Mike Wolanin | The Republic Landmark Columbus Executive Director Richard McCoy makes a high five gesture during Landmark Columbus’ High Five Day event at the Upland Columbus Pump House in Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, May 7, 2025.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Landmark Columbus Executive Director Richard McCoy makes a high five gesture during Landmark Columbus’ High Five Day event at the Upland Columbus Pump House in Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, May 7, 2025.
Landmark Columbus Foundation announced Tuesday that they have exceeded its $3 million endowment goal thanks to donations from community members, foundations and corporate partners.

The milestone secures a permanent financial base that will safeguard the organization’s mission for future generations and ensure a strong and sustainable future for it and its programs, according to a press release.

“This is an extraordinary milestone for our organization and our community,” Landmark Columbus Foundation board chair Mark Elwood said in the release. “We are deeply grateful to everyone, from individual supporters and families to foundations and corporate partners, who believed in our mission and contributed to this campaign.”

The campaign launched at the end of 2019 with a $524,824 seed gift from Lilly Endowment Inc. through a leadership grant in the seventh phase of its Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow initiative, received in collaboration with Heritage Fund.

The campaign steadily gained momentum over the next several years. By late 2024, it had grown to over $1.8 million, propelled by gifts from local and regional philanthropists who demonstrated a broad commitment to preserving Columbus’ design heritage. That accomplishment was soon eclipsed when John and Sarah Lechleiter made a $500,000 pledge.

In early 2025, a transformational $100,000 pledge by Landmark Columbus Foundation vice chair Tracy Haddad ignited the final phase of fundraising and inspired many others to contribute. By the 2025 Exhibit Columbus opening weekend, the campaign’s contributions had reached the $3 million goal, just in time to open the fifth Exhibit Columbus exhibition “Yes And.”

The visionary initiative had evolved into a genuine community-wide effort with supporters ranging from longtime Columbus families to new individual donors, charitable foundations to corporate sponsors, all united to invest in Landmark Columbus Foundation’s mission, the release says.

“The success of this endowment campaign underscores the remarkable commitment of our community to preserving and advancing Columbus’ heritage,” Haddad said in the release. “Exceeding the goal shows how strongly people believe in what we do. We’re investing in a sustainable future for Landmark Columbus Foundation.”

Donation levels were established, with giving at each level indicating broad level of support. Levels included leadership level, equal to $10,001 and above, legacy level, equal to $1,000 to $10,000, and benefactor level, or any gift up to $1,000. According to the release, 168 are at the benefactor level, 34 at the legacy level and 33 at the leadership level.

The endowment fund is managed by Heritage Fund – The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County, through which their investment growth was instrumental in Landmark Columbus Foundation reaching their goal. Heritage Fund will continue to invest and grow these assets for the long term.

Starting in 2026, a small portion of the endowment will be drawn to help offset Landmark Columbus Foundation’s core operating expenses like maintaining its staff and supporting key programs. This reliable income stream ensures the longevity and stability of Landmark Columbus Foundation’s initiatives, allowing the organization to remain a strong and steady force behind its signature programs.

The endowment permanently strengthens Landmark Columbus Foundation’s capacity to care for Columbus’s celebrated architectural heritage and to inspire new generations through design.

“This campaign was a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a legacy of support for Columbus’ design culture, and our community seized it,” Landmark Columbus.

With its financial foundation secured, Landmark Columbus Foundation plans to continue growing its endowment beyond $3 million, ensuring even greater support for its mission as it evolves. The organization’s leadership emphasizes that the milestone aligns with the foundation’s vision of transforming communities through design excellence, a vision now upheld by resources to sustain its work far into the future, the release says.

“Reaching and even exceeding our $3 million goal is more than a financial achievement; it ensures we can continue to thrive and support Columbus’ world-renowned design legacy for future generations,” Elwood said in the release.
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