DCF Proactive Grant Supports Aurora Church's Outreach Program

The Dearborn Community Foundation has surprised a local church with a $1,000 proactive grant.

Dearborn Community Foundation Board member Randy Tyler, right, delivers a $1,000 grant check to the Rev. Dana Stout of First Presbyterian Church of Aurora. The DCF grant monies are helping to support the church’s Tuesday night Fourth Street Café outreach program, which feeds an average of 40 to 45 people in need each Tuesday evening. Photo provided.

(Aurora, Ind.) - The Dearborn Community Foundation (DCF), Inc. recently awarded a $1,000 proactive grant to the First Presbyterian Church of Aurora to help support the church’s Tuesday night Fourth Street Café outreach program.  

In a continuing effort to make an impact in the Dearborn County community, DCF is awarding 15 proactive grants of $1,000 each to charitable organizations in Dearborn County throughout 2019. Each of the Foundation’s 15 volunteer Board members is recommending a grant. The source of the total of $15,000 in grants is the Foundation’s Unrestricted Endowment Funds, established by donors to provide flexibility to DCF’s Board and staff to address changing needs in the community over the years.  

The $1,000 grant to First Presbyterian Church was recommended by DCF Board member Randy Tyler of Aurora. Making a recommendation to support this particular outreach program was an easy one for Tyler, whose curiosity was piqued by a sign outside the church promoting the program, which feeds an average of 40 to 45 people each Tuesday evening between 5:15 p.m. and 6:15 p.m.

“I have friends who help with this and they’re always talking about the program, especially the number of kids who live in downtown Aurora and show up each Tuesday night,” said Tyler. “They often are not fortunate enough to have an evening meal. There’s no message preached but a prayer is offered for those who come and eat. It’s a neat program.”

Tyler said the outreach program does a lot of good, not only for kids but also for adults who are disadvantaged or marginalized. “Anything that helps kids and adults who need it is a great thing to do and it would be great to help continue this ministry which really helps the community,” he said.

Anyone can make a contribution to an unrestricted endowment at DCF and help make impact grants like the 15 DCF Board members are recommending in 2019. Thanks to Lilly Endowment Inc.’s GIFT VII initiative, DCF is able to provide a $2-for-$1 match ($2 match for $1 donation) for contributions to any new or existing unrestricted endowment funds at the Foundation. For a list of the unrestricted endowments and to learn more about the Foundation, call 812-539-4115, stop by the office at 322 Walnut Street in Lawrenceburg, or visit the Foundation website at www.dearborncf.org. If you are interested in making a contribution to DCF, visit our website’s “Give Now” page to donate on line and to learn about other giving options.