The Come to Crawford (cometocrawford.com) community website and calendar is seeking the enrollment of Crawford County’s Churches and Places of Worship. Enrollment is free and includes the opportunity to post events and newsworthy items to share with the community.
This initiative was established as a result of the Community Foundation of Crawford County (CFCC) receiving a Community Leadership Grant of $100,000 within the seventh phase of Lilly Endowment Inc.’s Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT VII) initiative. Come to Crawford now has more than 135 different entities and groups enrolled. Churches and Places of Worship are invited to be a part of this collaboration.
Fact gathering and planning began in 2019 by convening local stakeholders to identify, prioritize and assess opportunities and challenges in Crawford County. Using a collaborative approach with area organizations and leaders, the first Crawford County Leadership Institute (CCLI) was held, surveys were conducted, and input was widely encouraged by all demographics represented in the county, as well as data from previous surveys and reports were utilized.
“After significant community input, Come to Crawford community website and calendar was selected as the project,” said Nick Siler, CFCC Board Chairman. “Crawford County will see the installation of fiber optic cable over the next year, so this project comes at the perfect time for our community. The website and calendar will create branding for Crawford County, and provide a one-stop-shop to access various sectors within the community. The site will promote various activities county-wide, including those from the faith community, will help businesses who need an online presence, and encourage families to come to Crawford County to enjoy our rural way of life.”
The site encourages all businesses, nonprofits, churches, and groups to enroll. Formally registered entities (LLCs, 501(c)(3)s, etc.) are welcome, of course; but credentials are not necessary to enroll. Even groups that represent special interests like parenting groups, festival committees, and Bible study groups are welcome.
“We want churches, businesses, and organizations to list their events on the calendar. Have a special event – list it. Sewing club – list it. Serve special community meals each month – list it. Youth services – list them, etc. This is a community site. If it is in our community, we want it included; so of course, we want the faith community involved!,” said Christine Harbeson, CFCC executive director. Community is part of our name and we want the community involved and to work WITH the community. Don’t wait any longer. Enroll today!”
To enroll, visit: https://cometocrawford.com/enroll/ or call 812.365.2900 for additional information.
The CFCC was founded in April 1998 by a volunteer Board of Directors that represented a variety of interests from Crawford County. To date, the CFCC has awarded nearly $8 million in grants for programs/projects supporting Crawford County youth, education, housing, health and human services, the environment, technology advancements, literacy, and the arts, and has awarded well over $2 million in scholarships benefiting Crawford County students. The CFCC currently manages more than 80 charitable endowment funds on behalf of families, individuals, corporations, and non-profits. To see CFCC updates, like them on Facebook at CFCC4Ever.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly, Sr., and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. In keeping with the founder’s wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community, development, education, and religion. The Endowment funds significant programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion, and a special commitment to its founders’ home state, Indiana.
