Monday, June 5: 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at Monroe Convention Center
Bloomington is proud to host the second annual Indiana Summit for Economic Development via Early Learning Coalitions! Business leaders, educators, funders, civic leaders, lawmakers and early childhood experts from around the state will gather to learn about the business case for investing in early childhood education and discuss ways to develop, grow and sustain early learning coalitions in communities.
“We are very pleased to host the second annual early learning summit in Monroe County, a community that has embraced the importance of high-quality early learning in preparing children for success in school and in life,” said Tina Peterson, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County. “We have a great story to share about the importance of community collaboration in supporting our youngest learners. However, we also have more to learn. Like communities around the State, we still have a great deal of work to do in meeting the early learning needs of children and families. This summit allows us to come together as a state to improve economic outcomes for children, their families, and Indiana.”
Registration is $25 and encouraged for business leaders, community, civic and economic professionals, educators (pre-k through higher education) and healthcare leaders. Reserve your spot today!
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Tim Bartik, Senior Economist, Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, nationally renowned expert, and author of Investing in Kids, will highlight how early childhood education supports workforce and economic development. Dr. Bartik’s research explores state and local economic development and local labor markets, including how early childhood programs impact local economies and job-creation programs.
Featured Speaker: Erin Ramsey, Senior Manager for Mind in the Making at the Bezos Family Foundation, will present on the importance of early brain development for social and emotional skills.
Other Summit Components: • Panel discussions with Indiana business and coalition leaders • Break-out sessions focused on • Engaging key stakeholders • Understanding the current state with data • Developing a strategic plan • Continuous quality improvement • Family & community engagement • Networking opportunities
Registration is $25 per person for the June 5 event at Monroe Convention Center
Business leaders, educators, funders, civic leaders, lawmakers and early childhood experts will be in Bloomington on June 5th (9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.) for the 2017 Indiana Summit for Economic Development via Early Learning Coalitions at Monroe Convention Center.
“We are very pleased to host the second annual early learning summit in Monroe County, a community that has embraced the importance of high-quality early learning in preparing children for success in school and in life,” said Tina Peterson, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County. “We have a great story to share about the importance of community collaboration in supporting our youngest learners. However, we also have more to learn. Like communities around the State, we still have a great deal of work to do in meeting the early learning needs of children and families. This summit allows us to come together as a state to improve economic outcomes for children, their families, and Indiana.”
The summit is a full day event with speakers and sessions covering a wide range of topics, including
the economic impact of investing in early learning,
using early childhood data to drive programming,
coalition building through strategic planning and engagement with businesses, key stakeholders, families and communities;
and continuous quality improvement in early learning education.
Dr. Tim Bartik, Senior Economist at the Upjohn Institute for Employment Research and author of Investing in Kids, will be the keynote luncheon speaker. Bartik will highlight how early childhood education supports workforce and economic development. Dr. Bartik’s research explores state and local economic development and labor markets, including how early childhood programs impact local economies and job-creation programs.
Hoosier native Erin Ramsey, Senior Manager for Mind in the Making at the Bezos Family Foundation, will present on the importance of early brain development for social and emotional skills. Jeffrey Connor-Naylor, Senior Associate at Ready Nation, will share highlights from his latest research, “Social-Emotional Skills in Early Childhood Support Workforce Success.” Emcees for the event will be Gerry Dick, President and Managing Editor of Inside INdiana Business, and Bob Zaltsberg, Editor of the Bloomington Herald-Times.
Registration is open to all and encouraged for business leaders, community, civic and economic professionals, educators (pre-k through higher education) and healthcare leaders. Go to http://www.elacindiana.org/indianasummit/ to register. Registration is $25 and corporate/ business sponsorships are also available. Please contact Jennifer Myers at [email protected] for more information.
About Monroe Smart Start Monroe Smart Start, a leadership initiative of the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County, works on behalf of our community’s youngest learners, helping to ensure children are ready for school and ready for life.
Since 2009, Monroe Smart Start has supported the following early childhood education initiatives:
Funding to establish tuition-free preschools in all Monroe County Community School Corporation Title I elementary schools: Arlington Heights, Fairview, Grandview, Highland Park, Summit and Templeton.
Expanding the capacity of local nonprofits to provide quality early learning experiences for children and families needing support.
Funding for preschool parent liaisons for Monroe County Community School Corporation and Richland-Bean Blossom Community School Corporation to facilitate learning through engagement activities and events for parents and families.
Improved education quality through funding to local early childhood educators to participate in cohorts that provide training, mentoring and resources to help increase levels in Paths to QUALITYTM, Indiana’s child care quality rating and improvement system
Let’s Read, a literacy outreach program at IU Riley Health locations in Monroe County that provides over 8,000 children and families appropriate age level books along with helpful literacy and developmental guide sheets during wellness exams.
About Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County: Created by individuals, families and businesses who share a passion for Monroe County and a vision for its future, the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County has granted nearly $25 million to more than 400 local nonprofit organizations since its incorporation in 1990. With a growing $27 million endowment, the Foundation makes a difference by connecting caring people, important causes and community resources.
Network for Good Workshop: Securing New Donors & Dollars with Limited Time & Budget
April 13: 9:30-11:00 a.m. at Monroe County Library
The Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County, the Nonprofit Alliance of Monroe County and the Monroe County Public Library Nonprofit Central have partnered with Network for Good to bring this fundraising workshop to Bloomington. This no-cost, town-hall style training will help you to:
Develop a 12-month fundraising plan that retains & upgrades donors & funders;
Engage your board, staff, and volunteers in direct fundraising activities to acquire new donors; and
Build an impact-driven case for support & fundraising message for appeals, grants, and proposals.
While this training opportunity is primarily intended for executive directors and development staff of local nonprofits, other staff and board members are welcome to attend. Registration is free, but space is limited. Reserve your spot today!
Fourteen grants awarded with $250,000 allocated specifically to fund projects that empower local youth.
The Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County (CFBMC) has announced the recipients of its 2017 Community Impact Grants. The Community Impact Funding Initiative is a collaborative effort of the Community Foundation and Smithville Charitable Foundation. Grant recipients were honored at a special event on Monday, January 9.
Fourteen grants were awarded from an original field of 53 applicants. Grants range in size from $10,000 to $38,500 for a total of $325,650. Community Impact Grants focus on funding charitable efforts that address pressing problems, have the potential for encouraging change, and create solutions to the issues that impact our community. Funding requests for projects that “empower youth to reach their potential” received priority in the evaluation process this year. Several quality-of-life grants were also awarded for impact projects that benefit all age groups in the community.
“Indiana has the 15th largest population of children in the United States with more than 1.5 million children younger than 18 living in our state,” said Tina Peterson, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County. “Yet many of our children live in conditions that are less than ideal and struggle with issues beyond their control.”
Indiana ranks:
30th for the well-being of its children
32nd for family and community strength
44th for the number of residents with Bachelor’s degree or higher
4th for the number of children who have thoughts of suicide
10th for the number of children attempting suicide
39th for per capita income
31st for overall health
44th for obesity and smoking
“We believe the best way to move the needle relative to these significant issues is by focusing on the potential of young people,” added Peterson. “This year, we asked for grant projects designed to allow nonprofits and other exempt organizations to prepare young people for success and provide them with the skills, knowledge, and awareness to inspire and equip them to reach their full potential.”
“The response to our request for grant projects that empower youth was overwhelming” added Peterson. “We would have doubled the number of grant awards if we’d had the funding to do so. We are, however, pleased and hopeful about the potential of the projects we were able to support this year. From prevention of substance abuse and addiction, character and leadership development, and career awareness to tolerance and acceptance of others, the substance of the grants funded is timely, essential, and relevant to our community.”
This year represents the sixth year that Smithville Charitable Foundation joins the Community Foundation in funding the Community Impact Grants. “We continue to welcome the opportunity to work with the Community Foundation in funding this important grant initiative and helping to enrich the lives of the people in Monroe County,” said Darby McCarty, a governor on the Smithville Charitable Foundation Board of Directors and President/CEO of Smithville Communications.
2017 Community Impact Grant Recipients (*denotes youth program):
Bloomington Hospital Foundation for Bloom360°* – This program is designed to give infants a healthy start through prenatal and postpartum care, as well as encourage and support healthy behaviors among children and adults throughout their lives.
Bloomington Playwrights Project for its youth programs* – These programs provide students ages 5-17 a variety of opportunities to get involved in the theatrical process, from writing their own plays to performing original works.
Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington for a new program* to expose youth to a variety of careers and skill sets. – This program will enable youth to make more informed decisions about education pathways and post-secondary opportunities.
Centerstone for the Nurturing Parenting Program* – As an alternative to abusive and neglectful parenting practices, this program is an evidenced-based and family-centered curriculum designed to foster positive parenting skills, intentional family nurturing time, and activities to promote brain development in children from birth to young adult.
Communities in Schools for site coordinators at Templeton and Fairview Elementary Schools* – CIS is the largest dropout prevention organization in the U.S. dedicated to keeping kids in school and helping them succeed. Through partnerships with schools, community organizations, health care providers, social services and businesses, CIS coordinators assess student needs and provide resources such as food, school supplies, health care, counseling, academic assistance and positive role models so that students can focus on learning.
Ellettsville Main Street for parking at the Heritage Trail – The grant will help to fund the purchase of an adjacent parcel of land that will allow users a safer way to enjoy and access the trail.
Girls Inc. and Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Indiana to expand and strengthen the Girls Inc. mentoring program* – The program will match 50 high-risk girls with 50 caring Big Sister adult mentors during 2017.
