Engle settling in as Parke County Community Foundation Director

With 13 years experience at the Parke County Community Foundation, Colleen Engle is quite familiar with the role the foundation plays in the future of Parke County.

However, now as the executive director, Engle notes it is of the utmost importance to continue the great works the foundation has done since its inception.

"It's going really well. It's been a nice transition for me. I started from the bottom and worked my way up at the foundation, and it's shown a lot of benefits along the way. I am really excited," Engle told the Parke County Post of her new position. 

The foundation assists Parke County with grants and scholarships to Parke County seniors, however, Engle said it goes much further than that.

"Our mission is to help donors improve the quality of life in Parke County. It starts with the donors, and they have a mission and a goal they want to serve. We help them target what they want to do with their generous dollars. We have a lot of designated grants to non-profits in the community. We also have our legacy program, which funds our grant making program. Nonprofits, schools and churches can apply for assistance throughout the year with this unrestricted legacy grant program. We do a lot of leadership opportunities, and we help our nonprofits thrive in Parke County. We are a small community with a limited number of nonprofits, but we are here to help them. We dabble in a little of everything," Engle said. 

Engle is a graduate of Rockville Jr.-Sr. High School and graduated from Indiana State University. In 2016, she was recognized by the Parke County Chamber of Commerce as the Park County Young Leader for her service to the community and citizens. 

"I say everyday I feel guilty every day for being paid to do this job. I absolutely love it. This community means everything to me. It is a great community to raise my two daughters in and have a family and home here. It brought me into the person I am today, so having an opportunity to give back and making this a thriving community is everything to me. I have one of the best jobs I could have, and it is a wonderful experience," Engle said. 

The public is invited to attend an open house at the Parke County Community Foundation to welcome Engle to her new role on Sept. 29 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.