The Community Foundation of Noble County welcomed more than 120 nonprofit leaders and volunteers to its Nonprofit Appreciation Event, held at 5C Farms Event Barn in Albion.
The event was created to recognize and celebrate the individuals and organizations working every day to improve the quality of life throughout Noble County. Attendees gathered for an afternoon of networking, fellowship, and recognition while learning more about the impact of local philanthropy and the Foundation’s vision for the future.
As part of the celebration, the Community Foundation awarded 14 Nonprofit Appreciation Mini-Grants totaling $25,000. The grants were designed to provide flexible funding that organizations can use to advance their missions and better serve Noble County residents.
Through a special drawing, the 14 grant recipients were given the opportunity to direct their mini-grant award to a Noble County-serving nonprofit of their choice. This unique approach celebrated the spirit of generosity, collaboration, and partnership that strengthens communities across Noble County while encouraging nonprofits to support one another’s important work.
During the program, Community Foundation Director of Community Engagement & Leadership Jazmin Herrera and President & CEO Margarita White shared updates on the Foundation’s impact and future investments in the community.
The Foundation highlighted the success of its Community Impact Grant Program. In 2025, the Community Foundation received 74 Community Impact Grant applications requesting more than $764,000 in funding and ultimately awarded more than $315,000 to 51 organizations serving Noble County.
Herrera noted that while grant dollars are important, the true measure of success is the impact those investments create.
Sometimes a $20,000 grant can transform an organization. Sometimes a $500 grant can do the exact same thing, Impact isn't measured by the size of the check. It's measured by the child who receives a service, the senior who receives support, the family who finds hope, the volunteer who gets involved, the program that grows, and the community that becomes stronger.
Guests also learned about the Community Foundation’s participation in Lilly Endowment’s Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow initiative, known as GIFT IX. Through this transformational initiative, the Foundation is making strategic investments in education, childcare, literacy, food security, nonprofit sustainability, and leadership development.
Through GIFT IX, the Foundation is investing in three key areas:
- Competitive Community Grants, including $145,000 dedicated to nonprofit appreciation grants and a new Education Request for Proposals launching September 1, which will make up to $100,000 available for innovative educational initiatives serving Noble County residents.
- Proactive Strategic Grants, investing more than $422,000 in literacy, food security, childcare, and nonprofit sustainability through partnerships with libraries, food pantries, licensed childcare providers, and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
- Board Development Mini-Grants, supporting nonprofit leaders and boards through individualized coaching, governance support, and implementation funding opportunities.
Herrera also reflected on the remarkable growth of the Community Foundation and the power of local philanthropy.
In 2025 alone, the Community Foundation awarded more than $1.6 million in grants throughout Noble County, Since our founding in 1991, we've awarded more than $34 million in grants and scholarships. That impact started with a community foundation that had $1.8 million in assets and awarded $25,000 in grants in its first year. Today, we're managing more than $47 million in charitable assets and awarded $1.6 million in grants in 2025 alone. That's incredible growth. But those numbers aren't really about money—they're about people. Every grant begins as a dollar amount, but every grant ends as a story.
Drawing from her own experiences, White emphasized the lasting impact nonprofits have on families and communities.
Behind every program is a person. Behind every service is a story. Behind every grant application is a family. Sometimes when we work in this sector, we spend so much time measuring impact that we forget impact has a face.
White also expressed gratitude to the nonprofit leaders and volunteers in attendance.
What you do matters. Even when it feels unseen. Even when it feels overwhelming. Even when progress feels slow. Noble County is stronger because of your commitment, and today we simply wanted to say thank you.
Looking toward the future, Herrera emphasized the importance of collaboration among nonprofits, donors, volunteers, and community partners.
The future of Noble County won't be determined by a single grant, a single organization, or a single leader. It will be determined by the partnerships we build, the people we invest in, the opportunities we create, and our willingness to continue showing up for one another.
The Community Foundation extends its sincere appreciation to 5C Farms Event Barn for providing a beautiful venue for the celebration, Noble Spread for the delicious charcuterie boxes enjoyed by attendees, and Z2B Gardens for creating and donating the beautiful centerpieces that guests were able to take home following the event.
The Foundation also extends a special thank you to Grace Caswell of Visit Noble County for donating her time and talent to photograph the event. Capturing and sharing the stories of our nonprofit community helps amplify the impact of this work. Events like this are made possible through the generosity and partnership of many individuals and organizations—it truly takes a village.
Since its founding in 1991, the Community Foundation of Noble County has awarded more than $34 million in grants and scholarships and currently manages more than $47 million in charitable assets. The Foundation remains committed to connecting generosity with community needs and investing in projects and programs that strengthen Noble County for current and future generations.
