FRANKLIN, IN — Aspire Johnson County, a community betterment initiative, will receive additional funding from two key donation sources.
Aspire will be a shared recipient of proceeds from the annual Pay it Forward Johnson County golf outing, scheduled for September 11 at The Legends Golf Club in Franklin.
Also, the Johnson County Community Foundation will provide a matching grant of up to $15,000 to help fund Aspire’s efforts.
The Johnson County Development Corporation, with support from the Johnson County Community Foundation, launched Aspire Johnson County last year as a county-wide effort to make the Central Indiana county a great place to live, work and play.
“Pay It Forward Johnson County organizers believe that supporting the Aspire initiative will bring even more caring and committed citizens to the forefront in Johnson County,” said Erin Smith, who co-chairs the highly successful annual golf outing.
PIFJC will continue to support other Johnson County causes through the golf event, which has raised $90,000 for local non-profit organizations in the past three years. Providing additional support to Aspire Johnson County fits the mission of the high profile event, Smith said.
Likewise, the Johnson County Community Foundation’s board of directors unanimously approved the matching grant for AJC, saying the initiative also mirrors its mission. Besides initial seed money they provided in 2013, the Foundation board said new support from donors will be matched up to $15,000. Donations are tax deductible because the Foundation is a 501(c)(3)
“Our message is that the Foundation is excited to be part of this county-wide initiative. There are remarkable things going on with the Aspire movement,” said Johnson County Community Foundation President and CEO Gail Richards.
Aspire Johnson County members – who include business, education, government, non-profit sector representatives and community volunteers – are focused on key areas such as attracting and retaining talent for local employers, creating quality of life benefits such as a trails system and park enhancements, maximizing planning opportunities across municipal boundaries and marketing the assets and attractions of the county to residents and visitors.
The Johnson County Development Corporation board of directors formed Aspire as part of its strategic plan. JCDC leads Aspire’s process and provides administrative and organizational support.
“Aspire’s mission is to move Johnson County from ‘good’ to ‘great’,” said Cheryl Morphew, President and CEO of the Johnson County Development Corporation. “This funding will provide the support our community leaders and volunteers need to keep the momentum going. We are beginning to affect change.”
HOW TO HELP
Aspire Johnson County
c/o Johnson County Development Corporation
2797 North Morton Street, Suite F
Franklin, IN 46131
Information: 317.736.4300
Pay It Forward Johnson County Golf Event
September 11
The Legends Golf Club
2555 North Hurricane Road
Franklin, IN 46131
Golfers, Sponsors and Volunteers Needed
Contact: Erin Smith, Spotlight Strategies, 317.738.3434 or erin@spotlight-strategies.com
Information: www.payitforwardjc.com
Aspire Johnson County Matching Grant Donations
c/o Johnson County Community Foundation
398 South Main Street
Franklin, IN 46131
Information: www.jccf.org or 317.738.2213
