Member News

Heritage Fund Announces Matching Campaign to Grow African American Fund of Bartholomew County

Friday, January 5, 2018

(Columbus, Indiana) Heritage Fund is excited to launch a matching campaign to support the African American Fund of Bartholomew County (AAFBC). 

The African American Fund exists to educate and inspire African Americans in Bartholomew County by focusing on education, leadership development, economic/career development, health awareness, and arts & cultural events.  The goal of this campaign is to grow the AAFBC; to increase the impact to the local African American community as well as the broader Bartholomew County community; and to ensure the long-term sustainability of the fund.

Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, HFBC will be matching every dollar gifted to the fund (up to $20,000) throughout the campaign.  This $20,000 gift will be leveraged to grow the fund by $40,000 or more.  Gifts received in 2018 and 2019 will be eligible for the match. 

When asked of the support of AAFBC, the donor responded, “We hope this campaign, and the projects it will help fund, teach tolerance and respect for the African American community and other people of color; promote greater understanding for how all people from these diverse backgrounds enrich our community; and encourage our community’s youth to advocate for diversity, equality and justice.” 

Gifts may be made online by visiting the Heritage Fund website at www.heritagefundbc.org/donate/ . Type “African American Fund” in the fund field.  Gifts may also be mailed to Heritage Fund at 538 Franklin Street, Columbus, IN 47201.

For more information, contact Tom Harmon, founding member of the AAFBC, at 812-528-9364.

About The African American Fund of Bartholomew County

The AAFBC was established in 2012 through the commitment of dedicated community members and a matching program through the Lilly Gift VI Program.  To establish the fund, six local families each committed annual contributions over a five-year period.   This fund has participated in bringing several enlightening programs to Columbus since its inception. Today, thanks to these founding members and the generosity of other members of the community, the fund balance is approximately $125,000.

About Heritage Fund
Heritage Fund – The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County was formed as a community foundation in 1976 with the purpose of continuing a legacy of giving by providing an opportunity for all citizens to make gifts and establish charitable funds to benefit the local community. It was created primarily to:  provide responsible stewardship of gifts donated for broad charitable purposes; promote leadership to address community issues; serve as a catalyst for positive change in partnership with others; and promote philanthropy broadly within the community.

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