Harmony Education Center for Rhino’s Youth Center* – This grant will support of the Center’s afterschool programming that connects youth with adult mentors, art, music, media projects and more.
Middle Way House for Support YES! Youth Empowerment Services* – For school-age youth residing in its facilities, Support YES! allows Middle Way House to provide after-school and holiday care, remedial education and academic enrichment, and experiences designed to foster social-emotional growth.
Monroe County Community School Corporation for the FIRST Robotics program* – This competitive international robotics program for high school students actively promotes STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education.
Monroe County Fair Association matching grant to hire an engineering firm to assess its infrastructure – The MCFA is evaluating and mapping its electrical, communications, speaker system, gas, storm water, water and sanitary sewer systems to support future development and events.
New Hope Family Shelter to provide seed funding to hire a development professional – By securing a professional fundraiser, New Hope hopes to focus on the critical work before them, while securing future funding to enable the organization to move to a new location and continue to thrive into the future.
Ohio River Foundation for its Youth Conservation Teams* – This work-study program will support local high school students who will work to protect and restore habitats in Hoosier National Forest in the summer of 2017.
The Project School for Maker Space equipment* – In addition to classroom use, The Project School will invite the community into its downtown Bloomington location for special events throughout the year and to use its Maker Space as a hub for creative exploration.
Several 2017 grant recipients shared how these grant funds will impact their organizations and communities:
“The Project School was so pleased to be selected as a first-time Impact Grant recipient,” said Amy Jackson, Philanthropy & Outreach Director at the Project School. “It was very exciting to see this year’s focus on youth-serving organizations. We cannot wait to build a creativity space that will be accessible to youth throughout our community, and thanks to the Community Foundation’s generosity, this will now be possible!”
“The Impact Grant will have a tremendous impact on our organization and its ability to serve the Bloomington community,” said Chad Rabinovitz, Producing Artistic Director with Bloomington Playwrights Project. “Arts education not only teaches how to think differently, but also why people think differently. Now more than ever, it’s important to provide students with a strong foundation of acceptance and creativity. We’ll be able to use the funds to increase capacity in our sold-out programs and launch new and exciting arts education opportunities that build this foundation.”
“The Quadrangles are thankful to be recipients of the Impact Grant award this year,” said Cindy Kvale, FIRST Robotics Program Coordinator and teacher at Bloomington High School South. “We appreciate its support in not only helping us improve the engineering of our robots but also in strengthening the community through our youth STEM initiatives.”
“Boys and Girls Clubs of Bloomington will be able to establish a program that will expose youth early to many different career paths and post-secondary education programs,” said Leslie Abshier, Resource Development Director. “This is a great opportunity for our youth to develop job skills early and to think critically about their plans for the future. We could not be more grateful that CFBMC stands with us as we prepare our youth for lives filled with purpose and productivity.”
“Ohio River Foundation is thrilled to be awarded an Impact Grant for its Youth Conservation Team program, Career Youth Training: Conservation in Hoosier National Forest,” said Rich Cogen, Executive Director, Ohio River Foundation. “ORF’s YCT program was in Hoosier National Forest in summer 2013 with a Bloomington-area high school student crew performing 44 projects over a 3-week period. HNF personnel were so impressed that they nominated the YCT crew for a US Forest Service award! We’re looking forward to another award-winning performance by Bloomington high school students in summer 2017.”
“This grant will help the Monroe County Public Health Clinic address some of the most difficult health concerns, such as infant mortality, tobacco and substance abuse and mental health among our children and mothers through collaboration and innovative approaches in our community,” said Amy Meek, Program Manager with Indiana University Health Bloomington. “Thank you for helping us to set the stage for generational change.”
“With a deep understanding of the impact of domestic violence and trauma on children, the Youth Empowerment Services (YES) program helps children heal and overcome the effects of domestic violence that without intervention can lead to a cycle of generational domestic abuse,” said Middle Way House Executive Director Debra Morrow. “With this award, the Foundation has shown a commitment to ensuring that children, whose families are receiving services at our agency due to domestic violence, will have access to supportive services and enrichment activities from our YES program.”
“Ellettsville Main Street saw a need for parking next to the new Heritage Trail, so the elderly and handicapped won’t have to cross busy State Road 46 to get to the trail,” said Jeana Kapczynski, President of Ellettsville Main Street. “This grant will help to purchase a property for parking so the trail can be enjoyed by all. We are delighted the Foundation saw the benefit of this for Ellettsville.”
“The Monroe County Fair Association is very thankful to the Community Foundation for awarding us a grant that will help locate and appraise the condition of all the different utility lines on the fairgrounds,” said Tony Schershel, past president of the Monroe County Fair Board. “Completing this project will help us move forward with the Master Plan which will allow the fairgrounds to better serve the Monroe County community.”
