Angola, IN – This year, nonprofits in Steuben County have new faced financial challenges. Canceled and postponed fundraising events disrupted their anticipated cash flows. Some individuals lost jobs, making it difficult to donate as generously. In the midst of this challenging time, SCCF was able to award more than $320,000 in grants to 74 organizations through donor-established designated funds.

The past two years, SCCF has celebrated this annual distribution at their annual public meeting. Jennifer Danic, SCCF President and CEO shared it was decided in the midst of COVID-19 that their decision to cancel their annual public meeting shouldn’t overshadow these grant awards.

Over the course of three days, staff from SCCF hand delivered checks to 18 local agencies, and reached out by phone or video chat to many of the remaining nonprofits to offer personal congratulations.

The majority of designated funds award grants for general support of the organization. This allows nonprofits some additional flexibility as grants are used to pay utility bills, to purchase program supplies, or even to offset unexpected expenses in the midst of a pandemic.

Designated funds account for the largest share of grant dollars awarded by SCCF every year at just over 40%.