Dear Friends of the Wayne County Foundation,

2021 was a year of future planning, growth and accomplishment. We asked you, our donors, fund founders, and stakeholders how we could better meet the needs in our community. You reminded the Foundation that we are a trusted and important community asset, that we need to be a champion of philanthropy across Wayne County, and that it is critical that we understand and work to address community needs.

With this input, our Board of Directors approved a three-year strategic plan in June 2021 that prioritizes relationship building, impact driven grantmaking, community leadership, and engagement and nonprofit support. We are so grateful to partner with you to ensure Wayne County thrives today and in the future.

We are pleased to share that the assets of Wayne County Foundation grew to $69 million due to both gifts and strong investment performance. More than $4.8 million in gifts were received, 21 new funds established, and $2,143,088 was granted to enhance the quality of life in Wayne County in 2021. Scholarship funds awarded $578,085 to rising or returning college students in 2021.

This year we...

ƒ HONORED ROY RIDGE, a philanthropist that quietly supported Wayne County in life and had a vision for the future;

ƒ MADE A COMMITMENT TO INCREASED EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT through the Indiana University East College Now program;

ƒ PROVIDED SUPPORT TO OUR MAIN STREET ORGANIZATIONS and neighborhoods through the NICE! Program. We hope the stories on the following pages serve to illustrate the impact of the Foundation’s work throughout Wayne County and show what can be accomplished when people care enough to give generously to support their charitable interests and the community where they live.

Rebecca S. Gilliam Executive Director

David Rodgers Board Chair