An essential part of the mission of the Decatur County Community Foundation is to better the lives of all residents of Decatur County. Traditionally this is done: by allowing donors an opportunity to further their charitable wishes, by making grants to meet community needs and by providing scholarship opportunities to the young people of the community. Part of being a community leader is stepping outside the box and finding new ways of supporting the community and encouraging philanthropic efforts.

The National Center for College Costs
Farmers Breakfast
Non-Profit Training
Professional Advisor Training

The National Center For College Costs:
     Recognizing that attaining post-secondary education is sometimes difficult because of the affordability, the Foundation brought in The National Center for College Costs to help explain how post-secondary education can be affordable. Parents are asked to complete a College Cost Estimator form which will then tell them what their family might be expected to contribute for their childs education. Representatives spend an evening with the families explaining what the report tells them and how to make more affordable decisions. The families then have access to free help regarding financial questions throughout the time any of their children are in post-secondary schools.

Farmers Breakfast
     Understanding the special difficulties and circumstances farmers face when doing estate planning, the Decatur County Community Foundation partnered with the Ripley and Rush County Community Foundations to bring in estate planning professional Bill Winfield. The event highlighted special circumstances facing the agricultural community, such as succession planning, and provided a booklet to address where to start planning.

Non-Profit Training
     The Decatur County Community Foundation provides training opportunities for local non-profits. The Brown Bag lunch series provide informal, yet informative training opportunities. The first in the series brought local media together to explain how they choose what to cover, how to get things covered and how to work together.

Professional Advisor Training
     The Decatur County Community Foundation maintains a working relationship with the accountants, lawyers and bankers of the community. Part of maintaining this relationship is through training opportunities. The Foundation provides educational material and brings in training opportunities regularly.