About the Community Foundation: Created by individuals, families, and businesses who share a passion for Monroe County and a vision for its future, the Community Foundation has granted nearly $25 million to more than 400 local nonprofit organizations. Our $27 million endowment is growing and so is the difference we make by connecting caring people, important causes, and community resources.
About the Smithville Charitable Foundation: Inspired by altruism, the Foundation’s main goal is to enrich the lives of those around them by creating opportunities and bringing necessities to communities in its areas of service. As a private foundation, it works closely with community foundations in surrounding counties and supports a variety of causes related to religion, education, health, relief of poverty or distress and various public organizations.
The Community Foundation administers a number of scholarship funds to support the educational aspirations of Monroe County community members. Applications are now open for the following 2017 scholarships:
Deadline to apply: February 28, 2017. This scholarship is awarded to an Edgewood High School senior who has a Bean Blossom Township School affiliation. Consideration is given for academic as well as other achievements, leadership activities, extra-curricular skills, financial need, and the student’s work record. View more information about Stinesville High School Alumni Scholarship.
Deadline to apply: February 28, 2017. This memorial scholarship honors Betty Burnett’s years of service and commitment to the Pi Beta Phi chapter at Indiana University. Applicant must be a member in good standing of the Indiana Chapter of Pi Beta Phi; be a sophomore or junior currently attending IU – Bloomington; have at least a 2.50 overall GPA; and exhibit outstanding service to the chapter and to IU. View more information about Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Club Betty Burnett Welke Scholarship.
Deadline to apply: March 15, 2017. This scholarship is awarded to a current senior in high school who meets at least one of the following criteria: raised on a farm, member/former member of the Monroe County 4-H program, current member of the Monroe County FFA chapter. Scholarship(s) may be used for college tuition, fees, books, and/or equipment necessary for course work. Applicants may major in any area of study; however, preference will be given to those individuals majoring in Agriculture, Home Economics or Natural Resources. View more information about Monroe County Ag Day Scholarship.
Deadline to apply: April 15, 2017. This memorial scholarship honors Thomas Meoeller’s musical talents and provides opportunities for students to pursue music education. Applicants are high school students – grades 10 to 12 who reside in Monroe County and wish to pursue music endeavors. Examples of expenses eligible for this scholarship award include, but are not limited to, rental or purchase of a musical instrument, music lessons, fees for musical competition, recording projects, vocal lessons, tuition for music camp (college tuition/fees for music and/or music education major may be considered). View more information about the Tom Moeller Memorial Scholarship.
For specific questions on these or other scholarship opportunities, please contact Program Director Marcus Whited at [email protected] or 812-333-9016.
The Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe Country has announced Monroe County’s 2017 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship recipients. Ms. Betsy Beggs and Ms. Frances Kincaid will each receive a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to an Indiana public or private college of their choosing. In addition to the cost of tuition, they will receive a $900 annual stipend for books and other required materials.
Betsy Beggs of Bloomington High School South is the daughter of Bill and Sarah Beggs. She is president of Student Council and a member of Sounds of South Advanced Choir, French Club, Golf Team, and National Honor Society. Her community efforts include volunteering with Dance Marathon for Riley Children’s Hospital, Sherwood Oaks Christian Church-Kids Ministry, and Operation Friendship Youth International Exchange. Through her participation with American Legion Auxiliary Hoosier Girls State, Betsy became passionate about how Indiana’s state government works and hopes to expand knowledge of the duties, rights and responsibilities of Indiana’s citizens as a future politician.
“I am grateful and humbled to have been chosen as one of this year’s Lilly Scholars,” said Beggs. “Many thanks to the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County, the Bloomington South administrators and teachers, and my family for giving me opportunities to grow as both a student and a person. I am excited for this next chapter in my education and look forward to giving back to the community.”
Frances Kincaid of Bloomington High School North is the daughter of Jay and Jenny Kincaid. Frances is president of BHSN National Honor Society, a senior leader and founding member of the BHSN Life Skills Academy, and has participated in Student Council, Jazz Band and Diving. She has volunteered for several organizations including Habitat for Humanity, Best Buddies, Catholic Heart Work Camp and Community Kitchen. Following an illness her junior year, Frances developed an interest for a career in medicine and desire to make a difference in peoples’ lives the way her doctors have made in hers. She plans to attend medical school after college to become a trauma surgeon.
“I am so honored and humbled to be chosen to represent my community as a Lilly Scholar,” said Kincaid. “It is a wonderful gift and a great responsibility. I am very grateful for the support and encouragement I have received from my family and friends as well as my teachers and coaches at Bloomington North.”
