News Release

WARSAW — After almost 27 years of service, Suzie Light has officially retired as CEO of the Kosciusko County Community Foundation. 

In August 1993,  Light joined the Community Foundation as the assistant director and was quickly promoted to executive director in January 1995. 

Under Light’s leadership, the Community Foundation’s assets grew from $400,000 to over $60 million. The Community Foundation now awards more than $3 million in grants annually, which is almost eight times greater than the total asset size of the foundation when she started. 

In honor of Light’s retirement, the Community Foundation will host a retirement part on Tuesday, Aug. 18, at the Winona Heritage Room, 901 Park Ave., Winona Lake. 

The open house style event will be held from 4:30-7 p.m., with a brief presentation at 5:30 p.m. Please RSVP at kcfoundation.org/events or by calling (574)-267-1901. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we ask that the time slot from 4:30-5:15 p.m. be reserved for those individuals in the high-risk population. All attendees are encouraged to wear a mask. Hand sanitizer will be available at the event. For individuals unable to attend due to the pandemic, cards may be sent to the Community Foundation office, 102 E. Market St., Warsaw, IN 46580 

The Community Foundation Board of Directors has chosen to honor Light’s years of service through the creation of two new endowments that will forever support areas Light is particularly passionate about: 

The Suzie Light Visual and Performing Arts Fund – to provide support to Kosciusko County based nonprofit or government entities that encourage participation in visual art programs or projects, or that establish art exhibition or permanent art installations in Kosciusko County. 

The Suzie Light Nonprofit Leadership Excellence Fund – to provide support to Kosciusko County based nonprofit corporations to participate in staff training, board training, strategic planning or other methodologies that would be beneficial to improving nonprofit capacity and long-term sustainability. 

To make a gift in honor of Light to one of these funds, visit kcfoundation.org/donate or send to 102 E. Market St., Warsaw. If sending a check, please indicate the name of the fund you wish to support.