Investing in Albany

The Albany Fund, in memory of the Frazee Family, was established in 2022. The fund supports programs and projects that benefit residents in the town of Albany, Indiana. The Albany Fund is the fourth town endowment fund held at The Community Foundation. Grants awarded from town endowment funds are initially reviewed by a committee of people who live or work in that town.

The Albany Fund made its first grant in 2023 through the Community Grants Program at The Community Foundation. The grant to the Town of Albany supported entertainment at the amphitheater. A 2024 grant to the Beautification Committee of Albany was fulfilled in part through the Albany Fund. The grant will support the renovation of the Albany American Legion Post 167, with plans to update the community room, electrical system, and the facade of the building, and add new signage.

Albany residents, and other caring community members, are invited to make a gift to help grow this fund. Donations can be made online or by mailing directly to The Community Foundation. If sent by mail, please note the Albany Fund.

Online
Donations can be made online at cfmdin.org/give.

By Mail
Donations can be mailed to:
The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County
PO Box 807
Muncie, IN 47308

Fund Honors the Legacy of Community Spirit of Albany Family

Rick and Wilma Frazee cared about their hometown. After they passed away in 2019 and 2020, their son and daughter-in-law, Chris and Barb Frazee, began exploring how to best fulfill their wishes to give back to the community they called home. Establishing a fund, The Albany Fund, in memory of the Frazee Family, to support their town only seemed fitting to honor their legacy.

“Rick and Wilma’s love of the community and passion for doing good will have a much longer impact if we created an endowment for Albany,” said Barb Frazee. “It will touch on lots of things they cared about and give the money more strength behind it.”

The Albany Fund is the fourth town endowment fund held at The Community Foundation. Grants awarded from town endowment funds are initially reviewed by a committee of people who live or work in that town.

“It’s important that the things that matter in a small town get to continue,” said Barb. Professionally, Rick and Wilma served – Rick as a schoolteacher in Dunkirk for 38 years and Wilma as a nurse in Muncie. They also gave their time and talents in many ways. They were members of the Lions Club, where they traveled on several eyeglass mission trips. Wilma regularly volunteered at the Albany Library. Rick served on the Delaware Community School Board and Delaware County Fair Board. Together Rick and Wilma volunteered at the Albany Halloween Parade, a tradition that holds special memories for visiting grandchildren.

“To keep a place thriving, you have to have people willing to reinvest. I think you’re willing to reinvest if you see good things happening.”

- Barb Frazee

Barb and Chris were working to establish the fund in early 2022. When Chris died later that year, Barb directed memorial gifts to The Community Foundation to build the fund. Friends and family gave to the fund in memory of Chris and in memory of his parents, Rick and Wilma. The fund continues to be open for donations from anyone who cares about Albany.

“To keep a place thriving, you have to have people willing to reinvest,” said Barb. “I think you’re willing to reinvest if you see good things happening.”

The Albany Fund, in memory of the Frazee Family, is poised to do good things in the community. As a permanently endowed fund, the Albany Fund will benefit the town and its residents today, tomorrow, and always.

Apply for Grants

Grants from the Albany Fund are awarded as part of the Foundation’s Community Grants program. Applicants will submit an initial request to apply. Following the submission of an initial request, Foundation staff will follow up to learn more and provide guidance on the next steps. If appropriate, the initial request will be approved, and a grant application requested by staff.

Related Posts