“The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship allows us the opportunity to keep these talented, young people here in Indiana for post-secondary education to become the future leaders in our communities,” said Community Foundation President and CEO Tina Peterson. “Today, Betsy and Frances join an incredible network of talented young people committed to community engagement and leadership. As a community, we need to do our part by providing them with experiences and eventually jobs that will allow them to stay Indiana. We look forward to the contributions they will make to ensure a bright, prosperous future for our Indiana communities.”
Eleven area high school seniors were selected as finalists for the scholarship from among 100 applicants for this year’s scholarship, the largest number of applicants ever received in Monroe County. Evaluation of Monroe County’s Lilly Scholarship applications is a two-part blind review process. Applications are first reviewed and independently scored by members of a Lilly Scholarship committee at each Monroe County high school. The scored applications are then submitted to the Community Foundation, and finalists are identified from each school. The Community Foundation Scholarship Selection Committee, which is made up of members of the Monroe County community, blindly reviews and scores applications from each of the finalists. Each finalist is interviewed, with their interview scores tallied alongside the scores from the written portion of their application. The rankings, along with the committee’s recommendations are submitted to Independent Colleges of Indiana, Inc., a nonprofit corporation representing 31 regionally accredited degree-granting colleges and universities in the state.
“Every year, I’m reminded of the amazing potential of the young people in our community,” said Jessika Hane, chair of the Community Foundation’s Scholarship Selection Committee. “They bring talent to the table and hopes for the future. It’s an inspiring process, getting to know each one of these outstanding, rising stars.”
“Historically, our application and interview process has happened in the spring, and I’m so glad that we moved our timeline to the fall,” added Hane. “Meeting with these students and spending time with them as the year 2016 draws to a close fills me with optimism and faith in the future and that is something of tremendous value. I’m so thankful to participate in this process.”
Since 1998, the Lilly Endowment Scholarship Program has assisted more than 4,000 Indiana high school graduates with more than $300 million in tuition for pursuing baccalaureate degrees at Indiana colleges and universities.
The Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County has also announced that the nine other 2017 Lilly Scholarship finalists will receive $1,000 scholarships to use at a college or university of their choosing:
2016 JPMorgan Chase Bank Scholarship Recipients
Ellen Bergan, Edgewood High School
Ivy Kehoe, Bloomington High School South
Naomi Showalter, Bloomington High School North
2016 Community Foundation Scholarship Recipients
Nathan Browning, Lighthouse Christian Academy
John Garrett, Edgewood High School
Hannah Kasak-Gliboff, Bloomington High School South
Alex Newquist, Academy of Science and Entrepreneurship
Anthony Sparks, Indiana Academy
Connor Starks, Bloomington High School North
Previous Lilly scholarship recipients from Monroe County include:
2016
Greer King (BHSN); Indiana University
Brian Emmons (BHSN); Indiana University 2015
Sidrah Din (BHSS); Rose-Hulman
Riley Callahan (Lighthouse Christian Academy); Rose-Hulman 2014
Emma St. John (BHSN); Indiana University
Winston Winkler (BHSN); Indiana University 2013
Hannah Alani (BHSS); Indiana University
Shannon Jager (BHSN); DePauw University 2012
Evelyn Bauman (BHSS); Notre Dame
Alex St. John (BHSN); Indiana University 2011
Maha Elsarrag (BHSN); Indiana University
Lynne Bauman (BHSS); Notre Dame 2010
Bhavin Patel (BHSN); Indiana University
Stephen Zerfas (BHSN); Notre Dame 2009
Miranda Arthur (Edgewood); Butler
Audrey Ernst (Edgewood); University of Indianapolis 2008
Ashley Larason (BHSS); Purdue University
Thomas Weakley (Edgewood); DePauw / Indiana University 2007
Meehan Lenzen (BHSN); Notre Dame
Kristen Miller (BHSS); Indiana University 2006
David Kim (BHSN); Notre Dame
Jenna Beasley (BHSN); Indiana University 2005
Manisha Patel (BHSN); Indiana University
Jesse Pontius (BHSN); Purdue University 2004
Ryan Hodge (Indiana Academy); Rose-Hulman
Isaac (Ike) Dolby (BHSN); Purdue
Jennifer (Laird) Black (BHSS); Butler
Tara Langvardt (Edgewood); DePauw University
Caitlin (Odya) Homenda (Edgewood); Indiana University
Mark Strother (BHSN); Indiana University 2003
Amber (Knowlton) Todd (BHSS); Indiana University
David Courtney (BHSS); Earlham
Jennifer Richardson (BHSN); Indiana University
Robert (Matt) Hawkins (Edgewood); Rose-Hulman
Abram Hess (Indiana Academy); Indiana University
Anand Patel (BHSN); Indiana University 2002
Theodore (Tio) Savich (BHSN); Earlham
Aliese Sarkissian (BHSN); DePauw University
Virginia Chappell (BHSS); Indiana University
Michael Kruszynski (Indiana Academy); Rose-Hulman
James Moynihan (Edgewood); Butler
Andrea (Stalcup) Wallace (Edgewood); University of Evansville 2001
Lindsay Kile (Edgewood); Purdue
Ruthie (Willsey) Sterrett (BHSS); Purdue
Ann Marshall (BHSN); Indiana University
Elizabeth Sloan (BHSN); Indiana University
Reed Carmichael (BHSN); DePauw University
Talialin Fehrenbach (BHSS); Butler 2000
Andrew Krebbs (Edgewood); Indiana University
Michael Goodman (BHSN); Indiana University
Alison O’Malley (Edgewood); Butler
Morgan Volrich Riggs (BHSN); Indiana University 1999
Kathleen Tran (BHSS); Indiana University
Aaron Ray (Edgewood); Indiana University
Amanda Horvath (BHSS); Notre Dame
Nathan Fuller (BHSN); Rose-Hulman 1998
Amber (Martindale) Yount (BHSS); Butler
Rebecca (Strain) Spriggs (Edgewood); University of Evansville
About Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County: Created by individuals, families, and businesses who share a passion for Monroe County and a vision for its future, the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County has granted $25 million to more than 400 local nonprofit organizations since its incorporation in 1990. With a growing $27 million endowment, the Foundation makes a difference by connecting caring people, important causes, and community resources.
