dedicated to our counties: TOTAL ASSETS SURPASS $112 MILLION
10 TH LARGEST COMMUNITY FOUNDATION IN INDIANA
11,000+ GRANTS AWARDED
93 % OF TOTAL ASSETS ENDOWED
$27.2M IN GRANTS AWARDED
The Wabash Valley Community Foundation has reached an extraordinary milestone—surpassing $112 million in total assets—making us the 10th largest community foundation in Indiana. This achievement is a testament to the incredible support of over 13,000 donors who have helped us build a lasting legacy of community care since our founding in 1992.
Our mission from the beginning has been to create and grow endowed funds that provide permanent, ongoing support to enhance the quality of life for residents in Clay, Sullivan and Vigo counties. Thanks to your support, nearly 93% of our total assets are now endowed, ensuring that the principal of these funds remains intact while interest proceeds can be used for grants that benefit our communities for generations to come. Since our founding, we have awarded over 11,000 grants totaling more than $27.2 million to support critical programs in areas such as arts, education, social services, mental health, disaster relief and so much more.
13,000+ DONORS
3,000+ SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED
770+ FUNDS
$15.9M IN SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED
The generosity of individuals, families and businesses has also made it possible for us to award over 3,000 scholarships, totaling more than $15.9 million, to help students from our three counties pursue their dreams of higher education. We are especially proud of the more than 770 funds established by local individuals, families and businesses to support these efforts. These include donoradvised funds, field of interest funds, scholarship funds, agency endowment funds and unrestricted community grant funds that allow us to respond to the ever-changing needs of our region.
As we move into 2025, we are excited to work with donors, corporate partners and local nonprofits to invest in the future of the Wabash Valley. In working together, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of those who need it most.
To learn more, please call the Community Foundation at 812-232-2234.
PASSION FOR IMPROVING COMMUNITY LEADS
TO A LIFETIME OF SERVICE AND PHILANTHROPY
A local couple desiring to address the needs of the Wabash Valley has made a significant gift to the Community Foundation. Gary and Judy Schomer’s generous donation will supplement a family endowment fund they started several years ago and will be tripled through the $2-for-$1 match.
“God blessed us with the opportunity (and obligation) to share,” explained Gary. “We have many great organizations working to help our community with current needs. While we will continue to share in those efforts, we wanted to build this fund because it is geared to helping others forever.”
“ GOD BLESSED US WITH THE OPPORTUNITY (AND OBLIGATION) TO SHARE.
Both Terre Haute natives, the couple shares a passion for their community, having decided years ago to remain here to raise their family. Having been involved as a volunteer with the Community Foundation, Gary understands the impact that endowment funds can have since the original principal remains invested while the proceeds are utilized for grants.
Gary and Judy Schomer ”
“The Community Foundation has successfully funded various opportunities for improvement in the Wabash Valley and is organized to help fund our community’s needs and improvement forever,” added Gary. “That is exactly our goal.”
If you would like to take advantage of the $2-for-$1 matching opportunity, contact the Community Foundation at 812-232-2234.
YEAR-END GIVING OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A LASTING IMPACT
With only a few weeks left until year-end, we want to highlight an incredible opportunity for those who wish to make a meaningful impact. Through Lilly Endowment Inc.’s Gift VIII initiative, donations made to our unrestricted community grant funds may be eligible for a 2:1 match—$2 for every $1 you give. This match will help grow our endowment funds by more than $5 million, increasing our ability to provide $200,000 in additional grants each year. But the matching funds are limited and will only be available until December 2025, or until the matching funds are depleted.
Our unrestricted community grant funds serve as a vital resource for addressing local needs as they arise. Whether responding to natural disasters, supporting programs to combat food insecurity, or funding projects for historic restoration, these flexible funds enable us to direct resources where they are needed most.
Your gift, no matter the size, will help us continue to support local nonprofits, educational initiatives, disaster relief and much more. It is the collective power of many, giving together, that allows us to achieve such extraordinary things. In our community, gifts of all sizes—whether $3 or more than seven figures—combine to create lasting change. Thanks to the generosity of caring residents, we can provide financial resources where they are needed most. This year, we invite you to make a gift that will have a lasting impact on the future of our region. Together, we can continue to build a brighter tomorrow for our neighbors, children and families.
To take advantage of the Gift VIII match, or for more information on how you can make an impact, please contact us at 812-2322234 or visit wvcf.org.
