Pacers Foundation keeps giving

The Pacers Foundation Inc. eclipsed more than $700,000 in giving in 2008, according to Pacers Foundation Executive Director Jami Marsh. That includes grants across Indiana to more than 40 organizations, annual scholarship awards, and a $500,000 commitment to Common Goal, an initiative spearheaded by the Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce.

In making the gift to Common Goal, the Foundation "challenged" the chamber and the community at large to match the donation and bring the total community investment to at least $1 million. Matching donations by local businesses ex ceeded that goal by December.

Pacers Sports & Entertainment President Jim Morris told IBJ  this month he expects no less giving for the franchise in 2009.

Since September, the Pacers Foundation awarded more than $100,000 in grants to youth-serving organizations across Indiana, including to the Indianapolis-based Fathers & Families Center.