The Community Foundation of Boone County (CFBC) has received a grant of $1.5 million from Lilly Endowment Inc. through the Community Support Grant component of the ninth phase of its Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT IX) initiative. This is one of 92 Community Support Grants being awarded through GIFT IX, a statewide Lilly Endowment initiative designed to support the efforts of community foundations to strengthen the quality of life in the communities they serve.
The Community Support Grant is designed to provide the community foundation with flexible funding to enhance its grantmaking capacity to address compelling, near-term needs in its county. The community foundation will have up to three years to use its grant to address community-driven priorities.
CFBC’s Board of Directors and staff have determined that this Community Support Grant will be dedicated to advancing the organizational Lifelong Learning pillar. An open grant cycle will launch in 2026 for eligible applicants to apply for large-scale, high-impact grants aligned with this focus, and all information will be shared publicly once ready. CFBC will also host a community town hall in 2026 to walk through the details, eligibility requirements, and next steps, so CFBC encourages partners to stay tuned, knowing there is no action needed now and more information will be provided once available.
“We are deeply grateful to Lilly Endowment for this $1.5 million investment in Boone County. When we invest in learning and education for people of all ages and abilities, we strengthen every part of our community’s future – from economic stability and workforce readiness to personal wellbeing, connected families, and a thriving Boone County for generations to come. We look forward to stewarding these dollars intentionally to make a lasting impact and move forward work that will help break generational cycles and strengthen lifelong learning for every neighbor we serve.”
Lilly Endowment created the GIFT initiative in 1990 to help local communities in Indiana develop the philanthropic capacity to identify local needs and challenges and work with other organizations and residents to help their communities thrive. Through GIFT IX, Lilly Endowment has allocated up to $271.5 million to support Indiana’s community foundations in growing their financial resources and further strengthening their ability to address their community’s highest-priority challenges and opportunities.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF BOONE COUNTY
The Community Foundation of Boone County exists to unite people, organizations, and philanthropy to create a thriving community for all. Since 1991, its leaders have worked to empower and engage local communities to make a difference right here in Boone County while also leading a vision to collaboratively address the root causes of challenges facing Boone County in diverse and equitable ways. The Community Foundation continues to invest in the people working to fill local needs. It has granted more than $31 million to nonprofit organizations and programs working to solve critical challenges in Boone County. With more than $40 million in endowed assets, the Community Foundation works with donors to create permanent funds for charitable giving to strengthen Boone County for generations to come.
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 Eli Lilly and Company. The Endowment supports community development, education, and religion, with a special commitment to Indianapolis and Indiana.