During her tenure as president of the Chamber of Commerce Board, Rebecca Gonya set an ambitious goal: to endow the New Castle-Henry County Chamber of Commerce Scholarship with the Henry County Community Foundation. This launched her on a year-long fundraising journey, driven by a desire to create a lasting impact.

As Rebecca witnessed the collective effort of chamber members rallying to support local youth, she realized that positive change was within reach. “I realized we can really make a difference, and working together makes these goals happen. The scholarship process made me excited to become a regular donor to the Foundation,” she shared.

Initially, Rebecca held misconceptions about philanthropy. Although she was familiar with the Foundation, she believed that donations required large sums. She explained, “I always thought in order to be a donor, I’d have to make a big donation and create a fund of my own. As I became more familiar, I learned about the Choose Henry Flex Fund and how it pools together donations of all sizes and gives the Foundation an opportunity to make a big difference in the community.”

What Rebecca appreciates most about the Choose Henry Flex Fund is its unrestricted nature. She trusts the Foundation’s expertise in identifying and addressing critical community needs. This flexibility empowers the Foundation to support various causes, from education to essential services. “I think that the staff and the board of directors are really passionate about the community and have a good understanding of what our community needs. I love that the Choose Henry Flex Fund allows the Foundation to help in a lot of different areas. I can just give a check and trust the Foundation to allocate it where it’s needed most,” Rebecca said.

Rebecca hopes to encourage others in their giving, emphasizing that every dollar counts. “Sometimes people feel intimidated or think they can’t be a part of this because they don’t have that kind of money. Every dollar makes a difference – you can give $10, $10k, or $1 million. Every dollar is appreciated. And I’ve found the staff and board to be knowledgeable and approachable, always ready to help and answer questions.”

Rebecca’s story is a powerful message for everyone. The Choose Henry Flex Fund enables individuals like Rebecca to join forces and create lasting positive change in Henry County. If you’re looking to get involved, the Foundation welcomes contributions of all sizes and offers guidance on creating a named fund or making a one-time donation.

Now, with the match from Lilly Endowment Inc., every dollar donated to the Choose Henry Flex Fund is being matched – 2 for 1. That means, every donation is tripling in impact. It’s the perfect time to utilize the perfect match and start your own named fund with a one-time gift of a minimum of $1,667, or through a monthly pledge of a minimum of $40. Make a difference in your community by donating to the Choose Henry Flex Fund!