Combat Ministries – Gary Nicholson Legacy Endowment Fund

Combat Ministries, Inc. (CMI) is launching a historic initiative to secure the long‑term strength and stability of our mission through the creation of the Combat Ministries – Gary Nicholson Legacy Endowment — a permanently restricted fund dedicated to sustaining scholarships, leadership development, and program expansion for generations to come.

This naming carries profound meaning for our organization. Gary Nicholson left an unmistakable imprint on Combat Ministries in the short time he served as a board member and volunteer. His fingerprints are everywhere — in our culture, our vision, our growth, and in the way he championed the youth and families we serve. Gary worked diligently to help make this endowment possible through the Madison County Community Foundation, and it is only fitting that his legacy continues through the very initiative he helped set in motion. His memory and impact will remain woven into the fabric of Combat Ministries forever.

This year presents an extraordinary and time‑sensitive opportunity. The Madison County Community Foundation has committed to match up to $100,000 in 2026, released in $25,000 matching increments each quarter. Every dollar contributed to the Combat Ministries – Gary Nicholson Legacy Endowment during these quarterly windows will be matched dollar‑for‑dollar, instantly doubling impact and accelerating our ability to build a lasting financial foundation for the community we serve.

Because this is a restricted endowment, every dollar contributed remains invested in perpetuity, with annual earnings supporting mission‑critical work year after year. Donors who step forward during this inaugural campaign with contributions of $1,500 or more will become our Founding Endowment Partners — the individuals and families whose generosity makes this legacy possible.

To honor this commitment:

Founding Partners will be recognized at our 2nd Annual Derby Gala, a celebration of generosity, vision, and community impact.
Their names will be permanently memorialized on a Founding Partners Plaque at The Center, serving as a lasting tribute to those who helped secure the future of Combat Ministries.

This is more than a fundraising effort — it is an opportunity to shape the next generation of leaders, strengthen families, and ensure that the ministry you believe in continues to thrive for decades. By giving now, donors seize a rare matching opportunity and become part of a legacy that will outlive all of us — including the legacy of a man whose life and service continue to inspire us forward.

Additional Ways to Give:
Endowment contributions may be made directly through this platform or by using any of the following methods:

Mail a check: (significantly reduces fees)
Combat Ministries
2717 S. Central Way
Anderson, IN 46011
Digital giving options:
PayPal, QuickBooks, CashApp, or your preferred electronic method

If you choose to give through one of these alternate options, please call, email, or message us to let us know your gift is coming. This helps us plan well and ensures your contribution is allocated properly to the Endowment Fund. Be sure to note “Endowment Fund” in the memo or description line.

Combat Ministries – Gary Nicholson Legacy Endowment Fund

Sustaining the Mission. Empowering the Future.