It’s Thanksgiving Eve, the night before the holiday season officially begins. I, for one, will be grateful to hit the pause button, turn down the volume, so to speak, on all the news and rhetoric that accompanies election season and to focus instead on those values that are central to this season of gratitude.
Evidence that those values are alive and well in our community can be found throughout this edition of the Community Foundation’s newsletter. I encourage you to take a few moments to see for yourself. You will be reminded that our community is populated by people who are thoughtful, generous and kind. Were it not, the Community Foundation would not exist.
Please accept our warmest wishes for a very happy Thanksgiving and a peaceful holiday season! We are so grateful for the role you allow the Community Foundation to play and the opportunity to work with each of you in making sure Monroe County is a place we are all proud to call home. -Tina
During this season of gratitude, we at the Community Foundation are reminded of the incredible generosity you show to people living in Monroe County. Because of your compassion, we will all be strengthened for tomorrow, not just for today. You are building a better quality of life for future generations. So today, we want you to know how grateful we are for you and your vision for a better community – thank you.
A Generational Celebration
On November 3, the Community Foundation hosted its 2016 Annual Report to Community. The theme focused on one generation supporting the next – through their deeds, gifts, and engagement. As the Community Foundation moves beyond its 25th birthday and into its second generation, we are proud to celebrate the people, the causes, and the organizations that make Bloomington and Monroe County great. Thank you for celebrating with us! See more photos.
2017 Lilly Scholarship Finalists Announced
Eleven area high school seniors were selected from among nearly 100 applicants for this year’s scholarship, the highest number of applicants ever received in Monroe County. Monroe County’s 2017 Lilly Scholarship Finalists include:
Alex Newquist, Academy of Science and Entrepreneurship
John Garrett, Edgewood High School
Frances Kincaid, Bloomington High School North
Naomi Showalter, Bloomington High School North
Connor Starks, Bloomington High School North
Ivy Kehoe, Bloomington High School South
Nathan Browning, Lighthouse Christian Academy
Hannah Kasak-Gliboff, Bloomington High School South
Betsy Beggs, Bloomington High School South
Ellen Bergan, Edgewood High School
Anthony Sparks, Indiana Academy
The 2017 finalists were honored at the Community Foundation’s Annual Report to the Community on November 3. Two of the finalists will be selected to receive a four-year, full tuition scholarship to an Indiana public or private college of their choosing. In addition to the cost of tuition, they will receive a $900 annual stipend for books and other required materials. Monroe County’s two 2017 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship recipients will be announced in early December. Read more.
CFBMC Adds 11 New Funds This Year
The Community Foundation fuels innovative ideas and lasting impact in Monroe County through a diverse menu of funds designated to address a range of community needs. This year, CFBMC added 11 new funds! Thank you to the generous donors that made these funds possible.
New Unrestricted Funds These funds allow the Community Foundation the flexibility to address Monroe County’s ever-changing needs through strategic grant making, year after year. Unrestricted funds are used to facilitate innovative responses to our community’s most compelling opportunities or respond to the most pressing needs.
