2017 Annual Report
Click below for the annual report.
Jenna Ott Named as New Executive Director
Ligonier – The board of directors of the Community Foundation of Noble County have announced a new executive director. Jenna Ott of Albion will take over the daily oversight of the organization.
Ott is a graduate of Churubusco High School and a long-time resident of Noble County. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Nonprofit Management from Manchester University, and she completed her MBA at the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne.
For nearly nine years, Ott has worked as a Program Officer at the Dekko Foundation where she manages a portfolio of grants and mentors a youth philanthropy leadership team. Before coming to the Dekko Foundation, Ott worked in development for the Community Foundation of Whitley County, and she spent time in fund development at LEAP of Noble County.
Ott will replace interim executive director, Mark Demske. Demske was appointed in March 2017 after the unexpected passing of Linda Speakman-Yerick, who served as the executive director since late 2008. Demkse will resume his duties as a member of the community foundation’s board of directors and its committees.
In announcing the news, Rebecca Schroeder, Vice President of the board of directors stated “We are very grateful Mark stepped up to take on the role to serve the community foundation and help with the transition during the difficult time of Linda’s passing. Through Demske’s efforts, the community foundation has been able to thrive during the transition, allowing the organization’s good work to continue to impact Noble County for the better.”
Ott and husband Mike live in Albion with their three children, Warner, Weston and Delaney. Outside of work, Ott prefers to spend her time with family and friends, and is active in her home parish of Immaculate Conception Ege. She is a busy 4-H mom and loves attending various sporting events as her children’s biggest fan. Ott stated “I am honored to have been chosen for this important role in our community. Community foundations are uniquely positioned to help ensure the success of our county for the future, and I am excited to be part of an organization that will impact Noble County residents for generations to come.”
Ott will begin her duties at the community foundation on July 19. A welcome reception will be held at a later date.
“Donor Stories” Part 4 is Out
Our new “Donor Stories” Video is out!
“Have people come together as a community, like a community should be, like a family, and have that one love and that one passion to make everyone’s life better.”
Part 4 of 4 from our brand-new video series, “Donor Stories.”
Featuring Kellie Waring, former president of PULSE.
“Donor Stories” Part 3 is Out
Our new “Donor Stories” Video is out!
“Make the community and county a better place to live and raise your family. Bottom line, that is what it is all about.”
Part 3 of 4 from our brand-new video series, “Donor Stories.”
Featuring John Riemke, former board member and Mayor of Kendallville.
“Donor Stories” Part 2 is Out
Our new “Donor Stories” Video is out!
“In big and small ways we can help small groups and small ideas that are in our community – we can help make big things happen.”
Part 2 of 4 from our brand-new video series, “Donor Stories.”
Featuring Nancy Shambaugh, former board member.
“Donor Stories” Part 1 is Out!
Our new “Donor Stories” Video is out!
“I think as we recognize young people as the future of this country, it’s very encouraging to be connected with that type of scholarship fund that’s going to help them grow into the type of people that they really hope to be.”
Part 1 of 4 from our brand-new video series, “Donor Stories.”
Featuring George Bennett, former board president.
2017 College Scholarship Winners Announced
The Community Foundation of Noble County recently awarded a total of $126,000 in scholarships during the 2016-2017 scholarship season to area high school and college students including college student Christina Coats of Ligonier, who received the Oliver and Eleanor Ellenbecker Previous Award Winner scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to students who previously received a one-year or two-year scholarship administered by the Community Foundation of Noble County. Coats was also the recipient of the Noble County Retired Teachers’ Association Scholarship awarded to a resident of the West Noble School District who will have a high school diploma or equivalent by the end of June 2017 and will be enrolled in a certified 1-, 2-, 3-, or 4-year Indiana post -high-school program (the award is given in alphabetical rotational distribution among the three school corporations of Noble County.) Coats a, 2015 West Noble High School graduate, is Secondary Mathematics Education/Dance at Anderson University.
Lynsee Devers a 2016 graduate of East Noble High School was also a recipient of the 2017 Oliver and Eleanor Ellenbecker Previous Award and the Nathan Shumaker Memorial Scholarship awarded to students in the second or subsequent year of college who received some or all of K-12 schooling through home school or a Christian School. Shumaker was an East Noble High School sophomore and member of the East Noble Car Team at the time of his death in 2005. Nathanial Scott Shumaker was 16 when he died in an automobile accident on U.S. 6 in Wawaka Friday, Sept. 30, 2005. Devers is studying Music Therapy at Indiana Wesleyan University.