TRIBUTES
JUDITH ANNE CONNER
JOHN “RICK” ABRELL
Wright, Shagley & Lowery, P.C.
ALL THOSE WHO WALKED THE HALLS OF GHS THAT ARE NO LONGER WITH US
William Shassere
MARY ALLEN
John & Rita Knotts
CLIFTON “CORKY” ASHBY
Tom Fox
NORMA BABBITT
Mrs. Sandra Treaster
SAM BAKER
Wright, Shagley & Lowery, P.C.
LINDA C. BALLARD
Mark Howell
GUY BEIZILE
Wright, Shagley & Lowery, P.C.
BEN BOWEN
Dave & Janet Friedrich
MARTHA BRADBURY
Brad McMahan
Harold & Malinda Medsker
ROBERT “BOB” BROWN
Becka Chickadaunce
Lea Anne & John Crooks
Ken & Su Menefee
Rick & Kelli Miller
Jill & Mark Peterson
Jaime & Shawn Schroeder
Dave & Cheryl Smith
Terry & Beth Tevlin
Jenifer Wright
CHRIS BURK
Rick & Kelli Miller
JOSEPH B. CARD
Suzanne & Troy Helt
Jerry & Paula Hochstetler
Fred & Nancy Nation
CONNIE SUE CARTER
Wright, Shagley & Lowery, P.C.
MARTHA ANN
CLARK
Wright, Shagley & Lowery, P.C.
Wright, Shagley & Lowery, P.C.
PETER T. EKSTROM
Norma Beymer
Gloria Jackson
PEO Sisterhood,
Chapter Dr
Clay Wilkinson
DENNIS EVERS
Fred & Nancy Nation
ANNA MAE FAGG
Summer & Greg Long
BETTY FALES
Tom & Clara Thompson
RUTHIE FORD
The Family of Dixie Rudy
CHARLES ROBERT FOX
Josh Lyons
Richard & Willis L. Watson
PATTI ANNE GARRETT
Wright, Shagley & Lowery, P.C.
GORDON K. GECKELER
Wright, Shagley & Lowery, P.C.
VIRGINIA GILMAN
Betty Pech
STEPHAN R. “DICK” HARDEN
Wright, Shagley & Lowery, P.C.
HUNTER
HARRISON Don Harrison
MARIAN HARRISON
Don Harrison
JAMES EDDY
HATCH
Judith Hatch
ALAN MERLE
HATCH
Judith Hatch
VERNON HENDRICKS
Bob & Susan McCammon
JAMES HOLLER, BAND DIRECTOR
Janet Schleier
VIRGINIA HOLLEY
Mark Howell
TRACY HUNT
John & Tammy Delph
DON JENNERMANN
Fred & Nancy Nation
DONALD P. JENNINGS
Donna Allen
Betsy & Dick Frank
Arlene & Gary Giffel
Linc & Kathy Hobbs
Phyllis & Jim Kopachy
The Pattersons
Fred & Nancy Rubey
Don & Wendy Shroeder
MARY JENSEN
Bill Carls
The Drummy Family, Bill, Jamie, Erin, Becky & Brian
MARY KELLYCLASS OF 1953
Lori Kinney & Ed Helton
CAROL SUE KILGORE
Wright, Shagley & Lowery, P.C.
ROBERT FRANCIS KNIERIM
Robert A. Knierim
LAVERN “VERN” & SHARYLIN KNOCK
Jerry & Paula Hochstetler
BETTY JANE LONG (REECE)
Wright, Shagley & Lowery, P.C.
HENRY MADLEY
Terry & Beth Tevlin
JEFFREY MICHAEL MALLOY
Wright, Shagley & Lowery, P.C.
JUDY MAXWELL
Terry & Beth Tevlin
BRIAN MICHAEL MCCORMICK
Wright, Shagley & Lowery, P.C.
DICK & MARY
MCCULLOUGH
Mike McCulloughMike’s Kitchen Gallery
CAROLYN “SUE” MCDONNALL
Margaret Cox Family
Elizabeth Oshel
DON MCMAHAN
Don & Nancy Hunt
ANN MUNDELL
Michelle Faulkner
Rhonda Fry
Michele Glotzbach
Jane Haywood &
Judy Markle
Kidwell Family
Leah Rutenberg
Jesus Bazan Villicana & Monica Lim
MICHAEL JOHN MURPHY, PH.D.
