Passion, Impact & Legacy
About The Community Foundation Of Huntington County
The purpose of the Community Foundation is to enhance the quality of life for every person who calls Huntington County home. We collect and provide access to a variety of resources for Huntington County residents.
Our resources expand beyond grants and scholarships, as we focus on bringing people together to pave the way for a better future for Huntington County, IN.
Our mission is to connect people and resources to address local challenges and opportunities.
Our History
1980
1989
Starting Out
During the latter portion of 1989, a group of over 20 forward-thinking Huntington County citizens began meeting to investigate and discuss the creation of a community foundation in Huntington County by utilizing assistance from Lilly Endowment Inc. Steve Piekarski, then President of First National Bank, got the ball rolling after discussing the possibility with Charles Johnson of Lilly Endowment Inc.
1990
August 1990
The Workshop
In August 1990, a workshop at the LaFontaine Center was hosted by Barb Hancher of the Huntington County Chamber of Commerce and characterized as a regional information meeting offering the “opportunity for a broader base of people to get more technical information.”
December 1990
Huntington Civic Foundation
The following month a meeting was held to discuss an informational letter that Charles Johnson had sent to the organizing group. By December 1990 a “Huntington Civic Foundation” meeting was held to draft bylaws and review existing foundations and charitable trusts currently existing within Huntington County.
1991
Name Changed
Early in 1991, the initial name had been changed to the “Heritage Fund of Huntington County” and Piekarski felt that it was now appropriate to bring all interested parties together to assure a broad-based understanding of the Foundation, its operating mechanisms and the benefits it would provide.
1991
Opening Meeting and Looking Forward
In March 1991 there was an open meeting at the Huntington Public Library regarding movement toward this innovative concept, followed by an organizational meeting of the Heritage Fund of Huntington County in July 1991.
1992
First Grant Awarded and First Staff Hired
The Community Foundation’s first grant was awarded to the Huntington University Center for volunteer service. The first hire was a part-time Executive Director.
1995
First Scholarships Awarded
A total of $621 was awarded to 8 scholars.
1997
First Official Grant Cycle
Since 1997, more than 500 grants have been given to more than 100 organizations exceeding $2 million.
1997-1999
Gift III Initiative Funds
Through the Gift III Initiative of Lilly Endowment Inc, the Foundation was able to fund several community projects including:
- Demolition of the auditorium and construction of Heritage Hall at the 4-H Fairgrounds
- Roof and window replacement at the Knight Bergman Center
1999-2000
Gift IV Initiative
Through the Gift IV Initiative of Lilly Endowment Inc, the Foundation was able to fund several community projects including:
- The Huntington Police Athletic League building a second gymnasium and common area entrance
- The Huntington County Historical Society purchase of current museum location at 315 Court Street
- Markle Fish & Game Club Park building a central restroom location at Markle Park
2000
February 2002
From Fund to Foundation
The organization transitioned from the Heritage Fund of Huntington County to the Huntington County Community Foundation
2007 - 2019
Large Community Grants Bestowed
In the 2000s and 2010s, the Foundation was able to produce large-scale grants for the benefit of the community including:
- 2007: $150,000 grant to the Parkview YMCA
- 2013: $65,000 grant to the Learning Center
- 2015: $100,000 Grant to the Boys and Girls Club
- 2019: $80,000 to the Huntington Arts & Entrepreneurial Center
2023
Name Change
Through a rebranding process, the Huntington County Community Foundation was renamed the Community Foundation of Huntington County.
At the inaugural meeting, the agenda included:
The original board members included:
Since then, the roster of board members has reflected a wide variety of Huntington County leaders committed to improving quality of life for all citizens.
