The Community Foundation of Noble County is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Noble County – Elijah Delashmit of East Noble High School. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are known for their community involvement, academic achievement, character, and leadership.

Delashmit intends to study Pre-Law at the University of Notre Dame. Some of Delashmit’s activities include: Senior Citizen Prom, Little Phil, Salvation Army Bell Ringing, Night to Shine, Zombie Walk and officer positions of P.U.L.S.E. of Noble County; East Noble Open House, East Noble Prom planning, organized East Noble Homecoming and Snowcoming, Freshmen Orientation, Riley Week and officer positions with Student Council, president of National Honor Society, captain/player East Noble Boys Volleyball, Cole Family YMCA/Kendallville Parks Department Camp Wethonkitha, Club Volleyball, manager East Noble Girls Volleyball. Delashmit is the son of Melinda Delashmit.

“The Community Foundation is honored to be a part of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program. The excitement within our community is felt as we wish the best to Elijah and those interviewed for the scholarship. This scholarship not only opens doors to higher education but also symbolizes the unwavering commitment to nurturing future leaders and change-makers. May the recipient embrace this opportunity with zeal, knowing that their potential is boundless, and the community stands united in celebrating his remarkable journey ahead,” said Jennifer Norris, Director of Communications and Scholarships at the Community Foundation of Noble County.

Each Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship provides for full tuition, required fees and a special allocation of up to $900 per year for required books and required equipment for four years. The scholarship is for full-time undergraduate students leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars may also participate in the Lilly Scholars Network (LSN), which connects both current scholars and alumni with resources and opportunities to be active leaders on their campuses and in their communities. Both the scholarship program and LSN are supported by grants from Lilly Endowment to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) and Indiana Humanities.

In determining Noble County’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholar, consideration was given to well-rounded seniors through their academics, community service, volunteerism, extracurricular activities, work experience, and leadership roles. This year’s applicants provided recommendation letters from two references and submitted three essays, which were evaluated by the community foundation scholarship committee of six Noble County citizens, who interviewed the top 10 finalists.

After the field of applicants was narrowed down, nominees were submitted to ICI, the statewide administrator of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program, which approves the final selection of scholarship recipients.

Those finalists will receive a $1,000 scholarship from the Community Foundation of Noble County. Those students are:

Mia Becker – West Noble High School
Samuel Hoover – Central Noble Jr/Sr High School
Ethan Jansen – East Noble High School
Adam Marker – Central Noble Jr/Sr High School
Haylee McCann – East Noble High School
Ashley Myers – Bishop Dwenger High School
Olivia Tibbs – East Noble High School
Silvia Venturi – West Noble High School
Robert Warren III – East Noble High School

Lilly Endowment created the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program for the 1997-98 school year. Since then, grant funding in excess of $490 million has supported more than 5,300 Indiana students who have received scholarships through the program.

The primary purposes of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program are: 1) to help raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana; 2) to increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations can play in their communities; and 3) to encourage and support the efforts of current and past Lilly Endowment Community Scholars to engage with each other and with Indiana business, governmental, educational, nonprofit and civic leaders to improve the quality of life in Indiana generally and in local communities throughout the state.

Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. Although the gifts of stock remain a financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion. Although the Endowment funds programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion, it maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana

Since 1997, Independent Colleges of Indiana has administered the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program statewide with funding provided by Lilly Endowment. Founded in 1948, ICI serves as the collective voice for the state’s 29 private, nonprofit colleges and universities. ICI institutions employ over 22,000 Hoosiers and generate a total local economic impact of over $5 billion annually. Students at ICI colleges have Indiana’s highest four-year, on-time graduation rates, and ICI institutions produce 30 percent of Indiana’s bachelor’s degrees while enrolling 20 percent of its undergraduates.

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The Community Foundation of Noble County is thrilled to announce an extraordinary opportunity to maximize your generosity this Giving Tuesday through the 1=4 Match Campaign. This Global Day of Giving, celebrated on December 3, 2024, is the perfect time to make a lasting impact. For every dollar donated to the Community Impact Fund, your gift will be matched by our Board of Directors and Lilly Endowment Inc., multiplying your $1 into $4 to strengthen Noble County’s future.

The Community Foundation of Noble County is passionate about making Noble County a vibrant place to live. Since 1991, people have turned to the Community Foundation to participate in philanthropic giving that makes a lasting impact.

At its core, the foundation is a group of invested community members—people just like you. Its purpose is to be the local expert in current and emerging issues, stimulating resources and connections to address those needs. The foundation does this by accepting gifts of all sizes, from $1 to $100,000+, from those who care about our community. These dollars are pooled into endowment funds and invested. Only the interest of those investments is spent on charitable grants, so they are “forever” funds that provide critical support for ever-changing needs in our community.

Many people think they don’t have enough money to give to a community foundation. The truth is, a $1 gift to the Community Impact Fund can go further than any other gift you give! Not only is it pooled with other dollars to create forever funds, but your dollar grows over time, making an impact long after you’re gone.

“This campaign is about amplifying the power of generosity,” said Margarita White, Executive Director. “Every gift, no matter the size, goes a long way toward building a stronger, more vibrant community. By pooling resources through the Community Impact Fund, we can make a greater difference together.”

The 1=4 Match Campaign is made possible through two generous matching opportunities: For every $1 donated, the Community Foundation’s Board of Directors matches it with $1, up to $100,000. Additionally, Lilly Endowment Inc., through the GIFT VIII initiative, matches an extra $2. That means: $1 (You) + $1 (Board) + $2 (Lilly Endowment) = $4 Impact!

Established in 1993, the Community Impact Fund serves as an essential resource for Noble County. It allows the Community Foundation’s Grants Committee to support nonprofits, schools, and charitable initiatives that improve the quality of life for everyone in our community. By contributing, donors ensure their generosity directly supports projects and programs that matter most.

From trails to economic development, health, education, and even housing initiatives, the Community Foundation is here to help donors and community members make a lasting difference in Noble County. While it might seem like the Community Foundation already has enough money, the truth is, there’s still much work to be done. In 2023 alone, the foundation awarded $176,392 in scholarships and $1.4 million in grants. Since 1991, over 16,428 grants and scholarships totaling $34,470,436 have been awarded.

Examples of organizations and projects funded in 2023 include:

• American Red Cross of NE Indiana
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana
• Cancer Services of NE Indiana
• Habitat for Humanity of NE Indiana
• Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana
• Matthew 25, Inc.
• Noble County Council on Aging
• Visiting Nurses
• YWCA Northeast Indiana

…and many more organizations working to make Noble County a better place for all.

Every donation—large or small—makes a significant difference, especially on Giving Tuesday. Your gift doesn’t just stop at the dollar amount; it multiplies through this match program, helping more people, funding more programs, and driving impactful projects across Noble County.

To donate, visit cfnoble.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1224 or mail a check to:

Community Foundation of Noble County
Memo: Community Impact Fund
P.O. Box 210, Ligonier, IN 46767

Act now—every dollar counts! Matching opportunities are available for a limited time.

For more information about the 1=4 Match Campaign or the Community Impact Fund, contact Margarita White at 260-894-3335 or margarita@cfnoble.org.

Since 1991, the Community Foundation of Noble County has been dedicated to strengthening the community by connecting donors to causes that matter. The foundation serves as a trusted steward of charitable funds, awarding grants and scholarships to support the community’s most critical needs and opportunities. Together, we can make a lasting impact.