Indiana FFA Foundation to receive Lilly Endowment grant

Thanks to this generous grant, Indiana FFA will make significant improvements to the Indiana FFA Leadership Center in Trafalgar, Indiana. Since 1968, the Leadership Center has been a cornerstone for developing youth and adults through leadership workshops, retreats, camps, and career development events.

With these funds, Indiana FFA plans to:

• Upgrade and modernize electrical system
• Remodel the south-side restrooms for improved accessibility and comfort
• Replace doors, doorframes, and hardware to enhance security and functionality
• Install new gutter downspouts and improve the drainage system to protect the facility

These enhancements will ensure the Leadership Center continues to provide a safe, welcoming, and inspiring environment for generations to come.

“Receiving this $750,000 Phase 2 grant is a transformational moment for the Indiana FFA Leadership Center. The Main Lodge has been the heart of our campus for more than 50 years, and this investment allows us to make it safer, more accessible, and better equipped for the thousands of young people we serve each year,” said Lisa Chaudion, Executive Director, Indiana FFA Foundation. “These improvements ensure that every camper, advisor, and community member who walks through our doors experiences a facility that reflects the quality, energy, and inclusiveness of Indiana FFA. We are deeply grateful for this support—and excited to move forward with a project that strengthens the future of our programs and the young leaders we develop.”

Phase 1 of the initiative focused on creating a comprehensive campus master plan to guide future improvements at the Indiana FFA Leadership Center. This planning phase included evaluating existing facilities for code compliance, accessibility, and opportunities for expansion; assessing utility and infrastructure capacity to support long-term growth; and addressing structural concerns such as erosion and flooding through detailed site analysis. These efforts lay the foundation for sustainable development and ensure the Center can continue serving Indiana’s youth for generations to come.

“We at the Indiana FFA Foundation are truly appreciative for the funding from Phases one and two of the Lilly Endowment grant. These funds will help Indiana FFA to continue to provide the opportunities and experiences through the Indiana FFA Leadership Center for Indiana’s FFA members to grow and develop in the future leaders,” said John Nagle, Board Chair, Indiana FFA Foundation.

Annually, 13 leadership conferences are offered to Indiana FFA members at the Indiana FFA Leadership Center. These conferences, which are facilitated largely by State Officers that reside at the Leadership Center, allow for a creative and fun way to help youth develop positive character traits and habits. Altogether there are more than 200 activities to engage FFA members statewide.

“We are thrilled for the opportunity created through Lilly Endowment’s investment in the Leadership Center. This funding empowers us to tackle critical projects, enhance safety and accessibility, and position the facility for long-term success,” said Adam Sweet, Indiana FFA Leadership Center Director. “It marks a major step forward in ensuring the Center remains a premier space for leadership development in Indiana.”

The Indiana FFA Leadership Center spans a 170-acre facility with a roughly 5.5-acre lake. The campus includes trails, woods, a creek, a large parade field, and a 33-element low ropes challenge course.

The Indiana FFA Foundation builds partnerships with industry, education, government and individuals to secure financial resources that support the efforts of the Indiana FFA Association and the Indiana FFA Leadership Center, recognize FFA member achievements, develop student leaders and support the future of agriculture education for over 14,125 student members who belong to one of 233 local FFA chapters across Indiana.

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