BloomBank Community Fund
Carol and Mayer Maloney Fund
Frisbie Family Fund
German American Bancorp Community Fund
Herald-Times Fund for Bloomington and Monroe County
New Designated Funds
Language Conservancy Endowment Fund: Provides support to the Language Conservancy nonprofit organization
Partners for Places Fund for the City of Bloomington: Provides support to reduce energy use in local residences, municipal facilities, and K-12 schools through outreach, technical assistance, and volunteer mobilization in the City of Bloomington
Each of the nonprofits listed below recently received an annual grant distribution from a fund established at the Community Foundation for their benefit. This year, more than $316,000 was distributed to agencies. These endowed funds were created by single donors, groups of donors or by the agencies themselves. Grants from agency and designated funds provide much needed operational support for local organizations and represent some of the ways that the Community Foundation distributes funds to support local nonprofits. Thank you to the donors who make these distributions possible each year and to the nonprofits that do incredible work in our community.
Amethyst House
Area 10 Agency on Aging
Bloomington Developmental and Learning Center
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Bloomington Community Band
Bloomington Hospital Foundation
Bloomington Montessori School
Bloomington Parks and Recreation Foundation
Bloomington Playwrights Project
Bloomington Posoltega Committee
Bloomington United Presbyterian Church
Boys and Girls Club
CASA
Catholic Charities
Center for Justice and Mediation
Community Kitchen
Edgewood Dollars for Scholars
Ellettsville Main Street
Farmer House Museum
Franklin Initiative
First United Methodist Church
Foundation of Monroe County Community Schools
George E. Archer Foundation
Girls, Inc.
Habitat for Humanity
Hannah Center
Harmony School
Hoosier Youth Philharmonic
Ivy Tech Foundation
Kappa Kappa Gamma
Leadership Bloomington
LIfeDesigns
Lotus Education and Arts Foundation
Monroe County United Ministries
Middleway House
Monroe County Historical Society
Monroe County Humane Association
Monroe County Public Library Foundation
New Hope Family Shelter
Pinnacle School
Planned Parenthood
Richland Bean Blossom School Foundation
Salvation Army
Sassafras Audubon Society
Shalom Community Center
Stonebelt
Sycamore Land Trust
United Way of Monroe County
Volunteers in Medicine
WFHB
Windfall Dancers
WonderLab
Writing for a Change
YMCA
Youth Services Bureau
Black Friday. Cyber Monday. #GivingTuesday. November 29 is #GivingTuesday, an international day dedicated to giving. You can be part of the celebration in our community by making gifts, volunteering your time, and advocating for your favorite causes. We encourage you to join the #GivingTuesday movement. Some ideas include:
Make a gift in honor of someone who taught you that giving back matters.
Let your favorite nonprofit know you want them to serve Monroe County well into the future by giving to one of our more than 75 agency endowment funds.
Let’s create positive impact together this #GivingTuesday. We hope you’ll join us. Give Now!
Monroe Smart Start: Ready for School, Ready for Life
Monroe Smart Start is now in its fifth year of helping our community’s youngest learners! A leadership initiative of the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County, Monroe Smart Start helps to ensure children are ready for school and ready for life. The Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County has invested more than $1 million in support of early learning in our community over the last five years. Initiatives supported include increasing access to affordable, high-quality early childhood education; supporting early childhood educators in providing quality care; and family and community engagement.
2016 Early Childhood Education Snapshot:
CFBMC Impact: Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard
Serving over 11,000 low-income community members each year, Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard (MHC) is a Bloomington-based food pantry that works to increase access to healthy food to anyone in need.
With the help of a 2016 Impact Grant, Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard was able to purchase the building they formerly leased at 1100 W. Allen Street and devote more time and resources to securing food and expanding its programs. In the four years that MHC has occupied this building, the space has been transformed into a vibrant community food resource center that also offers nutrition education, cooking classes, tool share, and community gardening programs to help people become healthy, self-sufficient, and environmentally conscious. Congratulations MHC on the building purchase, and on being recently recognized in the James Beard Foundation’s 2016 Good Food Guide, an annual publication recognizing U.S. organizations creating better food systems.
John & Gerry Miller Create Legacy & Maximize Impact with Charitable Gift Annuity Match Initiative
Have you heard about our new Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA) Program? A CGA is a great opportunity for you or a loved one to support the causes you care about most while also receiving lifetime income.
How does it work? You make a one-time gift to the Community Foundation, and we agree to pay you a fixed amount every year for your lifetime. You can also choose to name up to two people you love to receive the annuity payments.
John and Gerry Miller became the Community Foundation’s first donors with a Charitable Gift Annuity early this year. “We chose a CGA simply because we wanted to support the Community Foundation,” say John Miller. “The CGA is one option that allows us to maintain some income while supporting an organization we believe in.”
The Millers were also able to take advantage of our limited-time matching opportunity. Donors who start a CGA during the 2016-2017 fiscal year will receive a matching gift that can be directed to an existing fund at the Community Foundation of the donor’s choosing.
ROI: Advancing Economic and Community Prosperity in Southwest Central Indiana
Have you heard about Regional Opportunity Initiatives, Inc.? ROI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and a supporting organization of the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County.
