WWW.CFSJC.ORG • (574) 232-0041 • 205 W. JEFFERSON BLVD., SUITE 610 • SOUTH BEND, IN 46601

SEPTEMBER 2013 CONNECTING PEOPLE WHO CARE WITH CAUSES THAT MATTER

HIGHLIGHTS

More than 1,200 people came out to enjoy the final event of this year’s ArtsEverywhere Performing Arts Series at Potawatomi Park: the South Bend Symphony Orchestra’s concert on August 24. For the “grand finale” of the program, 48 community musicians joined the pros in a stirring rendition of Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy.” Commissioned by the Community Foundation, this adaptation was created by Jerry Lackey, former principal tubist with the SBSO. For many of the community musicians, the opportunity was a dream come true.

“Play-along” musicians with the SBSO

Members of the Mayor’s Anti-Violence Commission at the New York training

Fourteen members of the Mayor’s Anti-Violence Commission attended an intensive two-day training at John Jay College in New York on the Group Violence Reduction Strategy developed by David Kennedy. The strategy, when well implemented, dramatically reduces violent crime. The trip was co-sponsored by the Community Foundation and its African American Community Fund.

Fischoff Wins 2014 Leighton Award for Nonprofit Excellence

Begun by the Community Foundation in 1999 with a major grant from philanthropist Judd Leighton, the $100,000 Leighton Award for Nonprofit Excellence recognizes the best of the best among our community’s nonprofit organizations. The award is a powerful incentive that encourages all of our local agencies to strive for excellence.

In a community with as many strong nonprofit organizations as ours, it’s no easy task to identify “the best.” Each year, the Community Foundation’s Leighton Award Committee pours over applications, conducts interviews, and spends hours reviewing the merits of each organization—and, finally, makes its selection.

In addition to its world-famous annual chamber music competition, Fischoff’s commitment to educational work throughout the year puts it over the top.

This year, we celebrate the good work of the Fischoff National Chamber Music Association.

In 1973, Joseph E. Fischoff and fellow members of the South Bend Chamber Music Society wanted to find a new way to encourage young people to study and perform chamber music. They decided to host a competition. That first year, six ensembles participated.

Forty years later, the Fischoff Competition has become the largest chamber music competition in the world. Each May, an average of 125 ensembles from more than 20 countries compete for $32,000 in prize money and the professional opportunities that come with the “Winner’s Tour.”

The Fischoff has a year-round commitment to music education,

Peter Holland, Board president, Fischoff; Nancy King, Leighton Committee chair; Ann Divine, executive director, Fischoff; Rose Meissner, president, Community Foundation; Tim Maher, past Board president, Fischoff

continued on p. 3

Forty years later, the Fischoff has become the largest chamber music competition in the world.

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY • PAGE 2

Triple Benefits: The Laidig Community Service ScholarshipThe Laidig Community Service Scholarship gives students tuition support, work experience, and benefits our local nonprofits.

For young people with a strong desire to help others, the Jon and Sonja Laidig Community Service Scholarship can be a perfect fit: money for college and a way to “give back” through service.

The Laidig Community Service Scholarship provides each Laidig Scholar with $5,000 in tuition assistance as well as a $2,500 paid summer internship at a local nonprofit organization, providing support for the nonprofits and valuable work experience for the students.

Sophia Wilk and Matt Reisdorf, two of the 16 current Laidig Scholars, worked at Hope Ministries this summer. Hope is a comprehensive care center for families and individuals who face homelessness, unemployment, addiction, and other challenges.

A fourth-year Laidig scholar majoring

in informatics at Indiana University Bloomington, Matt tutored Hope residents who were pursuing GEDs. He developed individualized curricula for 30 or so residents, including math and English skill-building as needed.

“It’s been just unbelievable,” Matt says, “working with the residents, seeing them learn and grow.”

Because of his experience as a Laidig Scholar, Matt is considering “Teach for America”—a highly competitive federal program whose participants commit to two years of teaching in a low-income community—after he graduates.

Sophia, who will be a sophomore at Saint Mary’s College this fall, worked with the Hope4Kids early childhood program. Hope4Kids uses the High Scope curriculum, a nationally recognized model that’s also used in

Laidig Scholar Paul Champion, working at his Bertrand Farm internship on sustainable agriculture

“It’s been just unbelievable,” Matt Reisdorf says, “working with the residents, seeing them learn and grow.”

all of St. Joseph County’s HeadStart programs, to help Hope’s youngest residents learn to express and manage their emotions.

Sophia says she’s learned a lot, too.

“I’d never been exposed to an environment like this before,” she says, frankly. “It gave me a chance to see how many people are hurting. Now I really understand why our community needs to get involved.”

Paul Champion, another Laidig Scholar, had a very different type of internship. He worked at Bertrand Farm, a 10-and-a-half-acre nonprofit educational farm that helps people reconnect with the process of growing and harvesting food, and Prairie Winds Farm, a Lakeville farm with a similar mission.

Paul is in his third year as a Laidig Community Service Scholar. A 2011 graduate of St. Joseph High School, he’s in the pre-veterinary program at Purdue and plans to become a large animal/equine veterinarian.

“The work is a great fit with the material that I’m studying at Purdue,” Paul says. In both veterinary medicine and in agriculture, he explains, “you never know what to expect from day to day. Flexibility is key.”

He particularly enjoyed the teaching component of his internship. At Prairie Winds, Paul worked with “farm camp,” which introduces children from three to ten years old to farm concepts and chores. He’s also been involved in the hands-on operations of agricultural work—everything from picking raspberries to caring for livestock.

“I’m a city boy,” Paul says, with a laugh, “so I’m learning stuff all the time, too.”

