About

About HCCF

The Hancock County Community Foundation (HCCF) was created by and for the people in our local area in 1992. Its core purpose is to assist you in helping others. HCCF is a nonprofit, public charity that promotes local philanthropy, convenes community initiatives, and supports nonprofit organizations. By focusing on philanthropy with a kind heart and strategic mind we:

• Help people give more efficiently and effectively
• Help donors extend giving beyond their lifetime to their favorite causes both here and afar
• Strengthen nonprofit programs that address community needs
• Strengthen communities through strategic grantmaking
• Convene community groups for common causes

There are very good reasons people choose to give through the Hancock County Community Foundation!

• We are a local organization with deep roots in the community.
• We understand the community’s issues and needs, and work with area organizations to coordinate resources in order to create positive change.
• We offer the flexibility for you to give locally, nationally, or abroad.
• We provide personalized and completely confidential service tailored to each individual’s charitable and financial interests.
• We multiply the impact of gift dollars by pooling them with other gifts; We are responsible stewards.

Give Where You Live, Grow Where You Live!

Every gift, regardless of size, makes a lasting difference to a cause that matters to you. There are hundreds funds from which you may choose to make a permanent gift, or if so inclined, you may create your own endowment fund. Creating a fund within the Hancock County Community Foundation is an easy process. By working with you individually, as well as your financial advisor, the staff at the Community Foundation is able to customize a fund to achieve your philanthropic goals which may lead to:

• Income tax savings
• Charitable tax deductions
• Estate and gift tax savings
• Increased lifetime income

Our Mission and Vision

Our Mission: We provide philanthropic leadership by encouraging giving, learning, community pride, and civic engagement.

Our Vision: We envision a county in which each person has the opportunity to pursue dreams, enjoy daily life, and invest in meaningful causes.

Our Vision for the Future

Leadership of any successful organization will share the value of celebrating lessons learned of the past with a focus on improving in the present and beyond. The core business of the Board of Directors in 2016, was to define the role of the Hancock County Community Foundation in the future of our community’s continued success. It was hard and time consuming, but after ten months, a body of work was defined by the input of community members via audience-specific surveys and interviews, a collection of community data, an exploration of other like communities across the country, and careful consideration of our organization’s capacity to meet defined objectives effectively.

I. Community Impact: Strategies to Benefit Hancock County

Initiative: Education Across Ages

Cradle to College: Enable children and youth to have a solid educational foundation
Discover Forever: Enable adults to develop their minds and raise their career prospects

Initiative: Celebrating Communities

Warm Welcomes: Build community pride across Hancock County
Loving Life: Encourage healthy activities and positive relationships

Initiative: Civic Leadership

Path to Excellence: Equip nonprofit entities to pursue their missions efficiently and effectively

II. Spirit of Philanthropy: Strategies for Philanthropy, Productivity, and Prosperity at HCCF

Initiative: Engagement and Giving

Delight Donors and Grantees: Be a trusted and encouraging partner who helps donors and grantees achieve their dreams
Fund the Future: Enjoy financial flexibility, long-term support and impact, and leverage
Measure and Map What Matters: Be alert, intentional, thoughtful, and reflective in the ways we address community issues and opportunities
Spread the Spirit: Give residents of all ages an appreciation for the value of philanthropy
Serve and Seek Perspective: Engage and reflect through dialog with community leaders

Core Values of the Hancock County Community Foundation

Collaboration

• We believe in the transformative power of partnerships
• We celebrate shared passions and objectives
• We encourage teamwork and pooling of resources

Communication

• We communicate openly in a timely fashion
• We show courtesy and respect when sharing our work
• We listen to our community and shape our work accordingly

Community Enrichment

• We execute grant support that produces positive, sustainable outcomes
• We leverage our community knowledge to strengthen nonprofit capacity
• We support initiatives that celebrate a sense of place

Integrity

• We demonstrate the highest moral and ethical principles
• We honor our commitments and keep confidences
• We strive to be deserving of our community’s trust

Leadership

• We create an inspiring vision for the future
• We strive to motivate and empower others
• We set direction and provide guidance

Stewardship

• We safeguard donor intent in perpetuity
• We preserve, protect, and enhance endowed assets
• We maintain certification in National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations®

Our Staff

Mary Gibble | President

Marie Felver | Vice President of Finance + Operations

Katie Ottinger | Community Investment + Grants Officer

Emily Wethington | Advancement Officer

Janet White | Education Officer

Laura Parker | Communications Manager

Carol Reynolds | Administrative Associate

Jan Viehweg, Chair

Ryan Hammons, Vice-Chair

Terry Tillett, Board Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair

Sandy Miller, Secretary and Women’s Fund Chair

Mark Anderson, Education Committee Chair

Dr. Harold Olin, THRIVE Committee Chair

Miles Hercamp, Grant Committee Chair

Sugar Creek Township
Director of Instruction
Southern Hancock School Corporation

Susan Bennett

Florence May

Dr. Lori Wean

Darvin Fenter

Kevin Harvey

Kellie Johnson

Stephanie White-Longworth

Rick Wittgren

Willie McKinney

Becky Zapf

Lacey Willard

Susie Broome

Kathy Locke

Brian McKinney

Megan Ritter

Emeritus Board

Membership:  The Emeritus Board membership consists of individuals who have served the Hancock County Community Foundation as Directors for at least a full term, but are no longer active in that capacity.  A single full term of service shall deem the Board member tenured.

Purpose:  To recognize all Directors in perpetuity for their years of service to the Hancock County Community Foundation and the Hancock County community

1. To provide an opportunity for all past and present Directors to come together
2. To update former Directors on the Foundation’s activities
3. To encourage former Directors to continue to work on behalf of the Foundation, including service as voting members on HCCF committees (The number of Emeritus Board members on each committee should not exceed two (2).)
4. To encourage former Directors to continue their philanthropic giving to the Foundation

FOUNDING BOARD MEMBERS

Armin Apple, Thomas Bloodgood, Bert L. Curry, Ron Dezelan, Ann Osborne, Paul Easton, Donald Hatke, Alan Helms, Clark Ketchum, Donald L. Myers, Ronald R. Pritzke, Roger Reason, John Scott, Joseph A. Smith, Marciann Miller, Jerry Walker, and Linda Zimmermann

EMERITUS BOARD MEMBERSHIP

A list of the members of this esteemed group, who have each served a minimum of one full and complete three-consecutive-year term, follows:

*In memoriam

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