Kosciusko County Community Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $6,000,000+
• Total Assets: $100,000,000+
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 10-11 weeks per cycle
• Grant Range: $100 - $75,000
• Geographic Focus: Kosciusko County, Indiana and surrounding area
• Application Cycles: 3 per year (March 1, July 1, November 1)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.kcfoundation.org
Phone: 574-267-1901
Email: kcf@kcfoundation.org
Address: 102 E. Market Street, Warsaw, IN

Pre-Application Contact:
Alex Hall, Vice President of Programs
Email: alex@kcfoundation.org
Phone: 574-267-1901

Overview

Established in 1968 by the Warsaw Chamber of Commerce as the Greater Warsaw Foundation, the Kosciusko County Community Foundation (KCCF) was reorganized in 1972 to serve the entire county and adopted its current name in 2002. With over $100 million in assets and $6 million+ in annual grantmaking, KCCF serves as a vehicle for donors' charitable dreams while addressing community needs. Since its founding, the foundation has awarded over $60 million in grants through more than 500 funds. Led by CEO Stephanie Overbey since 2020, KCCF operates with a strategic focus on bringing caring people and charitable endeavors together to inspire generosity and strengthen communities. The foundation earned Candid's Platinum Seal of Transparency and received a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator with a 100% score.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Funds Grants: $100 - $75,000

• Three competitive cycles per year (March 1, July 1, November 1 deadlines)
• 125 grants awarded in 2023 totaling $4,762,833
• Online application system with pre-grant inquiry requirement
• All first-time applicants must contact Alex Hall before applying

Working Together Initiative:
Major strategic initiative addressing employment barriers through workforce housing, childcare access, and job training for people with disabilities

Infant & Toddler Care Grants:
Specialized grants addressing childcare access in Kosciusko County

Go Forward! Funding:
Grant program for local towns and municipalities

Priority Areas

KCCF supports seven broad areas of community need:

• Arts & Culture
• Human Services
• Civic Projects
• Recreation
• Environment
• Health
• Education

The foundation prioritizes projects that:

• Reach a broad segment of the community
• Address needs not being met by existing services
• Are normally provided by private rather than government sources
• Represent innovative opportunities to meet community needs
• Involve seed money for new initiatives

What They Don't Fund

Absolute Exclusions:

• National organizations (unless funds benefit Kosciusko County citizens exclusively)
• Religious organizations for the sole purpose of furthering that religion (except for donor-designated funds)
• Contributions to endowments

Low Priority (Unlikely to Receive Funding):

• Projects where KCCF is the sole funder
• Debt reduction, including payment for items purchased prior to grant approval
• Operating expenses for public entities (government-appropriate funding)
• Organizations with open Community Funds grant files (outstanding balances or unfiled final reports)

Governance and Leadership

Staff Leadership

• Stephanie Overbey - Chief Executive Officer (since March 2020)
• Alex Hall - Vice President of Programs
• Leanne Ford - Chief Financial Officer
• Todd Eastis - Development Director
• Angie Danko - Communications Director
• Amy Cannon - Scholarship Director
• Kendra Fisher - Program Officer
• Tami Murphy - Office Manager
• Cheryl Lacheta - Executive & Finance Assistant

Board of Directors

• Josh Gordon - President
• Steve Yeager - Vice President
• Cheryl Hastings - Secretary
• Dan Stichter - Treasurer

Board Members: Mike Bergen, Stephanie Bibler, Amanda Clark, Lisa Frazzetta Manning, Kelly Heckaman, Kevin Hohman, Laura Kaufman, Dr. Anita Kishan, Brent Lamb, Lisa O'Neill, Scott Reust, Barbara Ridley, Kelsi Roth, Josh Silveus, Paula Slick, Lauren Twombly

Leadership Insights

Stephanie Overbey on community partnerships: "Access to housing is a community need we've been strategically addressing for the last four years. We are thrilled to partner with Intend Indiana to deploy their proven homeownership tools for residents of Kosciusko County."

On organizational values: "Trust is one of the Community Foundation's key organizational values."

Alex Hall on childcare access: "Access to child care continues to be an ongoing issue the Community Foundation and its partners seek to address."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

1. Pre-Application Requirement: Contact Alex Hall (alex@kcfoundation.org or 574-267-1901) to discuss your proposal before applying. This is mandatory for first-time applicants and organizations not funded in the past two years.

