Saemann Foundation Grants $30,000 Toward OrthoWorx Initiatives, Resulting in $60,000 Impact with Lilly Endowment Matching Funds

WARSAW, Ind., October 1, 2013 –

OrthoWorx announced today that the Franklin I. and Irene List Saemann Foundation has awarded a $30,000 grant to the Orthopedics Capital Foundation to support OrthoWorx’s ongoing charitable and educational initiatives to secure and advance the region’s current position as the Orthopedic Capital of the World.® Because of a dollar-for-dollar match from Lilly Endowment Inc., the Saemann Foundation grant will actually result in a total of $60,000 in funds that will be invested in the Warsaw region.

The Lilly Endowment recently granted $4 million to the Orthopedics Capital Foundation, which supports OrthoWorx’s charitable and education work. The Endowment’s grant also included a dollar-for-dollar matching opportunity that would increase the total grant to $7.5 million if OrthoWorx can secure $3.5 million in contributions or pledges by October 15, 2013.

“We want to thank the Saemann Foundation for this tremendous expression of support for our efforts to make the environment in our region as positive as possible for the economic growth that will benefit our entire community,” said Sheryl Conley, OrthoWorx President and CEO. “We are especially gratified that, when informed of our match opportunity and that the opportunity would end on October 15th, the Foundation took the unusual step of approving a grant outside of their regular review cycle. We hope all individuals and organizations with a connection to orthopedics will act with the urgency and commitment that the Saemann Foundation demonstrated.”

Franklin I. and Irene List Saemann were longtime residents of Warsaw and supporters of the community and Mr. Saemann was one of the pioneers of the orthopedic industry.

Launched in 2009 with generous support from Lilly Endowment, OrthoWorx works in conjunction with community and industry partners to help the Warsaw community and surrounding region take full advantage of the opportunities presented by the unusually high concentration of orthopedic device manufacturers in the area. An economic impact study conducted by the Indiana Business Research Center found that the orthopedic industry accounts for more than 40% of all employment in Kosciusko County, including approximately 6,800 in direct employment at orthopedic companies.

“In just a few short years, OrthoWorx has marshaled more than $11 million in funding for significant initiatives that support the growth and vitality of our community,” said Conley. “At this point, we still are well short of raising the full $3.5 million that would be matched and time is running out. Our industry members believe our various charitable initiatives are important to the success of our region and have demonstrated their dedication and support by making a combined $1.2 million philanthropic commitment. We need more organizations and individuals to follow the lead of the Saemann Foundation and others who have recognized the tremendous opportunity to bring additional philanthropic funds to our community—to continue our work to make the environment conducive to the growth and success that will lead to a vibrant and healthy community.”

OrthoWorx has focused its initiatives on education, workforce development, innovation and broad community enhancement to attract and retain a highly skilled and educated talent base. It has led and facilitated a number of significant programs designed to drive innovation and entrepreneurship to support and expand the region’s orthopedic cluster, including the ongoing development of the Orthopedic Capital Clinic™ and the Medical Device Incubator/Accelerator concept, and has collaborated on several projects designed to enhance the region, including Krebs Trailhead and bicycle-pedestrian master plan and the Wagon Wheel Theatre youth program. Education programs have included the development of an elementary STEM academy, a college graduate program in regulatory and clinical affairs, and a certificate program to build a skilled workforce.

Individuals or companies interested in financially supporting OrthoWorx’s initiatives in the region can make a contribution electronically at www.kcfoundation.org/OrthoWorxmatch. Also, individual and organization pledge forms and a “case statement” providing more details about OrthoWorx and the match opportunity can be accessed at www.orthoworxindiana.com.

About OrthoWorx

Formed in 2009 with initial funding from the Lilly Endowment, OrthoWorx (www.orthoworxindiana.com) is a community-based initiative that works strategically and collaboratively with the orthopedic industry and other stakeholders to ensure that the Warsaw region continues to reap the social and economic benefits that derive from its position as The Orthopedic Capital of the World.®

About Orthopedics

Capital Foundation The Orthopedics Capital Foundation was created in 2009 to enable philanthropic support for the OrthoWorx initiative in enhancing the Warsaw region’s economy and quality of life through charitable and educational activities.