Community Foundation of Huntington County Transitions Elevate Huntington County to Thrive35

The Community Foundation of Huntington County and the Huntington County Commissioners are pleased to announce the launch of Thrive35, a countywide collaboration designed to bring together people, partnerships, and resources around a shared vision for Huntington County’s future. Named for the number on every Huntington County license plate, Thrive35 symbolizes a collective commitment to help all 35 thrive: every town, every neighborhood, every resident. 

Thrive35 builds upon the foundation established by Elevate Huntington County, an initiative originally launched by the Commissioners to coordinate community and economic development across the county. Over the next two years, the County Commissioners will provide transitional funding as the program moves under the Community Foundation. After that period, the Community Foundation will sustain and grow Thrive35 as part of its ongoing mission of connecting people and resources to address local challenges and opportunities.

“Elevate was launched to help move countywide priorities forward,” said Rob Miller, Huntington County Commissioner. “Thrive35 keeps that momentum going with the Community Foundation as a long-term partner.” 

At the Community Foundation, Thrive35 will serve as a framework to support partner-led coordination across five strategic pillars:

• Community Infrastructure & Development
• Partnerships & Community Alignment
• Quality of Life & Community Identity
• Economic Vitality & Innovation
• Leadership & Talent Growth 

“No single group can tackle this work alone, and none of these strategic pillars work in isolation,” said Matt Ditzler, Community Foundation Executive Director. “Thrive35 will be about helping residents and partners stay connected and aligned so we can sustain a thriving county together.”

Erik Long, who has led Elevate Huntington County, will continue leading this work at the Community Foundation as Director of Thrive35. He will coordinate the day-to-day of Thrive35 and support partner engagement across the strategic pillars.

“I’m excited to be part of this next chapter and focus on the opportunities in front of us,” said Long. “Thrive35 provides a way to continue our positive trajectory and make sure every part of Huntington County is in the conversation.”

In the months ahead, Thrive35 will focus on listening, staying connected with local partners, and supporting work that aligns with countywide priorities.

“Thrive35 is a long-term commitment to working together,” added Ditzler. “Along the way, this will stay community-led and partner-driven, focused on steady progress where our county needs it most.”

For more information about Thrive35 and its strategic pillars, contact Erik Long at erik@huntingtonccf.org or visit www.huntingtonccf.org/thrive35. For more information on the Community Foundation, visit www.huntingtonccf.org.

About Thrive35

Thrive35 is designed to support partners, ideas, and investments to help every corner of Huntington County thrive. Named for the number on every county license plate, Thrive35 represents a countywide commitment to collaboration and long-term progress through five strategic pillars: Community Infrastructure & Development, Partnerships & Community Alignment, Quality of Life & Community Identity, Economic Vitality & Innovation, and Leadership & Talent Growth. The framework is built to adapt as community input and priorities evolve.

About Community Foundation of Huntington County

Organized in 1991, the Community Foundation of Huntington County exists to connect people and resources to address local challenges and opportunities with the purpose of enhancing the quality of life for all. In 2024, the Community Foundation distributed over $1.3 million in grants and over $293,000 in scholarships. The organization’s Executive Director is Matt Ditzler, and Dr. Janelle Maxwell Pflieger serves as Board Chair. For more information, visit huntingtonccf.org.