Steuben County Community Foundation Celebrates 2025 Progress

The Steuben County Community Foundation (SCCF) announced that it awarded more than $3.7 million in grants over the past fiscal year, the majority of which supported nonprofits in Steuben County. As a visual representation of its mission, SCCF personally distributed more than $375,000 in designated and agency fund grants to local nonprofit organizations during its Annual Public Meeting, held Thursday, August 21, 2025, at the Steuben County Event Center.

These grants, generated from permanent charitable endowments, provide steady, long-term support to organizations in areas such as healthcare, education, youth programs, housing, and the arts.

“Our financial health is strong, with $59 million in charitable assets and over $1.2 million raised this past year from more than 400 unique donors, but these assets are simply a tool. What truly matters are the relationships with donors, nonprofits, and community partners that bring these dollars to life. Every grant represents trust, collaboration, and impact right here in Steuben County.”
— Jennifer Danic, SCCF President/CEO

The annual meeting highlighted both the scope and depth of SCCF’s grantmaking. A recent county-wide initiative, ParentGuidance.org, expanded access to mental health resources for families and schools across all four county school districts, showing how collaborative leadership can turn a local challenge into a shared solution.

“This year’s $375,000 in community nonprofit grants is more than a financial transaction—it’s our mission in action. Stewarding donor gifts that grow over time allows us to make an impact for generations. The checks distributed today are a tangible reminder that grantmaking is about people, trust, and relationships.”
— Lisa Biers, SCCF's Vice President of Programs

The program also featured reflections from community leaders and partners:

Eric Yoder, CEO of the YMCA of Steuben County, and Matt Hannah, Superintendent of Angola Parks and Recreation, shared updates on the Sheets Family Park project, a transformational public-private partnership creating new accessible recreational opportunities for Steuben County residents.

Eric Clabaugh, Chief Community Relations and Development Officer at Cameron Health and SCCF Grants Committee member, emphasized the deeper meaning of SCCF’s work: “The foundation doesn’t just fund projects—it invests in potential. Behind every grant is a donor who chose to believe in the power of community. SCCF is more than a foundation. It’s a bridge between vision and reality.”

Lynn Wachtmann, donor and community leader, shared his personal giving story and why his family chose to partner with SCCF for long-term charitable impact.