WINONA LAKE, Ind. — K21 Health Foundation is celebrating 25 years in 2024! The Foundation began in 1999 with approximately $63 million to invest and provide grants back into the county. From the beginning, the board adopted a mission for K21 to impact the health of County residents in any way they could through grantmaking. The current volunteer board of 17 community leaders from around the county and staff continue that mission today.
“It has been very fulfilling to be a part of the board at K21, especially to celebrate the quarter century mark of impact for the community that I enjoy so much”, noted current Board Chair Bill Smith.
Current Vice Chair, Jessica Bricker noted, “I was born and raised in this community, and now I’m raising my own family here. It is such a great reminder of the longevity of K21’s impact of 25 years of grantmaking work, and knowing K21 will continue its valuable role for the next 25 years and beyond, helping future generations enjoy health to its fullest in Kosciusko County”.
Another amazing milestone in the life of K21 Health Foundation is their grantmaking has surpassed the original funds they started with. “The real beauty of a permanent, or endowed foundation is that responsible investing of the foundation’s assets allows K21 to grant back into the community in perpetuity”, shared current Board Treasurer Lisa O’Neill. “After giving out over $65 million in our first 25 years, the Foundation still has more assets than it started with, which means K21 gets to ‘keep giving’ into the future for the benefit of all of us that live here”, Ms. O’Neill added.
“K21 remains ‘mission focused’ to use its grantmaking for the benefit of everyone who lives in Kosciusko County”, shared Rich Haddad, K21’s President and CEO. “The staff and board of K21 see themselves as stewards of the community’s asset, this is for all of us, to have the opportunities to live our most healthy lives. We know that is aspirational, but it gives us clear direction to make progress toward every day”, he continued.
Jill Gross, current Board Secretary added, “As a leader in my town (Mentone) I appreciate that K21 Health Foundation has a mission to all of Kosciusko County. Every community and every resident in our wonderful county deserve the opportunity to live out their healthiest life possible. Seeing leaders from different communities in our county participate on the Board ensures K21 impacts every corner of the county.”
“K21 was established and is built to not just make a difference for the past 25 years, which we are grateful for, but for the next 25 years, and 25 years after that. Over 60 volunteer leaders have served on K21’s Board of Directors to date. It is very exciting to know that future leaders will guide the Foundation’s purpose so K21 can continue its work to impact the health of all of us in Kosciusko County”, concluded Mr. Haddad.
K21 Health Foundation’s mission is for the benefit of Kosciusko County residents to ensure health care services are provided, and to advance prevention and healthy living. This will be accomplished by identifying health needs in our community, and maintaining an endowment so funding is provided through investments and grants, for those needs.
To learn more about K21 Health Foundation and to see projects and grants they have done visit k21healthfoundation.org.
From left to right, K21 Health Foundation Staff: Angie Summers; Operations Manager, Rich Haddad; CEO & President, Jennifer Stewart; Grants Manager
