KCCF awards nearly $149,000 in Community Fund grants

Alex Hall, Vice President of Programs at the Community Foundation. Middle: Marcie Arndt, Executive Director, Cardinal Services. Right: Madison Craven, Director of Development for Engagement & Special Events, Cardinal Services.
News Release

WARSAW — The Kosciusko County Community Foundation recently awarded 15 local organizations and agencies with Community Fund grants. In total, $148,918.00 was awarded.

Community Fund grants are awarded based on a competitive grant application process.

Nonprofit organizations serving Kosciusko County are eligible to apply in one of seven areas of interest that include education, health, recreation, arts & culture, civic projects, the environment, and human services.

Congratulations to the following organizations:

• Cardinal Services – $10,000 for integrated health and crisis response services, made
possible by the Leon and Belva Horn Community Fund, Jerry and Norma Ferguson Community Fund, Miles D. and Maxine I. Igo Community Fund, The Thomas J. LeHew
Endowment Fund, and The George and Patricia Lenke Community Fund.

• Chautauqua Wawasee – $10,000 for life-enriching programs, made possible by the
Jerry and Norma Ferguson Community Fund.

• City-County Athletic Complex – $6,900 for softball equipment, made possible by the
Dekko Enhancement Fund.

• Fellowship Missions – $10,000 for emergency shelter, housing, and support services,
made possible by the Greg Sasso Memorial Fund, Kosciusko County Addiction &
Recovery Fund, John S. Frederich Endowment Fund, and Kralis Community Funds.

• Grace College & Seminary – $10,000 for the 2026 Festival of Music, made possible by
the Miksell Endowment Fund for MasterWorks.

• Presby Preschool – $8,000 for the tutoring program and nature classroom, made
possible by the Bright Start Early Learning Fund, John G. and Florell Hand Community
Fund, and the Edward R. and Patricia L. Likens Fund.

• Science Central – $7,500 for science education and outreach programs, made possible
by the Dekko Enhancement Fund.

• Sidney-Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Department – $18,318 for battery-operated
spreaders, made possible by the Kosciusko Civil Services Fund.

• Sleep in Heavenly Peace – $4,000 for beds for low-income children, made possible by
the Dekko Enhancement Fund.

• The Center for Whitley County Youth – $7,500 for after school mentorship for Whitko
students, made possible by the Dekko Enhancement Fund.

• Town of Mentone – $20,000 for Mentzer Park Phase 2 improvements, made possible by
the Blackburn and McFadden Fund, Byron C. Doran and JoAnn Doran Charitable Endowment, Carl N. Wendel Fund, and Kralis Community Funds.

• Town of Pierceton – $20,000 for Brower Park Community Pavilion and restrooms, made
possible by the Archie and Betty Ferguson Community Endowment and Community
Funds.

• Warsaw Girls Rugby Foundation – $1,700 for equipment upgrades, made possible by
the Dekko Enhancement Fund.

• Winona Lake Parks Department – $10,000 for emergency preparedness and weather
safety technology, made possible by the Kosciusko Civil Services Fund.

• Youth & the Outdoors United – $5,000 for brand and marketing development, made
possible by the Dekko Enhancement Fund.