Community Foundation of Boone County Gives Back to Local Nonprofits
Writer / Shelly Sack
Photography Provided
This year marks the 10th anniversary since the first annual National Day of Giving for the Community Foundation of Boone County (CFBC). The foundation has found a unique way of turning what could typically be a day of asking assistance into its own unique way of giving back to nonprofit organizations around the county.
On Nov. 22, CFBC descended upon 10 local nonprofits to surprise them with funds to help their organizations further their individual missions that connect with community residents.
Ten organizations each received $2,500 checks from CFBC’s grants committee, representing groups from arts/ culture, mental health, food insecurity, the disabled population and programming that supports local youth struggling with home, school and life direction.
This program is in its fourth year, according to president and CEO Jodi Gietl, who says she was inspired when she assumed her role with CFBC at the time.
“We need donations just like the rest, but we’re here to support 175 nonprofits. Why don’t we do it backwards and make it the Day of Giving Back?” Gietl says.
The first year, 10 nonprofits were chosen at random to receive $1,000 gifts each from the grants committee, which is comprised of some members of the CFBC board of directors and local residents. The program then grew to be more focused in the years since.
“It was super fun the first year and we said, ‘let’s do that again,’” Gietl says. “This is our fourth year of the program. The first year was random with names out of a hat. The second year we focused on libraries and parks departments, town municipalities and local chambers. Basically, these are the unsung heroes that don’t get a chance to play in the big sandbox of grants. They are civic servants.”
Gietl continued to explain the program’s strategy for 2022.
“This year, we went to the grants committee and said there are pieces of the pie that haven’t been able to benefit from the impact of the community foundation. How can we come alongside them and fill in the pieces of the pie for those who maybe missed a grant opportunity?”
Gietl adds that instead of a random draw, this year’s recipients were chosen from a more data-driven approach from area gaps that weren’t previously addressed in 2022. In addition, the award more than doubled, increasing from $1,000 awards to $2,500 apiece.
Of all the past grants, which Gietl says are all well-deserved, one sticks out from her first year awarding the grants.
“We always load up in my truck to surprise the recipients. Sugar Creek Art Center, which is a warehouse for local artists with no studio of their own, is located in Thorntown. We walked in with a $1,000 check and the executive director started crying because the nonprofit had just spent $1,000 on a new elevator. It’s a three-story old factory and the elevator keeps them ADA compliant. We were thrilled and touched to see the timing.”
For those interested in donating to the community impact fund year, call (765) 482-0024 or email info@communityfoundationbc.org. You can also follow on social media via Facebook at @CFBooneCo, on Twitter at @CFBooneCo or Instagram at @communityfoundationboone.
Recipients are:
- Advance Food Distribution
- Boone County Mentoring Partnership
- Center Stage Community Theatre
- Indiana Diaper Bank
- Indiana Wish
- Morning Dove Therapeutic Riding Center
- Pack Away Hunger
- Shalom House
- SullivanMunce Cultural Center
- Watch Us Farm