Wright, Shagley & Lowery, P.C.
Jan & Bill Wright
JOHN S. NEWLIN
Katy Smith
CHUCK NICHOLS
Fred & Nancy Nation
DAVID WAYNE NICKEL
Wright, Shagley & Lowery, P.C.
BARRY O’KEEFE
Bob & Susan McCammon
KEVIN R. O’MALEY
Bill Carls
DR. PULKIT J. PATEL
Anjalie & Ravi Kulkarni
Madhur Kulkarni
Sujata Patel & Sunil Kulkarni
JOE PERIGO
Fred & Nancy Nation
VINCENT EUGEN PFISTER
Wright, Shagley & Lowery, P.C.
DORIS LEE PIERCE
SHS Class of 1956
JENNY PIKER
Dave Piker
RAYMOND PIRTLE
Larry & Patti Mayfield
JOHN PLASSE
Bill Carls
KENNETH PUGH
Suzanne & Troy Helt
NATALIE A. PUGH
Anonymous
Joseph S. Taylor
PAUL REED
Amy & Santhana Naidu
JOHN F. ROBINSON
Jan Robinson
JIM ROGERS
Fred & Nancy Nation
LYNN & JULIE
ROMAS
Donna Allen
Julia Hoffa
Dan & Sonja Ullery
LYNN ROMAS
Donna Allen
Center Point Hardware
Friends
Phyllis Grey, Ron Grey & Randall Grey
Julia Hoffa
Mr. & Mrs. Jim McMichael
Karen Stearley
Dan & Sonja Ullery
RACHEL MARIE
ROMAS
Heather Burke
Janice Burke
Lindsey Richardt
Laura Rodgers
Amanda Twombly
Liz Wrighthouse
JEAN A. RUNNER
Janet Schleier
ROBERT SCHAFER
Bill Carls
EMILY SHAGLEY
Rick Shagley
PATRICK SINGHURSE
Wright, Shagley & Lowery, P.C.
TRAVIS J. SMITH
Thomas & Kimberly Miller
COLONEL BRUCE
ALAN STARKEY
Wright, Shagley & Lowery, P.C.
VICTOR C. STIEVENART
Wright, Shagley & Lowery, P.C.
LUCY STRAUCH
Terry & Beth Tevlin
JOHN & VICKI SWITZER
Dr. J. Matt Switzer
JANET BRADFIELD
THUNE
Dr. & Mrs. Richard Watson
SHIRLEY TOWNSEND
Bob & Susan
McCammon
Brad McMahan
PETER VARDA
Dawnelle Sullivan
RAYMOND
LOWELL WATTS
Suzanne & Troy Helt
William Krieble
Wright, Shagley & Lowery, P.C.
FRIAR MARK
WEAVER, OFM
CONV., ST. JOSEPH’S UNIVERSITY PARISH
Lynn Monroe
BRIAN WESNER
Constance L. Johnson
Wesner
SHIRLEY WHITTINGTON
Clay Business Women
LARRY MICHAEL “MIKE” WIBLE
Paul Vandergriff
DIANNA SMITH
WILLIAMS
Betty Pech
JAQUELINE WORK
Sue Treadway
BELA
Kathy Isbister
CURTIS BRIGHTON’S RETIREMENT
Templeton Coal Company
GERRY & JULIA HOFFA’S 60TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
Jane Byers
JAMIE WOODARD LAMB
Clint Lamb
BOB
MCCAMMON’S BIRTHDAY
Harmony Walsh
MALINDA MEDSKER
Scott & Lauren
Medsker
SIDDHARTH PATEL-MEYERS
Louie Ehrlich
Kathy Isbister
Jane Jewett & G inger Slind
Kalindi Patel Kumar
Sujeet Mehta
Lital Levy & Jonah Reisman
Marcia & Jerry Sarnow
Meha Senthil
The SpeckelmeyerHabbacke Family
Marisa Weisel & Matt Mahan
Stephen Weisel
TOM & CAROL TEMPLETON
David & Jennifer Templeton
BOOST YOUR IRA GIFT
USE YOUR IRA TO STRENGTHEN YOUR COUNTY!
The Community Foundation can assist you to benefit your county. Individual Retirement Account owners 70 ½ or over can order a transfer from their IRA directly to the Community Foundation. Gifts made are excluded from your gross income for federal tax purposes up to $105,000 and count towards your annual required minimum distribution (RMD) if one is due.
