of a treasured community member. You can give to one of our existing unrestricted funds by visiting our website or by sending a check to the Foundation at 1171 E. Woods Way, Columbia City, IN 46725; simply indicate the unrestricted fund you would like to support, or you can donate online.

Establish a New Unrestricted Fund

This match opportunity makes it easier than ever to start a named, unrestricted fund while also receiving a great tax deduction. For additional information, contact the Foundation at 260-244-5224 or email September McConnell at sep2wccf@gmail.com.

We’re offering a sweet, easy-to-send option for Valentines, and each one helps power a program supporting women’s health. Whether you’re sending it to your bestie, coworker, neighbor of someone you’re still figuring out, it’s a simple card with a big-hearted purpose.

Here’s how it works: For each $6 tax deductible contribution to the Giving Circle for Women’s Health Fund, we will send a colorful valentine alerting your honorees that a gift has been made in their name. All proceeds benefit the Giving Circle Fund which provides free mammograms to Whitley County women who cannot afford the vital test, as well as other programs designed to support the health and well-being of girls and women in our community.

Chocolate goes to the hips, flowers wilt away, but a donation to the Whitley County Giving Circle for Women’s Health Fund at the Community Foundation will truly be a gift from the heart that makes a lasting difference in the lives of others. For some, it will truly be a valentine for life.

Valentines can be ordered online by visiting the Foundation’s website at www.cfwhitley.org or simply mail a list with the names and addresses of your valentines and a $6 donation for each to CFWC, 1171 E. Woods Way, Columbia City, IN, 46725. The last day to submit orders is February 2nd. Please note: the Foundation makes every attempt to organize mailings (whether across country or across town) to reach mailboxes on February 14th but ultimately, delivery is based upon the post office’s schedule.

Foundation supporters are invited to join us for lunch on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th at Noon for a High Five event featuring reports from past grant recipients. Lunch will be provided but reservations are necessary. Please contact Carol Flowers at 260-244-5224 or carolwccf@gmail.com if you plan to attend.

Community Foundation staff can share tools for setting up gifts to benefit a favorite nonprofit organization or charity while also generating income for the donor.  Charitable Remainder Trusts are a great example. They provide remarkable flexibility and important benefits including:

Subject to limitations under federal tax law, donors qualify for an immediate income tax deduction for a gift to a charitable remainder trust, even though income will be paid to you (and/or other beneficiaries) for life. If you and your professional advisor would like to explore this and other options for smart giving, contact September McConnell at 260-244-5224 or sepwccf@gmail.com – conversations are free!

Despite the cold temperatures, two of our former Lilly Scholars made great connections and had plenty of fun when attending "LSN on ice" hosted by Purdue University.  

Purdue's chapter of the Lilly Scholar Network invited all current scholars to West Lafayette on January 17th. Those attending included Libby Snyder, our 2025 Lilly scholar who is enrolled at Butler University, and Logan Good, our 2024 Lilly Scholar who attends Purdue University - both are graduates of Columbia City High School. Libby and Logan enjoyed lunch with fellow Lilly Scholars and then the group headed to Riverside Skating Center for an afternoon of fun and an ice skating social.  Libby and Logan networked with other scholars, enjoyed lunch, spent time catching up with each other and created new college memories! “Minus the cold it was a great experience and I had a wonderful time,” said Snyder.

We appreciate the opportunities for Lilly Scholars to share adventures and make new friends through the LSN.

September McConnell, CEO
Vanessa Bills, COO
Carol Flowers, Communications Officer
Brooks Walker, Program Officer
Andrew Thompson, HANDS Navigator
Sharlene Berkshire, Treasurer
Eleanor Schmidt, Lilly Intern

Jim Argerbright
Michelle Burch
Angela Cotter
Matt Dahms
Kathy Heuer
Todd Jones
Joe Kessie
Rob Marr
Andy More
Rachelle Patrick
Sam St.Clair
Paula Worden
Jaci Worrick

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260-244-5224  |  1171 E Woods Way, Columbia City, IN 46725