Alyssa Yoquelet a 2016 graduate of East Noble High School was also the recipient of the Oliver and Eleanor Ellenbecker Previous Award Winner scholarship and the Paul Pelikan Memorial Scholarship awarded to a student who has demonstrated great effort to achieve and overcome adversity with preference given to educationally challenged students. Yoquelet is studying Christian Education/Biblical Literature at Indiana Wesleyan University.
Maggie Kitt received the Tony and Gertrude Kichler Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to a high school senior or college student who resides in Green or Noble Townships who is pursuing a college education in music, medicine or religion. Kitt, a 2014 Churubusco High School graduate, is studying biochemistry at the University of Evansville.
Daniel Kane a 2016 East Noble High School graduate is the recipient of the 2017 Talia Joy Smith Performing Arts Scholarship. This scholarship is for an East Noble High School senior, or previous East Noble High School graduate or new or current student at New York University in the Musical Theatre Program who is pursuing a four-year performing arts degree majoring in either vocal performance or musical theater in the fall of 2017. All applicants must have a cumulative GPA in high school (or college) of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale. Preference is given to persons graduating in 2017 from East Noble High School.
The Community Foundation of Noble County is home to a variety of scholarships for college, adult and high school seniors. The 2018 application for the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship will be offered online in July 2017 for one well-rounded high school senior who resides in Noble County, that will receive a diploma from an accredited Indiana high school by the end of June 2018, and will pursue a full-time baccalaureate course of study at an accredited public or private college or university in Indiana. High school seniors should check back with the community foundation regarding specific criteria requirements. Deadline for this scholarship application will be September 6, 2017. All other scholarships offered through the community foundation will be available online at the foundation’s website www.CFNoble.org in mid-November 2017.
Scholarship Tutorial Application Now Online
Noble County Community Foundation has officially released its scholarship application tutorial video.
This video goes over how to apply for both the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship and the General Scholarships.
The tutorial is a step by step guide covering: preparing to apply, creating an online account, filling out the online application, submitting, and contacting references.
Watch Now:
Noble County “Dreams”
Check out our latest video!
We interviewed local residents of all ages to learn about their brightest dreams for Noble County!
Just imagine a Noble County where these dreams could come true!
Thanks to the wonderful and generous community we live in, these ideas don’t have to stay dreams.
Philanthropy is a way in which we can make dreams come true in Noble County.
By partnering with the Noble County Community Foundation, your giving can help us bring businesses, organizations, and funds together to accomplish real change.
That way, we won’t just dream big; we will work together to make these dreams come true in our community.
A gift of any size to the Community Impact Fund, is your way to ensure we are meeting the ever changing needs of our community.
Click here to make your impact today!
(Make sure to direct your donation to the Community Impact Fund).
Re: Help Bridge the Generational Gaps – Attend Noble
County’s Senior Citizen’s Prom
Attention senior citizens! It’s time to grab your leis, grass skirts, ukuleles, sunglasses, and your friends for a fabulous night out at our 10th Annual Senior Citizen Prom for all of Noble County. It’s a night of dining, dancing, and a chance to win some pretty awesome door prizes. You could also be voted as this year’s king or queen! This year’s theme is “Hawaiian Luau”. Attendees are encouraged to get dressed up in their Hawaiian shirts and dresses, or any floral attire.
The prom will be on April 16, 2016 at the cafeteria of East Noble High School (901 South Garden Street, Kendallville, IN 46755). Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and end at 9 p.m. The cost for a single is $10 and $20 for a couple. You must be registered by April 4, 2016. Send your names, address and phone numbers with your payment to 1599 Lincolnway South Ligonier, IN 46767. Make your checks out to the Noble County Community Foundation, Inc. with P.U.L.S.E. PROM in the memo.
The Senior prom is hosted by the P.U.L.S.E (Philanthropists Utilizing Lifelong Service and Education) high school students from Noble County. As one of their many community service projects, the students continue to offer the prom each year in hopes of bridging those generation gaps. The students decorate the facility according to the theme each year (in this case, a Hawaiian Luau theme), take individual photos of guests, provide a full dinner and dessert, provide live entertainment and music from the FORDS, and hand out lots of door prizes for many attendees. Special favors for each are also provided, and the PULSE students encourage seniors to dress in their floral attire to complete the Hawaiian mood for the evening, although it is not mandatory. Please join them for a very special evening. With this year being their 10th anniversary, the prom will be better than ever, so don’t miss it! Even if you do not dance, it is always fun to listen to great music, dine and watch the others, as well as spending time with friends and a chance to win prizes.
If you have any additional questions please feel free to contact Noble County Community Foundation, Inc. at 260-894-3335.