Those planning to donate to one of the Starke County Community Foundation’s community funds have the chance to make their money go even further. The Lilly Endowment has announced a “2-for-1 dollar matching opportunity” for gifts to community funds, according to a Community Foundation press release. On top of that, the Starke County Community Foundation will match community fund donations dollar-for-dollar during its annual open house on Giving Tuesday, November 27.
The matching opportunities were highlighted by the foundation’s director of development Sarah Origer, during last month’s Community Impact Reception. She announced that the foundation has given out more than $400,000 in grants and scholarships so far this year. The foundation has also accumulated $12 million in assets.
Reception attendees had the chance to hear from two of the beneficiaries of Community Foundation funding. Starke County EMS Director Travis Clary said the Lucas device the EMS department was able to purchase has already saved several lives. Clary says the device, which performs CPR on cardiac arrest victims, has increased Starke County’s survival rate to 70 percent, 60 percent higher than the national average.
Additionally, Karen Zimmerman, the director of Little Lambs Preschool at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church said the Community Foundation’s Preschool Scholarship Program sets Starke County children on a track for success. She shared that many families worry about having to sacrifice their kids’ preschool education in order to make ends meet.
