March 2025 Newsletter

At the Union County Foundation, we believe in the power of small actions creating big impact—and we invite you to be part of something truly meaningful. Our 1989 Society was established to honor the year our foundation was founded, and today, it represents a community of dedicated individuals committed to making a lasting difference.

By setting up a monthly recurring gift of $19.89—or any amount you choose—you are helping build a stronger future for Union County. And here’s the best part: through the end of the year, every dollar given to our Community Impact Fund is tripled! That means your commitment of $19.89 per month will result in an incredible $596.70 of impact by December.

When we come together, our collective generosity fuels real change. Join the 1989 Society today and be part of something bigger than yourself. Set up your recurring gift on our website or visit our office—we’d love to celebrate this commitment with you!

Olivia Chewning

Executive Director, Union County Foundation

SB1

Indiana Senate Bill One (SB1) poses a significant threat to Union County’s financial stability, particularly impacting local schools that rely heavily on property tax revenue.

The goal of SB1 is to provide property tax relief. The process would freeze local property tax levies at the start of 2026. Most significantly, the bill requires a decrease in property tax rates upon any levies that were implemented the previous year. Union County falls under this category.

Voice your opinion: Jeff Raatz (State Senator, District 19) and Lindsay Patterson (Indiana State Representative, District 55) are gathering with local leaders and government officials at the Liberty Church of Christ on Saturday, March 8, at 8 a.m. This meeting is open to the public.

HYPE UC Invites you!

Are you interested in how local governments work and how decisions are made that impact your community? We invite you to join us for dinner and an informative session on Local Governance!

This is a fantastic opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the structures, processes, and people behind local government. Whether you're passionate about civic engagement or simply curious about the inner workings of your local government, this session is for you!

In this session, you’ll learn about:

• The roles and responsibilities of local government officials
• The decision-making process at the local level
• How you can get involved and make your voice heard

This is a great opportunity for anyone who wants to understand how they can participate in the decision-making processes that affect their community.

Don’t miss out – be part of the conversation about building a stronger, more engaged community!



We look forward to seeing you there!

"March Madness Meets the Power of Giving!"

Double Your Impact with the Lilly GIFT VIII Matching Grant

This March, while basketball teams compete for the championship, you can help fuel a different kind of victory. The Lilly GIFT VIII Matching Grant is here to amplify your impact — tripling your donation to support our Unrestricted Community Funds!

How It Works:

• Donate today, and every dollar you give will be matched up to $2 by the Lilly Endowment, Inc.
• Just like the bracket, your generosity creates a winning streak! Each contribution moves us closer to reaching our goal — ensuring our Community Grant Cycle continues to thrive.

Why It Matters:

As we cheer on our favorite teams, remember, every game counts, and so does every gift. Your support during this special time will have triple the impact, advancing critical initiatives that will make a lasting difference.

Join the Madness of Giving:

Whether you’re a sports fan or simply someone who believes in making a difference, now’s the time to play your part. Let’s make this March a slam dunk — together, we’ll turn every donation into a game-winning shot.

Our Community Impact Grant Cycle is now open and due March 31st!

The application does have a new look and will now be submitted on Google Forms. If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to Jackie at jharvey@ucfoundationinc.org

Please reach out to Jackie if you have any questions. jharvey@ucfoundationinc.org

Spring is near!

We can almost hear the birds chirping, smell the fresh cut grass and feel the warm sun on our faces. This Spring, we hope to start Union County's very first community garden!

Details are still being worked out, but if you are able to donate any of the items below we would greatly appreciate it!

Updates will come soon to this very special project. If you would like to hear more about it or learn how you can become a part of the process, please reach out to Jackie. jharvey@ucfoundationinc.org

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