DCF Proactive Impact Grant Supports Religious Charity's Good Works

DCF recently awarded a $1,000 proactive grant to the Daughters of Isabella.

(Dearborn Community Foundation Board member Mark Neff, right, delivers a $1,000 grant to Sandy Schmits, left, and Shirley Heyob, of the Daughters of Isabella. The grant funds will support the works of charity for the organization. Photo provided.)

(Lawrenceburg, Ind.) - The Dearborn Community Foundation (DCF), Inc. recently awarded a $1,000 proactive grant to the Daughters of Isabella (D of I), a Catholic women’s charitable organization, for the purchase of a heavy-duty mixer to be used as part of their charitable works.

In a continuing effort to make an impact in the Dearborn County community, DCF is awarding 15 proactive grants of $1,000 each to charitable organizations in Dearborn County throughout 2019. Each of the Foundation’s 15 volunteer Board members is recommending a grant. The source of the total of $15,000 in grants is the Foundation’s Community Funds (also known as Unrestricted Endowment Funds), established by donors to provide flexibility to DCF’s Board and staff to address changing needs in the community over the years.  

The $1,000 grant to the Daughters of Isabella was recommended by DCF Board President Mark Neff of Aurora, who says the organization conducts an annual holiday cheese ball sale to support their charitable works. Neff says the production and sales of these cheese balls has grown so much through the years that D of I members must rely on stronger and more durable mixers to be used in the production of the cheese balls. 

“Though they are a small organization, I am impressed with the growth of intensity and effort the members put forth in the production and sales of their cheese balls, which allows their organization to create the funding needed to fulfill their Mission of Love in helping those less fortunate in our community and the world,” said Neff.

Anyone can make a contribution to a Community Fund at DCF and help make impact grants like the 15 DCF Board members are recommending in 2019. Thanks to Lilly Endowment Inc.’s GIFT VII initiative, DCF is able to provide a $2-for-$1 match ($2 match for $1 donation) for contributions to any new or existing Community Funds at the Foundation. For a list of the Community Funds (unrestricted endowments) and to learn more about the Foundation, call 812-539-4115, stop by the office at 322 Walnut Street in Lawrenceburg, or visit the Foundation website at www.dearborncf.org. If you are interested in making a contribution to DCF, visit our website’s “Give Now” page to donate on line and to learn about other giving options.