Business Starts Unrestricted Fund for Flexibility in Future Use
Michael and Gary Thomas own and operate LEAP Managed IT. The brothers decided to give back to their home community by establishing an unrestricted fund at the Foundation.
Brothers Gary and Michael Thomas have deep roots in Delaware County. Their grandparents, C.F. and Wilma Thomas, started the family business, originally Adding Machine and Typewriter, in 1930. Gary and Michael grew up on a farm near Gaston. Along with their sister, they were 10-year members of 4-H. From a young age, this experience showed them the value of giving back and making the community a better place. Today the brothers operate LEAP Managed IT, a modernized
Foundation. After getting a front-seat look at the work of the
name for that same family business focused on providing
Foundation, he thought the company could do more.
current technological solutions. The business operates on four
He approached Michael and his mother, Carolyn, about
pillars: hard work, proactive, community, and genius.
starting a fund. The consensus was almost immediate.
The community pillar keeps the Thomases engaged in the Delaware County community.
“
The needs of the community are different today than they will be in 30 years. An unrestricted fund gives the most flexibility for the future.
“From a business perspective Muncie has been great to us, and we are blessed to lead an organization that’s been around for 87 years,” says Gary. “One of our four key pillars is being a ‘community steward.' The Community Foundation aligns perfectly with our mission.” The Thomases determined that an unrestricted fund would best meet the needs of their organization.
The business has always looked for opportunities to give back to the community. Gary gives his time. He serves on the Board
Gary explained, “We didn’t feel like there was one fund type
of Directors and the Grants Committee of The Community
we wanted to invest in. The needs of the community are
3
The Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County, Inc.
