LAWRENCEBURG, Ind., DECEMBER 12, 2025 – There is the community, and then there is The Community Project. Like hand in glove, The Community Project focuses on the core needs of struggling Dearborn County residents.

A thousand dollars goes a long way for the group, said co-organizer Ken Maddin, who thanks Jeanne Lehn, the Dearborn Community Foundation Board member who recommended the grant for The Community Project.

The money comes from the Foundation’s annual program, through which each of the organization’s 15 volunteer board members recommends a $1,000 grant. 

The grants to charitable organizations that serve Dearborn County residents are funded through unrestricted endowment funds, established by donors to provide flexibility to address changing needs in the community over the years.

“This group of community leaders selflessly works to meet basic needs of the most vulnerable residents in our county, and they do so with respect, humility and empathy which gives all of us hope,” said Lehn.

The Community Project’s mission is to identify and bring awareness to current and ongoing needs of community members, said Maddin.

“By bringing like-minded individuals with the spirit of volunteerism together, we help them discover opportunities to serve and enrich our local communities.” 

To learn more, visit thecommunityprojectsei.org/contact.

Meanwhile, anyone can contribute to a DCF unrestricted endowment to help make impact grants like the 15 DCF Board members are recommending in 2025. For a list of the unrestricted endowments and to learn more about the Foundation, call 812-539-4115 or visit the Foundation website at dearborncf.org. If you are interested in contributing to the Foundation, visit the website’s “Give Now” page to donate online and to learn about other giving options.