Community Foundation of Pulaski County is one of 84 foundations in Indiana receiving grants through this round of GIFT VII grantmaking.

Lilly Endowment created GIFT in 1990 to help local communities in Indiana develop the philanthropic capacity to identify local needs and challenges. It launched GIFT VII in 2018 and made available a total of $125 million to help foundations strengthen their leadership capacities in the towns, cities and counties they serve. Lilly Endowment expects to make additional GIFT VII grants in the coming months.

“The GIFT VII opportunity to focus on community leadership has the potential to truly make a difference in our communities and county as a whole,” said Wendy Rose, executive director of the community foundation.

As part of GIFT VII, Community Foundation of Pulaski County was awarded a planning grant of $50,000 in 2019 to convene local stakeholders to identify, prioritize and assess opportunities and challenges in Pulaski County. In March 2020, the community foundation was invited to apply for a GIFT VII Community Leadership Grant to implement strategies and activities identified during the planning period.

“Through the community conversations, we heard loud and clear that people want a community with forward-thinking leadership. People are at a stage where they are saying ‘enough is enough’ and many want change but are unsure of what to do. The GIFT VII grant will allow us to put programs and opportunities into place to build and strengthen leaders, helping them to learn how to make positive change,” said Vicki Overmyer, president of the Community Foundation Board of Directors.

With the GIFT VII grant, residents can expect to see increased opportunities to further forward-thinking leadership, including trainings for elected officials and those considering running for office; a Leadership Pulaski County program; nonprofit management training; and opportunities with Ball State University’s Indiana Communities Institute including community-led action planning.

“These will be highly valuable and worthwhile opportunities for those who are eager to be part of the change for good and who want to invest in community action to benefit our county. The challenges facing our community are complex, but with the GIFT VII grant and community support, we will make necessary strides toward building stronger leadership for the kind of community we want for the future,” said Rose.

About the Community Foundation:

Community Foundation Pulaski County is a nonprofit public charity established in 2002 to encourage the growth of endowed funds to serve and enrich our community today and tomorrow. It is committed to improving quality of life by funding community projects, stewarding endowed funds for the future, and fostering philanthropy in Pulaski County. For more information call 574-946-0906; email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; or visit www.cfopc.org.

About Lilly Endowment Inc.

Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly, Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. Although the gifts of stock remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion. The Endowment funds significant programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion. However, it maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.