In Steuben County, more families, retirees, and young professionals are finding a place to call home. Thanks to the support of REMC Operation Round Up and the hard work of the Steuben County Economic Development Corporation (SCEDC), our community has taken important steps to better understand housing needs and prepare for the future.

SCCF awarded more than $3.7 million in grants over the past fiscal year, the majority of which supported nonprofits right here in Steuben County. As a visual representation of its mission, SCCF personally distributed more than $375,000 in designated and agency fund grants to local nonprofit organizations during its Annual Public Meeting, held Thursday, August 21, 2025, at the Steuben County Event Center.

For Lynn Wachtmann, giving is personal. It is rooted in gratitude, shaped by values, and inspired by a genuine desire to improve the lives of others.  With every thoughtful gift, he is doing precisely that. With every thoughtful gift, he is doing precisely that. 

The Steuben County Community Foundation has again met the nation’s highest philanthropic standards for operational quality, integrity, and accountability in the community foundation sector.

At the Steuben County Community Foundation, we believe in building a stronger future—one that ensures stability and growth for the organizations serving our community. That’s why we’re excited to announce the creation of three new designated funds, each designed to provide long-term support for local nonprofits.

Read more about the impact this has on Angola Performing Arts Academy, Fremont Youth and Community Outreach, and TLC House Indiana.

Jan Bledsoe Viehweg and Jeffrey Bledsoe are pleased to establish a legacy fund at the Steuben County Community Foundation to honor their parents, James and LaMoine Bledsoe. They lived their whole lives in this county, striving to make a home town of which all could be proud.

The Steuben County Community Foundation celebrated another successful year in helping the community prosper thanks to the generosity of its citizens and donors.

Andy and Kara Laughlin, of Fremont, continue to support causes they care about and give back to the Steuben County community in a way that is inspiring to others.

Celebrating 20 years of service this year, Women in Transition remains a safe place for women to transition their lives for the better.

The Liv It Up Fund was started at the Steuben County Community Foundation to donate the money raised to the organizations that helped Olivia during her cancer journey.

Because of Kevin’s appreciation of magic and running, the memorial scholarship fund “Magic of the Run” was created by his lifelong friend, Randy Houser. According to Randy, Kevin was a resilient and determined man that always found the bright side of every situation.

The Fred and Jackie Wooley Fund is designed to facilitate projects and programs that protect and enhance natural and cultural features and heritage, and that lift and enrich peoples’ lives. To paraphrase heritage interpreter, Freeman Tilden, “With awareness comes understanding, with understanding comes appreciation, with appreciation comes a commitment to build a better world.”