In 1991, a group of Southern Indiana residents formed an organization that would be a resource for nonprofits and a place that would help ordinary people find a way to honor causes they loved. That organization is the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana.
Through the generous personal gifts of this core group and funds from the Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc., the Community Foundation opened up for business with Dale Orem at its helm.
Orem's task during those first few years was to meet with people, one-on-one, and explain what the Foundation was and how it could help them make their charitable dreams come true.
Due largely to Orem's diligence and persistence, the organization quickly grew to have a $5 million endowment, and also even made grants during those early days.