Making a difference: White family grants this month to help local nonprofits

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Representatives from local agencies gathered to celebrate the White Family Foundation and $50,000 in grants this month. Pictured is, top row from left, Joanna Crump, Donna Timblin, Mark Haase, Robb Reed, Nick Atkins, Terry Snow, Wendall Hester, Jim Peters; middle row from left, Stephen Jeffries, Joyce Jeffries, Paula Ramo, Maureen Leisure, Tiffany Ellsworth, Johanna Black, Andy Ebbert; and bottom row from left, Katie Ottinger, Olivia White, Tami White and Kimberly Watts

Submitted photo

Submitted photo

GREENFIELD – Nine local nonprofit groups and community agencies benefited from grants this month totaling $50,000 from the White Family Foundation Fund.

The Community Foundation of Hancock County (CFHC) awarded the nine grants from the WFFF, a component of the community foundation.

“We are delighted to share that, thanks to an unforeseen and exclusive financial contribution from Pride Investment Partners, the 2023 White Family Grant Cycle has been empowered to bestow a sum of $50,000 this year,” said President/CEO Mary Gibble in a press release. “The Community Foundation thanks the White Family and Pride Investment Partners for their generosity and dedication toward our community.”

Recipients included Agape Therapeutic Riding Services ($500); Almost Heaven Farm Inc. ($2,500); Boys and Girls Club of Hancock County ($5,000); Changing Footprints Hancock County ($1,275); Friends of Hancock County CASA ($1,250); Hancock County Children’s Choir ($2,500); Hancock County COAD ($2,000); Hancock County Food Pantry ($5,000); Hancock Regional Hospital ($5,000); Shirley Community Visionaries ($5,000); Shirley Volunteer Fire Department ($9,225); The Cary Center ($750); and The Landing ($10,000).

The White Family Foundation Fund is a donor-advised fund of CFHC. Donor-advised funds allow donors to simplify and consolidate all their charitable giving and provides the family the opportunity to make grant recommendations from their fund to CFHC to address community needs. CFHC assures the charitable qualifications of recommended grantees and handles all the administration details.

The White family supports initiatives that enhance the desire to live, work, and play in the communities where they have provided business services, especially Shirley and the surrounding area.

The White family’s primary business interest includes Pride Investment Partners located in Greenfield. Pride was formed following the sale of GasAmerica Services in 2012 and holds investments in a variety of areas throughout the Midwest including hotels, strip centers, and retail stores; as well as residential and commercial real estate.

Their latest venture included the opening of four Leo’s Market & Eatery locations. The family is vested in keeping a solid focus on charitable giving within the communities in which they live and do business, according to the press release.

CFHC provides philanthropic leadership by encouraging giving, learning, community pride and civic engagement. Working with caring individuals, families, and organizations to create or grow existing permanent endowment funds is critical to the organization’s mission. These funds generate income that is distributed in the form of grants and scholarships to enrich and enhance life in Hancock County, as well as support the donor’s favorite charitable causes. CFHC has granted millions of dollars since its inception in 1992.