Dearborn Community Foundation Inc
The Dearborn Community Foundation, Inc. (DCF) is a community foundation and 501(c)(3) public charity established in December 1997 in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. The organization builds and safeguards endowments for the community through contributions of all sizes, enabling individuals, families, businesses, and organizations to fulfill their charitable wishes. DCF administers more than 130 endowed and non-endowed funds and operates a donor-advised fund program.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$33.4M
+13.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.1M
+51.0% YoY
Grant Count
38
+5.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$30K
+43.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: The Dearborn Community Foundation, Inc. is a catalyst to connect people who care with causes that improve the quality of life in our community by advancing cultural, educational and social opportunities, while preserving our community's heritage and helping donors to create a permanent legacy in Dearborn County.
Primary Funding Areas:
- Arts and culture
- Humanities
- Public benefit
- Education
- Public safety
- Environment
- Animal protection
- Human services
- Youth programs
- Community service
- Health
- Social service
Grantmaking
DCF operates multiple grant programs with varying structures and funding levels:
Review Cycle
February 2, June 1, October 5
Ready to take the next step with Dearborn Community Foundation Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
DCF primarily serves Dearborn County, Indiana, with specific grant programs for:
- City of Lawrenceburg
- City of Aurora
- Dearborn County communities and surrounding regions in Indiana
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $33.4 million
- Total Revenue: $5.78 million
- Total Expenses: $1.93 million
- Total Liabilities: $10.5 million
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $29.3 million
- Total Revenue: $3.1 million
- Total Expenses: $1.64 million
Organization Details:
- EIN: 35-2036110
- Tax-exempt status: April 1998
- Employees: 4
- Annual revenue (alternative source): $9.0 million
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $33,385,847 | $29,333,321 | $25,543,905 |
| Revenue | $5,778,243 | $3,099,914 | $2,637,284 |
| Expenses | $1,933,725 | $1,639,603 | $1,850,554 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $1,982,639 | $916,861 | $1,057,963 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
177 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
9 open opportunities from Dearborn Community Foundation Inc
City of Aurora Grant Program
DEARBORN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
City of Lawrenceburg Community Grant Program
DEARBORN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
City of Lawrenceburg Youth Grant Program
DEARBORN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Dearborn County Government ($159,072), Lawrenceburg Community School Corporation ($150,510), City of Aurora ($100,405).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| American Legion Post 239 Lawrenceburg, IN | improvements to the structure that houses Peggy including glass, window tinting to block UV rays, and an HVC system. | $8,571 |
| Aurora Lions Club Aurora, IN | 2024 Aurora's Farmer Fair fair management funds | $30,000 |
| Bright Volunteer Fire Co Inc Lawrenceburg, IN | Turnout Gear and Endowment Distribution | $32,522 |
| Cancer Support Community Cincinnati, OH | To help fund Integrated Oncology services for patients of St Elizabeth Healthcare's new Dearborn Cancer Center. | $20,000 |
| City of Aurora Aurora, IN | Police radios and Endowment Distribution | $100,405 |
| City of Greendale - Fire Department Lawrenceburg, IN | Fire PPE | $50,000 |
| Dearborn County 4-H Club Association Aurora, IN | Copier, 4-H Program Costs, and Endowment Distribution | $10,400 |
| Dearborn County Clearing House for Emergency Aid Inc Aurora, IN | Equipment, needs of the food pantry, and endowment distribution | $14,636 |
| Dearborn County Girls Softball Inc Lawrenceburg, IN | Softball program equipment | $8,000 |
| Dearborn County Government Lawrenceburg, IN | EMS Study, Park Walking Path, and Endowment Distribution | $159,072 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Founding Leadership:
- Mike Kramer, Founding President and first Chairman of the Board (served over eight years)
Current Staff:
- Fred McCarter, Executive Director
- Cheryl Wessel, Accountant
Board Structure: The organization operates with 15 volunteer board members.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fred McCarter | Executive Director | 40 | $112,999 |
| Mike McLaughlin | Chairperson | 3 | — |
| Jon Strautman | President | 3 | — |
| Lisa Moorhead | Vice-President | 3 | — |
| Dave Lusby | Secretary | 3 | — |
| Bridget Davidson | Treasurer | 3 | — |
| Becky Lyons | Director | 2 | — |
