Wabash Valley Community Foundation issues $50,000 Challenge Grant

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

TERRE HAUTE – The Wabash Valley Community Foundation is issuing a $50,000 challenge grant to the Council on Domestic Abuse (CODA) to assist in the restoration of the agency’s full residential services. From August 19, 2019, until November 30, 2019, the Community Foundation will match every $2 raised by CODA with $1, up to $50,000.

On Aug. 19, Sarah Campbell, executive director of CODA, announced the agency would temporarily suspend its residential services for survivors of domestic violence, effective Sept. 14. Campbell explained this decision came after extensive delays in contract reimbursements from state-awarded grants, as well as increasing operating costs unable to be covered by grants.

In an attempt to restore its full residential services, CODA immediately launched a social media campaign explaining why its services are necessary, using the hashtag #CommunityForCODA. With a $150,000 goal, Campbell appealed to the Terre Haute community to help provide a safe environment, available around the clock, for survivors of domestic violence and assault.

Within hours of launching the campaign, officials at CODA started receiving calls from the community. Multiple fundraisers have already been held by local businesses, with several more scheduled in the coming days

“We’ve had people contacting us and telling us how much the community needs our services,” said Campbell. “Within one week, we’ve already raised $42,215 of our $150,000 goal.”

The Community Foundation will match these early contributions and will continue matching on a $1 for $2 basis all contributions received by CODA. Individuals and businesses now have an additional incentive to contribute to CODA now as their $10 contribution is now worth $15, a $100 contribution is now worth $150 and a $1,000 contribution is now worth $1,500 to help CODA continue its residential services beyond September 14.

The Wabash Valley Community Foundation Board of Directors unanimously voted to support CODA by issuing its third challenge grant in the Community Foundation’s nearly 27-year history.

“The Community Foundation works every day to help create a community where every person can thrive,” said Wabash Valley Community Foundation Board President, Nancy Brattain Rogers. “Adults and children who face domestic violence cannot thrive. The work CODA does saves the lives of our neighbors and helps families in this community find a path to financial, physical and emotional well-being. Supporting CODA is wholly consistent with our mission and we are pleased to be able to offer this challenge to the community.”

“Under this grant, the Community Foundation will match each $2 received by CODA with $1, up to a total of $50,000. The gifts made to CODA could be cash, check or marketable securities,” stated Community Foundation Executive Director Beth Tevlin. “The Community Foundation hopes that by awarding the challenge grant, additional donors will step forward because their gift will mean even more to CODA”

The Community Foundation’s unrestricted funds, also known as community endowment funds, are providing this grant. The Community Foundation encourages donors to contribute to new or existing unrestricted endowment funds to allow the Community Foundation to award its competitive grants and also allow it to respond quickly to significant community issues such as closure of the only residential service for survivors of domestic violence in West Central Indiana.

Campbell, on behalf of CODA and its residents, expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support. “The response from the community has been overwhelming. We hope this type of support continues until our goal is met.”

To contribute and help CODA reach its $150,000 goal, please visit codaterrehaute.org. Over 90% of victims utilizing the residential services are from the Terre Haute area, which ensures the money raised will remain local. For more information, contact Sarah Campbell at 812.234.3441.

The Wabash Valley Community Foundation is a tax-exempt public charity created by and for the people in the Wabash Valley to enable people with philanthropic interests to easily and effectively support the organizations and issues they care about – immediately or through their estate plans. Donors may give to existing funds or establish a charitable fund at the Community Foundation by contributing a variety of assets. For more information on the Community Foundation, please call Beth Tevlin, Executive Director, at 812.232.2234 or visit wvcf.org.

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