In 1993, when GACF was just a fledgling foundation, a local philanthropist made a groundbreaking gift and initiated the first named fund with the foundation.  

The Virginia C. Ellingen Endowment Fund was established in 1993 by Ginny Ellingen to support two unique scholarships for Greenville High School students. The Edward Ellingen Outward Bound Scholarship honors the memory of Ellingen’s late husband and is awarded to students attending an Outward Bound trip, or similar adventure camp. The Herman and Verdie Clark Music Scholarship is awarded to students attending a summer music camp or studying music in college and is named after Ellingen’s parents.  

The new fund was a turning point for GACF. Shortly after, the foundation received two more gifts establishing funds, a direct result of publicity generated through the Ellingen fund, and a major factor contributing to the growth of GACF’s assets.   

Several years later, Ginny Ellingen reached another milestone. She established a second fund with GACF- the largest single fund held by GACF at the time. The Virginia C. Ellingen Endowment Fund II is a designated fund benefitting Greenville’s First Congregational Church. “I am pleased that I am able to give something back to the church that has been so important in my life,” she shared in an April 1997 Daily News article about the fund.  

The Ellingen Funds combined have awarded over $320,000 in designated grants and scholarships. Community was important to Ginny Ellingen, and her generosity continues to have a significant and long-lasting impact on the quality of life in Greenville.  

As GACF celebrates its 35th anniversary, we bring together the collective stories of donors, nonprofits, students, and community members to demonstrate the power of philanthropy in creating lasting impact and a stronger future.