LAGRANGE COUNTY, Ind. (WLKI)- The LaGrange County Community Foundation is launching a new fundraising effort after receiving a $750,000 matching grant from Lilly Endowment Incorporated.
The grant is part of the ninth phase of Lilly Endowment's Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow initiative, also known as GIFT IX. The program is designed to help community foundations build permanent charitable resources and support local projects.
The LaGrange County Community Foundation plans to direct $450,000 of the grant toward its unrestricted endowment. Those funds can be used to respond to future community needs and opportunities throughout the county.
The remaining $300,000 is designated for the Hawpatch Trail Project Fund. The trail project includes a planned 10-mile corridor that would eventually connect Topeka, Millersburg and Wolcottville.
Community members have two opportunities to increase the impact of their gifts.
For qualifying unrestricted endowed funds, Lilly Endowment will provide a two-to-one match. That means every dollar donated could generate an additional two dollars in matching funds.
Donations to the Hawpatch Trail Project Fund will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $300,000. Foundation leaders are working to raise the full amount by March 31 to help keep trail construction moving forward.