Lilly Endowment Inc. has launched the eighth phase of its Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT) initiative, allocating up to $210 million to help Indiana community foundations strengthen the quality of life in the towns, cities and counties they serve.

The GIFT initiative is based upon Lilly Endowment’s longstanding belief that community foundations are uniquely positioned to play central roles in building the prosperity of communities throughout Indiana.

Through this new GIFT phase (GIFT VIII) Lilly Endowment has invited the Putnam County Community Foundation (PCCF) and other eligible Indiana community foundations to participate in three funding opportunities designed to help them grow their ?nancial resources to enhance their effectiveness and promote long-term viability; further strengthen their abilities to lead on important community priorities; encourage board engagement; and support and develop strategic efforts to enhance quality of life in their communities. The grant opportunities include:

• Matching Fund Grants, which will enable community foundations to develop unrestricted assets, implement projects and programs that address community needs, and build their internal capacity. Lilly Endowment has allocated up to $135.3 million for this opportunity.
• Community Leadership Grants, which will enable community foundations to continue to seek input from a diverse range of community stakeholders and, if desired, request funding to develop and implement large-scale action plans that address high-priority challenges and opportunities in their communities. Additionally, community foundations can choose to work collaboratively to address shared priorities by submitting a joint/regional proposal. Community Leadership Grants will be available in a two-phase process: a non-competitive planning phase and a competitive implementation phase. Lilly Endowment has allocated up to $65.5 million for this opportunity.

• Board Engagement Grants, which will encourage board members of community foundations to make financial contributions to their foundations. Each community foundation demonstrating 100 percent board member giving will receive a $100,000 unrestricted grant. Lilly Endowment has allocated up to $9.2 million for this opportunity.

“The Putnam County Community Foundation is humbled to receive this invitation from Lilly Endowment. While we recognize the responsibility that comes with such a tremendous opportunity for our community, we are grateful for Lilly Endowment’s trust in community foundations like ours,” said Neysa Meyer, PCCF executive director. “We are excited to explore the impact that GIFT VIII could have on Putnam County.”

Lilly Endowment has yet to award any GIFT VIII grants, and local funding is contingent on Lilly Endowment’s approval of PCCF’s proposal(s). However, PCCF leaders believe the organization is equipped to effectively develop and implement sustainable solutions to address the county’s most pressing concerns.

“Our Board of Directors is excited about the GIFT VIII initiative, and we are confident that our team is well-positioned to tackle the hard work required of this opportunity,” said Marianne Savage, PCCF board president.

To learn more about GIFT VIII, please visit Lilly Endowment’s website. For additional information about the Putnam County Community Foundation or its role in the GIFT VIII initiative, individuals may contact Sarah Stone at sstone@pcfoundation.org or call the office at 765.653.4978.