Community Foundation Receives Lilly Endowment Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow – GIFT VIII
Angola, IN – The Steuben County Community Foundation has received a grant of $3,007,200 from Lilly Endowment Inc. through the Community Leadership Implementation Grants component of the eighth phase of its Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT VIII) initiative. This is one of thirty implementation grants awarded through GIFT VIII, a statewide Lilly Endowment initiative designed to support the efforts of community foundations and their partners to strengthen the quality of life for the people in the towns, cities, counties, and regions they serve.
With the more than $3 million received, the Steuben County Community Foundation is set to finalize the Sheets Family Park project. This park will be situated on 4.12 acres of land generously donated at the eastern end of the YMCA Campus along the Angola Trail. It serves as a key component of the 7.4-mile biking and walking trail that links Commons Park to Pokagon State Park. The park will have various amenities, including a children's splash pad, an inclusive playground, pickleball courts, a trailhead, and a pavilion designated for community events.
"The Steuben County Community Foundation is pleased to lead the final fundraising for this public park," said Jennifer Danic, President and CEO of the Steuben County Community Foundation. "Thanks to community support and a significant investment from Lilly Endowment, we've raised the necessary funds to complete the project. However, we encourage continued contributions to support the park's ongoing development and maintenance."
Construction is currently in progress, having kicked off after a groundbreaking ceremony held on November 12th. The park is expected to be completed by the fall of 2025.
In 1990, Lilly Endowment launched the Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT) initiative to help establish and further develop community foundations throughout Indiana. Lilly Endowment hoped that Indiana’s community foundations could enhance the quality of life in their communities by convening conversations among people of diverse ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, occupations, races, and cultural traditions about their communities’ most compelling needs and opportunities as well as the best ways to address them.
The Steuben County Community Foundation, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to empowering individuals and businesses to support the causes they are passionate about through our philanthropic services, strategic investments, and community leadership. With $55 million in assets, our mission is to bridge the gap between those who care and the needs of our community. We strive to enhance the quality of life by evaluating, supporting, and coordinating philanthropic giving and endowment building. Our vision is to lead the community in these efforts. To learn more about our work, please visit our website at www.steubenfoundation.org.