Welcome to the Starke County Community Foundation
Starke County is a wonderful rural county comprised of small towns where everyone knows each other; and can always depend on neighbors and friends in a pinch. It has a wonderful heritage and a diverse cultural background that adds to its charm.

Since 1996, Starke County Community Foundation has brought caring people and charitable endeavors together for the good of this great community. The Community Foundation gives donors flexible and tax-effective ways to ensure their charitable giving. We work to build substantial endowment funds for our community through contributions large and small.

Starke County Community Foundation is proud to be a part of the Northern Indiana Community Foundation (NICF). The NICF allows us to maximize our investment benefits and be more cost efficient. This way Starke County donations can do more—right here in Starke County.

So far, Starke County Community Foundation has dispersed over 2 million dollars in grants and scholarships. Currently the Community Foundation holds nearly $3 million in assets and administers 64 funds.

Starke County Community Foundation Announces
Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Recipients
April 2009

Two Starke County students have been named recipients of full, four-year scholarships as the Starke County Community Foundation 2009 Lilly Endowment Community Scholars.

Stefanie Schwab and Mary Surma will receive full tuition to the Indiana college of their choice and an $800 yearly stipend for required books and equipment.

Stephanie Schwab

Stephanie is the daughter of Thomas and Kathy Schwab and a senior at North Judson-San Pierre High School and plans to study biochemistry at the college level. She is a leader in school activities and serves as President of the Key Club and Co-President of the National Honor Society. She is the editor of student publications, participates in a number of academic clubs and is a four year member of the high school tennis team.

Mary is the daughter of Wilber and Shari Surma and is also a senior at North Judson-San Pierre High School. As the captain of the girls swim team, Mary has set school records in relay and single events. She is also the Co-President of the National Honor Society and gives her time to school and community service. Mary plans to study chemistry at Indiana University and pursue a career in medical research.

Mary Surma

The two recipients were selected for the prestigious Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship from a field of twenty one applications by the Starke County Community Foundation Scholarship Committee.

For the selection process, the applications are scored on academic performance, volunteer and paid work, school activities and honors as well as a series of essays. Of the twenty one applications, nine finalists were selected for a final interview. These finalists were asked to write an impromptu essay and had a personal interview with the committee. The committee narrowed the field to two nominees and one alternate. These names were submitted to Independent Colleges of Indiana, Inc. (ICI) for the selection of the recipients.

ICI is a nonprofit corporation that represents thirty-one regionally accredited degree granting, nonprofit, private colleges and universities in the state.

The scholarships are the result of a statewide Lilly Endowment initiative to help Hoosier students reach higher levels of education. Indiana ranks among the lowest states in the percentage of residents over the age of 25 with a bachelor’s degree. There were 216 scholarships awarded statewide.

February 23, 2009

Hamblin to Direct Starke County Community Foundation

Rochester, IN – Brad Lawrence of Knox, the president of the Starke County Community Foundation (SCCF) Services Committee announced today that Jane A. Hamblin has been named SCCF’s Director of Development. In this role she will direct the development endeavors of the SCCF.

“We are fortunate to have Jane assume this role,” said Lawrence. “She has quite a bit of nonprofit fundraising experience, and her skills will help us meet our mission of growing our endowment to benefit the citizens of Starke County.”

Overall the SCCF has given more than $2 million in grants and scholarships since its inception a dozen years ago. Lawrence said, “We presently hold nearly $3 million in investments and manage more than 70 funds, so we are pleased to have a capable administrator who will help our volunteer committee members in their development efforts.”

The SCCF, along with the community foundations of Miami and Fulton Counties, make up the Northern Indiana Community Foundation (NICF), which is headed by executive director Terri Johnson, of Rochester. Lawrence, who is also vice president of the NICF Board, explained, “The three counties’ community foundations pool their resources and administrative expenses through the NICF, which allows them to maximize the return on their investments.”

Hamblin replaces Kathryn (Kathy) J. Norem, of Knox, who had directed the development operations of the SCCF for two years. Norem recently was elected Starke County Commissioner. “We are sorry to lose someone with Kathy’s experience and drive as a part of NICF,” said Johnson, “and yet we look forward to the expertise that Jane brings to us.”

Hamblin, a Starke County native, has experience as a higher education administrator and nonprofit association executive. Most recently based in Washington, DC, Hamblin, of Knox, recently returned to Indiana full time. She holds her baccalaureate degree from Purdue and law degree from Indiana University. Her experience in fundraising extends to annual campaigns and the creation of special giving campaigns.

Since 1996, Starke County Community Foundation (SCCF) has brought caring people and charitable endeavors together for the good of Starke County citizens. The SCCF works to build substantial endowment funds that will last; donors to SCCF find they have flexible and tax-effective ways to ensure their charitable giving. To discuss possibilities for your giving, contact Jane Hamblin at (574) 772-3665 or starke@nicf.org.