If your IRA transfer is to a new or existing designated or scholarship fund, this is a great way to start or grow your philanthropic legacy. However, if the transfer is to an unrestricted community grant fund, it will immediately leverage the match, tripling your IRA gift. Your new fund will award grants that strengthen nonprofit organizations, fund community enhancement projects and planning efforts, and provide rapid response to emergencies.
While only unrestricted community grant funds are eligible for the $2-for-$1 match, you may also use your IRA Rollover to create other forms of endowments to benefit your community!
To learn more, please visit wvcf.org/GIFT-VIII or call 812-232-2234!
NEW FUNDS
WAYNE R. ATKINSON MATHEMATICS SCHOLARSHIP FUND
BILL CARLS FUND FOR THE SWOPE ART MUSEUM
CLAY COUNTY 4-H COUNCIL FAIRGROUNDS FUND
DEBRA ANN SCHOMER COLLINS SCHOLARSHIP FUND
HALLECK FAMILY ENDOWMENT FUND
MARY KAY HOLVEY, BS RN NURSING SCHOLARSHIP FUND
CHRIS & SHIRLEY KOEHLER FAMILY FUND
PHIL & JENNIFER LINCOLN ENDOWMENT FUND
ROBERT & LEAH LOGSDON COMMUNITY ENDOWMENT FUND
BRAD & CONNIE MILLER FAMILY FUND
JULIA V. & FOREST E. MILLER SCHOLARSHIP FUND
HAWKINS NEES ENDOWMENT FUND
JAMES LAURENCE & BARBARA ANN PASSMORE COMMUNITY ENDOWMENT FUND
ALAN & SANDRA PIERCE ENDOWMENT FUND
PEGGY L. SANKEY SWAIM FUND
ANNA KATHERINE & WAYNE E. SCHOMER SCHOLARSHIP FUND
JUDY A. & GARY W. SCHOMER SCHOLARSHIP FUND
WILLIAM WAYNE SCHOMER SCHOLARSHIP FUND
SULLIVAN HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2004 FUND
PETER R. VARDA ENDOWMENT FUND
RUTH & FRED WEAVER FAMILY VOCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND
SMART YEAR-END GIVING
Year-end is still a great time to give!
Even if you no longer itemize for income tax purposes, below are a few smart ways to consider making your gift.
1 2 3
Make a gift to a new or existing unrestricted endowment fund in the Wabash Valley Community Foundation. Lilly Endowment Inc. will match your gift $2 to $1 – tripling the impact your gift will have!
If you are 70 ½ or older, you can make a tax transfer of up to $105,000 from your IRA to the Community Foundation. Donors have told us they contribute their required minimum distribution (RMD) to charity to avoid paying income tax on it!
Transfer appreciated stock rather than writing a check. By contributing appreciated stock, you can avoid paying tax on the increase in value of the stock.
$2 -for- $1 matching funds
4
5
Create a nonpermanent Advised Fund within the Community Foundation and frontload the newly created fund with several years of charitable deductions. You can realize the tax benefit in the year you make the gift to your Advised Fund. You can time your charitable distributions to the charities you normally support over the next several years.
Make contributions to the organizations that are meaningful to you. Studies have shown that giving and volunteering are good for physical and mental health. Regardless of the tax impact, supporting charity is good for you and your community!
TRIPLE YOUR IMPACT
TRIPLE YOUR IMPACT TRIPLE YOUR IMPACT
Enclosed is my contribution of $
Please notify the following individual of my gift:
This contribution is: V in memory of or V in honor of
V I want to leverage the $2-for-$1 unrestricted match!
To receive an acknowledgment of your gift, please fill out the information below:
V I want to contribute to the fund.
This gift is for: V Clay County V
Lea Anne Crooks, Chair
Janell Chatman, Vice Chair
Travis Behem
Daniel Bradley
Sara Clark
Brian Dougherty
Karen Dyer
David Friedrich
Christopher Himsel
Summer Long, Treasurer
Conrad Koehler, Secretary
Dianna Knox
Jennifer Lincoln
Santhana Naidu
Ally Orwig
Brennan Randolph
Brian Ross
Aaron Warner
The Wabash Valley Community Foundation is a tax-exempt public charity created by and for the people in Clay, Sullivan and Vigo counties. The Community Foundation enables people with philanthropic interests to easily and effectively support the issues and organizations they care about – immediately or through their estate plans.