2. Pre-Grant Inquiry: Submit online inquiry by the 15th of the month before the application deadline through the foundation's online portal.

3. Full Application: If inquiry is approved, complete full application with required documents:

   • IRS Determination Letter
   • List of board and staff members
   • Financial documents (for organizations with $100,000+ annual budget)
   • Completed Authorization Signature Form

4. Application Deadlines: March 1, July 1, November 1

Decision Timeline

Total Time: 10-11 weeks from application deadline

• Weeks 1-5: Staff reviews applications
• Weeks 6-9: Grant Committee reviews and makes recommendations to board
• Weeks 10-11: Board makes final decisions; applicants notified within one week
• Grant agreements sent with approval letters for successful applicants

Success Rates

The foundation awarded 125 grants in 2023 totaling $4,762,833. Specific application-to-award ratios are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations with open Community Funds grant files (outstanding balances or unfiled final reports) cannot apply for new grants. Specific waiting periods for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly documented; contact program staff for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Foundation-Specific Strategies

1. Pre-Application Consultation is Mandatory: All first-time applicants must speak with Alex Hall before applying. Use this conversation to align your project with foundation priorities and get specific feedback on your proposal approach.

2. Demonstrate Broad Community Impact: KCCF prioritizes projects that "reach a broad segment of the community, especially those affecting citizens whose needs are not being met by existing services." Show how your project serves underserved populations.

3. Emphasize Innovation and Seed Funding: The foundation values "innovative opportunities to meet needs in the community" and seed money for new initiatives. Frame your project as innovative or pilot-worthy.

4. Align with Current Strategic Priorities: The foundation is actively addressing workforce housing, childcare access, and job training for people with disabilities through its Working Together initiative. Projects that support these areas align with current priorities.

5. Organizations Not Funded Recently Must Consult First: If your organization has not received funding in the past two years, you must consult with staff before applying. This requirement suggests the foundation values ongoing relationships and wants to understand why previous applications were unsuccessful.

6. Complete All Administrative Requirements: Organizations must have current financial documents, board lists, and IRS determination letters. Missing documentation can delay or disqualify applications.

Recent Funding Examples

• Intend Indiana: $2 million grant to expand homeownership and financial empowerment services
• Cardinal Services: $80,000 to establish Kosciusko Area Bus Service's new fixed route
• K21 Health Foundation partnership: $131,012 for child abuse prevention and family wellness programs
• Milford Food Bank: $5,000 and $3,500 Community Fund grants

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Pre-application contact with Alex Hall is mandatory for first-time applicants—use this conversation strategically to align your proposal with foundation priorities
• Broad community impact is essential—demonstrate how your project serves underserved populations and addresses unmet needs
• Seed funding and innovation are valued—position new initiatives or pilot programs favorably
• Geographic focus is strict—only organizations serving Kosciusko County and surrounding areas are eligible
• Three annual cycles provide multiple opportunities—if unsuccessful in one cycle, you can reapply in subsequent cycles (address feedback from staff consultation)
• Government-funded services are low priority—frame your project as privately appropriate, not government responsibility
• Current strategic priorities include workforce housing, childcare, and disability employment—projects supporting these areas align with foundation's Working Together initiative

References

• Kosciusko County Community Foundation official website. Accessed January 2026. https://www.kcfoundation.org
• "Community Funds | Kosciusko County Community Foundation." Grant Guidelines and Application Process. Accessed January 2026. https://www.kcfoundation.org/grants/community-fund-grants/
• "Staff & Board | Kosciusko County Community Foundation." Leadership Information. Accessed January 2026. https://www.kcfoundation.org/about-us/staff-board/
• Causeiq.com. "Kosciusko County Community Foundation | Warsaw, IN." Financial and organizational data. Accessed January 2026. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/kosciusko-county-community-foundation,356086777/
• Charity Navigator. "Rating for Kosciusko County Community Foundation Inc." EIN 356086777. Accessed January 2026.
• Intend Indiana. "Intend Indiana Receives $2 Million Grant from Kosciusko County Community Foundation." January 2025.
• "Community Foundation Earns Candid's Highest Seal of Transparency on GuideStar | Kosciusko County Community Foundation." December 2024.
• "$1.5 Million Community Support Grant Boosts Kosciusko County Community Foundation Initiatives." fundsforNGOs News. January 2026.
• Inside Philanthropy. "Kosciusko County Community Foundation." Grant maker profile. Accessed January 2026.