Foundation Celebrates 25th Year

Current and past staff, board members, and donors of the Community Foundation of Randolph County gathered recently at Towne Square Community Centre in Winchester to celebrate 25 years of giving.

Guests enjoyed a catered meal prepared by Chef Dugan of Reid Health and heard presentations about four different endowed funds held at the Community Foundation: The Max and Dianne Jones Memorial Music Lesson Scholarship Fund, Randolph Promise Fund, Rural Randolph Cares Agricultural Fund, and Union City Community Fund. Guests were given 10 minutes to donate to the fund or funds of their choice. A total of $6,440 was raised. The Community Foundation provided matching dollars totaling $5,082.50 bringing the amount raised for the four funds to $11,522.50!!!

The Community Foundation also presented grants at the event. Five Randolph County non-profit organizations received a total of $20,450 as part of the foundation’s annual fall grant cycle. They include:
Community & Family Services Head Start–$3,280 to purchase a new D.I.G. Curriculum for the Winchester location; Jay-Randolph Developmental Services–$4,430 for website redesign; Randolph Central School Corporation–$500 to purchase show kits for a school musical at Willard Elementary; Second Harvest Food Bank–$10,000 to support the school pantry program in Randolph County elementary schools; Youth Services Bureau–$2,240 to help support the B.A.S.E. Program for high risk youth. Grants were paid from the Community Enrichment Fund, Union City Community Fund, Randolph County Heroes Fund, Starr Family Fund, and Whitacre Family Charitable Fund.

Indiana Arts Commission grants were also presented to 29 organizations from 11 surrounding counties. As Region 5 Arts Partner, the Community Foundation of Randolph County is responsible for assisting organizations in applying for grants, recruiting panelists to review and score grant applications, ensuring funds are dispersed in a timely manner, and ensuring that all follow up reports are submitted. For more information about Community Foundation grants, please contact Program Director, Stephanie Ward, at 765.584.9077 or via email at sward@randolphcountyfoundation.org

James Davis of Union City shared his memories of the early days of the Community Foundation. Davis, along with Allen Jefferis and Ray Griffin helped orchestrate the sale of the old hospital in Union City and used the proceeds to open the Union City Community Fund at the Community Foundation. The purpose of the fund is to support projects that benefit Union City, IN/OH
CFRC Board President Linda Wilcox (left), Winchester Foundation Chairman, Chris Talley (Center) and CFRC Board Member Cathy Stephen Miller (right)
At Towne Square Community Centre

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Randolph County Heroes Plaque (left) and Community Foundation timeline (right)
Guests had an opportunity to donate to four different endowed funds. Choices included the Max & Dianne Jones Music Scholarship Fund, the Randolph Promise Fund, the Rural Randolph Cares Fund, and the Union City Community Fund. In 10 minutes, we raised $6,440 and the Community Foundation matched it with $3,725. That’s over $10,000!!!
CFRC Board Member, Jane Flesher, educated guests about Gifts of Grain and the Rural Randolph Cares Fund, which will help support Randolph County non profits such as 4H, the food pantry and more!
Former CFRC Board President, Linda Brown (left), honored guest and donor, Sue Chenoweth Arquette (center) and current CFRC Executive Director, Lisa Jennings (right)
Friends and family of Max Jones and the late Dianne Dwiggins Jones were some of our honored guests for the evening
Former Winchester High School Band Director, Max Jones (front) spoke about the Max and Dianne Jones Music Scholarship Fund and enjoyed visiting with former colleagues and students as well as members of the community
CFRC Board Members Christen Commers Smith (left) and Dakota Crabtree (right) enjoying dinner and conversation
The Community Foundation presented grant awards to 5 Randolph County non profit organizations as part of it’s Fall Grant Awards. Recipients included Community & Family Services Head Start (not pictured), Jay-Randolph Cevelopmental Services, Randolph Central School Corporation, Second Harvest Food Bank, and Youth Services Bureau. Grants were made possible because of donations to the Community Enrichment Fund, Hero Fund, Starr Family Fund, Union City Community Fund, and Whitaker Family Charitable Fund
As Region 5 Partner with the Indiana Arts Commission, the Community Foundation is responsible for assisting with the re-granting of funds to arts organizations in 11 surrounding counties as well as non-arts organizations for arts related projects. Some of the recipients are shown here along with IAC Program Director, Paige Sharp (back row, second from left)
CFRC Board Members Janice Powers (right), and Dakota Crabtree (left) along with Alexis Dishman
Former CFRC Executive Director, Ruth Mills pictured with Conan and Kathy Wallace (left) and CFRC Board President, Linda Wilcox (right)
Kolby Hinkle from North Side Elementary spoke about his experience during the Walk into my Future event at IU East, which is part of the Randolph Promise Program. The young man told the audience that his first college visit left him feeling as though he can accomplish anything!!! Also pictured is Cathy Stephen Miller (right) and North Side Principal Mark Winkle (left)