Franklin County,  Indiana

"GROWING A STRONGER FRANKLIN COUNTY"

            To quote David Trueblood, “It takes a noble man to plant a seed for a tree that will someday give shade to people he may never meet.” 

            This is what countless people have done to allow The Franklin County Community Foundation to experience amazing growth in its first eight years.  Support from the Lilly Endowment and the charitable giving of many living in and out of Franklin County have created over 60 funds and assets totaling more than $2.1 million.   Gifts, grants and scholarships have touched many lives in every corner of Franklin County.

            How did this growth happen?   It happened because of dedicated Staff who have professionally guided and represented the FCCF.  It happened because of energetic board members and volunteers who have possessed a spirit of community pride.  It happened because of generous donors who have demonstrated a deep love and concern for Franklin County. 

            The Foundation has come to a point where it has to build a stronger base for the future.  Lilly Endowment only represents a portion of funding and has made it clear that community foundations such as FCCF must become self sustainable. 

            The balance sheet that appears in another part of this report reflects the costs of staff, utilities, maintenance, and funds management.  These expenses are inevitable and continue to rise. The bottom line is that the Franklin County Community Foundation can only operate in it's current capacity for about three more years on its current operational funds. 

            Therefore, an operations campaign, Growing A Stronger Franklin County, will be launched in the Spring of 2006.  The goal of this campaign is to appeal to the charitable spirit of those with a vision to build a stronger Franklin County. Monies raised from this campaign will go directly to the operational funds of the Franklin County Community Foundation.  The FCCF Board of Directors and the Asset Development Committee will guide and direct these efforts in Growing A Stronger Franklin County.          

                                                                                     Marilyn Roberts,                                                                                     Chairman of Asset Development