Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
WINONA LAKE - Grace College and Seminary has 18 months to raise $3.5 million - which will net the college twice that much in the long run.
Lilly Endowment Inc., Indianapolis, recently approved a grant for Grace College of up to $3.5 million. The grant, however, is a matching grant, which means Grace must raise the funds, then Lilly will match the amount Grace raises, up to $3.5 million.
"It's exciting," John Boal, chief advancement officer for Grace, said last week. "It's without a doubt one of the most exciting times to be at Grace."
The only restriction on the Lilly grant is that the money cannot be used for athletics.
Boal said that's not a problem.
The college has several projects in mind, should they get the entire $7 million.
First, in their need to increase dorm space and renovate the facilities they do have, the college wants to refurbish Alpha Hall, which is now a women's dorm and houses the cafeteria for the entire student population.
Boal said the building needs to "move into the 21st century," with a facelift, updates and new air conditioning.
Another important use for the funds, he said, is to "continue to develop scholarship endowment funds.
"It's our commitment to keep education affordable," he said.
The college also needs to make older buildings handicapped accessible and to upgrade classroom technology and labs.
"Those are the main things," Boal said. "We want to make it a better place for students to be on campus and a better place for faculty to teach in."
This is the largest Lilly grant Grace has received so far - a previous grant of $2.3 million was used for Indiana Hall.
To raise the matching funds, Boal said, the college will look to alumni, parents, staff and students.
Lilly guidelines require that up to $3 million must come from alumni and friends of Grace; up to $250,000 may come from parents and students, including parents of alumni; and up to $250,000 may come from former or current Grace faculty and staff.
Why does Lilly invest so much money in Indiana colleges and universities?
Boal said: "Lilly Endowment's passion and focus continue to be for Indiana students to go to Indiana schools, graduate, get jobs in Indiana and stay in Indiana."
He is confident the college can raise the $3.5 million.
"The alumni has the capacity to do it, but there is some challenge to do it in these economic times," he said. "But that's the joy of being an organization of faith. We'll work 100 percent and trust the Lord for the results."
