Past Innovation Inspires a Vision for the Future

By: Jennifer Fox

Community foundations are often thought of as steady and traditional. Consistency and long-term thinking are core to how the Henry County Community Foundation has served for the past 40 years.

But here’s something you might not expect: the times we’ve seen the most dramatic, lasting impact have been when we’ve stepped outside the box.

Take the Foundation’s involvement in the growth of Ivy Tech in Henry County. Supporting education has always been part of our mission, but helping with strategic expansion wasn’t our typical lane. Still, the need was clear. The potential was undeniable. So, we partnered in a way we hadn’t before.

Then there was the investment in infrastructure to help build the industrial park that provided a space for T.S. Tech and Boar’s Head. At first glance, it may not have looked like a traditional community foundation project. But the economic boost to the region, the jobs created, the families supported, it was exactly the kind of long-term, community-wide impact we were built to make possible.

These stories aren’t outliers. They prove that innovation and flexibility have always been part of our work.

Now, as we mark four decades of service, we have asked, What does our next bold step look like?

It means reimagining how we use our resources. It means forming new kinds of partnerships. It means exploring possibilities beyond our usual boundaries – always with care and always with purpose.

What we know for sure is this: our community deserves a Foundation that’s dynamic, forward-thinking, and focused on creating meaningful impact for generations to come.

We’ve been here for 40 years. We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished together. But we’re even more excited about what’s ahead. Together, we’ll keep dreaming, keep building, and keep stepping boldly into the future of Henry County.