Thomas Brademas Sr.

When Patty Brademas made a gift to the Community Foundation in honor of her late father, Thomas Brademas Sr., she ensured that his legacy would continue for decades to come. Thanks to the power of endowment, and a 2:1 matching grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., that legacy will be multiplied many times over in perpetuity.

Few embodied community commitment as fully as Tom Brademas. A Mishawaka native, Army veteran, and accomplished architect, he spent his career reshaping neighborhoods, restoring landmarks, and developing affordable housing. Beyond his professional work, he poured his energy into causes ranging from youth mentorship to homelessness services.

Tom was recognized throughout his life for philanthopy and volunteerism. He was named Mishawaka’s Man of the Year in 1989 and the city even celebrated “Tom Brademas Day” in 2002.

That legacy lives on at the Community Foundation. Endowed gifts are invested in perpetuity, with earnings providing charitable support year after year. Because the gift helped the Foundation reach its GIFT VIII fundraising goal, it also brought matching funds from Lilly Endowment, tripling its impact. That means hundreds of thousands of dollars each year will flow to local charities, addressing the county’s most urgent and evolving needs.

“Unrestricted gifts are the lifeblood of the work of a Community Foundation,” says Rose Meissner, President. “They help us support our best charities, address new problems, and deliver new solutions.”

Thanks to Tom Brademas’s inspiring legacy and the generosity of his family, the Community Foundation is now more able than ever to respond to the needs of many across St. Joseph County.