Kosciusko County Community Foundation held its annual meeting today at Champagne Jam in Warsaw. Board president Jerry Yeager shared highlights of the year adding, “Many have used KCCF to make donor dreams come true, and we are honored to be your philanthropic partner.”

There are two aspects of KCCF that are unique. One is highly customized giving, where a donor decides what kind of gift to make (cash, grain, stock, real estate), and how the gift can make a difference; a gift can be created by an endowment.

Highlights from its fiscal year – July 1, 2012, to June 30, 2013 – included over $1.7 million in grants were awarded from all funds. Scholarships were awarded for nearly 200 area students to pursue certificate programs, technical school, or college education.

Financial assistance from various funds at KCCF, helping people facing a medical crisis, totaled nearly $253,000. Over $22,000 in educational grants were made at the recommendation of its youth philanthropy group, KEYS.

Nearly $73,000 in grants were made possible by Kosciusko REMC members who rounded up monthly electric bills to fund the Kosciusko REMC Operation Round-Up Fund.

Forty-seven individuals were recognized for service to others at its annual Heart of Gold reception. For the first time, it presented two additional awards: The Service Club of the Year award went to the Warsaw Breakfast Optimists and the Nonprofit of the Year award went to the North Webster Community Center.

Yeager said 215 volunteers helped fulfill its mission to make donor dreams shine for the good of the community. “I am also happy to report that all board members and staff financially supported KCCF last year.”

KCCF has started efforts to help victims of domestic violence, grants benefitting veterans, and outreach to the agricultural community to work on issues that matter to them.

New board members are: Ron Baumgartner, Kevin Deardorff, Jennifer Hollar, Christine Sands, Dana Krull, Jon Roberts and Kip Tom. They were asked to serve because their skill met the needs of the organization, and they help strategically connect to communities with whom it wants to partner, such as the Syracuse/Wawasee community and the agricultural community.

A special welcome was given to those in attendance who lost a loved one in the past year. KCCF received many donations in memory of foundation friends.

KCCF recognized retiring board members who are: Alan Alderfer, Tracy Jackson, Barbara Kissane, Jeannie Ross, Craig Tidball and Mindy Truex.

Last year, it announced the formation of Philanthropy Round Table, which recognizes professional advisors in the area, attorneys, financial planners, accountants and trust officers, who advise clients about how they can include charity in their financial and estate planning.

Last year, it recognized Alan Alderfer, Mike Bergen, Neal Carlson, Bob Gephart, Becky Hillyard, Jeanine Knowles and Jerry Yeager.

Ot Schroeder and David Bailey shared the impact of KCCF dollars on Kosciusko County Educational Development, which helps at-risk students graduate from high school. KCCF has granted dollars for the initiative for the past three years.

Each year, KCCF sets aside funds to award a proactive grant. This is a grant that is awarded without the organization asking because it knows they are working on either a particularly urgent project or meeting a need that has high community impact. At the meeting, people registered a vote on the category they felt was most important to address in the coming year. Based on the voting results, KCCF will award a $10,000 proactive grant impacting that category. The results will be in its November e-newsletter.