Established in 2016 to advance economic and community prosperity in Southwest Central Indiana (SWCI), ROI is implementing an education and workforce plan and a regional opportunity fund for quality-of-place investments in an 11-county area encompassing Brown, Crawford, Davies, Dubois, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Orange, Owen and Washington counties.
ROI currently shares office space with the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County and Foundation President and CEO Tina Peterson is also serving as interim CEO of ROI.
After 26 years in Fountain Square Mall, we’ve moved across the street into the downtown Chase Building at the corner of College and Kirkwood Avenues. Come see us in our new location. We love visitors! And, stay tuned for details on our upcoming Open House.
100 S. College Ave. Suite 240 Bloomington, IN 47404 Phone: 812-333-9016 Fax: 812-333-1153 Email: [email protected]
End-of-Year Giving and Holiday Hours
The holidays and the end of the year are quickly approaching, but you still have time to make a charitable gift to the Community Foundation and take advantage of 2016 tax benefits! Support your favorite organization or cause by donating to one of our 215 funds or choose to make an unrestricted gift to help meet Monroe County’s most pressing needs. Regardless of how you give, your gift will continue to have an impact well beyond this year through our growing endowment.
Online Donations: Contributions through our website are processed immediately and securely. Gifts made through the site can be made up until 11:59 pm on December 31 to count as a 2016 tax deduction. Give Now!
Checks: Checks must be dated and postmarked on or before December 31 to be considered a 2016 tax deduction.
We’re open weekdays 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. to assist you. However, we will be closed November 24-26, December 23 and 26, and January 2. Contact us with your 2016 end-of-year giving questions at (812) 333-9016 or [email protected].
CFBMC: Powered by Giving
Created by individuals, families, and businesses who share a passion for Monroe County and a vision for its future, the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County has granted $24 million to more than 400 local nonprofit organizations since its incorporation in 1990. With a growing $26 million endowment, the Foundation makes a difference by connecting caring people, important causes, and community resources.
We make grants, offer expertise, and lead in collaboration with others to meet our community’s most pressing needs and seize its most important opportunities. From early childhood development to aging, from basic needs to economic development, from the arts to the environment, our donors fuel innovative ideas and power lasting impact for our communities. Learn more about the areas we impact.
The Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe Country has announced finalists for the 2017 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship. Eleven area high school seniors were selected from among nearly 100 applicants for this year’s scholarship, the highest number of applicants ever received in Monroe County.
Monroe County’s 2017 Lilly Scholarship Finalists include:
Betsy Beggs, Bloomington High School South
Ellen Bergan, Edgewood High School
Nathan Browning, Lighthouse Christian Academy
John Garrett, Edgewood High School
Hannah Kasak-Gliboff, Bloomington High School South
Ivy Kehoe, Bloomington High School South
Frances Kincaid, Bloomington High School North
Alex Newquist, Academy of Science and Entrepreneurship
Naomi Showalter, Bloomington High School North
Anthony Sparks, Indiana Academy
Connor Starks, Bloomington High School North
“It’s been incredible to see so many more students in Monroe County apply for the Lilly Scholarship, especially considering the earlier timeline this year.” said President and CEO Tina Peterson.
In previous years, applications in Monroe County were due in December and scholarship recipients were announced in April of the year they graduated from high school. Applications for the 2017 scholarship were due August 31st. The accelerated timeline is the result of a “compelling recommendation” from community foundations who participated in a statewide evaluation of the program conducted by Lilly Endowment in 2015. During the evaluation process, a number of Indiana community foundations suggested that identifying Lilly Endowment Community Scholars earlier in the school year would give recipients more time to decide which college or university to attend. The change affects the program for all Indiana community foundations.
“The applications we received this year for the Lilly Scholarship demonstrate that Monroe County has no shortage of exceptionally talented young people,” added Peterson. The eleven finalists excel in areas of leadership, academics, extracurricular activities and in service to our community and we’re thrilled to recognize their accomplishments.”
The 2017 finalists will be honored at the Community Foundation’s Annual Report to the Community on Thursday, November 3.
Two of the finalists will be selected to receive a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to an Indiana public or private college of their choosing. In addition to the cost of tuition, they will receive a $900 annual stipend for books and other required materials.
Since 1998, the Lilly Endowment Scholarship Program has assisted more than 4,000 Indiana high school graduates (including 58 from Monroe County) with more than $300 million in tuition for pursuing baccalaureate degrees at Indiana colleges and universities.
Monroe County’s two 2017 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship recipients will be announced in early December.
About Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County: Created by individuals, families, and businesses who share a passion for Monroe County and a vision for its future, the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County has granted $24 million to more than 400 local nonprofit organizations since its incorporation in 1990. With a growing $27 million endowment, the Foundation makes a difference by connecting caring people, important causes, and community resources.
Monday, June 5: 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at Monroe Convention Center
