HERITAGE FUND IS THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY. THE FOUNDATION EXISTS SOLELY FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE COMMUNITY. ITS MISSION IS TO PROVIDE RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP OF GIFTS DONATED FOR BROAD CHARITABLE PURPOSES, TO DEVELOP LEADERSHIP TO ADDRESS COMMUNITY ISSUES, TO SERVE AS A CATALYST FOR POSITIVE CHANGE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OTHERS, AND TO PROMOTE PHILANTHROPY WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. EACH YEAR, HERITAGE FUND MANAGES A COMPETITIVE GRANTS PROCESS FOR OVER $500,000 IN UNRESTRICTED DOLLARS FROM THE COMMUNITY FUND IN THE AREAS OF OPPORTUNITY, POSITIVE CHANGE, COMMUNITY INVESTMENT, AND ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE. THE FOUNDATION IS THE KEY ADMINISTRATOR OF SCHOLARSHIPS FOR HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS IN BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY, AND CONDUCTS THE ANNUAL SELECTION PROCESS FOR TWO LILLY SCHOLARSHIPS. HERITAGE FUND SERVES AS FISCAL SPONSOR FOR IMPORTANT COMMUNITY PROJECTS, TWO OF WHICH ARE THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE COMMONS IN 2011, AND LANDMARK COLUMBUS, A CELEBRATION OF THE DESIGN HERITAGE OF COLUMBUS IN 2017. DISTRIBUTION FROM THE FOUNDATIONS MANY DONOR ADVISED, DESIGNATED, AGENCY AND FIELD OF INTEREST FUNDS SUPPORT A BROAD VARIETY OF CHARITABLE PURPOSES.THE HERITAGE FUND BOARD IS COMPOSED OF 27 COMMUNITY LEADERS. THE FOUNDATION EMPLOYS 6 PROFESSIONALS, AND ENLISTS THE AID OF OVER 50 VOLUNTEERS WHO SERVE ON DEVELOPMENT, GRANTS, OUTREACH, FINANCE AND AUDIT, INVESTMENT AND SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEES.