$100,000 in Proactive Grants Awarded to Local Food Programs
Press Release
Together We Can Feed Grant County
$100,000 in Proactive Grants Awarded to Local Food Programs
Grant County, IN — The Community Foundation of Grant County awarded $100,000 in proactive grants—$25,000 each—to four local organizations on the frontlines of fighting hunger in our community:
· St. Martin Community Center
· Grant County Rescue Mission
· The Salvation Army of Marion
· Meals on Wheels of Grant County
These grants come at a critical time for families and individuals across the county. Although federal officials have announced that SNAP benefits will resume this month, they will do so at a reduced rate, and payments are expected to be delayed. Additionally, the ongoing federal government shutdown means some residents are not receiving income as usual, leaving many households uncertain about when or how they will be able to put food on the table.
Recognizing this urgent need, the Community Foundation took swift, proactive action to help sustain local food programs and ensure that no one in Grant County goes hungry.
“When we heard that some of our neighbors might experience disruptions in accessing food, we wanted to help our direct service providers locally,” said Dawn Brown, President/CEO of the Community Foundation of Grant County. “Together, we can make sure every family has something to eat by supporting these amazing nonprofit organizations who serve Grant County families daily.”
Each of the four nonprofits will use the funds to supplement food supplies, purchase essential items, and expand meal distribution efforts to meet increased community demand in the weeks and months ahead.
“This is exactly what community foundations are built for—to respond quickly, compassionately, and collaboratively,” said Shelly Jones, Community Development Officer. “The phrase ‘Together We Can Feed Grant County’ is more than a campaign; it’s a call to action for all of us.”
If you would like to see more of this kind of philanthropy in Grant County, donate to the Give To Grant Unrestricted Fund with the Community Foundation of Grant County by visiting GiveToGrant.org/Collab or by mailing a check to 505 West Third Street, Marion, IN 46952 with Give To Grant in the subject line.
These awards were made possible because of the generous donors who have contributed to the Community Foundation’s unrestricted endowment funds over time. These funds give the Foundation the flexibility to respond swiftly when urgent community needs arise. The foresight and generosity of these donors make it possible for the Foundation to meet moments like this with compassion, collaboration, and immediate impact.
Unrestricted giving allows the Foundation Board to direct support where it’s needed most, whether that’s feeding families, strengthening local nonprofits, or fueling innovative local solutions.
And now, thanks to the Lilly Endowment GIFT VIII Match Initiative, all donations to these unrestricted funds will be matched with $2 for every $1 given through December 31, 2025, or until matching dollars are fully committed. That means your donation will be automatically tripled to multiply this kind of impactful work right here in Grant County.
“With this GIFT VIII match, when you donate to a Give To Grant Unrestricted Fund, your $50 donation becomes $150, your $500 donation becomes $1,500, $5,000 becomes $15,000, and so on to support our local community,” said Sherri Rush, Chief Financial Officer. “When donors give to the Give To Grant Fund, they’re not just donating to a single cause, they’re investing in the strength, resilience, and well-being of the entire Grant County community for long-term impact.”
About Community Foundation of Grant County, Indiana, Inc.
The Community Foundation of Grant County is an advocate for local philanthropy and is dedicated to improving the lives of people in the Grant County area. An effective steward of the community’s charitable resources since 1984, the Foundation partners with donors to establish charitable funds and supports nonprofits through a variety of grantmaking efforts. The Community Foundation connects people, resources, and causes to promote sustainable impact for the betterment of Grant County. Today, the Foundation manages over 400 charitable funds, advancing a broad range of causes that strengthen Grant County. For more information, visit www.GiveToGrant.org.
