Boone County Foundation Lands $1.5M Matching Grant from Lilly Endowment

The Community Foundation of Boone County has been awarded a $1.5 million matching fund grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. as part of the foundation's Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT IX) initiative. The grant, announced this week, aims to bolster the community foundation's endowment and support local philanthropic efforts.

The GIFT IX initiative, now in its ninth phase, is designed to strengthen community foundations across Indiana by providing matching funds that encourage local fundraising. The Community Foundation of Boone County must raise an equivalent amount in matching funds to fully access the $1.5 million grant. This challenge grant model is intended to inspire broad-based community support and increase the foundation's long-term sustainability.

This grant represents a significant opportunity for Boone County to expand its philanthropic resources and address local needs. Community leaders have expressed optimism about the potential impact, noting that the matching requirement will engage donors and foster collaboration. The foundation is expected to launch a fundraising campaign to meet the match, with further details to be announced in the coming months.