Donor Spotlight: Meet Midge Decker

Meet Midge Decker: a Huntington native, generous community investor and avid supporter of the Community Foundation. We are honored to recognize Midge and highlight the impact her contributions have made throughout Huntington County.

Midge created the John & Midge Decker Community Fund through the Foundation, which has supported funding for countless nonprofit and classroom education projects, as well as various community initiatives.

This specific type of fund is classified as an unrestricted Discretionary Fund, often referred to as a “Community Fund.” These funds are established to provide support for general, unspecified charitable purposes and allows for the Community Foundation to invest donors’ generous gifts to address a wide variety of community needs.

Midge has a true passion for Huntington County, and through her Community Fund, she has seen her contributions uplift our local community. Dive into the Q & A below to learn more about Midge and her experience creating a fund with the Community Foundation.

Q: Why did you choose to start a Community Fund with the Foundation? 

A: “My husband was President of the original Board of Directors, and we have donated regularly since the very beginning. When he passed, a portion of his estate was donated to the Foundation, and I have continued to donate ever since. We always felt that giving to the Foundation was the best way to impact the most people.”

Q: Why is investing in Huntington County important to you?

A: “My family was raised in Huntington County and I want it to be the best possible place for the most people in the future. Investing through the Foundation is a great way to impact a wide range of community members. They often see needs in the community that I am not aware of and use funding to address them.”

Q: How have you seen your fund(s) impact the Huntington community? 

A: “We chose to have our fund “unrestricted” so the Foundation could use the funds to best address the ongoing needs of the community. They have a finger on the pulse of the community and work to put the resources where they can do the most good. Plus, after each grant cycle, I receive a list of those who received funding and what projects they will be used for, and am invited to join in the check presentation for the grant money.”

Q: What would you say to someone considering starting a fund with the Foundation? 

A: “This is one of the best ways to impact the Huntington County community for many years to come. The staff is the best to work with and will help set up any type of account that helps the community in the way that you wish. It can be “unrestricted” as I have chosen or can be created to specifically help any group that is close to your heart.”

Q: How has your experience been working with the Community Foundation? 

A: “I have served on the Foundation’s Board of Directors and was a member of the grant committee for many years, so I have seen in real time how the organization addresses the needs of the community. The staff at the Foundation is by far the best and very easy to work with.”

The Community Foundation greatly appreciates all of our fundholders, as their generosity is the heartbeat of our organization. Our dedicated team is eager to connect with new and existing donors to bring their philanthropic visions to life in Huntington County. Those interested in creating a Community Fund, or any of the numerous fund options available, are invited to contact our team.