Supporters of the Ernie Pyle World War II Museum have the opportunity to double any donation to the Friends of Ernie Pyle through a matching grant offered by Lilly Endowment Inc. and administered by the Vermillion County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Western Indiana Community Foundation. This grant is part of the ninth phase of Lilly Endowment’s – Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT IX).
Donations made to the Vermillion County Community Foundation on behalf of the Friends of Ernie Pyle will be matched up to $100,000 on a dollar-for-dollar basis. This creates the opportunity for the museum to have $200,000 to use toward completion of the Ernie Pyle & Veterans Memorial Park located just north of the Dana museum.
“We’re honored that the Vermillion County Community Foundation board selected our museum for this unique opportunity to maximize the support of our many friends,” said Steve Key, president of the Friends of Ernie Pyle, which operates the museum honoring the preeminent journalist of World War II, who was born just outside of Dana.
“If successful, this program will go a long way toward us meeting the goal of our $250,000 for 250 years fund-raising program honoring the 250th birthday of the United States of America,” Key added.
The VCCF board selected the Friends of Ernie Pyle, the Vermillion Trails Alliance, and the Vermillion County 4-H as the beneficiaries of this program. Donations made to the VCCF through June 30, 2028, on behalf of the Friends of Ernie Pyle will be eligible for the matching program.
“We are grateful for the Endowment’s continued commitment to strengthening Indiana communities through strategic investment and partnership,” said Taylor Powell, CEO of the Western Indiana Community Foundation.
When completed the museum’s memorial park will include the bronze sculpture of Ernie Pyle, a roofed performance stage, lighted walking loop, a display of flags honoring all branches of the U.S. armed forces, educational WWII Victory Garden, and ADA-accessible permanent restrooms.
Contributions to this program are tax-deductible and can be made online at www.wicf-inc.org or mailed to: Western Indiana Community Foundation, ATTN: Friends of Ernie Pyle GIFT IX matching program, PO Box 175, Covington, IN 47932. Lilly Endowment created the GIFT Initiative in 1990 to help local communities in Indiana develop the philanthropic capacity to identify local needs and challenges and work with other organizations and residents to help their communities thrive. Through GIFT IX, Lilly Endowment awarded $259.7 million to support community foundations in each of Indiana’s 92 counties. These grants are helping community foundations grow their financial resources and further strengthen their ability to address their community’s highest-priority challenges and opportunities.
The Western Indiana Community Foundation was established in 1990 in Fountain Couny. The Vermillion County Community Foundation affiliated in 2016 and continues its philanthropic efforts across Vermillion County communities today. VCCF strengthens local non-profits through grants and supports students with scholarships by connecting donors who care to causes about which they are passionate.
For more information, contact Taylor Powell of the Vermillion County Community Foundation at tpowell@wicf-inc.org or Steve Key of the Friends of Ernie Pyle at stevekey5389@gmail.com.