Mission, vision, & Values

The Board of Directors revised the organization's mission statement in September 2023:


Mission: We build resources, engage people, and inspire generosity to enrich lives in Pulaski County, Indiana.


Vision: We envision a thriving and healthy community where every resident can learn, create, contribute, prosper, and reach their full potential.


We support this vision by:

  • Engaging key community partners to leverage resources to solve problems and contribute to the common good.
  • Fostering and encouraging a culture of philanthropy.
  • Serving as a resource, coordinator, and catalyst for charitable activities.
  • Assessing and responding to changing community needs.
  • Strengthening and effectively managing new and existing endowed funds to support the community.

Our Core Values: 

We are passionate community leaders forging a strong community where all residents of Pulaski County have a role to play. We embody these core values through our words, actions, and community presence.

  • Leadership – We are forward-thinking listeners who aim to be nimble in response to community needs. We take the initiative to test new ideas, transform lives, and meet the needs of our community.
  • Integrity – We strive to do the right thing every time and conduct our business with transparency. We communicate with candor, honesty, and respect. We believe that trust is the first building block of a strong community.
  • Passion – We love what we do and pursue our work with the highest levels of excellence.
  • Collaboration – We support our community partners and seek to provide leadership, when needed, to address the needs of our community.
  • Accountability – We measure ourselves against the highest standards of philanthropy, stewardship, and fiscal responsibility to ensure our assets are used for the good of the community.

History

In 1994, Pulaski County citizens gathered to create our community foundation. For two years these leaders worked closely with a similar group in adjoining Starke County. In late 1996 both counties decided to become affiliates of the Northern Indiana Community Foundation (NICF), which already consisted of Cass, Fulton and Miami counties. 


Marking 1997 as the inception date, the Pulaski County Services Committee completed GIFT Phases sponsored by Lilly Endowment Inc. Like many community foundations throughout Indiana, ours was made possible by Lilly Endowment, Inc.'s GIFT (Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow) Initiatives. 


In 2000 the Pulaski County committee unanimously voted to become self-standing, and a local office was established in Winamac in 2001 with a part-time staff. The Board of Directors was increased and the organization applied for 501c3 status. Also in 2001, CFPC won a $5,000,000 educational CAPE grant for Pulaski County, forming the PACE organization that continues as a grant making entity today.


On March 31, 2002, the Pulaski County Community Foundation officially became an independent organization. Its first independent granting cycle was offered that year, awarding over $12,000 to local projects and organizations.


A full-time executive director was hired in 2003, and the Community Foundation continued to grow. The office was moved to 127 E Pearl Street in Winamac in 2006, and by its 10th anniversary, total assets of the Foundation exceeded $6.5 million.


The next decade for the Community Foundation included advancements in organizational practices and technology, community awareness, and assets.  Youth programs at elementary and high school levels were offered to spread the concept of philanthropy. Nonprofit support through grants, workshops, and endowment building programs were presented. The Legacy Society was created to recognize individuals who create planned gifts for the future of their community.

 

Donations may now be made online, and grant and scholarship programs are also processed online. CFPC maintains accreditation with state and national standards for community foundations and has its own Facebook page. Total number of funds rose to over 100, and total assets to nearly $10 million. Total grants and scholarships distributed surpassed $4.4 million.

  

The Community Foundation Board adopted a new name in 2015 (putting “community” first), logo, vision, and commitment statement. In March of 2016, the Community Foundation succeeded in raising over half a million dollars in response to Lilly Endowment Inc.'s GIFT VI challenge.  Combined with the Endowment's match, over $1.2 million was raised and added to CFPC funds.

 

In celebration of the Community Foundation's 20th year in 2017 and recognition of the tremendous community support over those years, Love Your Community placemaking grants were awarded to each community that summer, totaling $50,000.

 

Beginning in 2019, Lilly Endowment's GIFT Phase VII opportunity began, and generous donors enabled the foundation to receive a $500,000 challenge grant; a planning grant was received and followed by an implementation grant in 2020 for an initiative focusing on Forward Thinking Leadership spanning three years.  


The Community Foundation continues its mission to serve and enrich Pulaski County with continued focus on long term goals, commitment to donors, and stewardship of endowed funds.


Marking its 25th year in 2022, the Community Foundation looks forward to a new impactful role in Pulaski County with a community leadership focus. It will continue to serve and support the charitable interests of our citizens as it works to strengthen and enhance our community for the years ahead!