Kosciusko Chamber Forms Foundation
News Release
WARSAW – The Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce has announced they recently received 501(c)(3) status from the Internal Revenue Service, opening the door for the organization to form a foundation.
A news release from the chamber announced plans to form a foundation.
The primary focus of the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Inc., according to the chamber, will be early childhood education and childcare – an important workforce development issue.
In 2018, the Kosciusko Chamber, Kosciusko County Community Foundation and United Way were instrumental in founding LaunchPad, Kosciusko County’s Child Care and Early Learning Coalition.
The Chamber has previously had to rely on the Kosciusko County Community Foundation to serve as the fiscal sponsor of LaunchPad. This updated status allows LaunchPad to be eligible for both receiving and making grants to establish high-quality childcare capacity in the county.
“We are so thankful for the fiscal support of the Kosciusko County Community Foundation over the last three years. We now look forward to the funding opportunities as a result of our own foundation,” said LaunchPad Director, Sherry Searles.
LaunchPad was formed as an alliance between United Way, the Kosciusko County Community Foundation, and the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce.
“Since the inception, all three entities strongly believe that childcare and early childhood learning is a workforce development issue,” said Chamber President & CEO Rob Parker.
He added, “Without the fiscal partnership between United Way and the KCCF, the Chamber would not have been able to fully implement the strategic direction of Launchpad. Having our own 501(c)(3) foundation will allow the Chamber to be more active in seeking grants to encourage more high-quality childcare seats in Kosciusko county. At the Chamber, we take great pride in helping businesses grow.”