The Fayette Community Foundation and the City of Connersville are proud to announce
that we have received two grants totaling $5 million from Lilly Endowment Inc. through the Community Leadership Implementation Grants component of
the eighth phase of its Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT VIII) initiative. The grants are two of 30 implementation grants being awarded through GIFT VIII, a statewide Lilly Endowment initiative designed to support the efforts of community foundations and their partners to strengthen quality of life for the people in the towns, cities, counties, and regions they serve.
The grants – $2.5 million to FCF and $2.5 million to the City of Connersville – will support the development of an inclusive playground at Roberts Park, the creation of an accessible loop trail for safe walking within the park, and the construction of additional trail segments to enhance connectivity throughout Connersville.
This milestone achievement is the result of nearly a year of collaboration between the Foundation, the City, and the Connersville Parks and Recreation Department. These projects were carefully selected following a group effort to create CPRD’s new Master Plan, funded through a separate grant from Lilly Endowment. During the Master Plan’s development, CPRD and FCF actively engaged Fayette County residents through an online survey and multiple public meetings to gather valuable insights and feedback.
We are incredibly grateful to Lilly Endowment for believing in our vision and supporting these initiatives. Stay tuned for updates as we bring these projects to life!