GREENFIELD, Ind. (September 23, 2026)— The Community Foundation of Hancock County (CFHC) granted $1,000,000 to the Amplify Hancock Innovation Center for equipment and immediate needs.
The funding is made possible because of grants awarded to CFHC from Lilly Endowment Inc. through the ninth phase of its initiative, Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT IX), $600,000 of which is subject to a $1-to-$1 matching requirement.
Support to the Amplify Hancock Innovation Center reflects a strategic priority area for CFHC, Education Across Ages. With this priority area the foundation’s leadership, funding, and other programming contribute to an environment where children develop a love of reading, youth have the resources to explore subjects and pursue credentials beyond high school, adults develop new perspectives, skills, and career connections, and educators and employers thrive.
“Amplify Hancock represents a major step forward for education and workforce development in our county,” said Lee Ann Oden, CFHC President/CEO. “By creating new pathways for students and adult learners to explore careers, build skills, and connect with local opportunities, this center has the potential to shape Hancock County’s future for years to come.”
Stan Wilkison, Hancock County Career Center (HC3) Director, said, “We are incredibly grateful to the Community Foundation of Hancock County for its transformational $1 million investment in HC3. Their generosity has allowed us to purchase the equipment needed to educate, train, and prepare our students for successful careers. We are fortunate to have such an incredible partner investing in the future of our students and community.”
Lilly Endowment created the GIFT initiative in 1990 to help local communities in Indiana develop the philanthropic capacity to identify local needs and challenges and work with other organizations and residents to help their communities thrive. Through GIFT IX, Lilly Endowment has awarded $259.7 million to support community foundations in each of Indiana’s 92 counties. These grants are helping community foundations grow their financial resources and further strengthen their ability to address their community’s highest-priority challenges and opportunities.
Pictured: CFHC Board of Directors and Stan Wilkison, Hancock County Career Center (HC3) Director
CFHC provides philanthropic leadership by encouraging giving, learning, community pride, and civic engagement. Working with caring individuals, families, and organizations to create or grow existing permanent endowment funds is critical to the organization’s mission. These funds generate income that is distributed in the form of grants and scholarships to enrich and enhance life in Hancock County, as well as support the donor’s favorite charitable causes, both at home and afar forever. CFHC has granted millions of dollars since its inception in 1992.
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