| James Stock | Director | 2 | — |
| Jeanne Lehn | Director | 2 | — |
| Michael Hollenbeck | Director | 2 | — |
| Larry Campbell | Director | 2 | — |
| Jan Tyler | Director | 2 | — |
| Linda Gellert | Director | 2 | — |
| Ed Gordon | Director | 2 | — |
| Casey Finnegan | Director | 2 | — |
| Gary Honchell | Director | 2 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**February 2025:** DCF awarded $100,000 in grants to St. Elizabeth Dearborn Cancer Center to help patients in their treatment journey
DCF AWARDS $100,000 IN GRANTS TO HELP PATIENTS IN TREATMENT JOURNEY AT ST.**December 2025:** Three community volunteers honored as 2025 Heart of Gold Award recipients for volunteerism and acts of kindness
2026 LILLY ENDOWMENT, DCF SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED - Dearborn Community**December 2025:** $1,000 grant awarded to Lawrenceburg Main Street for the Music on the River series
$1,000 DCF GRANT HELPS DILLSBORO SCHOOL ADDRESS STUDENT NEEDS - Dearborn**December 2025:** $1,000 grant to Fraternal Order of Police from board member recommendation
$1,000 DCF GRANT HELPS DILLSBORO SCHOOL ADDRESS STUDENT NEEDS - Dearborn**December 2025:** $1,000 proactive grant to First Presbyterian Church of Aurora for Fourth Street Café outreach program
$1,000 DCF GRANT HELPS DILLSBORO SCHOOL ADDRESS STUDENT NEEDS - Dearborn**December 2025:** 2026 Lilly Endowment and DCF scholarship recipients announced
2026 LILLY ENDOWMENT, DCF SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED - Dearborn Community**December 2024:** Proactive grant to Clearinghouse to supply critical food needs
$1,000 DCF GRANT HELPS DILLSBORO SCHOOL ADDRESS STUDENT NEEDS - DearbornContact Information
Address: 322 Walnut Street Lawrenceburg, IN 47025
Phone: (812) 539-4115
Website: dearborncf.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Dearborn Community Foundation Inc fund?
**Mission Statement:** The Dearborn Community Foundation, Inc. is a catalyst to connect people who care with causes that improve the quality of life in our community by advancing cultural, educational and social opportunities, while preserving our community's heritage and helping donors to create a permanent legacy in Dearborn County. **Primary Funding Areas:** • Arts and culture • Humanities • Public benefit • Education • Public safety • Environment • Animal protection • Human services • Youth…
How do I apply for a grant from Dearborn Community Foundation Inc?
DCF operates multiple grant programs with varying structures and funding levels: The program is specifically for nonprofit, IRS tax-exempt organizations providing direct or indirect benefit to the Lawrenceburg community and Dearborn County. **Phase I Grants:** • Maximum award: $5,000 or less • Total allocated: $100,000 • Applications considered as long as funds are available • 2026 deadlines: February 2, June 1, October 5 **Phase II Grants:** • Award range: $5,001 – $100,000 • Maximum per organ…
Where does Dearborn Community Foundation Inc make grants?
DCF primarily serves Dearborn County, Indiana, with specific grant programs for: • City of Lawrenceburg • City of Aurora • Dearborn County communities and surrounding regions in Indiana
What size grants does Dearborn Community Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Dearborn Community Foundation Inc awarded 38 grants totaling $1.1M — an average of about $30K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Dearborn Community Foundation Inc's EIN?
Dearborn Community Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 35-2036110. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Dearborn Community Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Civista Charitable Foundation
LAWRENCEBURG, IN
Assets
$873K
Grants
85
Total Given
$152K
Duke Energy Foundation
CHARLOTTE, NC
Assets
$1.9M
Grants
41
Total Given
$25.6M
United Way of Greater Cincinnati
CINCINNATI, OH
Assets
$83.0M
Grants
140
Total Given
$9.2M
Lilly Endowment Inc
INDIANAPOLIS, IN
Assets
$79.9B
Grants
1,808
Total Given
$2.3B
The Greater Cincinnati Foundation
CINCINNATI, OH
Assets
$1.0B
Grants
1,408
Total Given
$184.4M
Community Foundation of Madison and
MADISON, IN
Assets
$44.6M
Grants
37
Total Given
$768K
First Financial Foundation
CINCINNATI, OH
Assets
$1.9M
Grants
92
Total Given
$2.7M
Miramar Charitable Foundation
FT MITCHELL, KY
Assets
—
Grants
188
Total Given
$4.5M
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
SAINT LOUIS, MO
Assets
—
Grants
9,499
Total Given
$73.1M
Community Foundation of Switzerland
VEVAY, IN
Assets
$17.4M
Grants
8
Total Given
$197K
Johnson Charitable Gift Fund
CINCINNATI, OH
Assets
$383.4M
Grants
742
Total Given
$46.3M
Arvin Sango Foundation
MADISON, IN
Assets
$3.2M
Grants
28
Total Given
$244K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Dearborn Community Foundation Inc on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Dearborn Community Foundation Inc to a real strategy.