EVENTS

CCCF General Scholarship Program DEADLINE [

02-24-2012

]

All applications must be submitted to the Cass County Community Foundation Office or post marked by 4:30p.m. on Friday, February 24, 2012.

CCCF's Annual "Give Your Heart to the Community" Campaign [

02-14-2012

]

The Cass County Community Foundation’s annual “Give Your Heart to the Community” Campaign is underway.

On Valentine’s Day, Tuesday, February 14th, a band of volunteers will continue the long tradition of delivering valentine serenades to area sweethearts or loved ones. For a $100 contribution, the singers will deliver a live Valentine serenade in the Logansport area. A number of familiar songs are sung to each recipient along with small sentiments of the day.

Martin’s Supermarket has agreed to partner with the foundation again for its customers to purchase a $1 Valentine at the checkout to support the Community Foundation. People can sign their own or dedicate it to a loved one. The cashier selling the most valentines will win a Pizza Hut gift certificate!

The Pharos-Tribune is once again participating and will publish the winners of the fifth-grade essay contest describing “What it means to you to give your heart to the community.” Two winners from each participating elementary school will be announced to receive a $100 savings bond for first place, and a $50 savings bond for second place to start them saving for college.

For more information on this or other CCCF programs contact the Foundation at 574-722-2200.

NEWS

Cass County Community Foundation Awards Dick Rusk 2011 Richard W Cassidy Jr. “Thanks for Giving” Award [

11-18-2011

]

On Friday, November 18th, a crowd of over a hundred people gathered at Boondockers for the Cass County Community Foundation’s traditional "Thanks for Giving" celebration, a donor and volunteer recognition event. The highlight of the evening was the awarding of the 2011 Dick Cassidy “Thanks for Giving” Award to Dick Rusk.

The award is given to an individual who through their unselfish and outstanding commitment of time, talent and treasure, embodies the CCCF spirit of giving. Rusk, a former county extension agent and county commissioner, has been involved with the Foundation on different levels and served as President of the Board in 2004. He has been a tireless community volunteer and his efforts while a board member at CCCF included the organization receiving national accreditation for the highest standards of operation.

Several testimonials were shared highlighting Dick’s love of community and of course, “the Purdue Boilermakers”. Speakers included CCCF President Deanna Crispen, Board Chairperson, Joyce Eshelman, CCCF Board member Liz Billman, and CCCF Board and Purdue Club member, Dan Layman.

In addition to honoring Rusk, the Foundation also hosted a drawing for 5-$1,000 mini-grants for local charitable programs. Over 20,000 entries were stuffed into a recliner box and drawn by Rusk to receive the funds. The organizations drawn to receive funding are Cass County Humane Society, Cass County Historical Society, Logansport Children’s Choir, Fairview Elementary School Backpack Program, and Logansport High School Berryettes.

Guests also enjoyed an assortment of hors d’oeuvres and live music by Steve Michaels.

CCCF Awards $17,000 to GLOVE Scholarship Participants [

09-24-2011

]

Seventeen local college students returned to school this fall with money for tuition and the satisfaction of giving back to our community.

CCCF gave $1,000 scholarships to each of the 17 people who completed the 2011 summer Growing Local Opportunities for Volunteer Experience program and application process.

Students who have completed at least one year of college are eligible to compete for awards. Criteria include scholastic achievement, a short essay and completing at least 100 hours of volunteer service for non-profit organizations in Cass County during the summer.

Twenty-one local organizations benefited from almost 2,000 hours of volunteerism provided by GLOVE participants over this summer. Emmaus Mission, The Salvation Army, Area Five Agency on Aging & Community Services, Cass County Family YMCA, A.I.M., Logansport Art Association, Logansport Memorial Hospital and McHale Performing Arts Center were among the organizations.

Ellen Kuker, executive director of Cass County Family YMCA, noted the impact the students had on the YMCA.
“The help we received this summer from the GLOVE volunteers was invaluable. All volunteers were dependable, punctual and fun to work with.”

Student participants gained just as much form the program as the organizations. Not only were they eligible to apply for the scholarship, but they also acknowledged the significance of the volunteer experience in their essays.

Participant Jacob Peattie wrote, “GLOVE provides a way to think of others and use our time to serve others in different ways. It’s especially important for college students looking for experience and exposure in the job field they are going into after school.”

