EPES principal Jill Collins told how the “You Are Beautiful” mural concept came to life, created by the students last spring with help from a visiting artist. Art teacher Lynn Darda expressed the positive impact the project had on her students as well as teachers, and introduced 5th-grade students Kelsey Conner and Max Murray who described their experience.

Guests at the PCCF celebration party

EPES art teacher Lynn Darda listens as Kelsey Conner and Max Murray describe their mural experience.

PCCF president Don Street shared Foundation highlights from the past year. He noted that $256,000 went out to the community in fund distributions, with $25,000 to nine organizations through the competitive community grant cycle last fall. In addition, four youth organizations received nearly $2,000 in grant support for projects, and representatives from each one were on hand to share about their projects during the evening. Local students were awarded 21 scholarships in the spring, totaling more than $40,000. 

The Community Foundation also unveiled its new website, www.pulaskiccf.org, this summer and increased its social media presence through Facebook.

Peach Roth informed the audience that since the birth of community foundations in 1914, more than 700 community foundations have come into existence across the country, and over 1700 worldwide. “As place-based organizations that focus collective assets for community betterment, community foundations are helping people of all means give back and make a difference locally and internationally,” said Roth. She remarked that the generosity of many donors and volunteers over PCCF’s 17 years continues to make life better in Pulaski County.

Executive director Wendy Rose explained the latest news from Lilly Endowment which is offering a new matching challenge. The emphasis of GIFT Phase VI is “...to expand our ability to address the changing needs of our community into the future. The Endowment believes the foundations must have unrestricted funds to enable them to respond to local needs as they arise,” she said. 

To assist the community foundations, Lilly will match every gift to PCCF’s “Community Grants Fund” dollar for dollar, up to $500,000. “Donors can double the impact of their gifts, and our communities will be the beneficiaries,” said Rose. 

Rose went on to say that gifts to existing endowments or to create new funds will be matched at 50%. The matching period will last until March of 2016. Those in attendance were encouraged to be part of building bridges to the future through the new matching opportunity.

Pulaski County Community Foundation is located at 127 E Pearl Street in Winamac. Contact PCCF at 574-946-0906 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..