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Ulrich and Vidra Attorneys Builders Fund

Fund Number: 225

Fund Purpose
To provide support as directed by the Board of Directors of the Foundation for programs or activities that fulfills charitable or other exempt purposes benefiting Harrison County.

Fund Story
The Ulrich and Vidra Attorneys Builder’s Fund was established in March 2016 by Jerry Ulrich and Leslie Vidra, attorneys practicing in southern Indiana and greater Louisville. The fund provides support as directed by the Harrison County Community Foundation Board of Directors for programs or activities that fulfill charitable or other exempt purposes benefiting Harrison County.

Leslie’s father was an attorney in a town near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Leslie began helping him in his office when she was 11 years old. Jerry didn’t have any lawyers in his family, but while studying political science at Indiana University, he became interested in law after professors and family friends suggested he should go on to law school.

Jerry and Leslie earned their bachelor’s and law degrees at IU. Jerry became licensed to practice law in 1974, and Leslie became licensed in 1979. Combined, they have more than 80 years of experience.

Leslie said her practice focuses on estate planning, will and trust administration, and working with small businesses and nonprofits. She said she enjoys helping ensure nonprofits follow the rules and regulations for running a nonprofit organization, and she likes helping families fulfill their charitable intents in the estate planning process.

“I help guide them through that whole spider web full of rules, regulations and laws,” Leslie said.

In June 2007, Leslie became HCCF’s legal counsel.

“By me helping the foundation stay on the right side of laws and rules and regulations, the foundation staff can spend their time fulfilling the mission and not worry about the technical compliance aspects,” Leslie said.

Meanwhile, Jerry is a trial lawyer, focusing on family law, divorces, custody, child support, personal injury and Social Security work. 

“My practice is more about working with people on the planning side before things have happened, whereas Jerry goes to court with people after something’s gone wrong and they’re trying to solve problems,” Leslie said.

Leslie said she wanted to establish the Ulrich and Vidra Attorneys Builder’s Fund to support Harrison County, because she has several other clients in the county and she enjoys activities in the county. Also, because she has worked with HCCF for several years, Leslie has been familiar with the foundation and its work to support the community.

Leslie also said she was attracted to starting the fund because of Lilly Endowment Inc.’s Gift VI initiative, a challenge grant that encouraged community foundations throughout Indiana to raise unrestricted funds. 

“I have confidence that HCCF’s Board of Directors can use our unrestricted fund, along with everybody else’s, as they see best that would benefit the county as a whole,” Leslie said. “And this way, our gift can be a part of that, because it is just a piece of the great big pie.”

Fund Impact
2017: Arts Midwest World Fest, Manhu
2018: Provided Meals on Wheels for Harrison County clients on wait list; provided accessible garden and landscaping at Boys & Girls Club facility
2019: To rehabilitate women's transitional housing (Genesis House; Harrison County Cultural Pass 2019; 2019 Repair Affair annual project; new roof for Hayswood Theatre

Donation Information
Clicking "Donate" will allow you to make a gift online to this fund through the Harrison County Community Foundation. If you would like to provide your gift by check instead of by debit or credit card, please send your gift to our office at P. O. Box 279, Corydon, Indiana 47112. Additionally, gifts of stocks, bonds, mutual funds, agricultural products, real estate, insurance, and estate plans are also accepted. Please contact us at 812-738-6668 for more information.