Bryce Fawcett volunteered at the McHale Performing Arts Center and shared, “I have thoroughly enjoyed this volunteer opportunity and being able to give back to some of the people at McHale that gave me so much and helped shape me into who I am today. I may not have the money to donate for something as significant as the McHale PAC, but I can donate my time so that it continues to be a place where the community can come to enjoy the magic of theater.”

The GLOVE program has become a win-win for our entire community. Local organizations get the advantage of some very bright college student volunteers for the summer, and students get the opportunity to know the joy of giving back as well as gaining practical experience and contacts for their future careers.

Alumni Building Scholarships for the Future [

09-19-2011

]

The Lewis Cass Alumni Association (LCAA) gathered last weekend for their 3rd annual Alumni Banquet and within a quick 48 hour period, Cass alums contributed a whopping $6,680 to the Lewis Cass Scholarship Fund at CCCF. The event, held in conjunction with homecoming weekend, was packed full of football, fun, and reuniting with old friends.

During discussions last spring, LCAA realized that some alumni would be unable to attend the reunion, but wanted to offer a way for them to be included in the festivities. Thanks to a CCCF match of $.50 on every dollar for all gifts made through the CCCF website, alumni were able to use their annual meeting as a way to generate more funds for the scholarship endowment held at CCCF. The matching offer was a great way for all Cass alumni to participate and in turn help current Cass students. Final contributions along with the match totaled $10,120 to be added to the endowment.

The fund, started in 2004 by a group of twenty local individuals with the support of the Community Foundation and help from friends, neighbors and alumni resulted in the Lewis Cass Scholarship Fund as a permanent endowment with over $140,000. The fund currently provides three annual awards to Lewis Cass seniors. The scholarship is open to both traditional 4-year students and 2-year technical students and to date has awarded 13-$1000 awards.

CCCF President, Deanna Crispen Awarded the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) Designation [

06-02-2011

]

Logansport, Indiana –CFRE International has named Deanna Crispen as a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE). Crispen, President for the Cass County Community Foundation joins over 5,000 professionals around the world and 134 professionals in Indiana who hold the CFRE designation.

Individuals granted the CFRE credential have met a series of standards set by CFRE International which include tenure in the profession, education, demonstrated fundraising achievement and a commitment to service to not-for-profit organizations. They have also passed a rigorous written examination testing the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of a fundraising executive, and have agreed to uphold Accountability Standards and the Donor Bill of Rights.

“The CFRE credential was created to identify for the public and employers those individuals who possess the knowledge, skills and commitment to perform fundraising duties in an effective and ethical manner,” states Sharilyn Hale, M.A., CFRE, Chair of CFRE International. “As the certification is voluntary, achievement of the CFRE credential demonstrates a high level of commitment on the part of Deanna Crispen to herself and the fundraising profession as a whole.”

CCCF Board Chair Joyce Eshelman said, “The Cass County Community Foundation is extremely fortunate to have Deanna Crispen at the helm. She takes her leadership role very seriously and this CFRE credential is evidence of that fact. We applaud Mrs. Crispen for her initiative and hard work and know that our donors and community benefit from achieving these high standards.”

CFRE recipients are awarded certification for a three-year period. In order to maintain certification status certificants must demonstrate on-going fundraising employment and fundraising results, and continue with their professional education. Employers and donors who work with CFRE’s know they are getting a professional who is committed to the best outcomes for their organization and has the requisite knowledge and skills.

CFRE International is an independent organization dedicated to the certification of fundraising executives by setting standards in philanthropic practice. Governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and led by a small professional staff, CFRE International consistently meets the highest standards for certification excellence and is itself accredited by the National Commission of Certifying Agencies.

CFRE International congratulates Deanna Crispen for achieving the CFRE designation.

For more information please visit www.cfre.org or call +1 703.820.5555.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHERE CAN I GO TO SCHOOL WITH THESE SCHOLARSHIPS? [answer]

What are the benefits of utilizing the services of a community foundation? [answer]

ARE THE SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS SUFFICIENT TO PAY THE COST OF MY COLLEGE EDUCATION? [answer]


P.O. Box 441 \| 417 North Street, Suite 102 \| Logansport, IN 46947 \| (574) 722-2200