By supporting scholarships such as this one, you can help deserving students and our community simultaneously. To learn more, visit cfsjc.org or call (574) 243-5761.

too. In partnership with competition alumni, Fischoff brings free, innovative music programs directly to children in their schools and community centers. These Fischoff Arts-in-Education Residencies have served more than 56,000 children in our community since 1995. For many children, Fischoff’s programs are their first exposure to a live performance of classical music by professional musicians.

Rose Meissner, president of the Community Foundation, attributes much of Fischoff’s success to Ann Divine, its executive director.

“My first conversation back in 1994 with Fischoff’s then-new executive director Ann Divine focused on whether Fischoff could even survive, much less flourish,” Meissner says. “Flash forward to the vibrant, internationally-renowned Fischoff organization of today and we can begin to see what a difference Ann’s dedicated leadership has made.”

The Foundation also announced two Special Recognition Awards, which are designed to encourage organizations that are pursuing higher degrees of excellence. Those went to La Casa de Amistad for its work on behalf of local Latino families over the past 40 years, and to Downtown South Bend, Inc., in recognition of the organization’s commitment to making downtown South Bend a more attractive, inviting community destination.

Learn more about the history of the Leighton Award, its past winners, and ways that you can help support our community’s best nonprofits at cfsjc.org.

WWW.CFSJC.ORG • (574) 232-0041 • 205 W. JEFFERSON BLVD., SUITE 610 • SOUTH BEND, IN 46601

PAGE 3

New Jim Coppens SouthBend Civic Theatre FundIt felt like a miracle when, in 2007, South Bend Civic Theatre moved into its new home in the former Scottish Rite Building. A culmination of ambitious dreams and hard work, the new facility vaulted SBCT into the ranks of the country’s very best community theaters.

In that glorious new space, hundreds of SBCT volunteers—onstage, backstage, and in the house—stage some 125 performances for more than 20,000 audience members each year. The new facility has made it possible for SBCT to expand its educational programs, too, introducing thousands of children, young people, and adults to the joys of participating in live theater. With its national reputation for quality and its deep roots in our community, SBCT is one of our most valuable local arts assets.

A new venue, however, means increased expenses, and ticket sales alone aren’t enough to cover them. To help complete SBCT’s transition to its grand new facility, the James and Marjorie Wilson family, Barbara Warner, and Anne Hillman—all great SBCT enthusiasts—joined forces with the Community Foundation to create a major challenge grant opportunity to build a permanent endowment in memory of SBCT’s legendary Executive Director Jim Coppens.

“Honoring Jim Coppens for his pivotal role in developing the amazing South Bend Civic Theatre that we enjoy today felt like unfinished business,” says Rose

Meissner, president of the Community Foundation. “Jim always intended to raise an endowment to ensure that South Bend Civic continues to provide a rich and varied community theater experience. I think Jim would be delighted by the nature of this tribute. I am grateful that the Wilson Family, Barbara Warner, and Anne Hillman agreed.”

SBCT needs to raise $300,000 in new gifts to qualify. The lead donors have promise to match those dollars three to one, creating a total benefit of $1.2 million for SBCT. The challenge-grant dollars go into the Jim Coppens South Bend Civic Theatre Fund at the Community Foundation; the new funds will support SBCT’s current operations.

If you would like to help South Bend Civic Theatre make its match, please call Rose Meissner at (574) 232-0041.

Former SBCT Executive Director Jim Coppens

Fischoff Arts-in-Education Residencies have served more than 56,000 children in our community since 1995.

continued from p. 1

With its national reputation for quality and its deep roots in our community, SBCT is one of our most valuable local arts assets.

P.O. BOX 837SOUTH BEND, IN 46624

Non Profit Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID

South Bend, IN

Permit No. 417

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Always ready with a smile and a few kind words, Tom Lower knew just about everyone in our community—and everyone who knew Tom liked him.

A South Bend native, Tom held degrees from Indiana University and the University of Wisconsin, and was proud of his service in the US Marine Corps. He approached his career as a financial advisor with exceptional professionalism and commitment. Locally, Tom worked as a Trust Officer at First National Bank of Mishawaka, and, later, as Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo. After retiring in 2010, he gave even more attention to family and community service. In 2012, he and his beloved wife Cathy celebrated their 50th anniversary.

Tom was a paragon of civic engagement and service: When he got involved with anything, he jumped in with both feet. It was only a matter of time before he progressed into leadership roles, serving as president of organizations such as the

South Bend Rotary, the Juvenile Justice Center, the Estate Counselors Forum, and South Bend Civic Theatre. A devout Catholic whose faith was central to his life, Tom was an active member of St. Pius parish who loved singing in the choir with Cathy. Back in 1991, he was one of a small group of visionaries who understood the tremendous benefits of creating a permanent charitable endowment to improve life in St. Joseph County: Tom was a founding board member of the Community Foundation and did much to encourage others to give their time, talent, and treasure through his outstanding example.

South Bend Civic Theatre was particularly close to his heart. When Tom died unexpectedly in late May

of this year, he was leading SBCT’s campaign to match the challenge grant created by the Community Foundation, the James and Marjorie Wilson family, Barbara Warner, and Anne Hillman for the Jim Coppens South Bend Civic Theatre Fund [see story on p. 3]. He and Cathy seldom missed an SBCT show, and they always brought friends in order to introduce as many people as possible to the theater that they loved.

Many of us remember Tom’s positive, “can-do” attitude, his encouraging words, and his unfailing optimism. He will be missed, but his impact lives on.

Tom Lower

Many of us remember Tom’s positive, “can-do” attitude, his encouraging words, and his unfailing optimism.

Focusing on Our Donors: Tom Lower