The Hendricks County Community Foundation (HCCF) announced today it has received a $500,000 gift from the Lincoln Legacy Foundation, Inc. The gift will be used to open the new Lincoln Bank Legacy Donor Advised Fund at the Community Foundation to benefit both Plainfield and Hendricks County as a whole.
The new fund will continue the legacy of charitable grantmaking of the Lincoln Federal Charitable Foundation, Inc., which was founded in 1998 by Lincoln Federal Savings Bank. The Foundation was later named the Lincoln Charitable Foundation, Inc. (2005-2009), and then, when Lincoln Bank was acquired by First Merchants Bank, the First Merchants Charitable Foundation, Inc. (2009-2022). The Foundation made charitable grants to nonprofits in the counties where Lincoln Bank had branches and customers prior to the acquisition by First Merchants.
The Board of the Lincoln Legacy Foundation voted in 2023 to dissolve the private foundation and distribute its assets to the community foundations in those same counties, including Hendricks County. The Lincoln Legacy Foundation made over $2.2 million in grants during its history, including almost $950,000 to benefit Hendricks County charitable organizations.
“We are honored to partner with the Lincoln Legacy Foundation to continue its work in Hendricks County,” said William Rhodehamel, President & CEO of HCCF. “They have steadfastly supported important projects and programs in our community that have made Hendricks County a better place. We are so pleased to work with the Board of the Lincoln Legacy Foundation to ensure that the positive impact they’ve created not only continues to grow, but continues forever.”
Former Lincoln Legacy Foundation Board Members John Baer, Jerry Holifield and Dave Mansfield will serve as advisors to the new Lincoln Bank Legacy Fund at HCCF. Once they step down, the Community Foundation will become the advisor to the fund and grantmaking will continue in perpetuity. Grants will follow the general spirit of the grantmaking history of the Lincoln Legacy Foundation, with a primary focus on health & human services and education within Hendricks County, with occasional focus on special projects within Plainfield. Lincoln Legacy Foundation Board President David Mansfield stated, “We are excited to begin this new partnership with HCCF and continue our commitment of supporting the many fine charitable organizations who do so much to make Hendricks County a great place to live.”
