Scholarship season is in the air! Five Community Foundation scholarships have upcoming application deadlines!
Scholarship season is in the air! Thanks to the generous support of donors and community partners, the Community Foundation is proud to administer a number of educational scholarship funds for students in Monroe County.
Help us get the word out to high school seniors and families you know. The following scholarships have upcoming application deadlines!
Stinesville High School Alumni Scholarship
Deadline to apply: February 28, 2019
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.
Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Club Betty Burnett Welke Scholarship
Deadline to apply: February 28, 2019
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.
Monroe
County Ag Day Scholarship
Deadline to apply: March 17, 2019
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 an FFA chapter in
Monroe County. Scholarship(s) may be used for
college tuition, fees, books, and/or equipment necessary for coursework.
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.
Carl Deal, Jr. Memorial Scholarship
Deadline to apply: March 17, 2019
This scholarship was created
in honor of Carl Deal Jr. Mr. Deal felt a strong passion for The Boys &
Girls Club and their strong commitment and success in our community, the lives
of his family and friends and he appreciated the commitment and impact that
BGCB had on his life. Carl was a long-time Boys & Girls Club member
and wanted to give back to the young people of this community. Upon his death,
his friends, co-workers and family coordinated an annual fundraiser known as
“King’s Blues, BBQ & Funkfest”, in order to raise funds to create a
scholarship to be presented annually to a current, or former Boys & Girls
Club member, for post-secondary education or training. For more information and
the online application, View more information about the Carl Deal, Jr. Memorial
Scholarship.
Thomas
Moeller Memorial Scholarship
Deadline to apply: April 15, 2019
This
memorial scholarship honors Thomas Moeller’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 a complete list of Community Foundation scholarships, visit the Apply For A Scholarship page.
For specific questions on these or other scholarship opportunities, please contact Program Director Marcus Whited at [email protected] or 812-333-9016.
Local heroes are joining together with the Community Foundation to raise $110,000 for high-quality early childhood education!
Local heroes are joining together with the Community Foundation to raise $110,000 for high-quality early childhood education! You can help give children the tools they need to succeed in school and in life! Learn more about Thrive by Five Giving Day.
The next quarterly meeting of 50+ Men Who Care will be February 20 at the Bloomington Country Club, 3000 S. Rogers St.
The next quarterly meeting of 50+ Men Who Care will be February 20 at the Bloomington Country Club, 3000 S. Rogers St.
This group of local men pools money each quarter to support local not-for-profit organizations. Guests are welcome, and new members may join at any of the quarterly meetings. Socializing begins at 5:30 p.m. with a business meeting to follow from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
50+ Men Who Care is open to all men in Monroe County who wish to support local nonprofit organizations.
Each member commits to donate $125 per quarter ($500 per year) plus an annual donation of $100 for continuous funding of a 50+Men Who Care Endowment Fund with the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County. Quarterly donations will be given to Monroe County nonprofit organizations serving the Bloomington, Ellettsville and surrounding areas of Monroe County.
Complete information is available at https://www.fiftymenwhocare.org. Visitors are welcome to attend a meeting before joining.
The next quarterly meeting of 100+ Women Who Care will be Feb 6 at the Bloomington Country Club, 3000 S. Rogers St.
The next quarterly meeting of 100+ Women Who Care will be Feb 6 at the Bloomington Country Club, 3000 S. Rogers St.
New This Year: The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation has selected 100+ Women Who Care to participate in its matching grants program, providing a 50 percent match of total dollars raised per meeting (up to a $5,000). The matching funds will go to the nonprofit organizations chosen each quarter.
100+ Women Who Care of Bloomington & Monroe County is a group of local women who pool money each quarter to support local not-for-profit organizations. Guests are welcome, and new members may join at any of the quarterly meetings. Registration and socializing opens at 5 p.m.; the meeting will start promptly at 6 p.m. and end at 7 p.m.
100+ Women Who Care is open to all women in Monroe County who wish to support local nonprofit organizations.
Each member makes a yearly donation of $100 to the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County. The group meets four times per year and votes for a local not-for-profit to support. Each member donates $100 to the chosen charity, for a total annual commitment of $500.
Women age 35 and younger may opt to join with an annual commitment of $250 instead of $500. Complete information is available at http://100pluswwc.wordpress.com/. Visitors are welcome to attend a meeting before joining.
The Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County (CFBMC) is a recipient of two early childhood education capacity-building grants: $215,858.40 from the Indiana Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) and $32,000 from Early Learning Indiana.
Funding
to increase capacity of high-quality early childhood education in Monroe County
The Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County (CFBMC) is a recipient of two early childhood education capacity-building grants: $215,858.40 from the Indiana Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) and $32,000 from Early Learning Indiana.
“For the last decade, the Community Foundation has been working closely with our local partners to improve the quality and accessibility of early learning experiences through our Monroe Smart Start Initiative,” said Community Foundation President and CEO Tina Peterson. “We are incredibly grateful to have seen, over the last several years, increased state support for early learning in Monroe County as well. This latest investment in our community by OECOSL and Early Learning Indiana will expand local capacity to serve those children who need it most, and for that, we are incredibly grateful.”
The $215,858.40 grant from the Indiana Office of
Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) will be used to help early
childhood sites serve more pre-K children in Monroe County and increase the
quality of early education opportunities. OECOSL is a division of the Indiana
Family & Social Services Administration. CFBMC was one of 12 applicants
receiving more than $1.4 million in grants. The funding for the grants was
appropriated in 2017 via House Enrolled Act 1004, which Governor Eric J.
Holcomb signed into law as part of his 2017 Next Level Agenda. See the December
19 announcement and full list of grant recipients at: https://www.in.gov/fssa/files/FINAL_Capacity_Bldg_PR-Dec.pdf.
The Community Foundation will use the grant
funds to support the following early childhood education programs in Monroe
County:
Bloomington Center for Global
Children,
Covenant Christian Early Learning
Place,
Discovery Train,
Edgewood Early Childhood Center,
Penny Lane West, and
SCCAP Head Start First United
These local early childhood programs will use
the grant funding for:
Training and professional
development of teaching staff and personnel
Classroom materials that demonstrate
increased outcomes for children
Evidence-based curriculum and instructional materials including professional development
for teaching staff to utilize the curriculum
“Covenant Christian Early Learning Place is
incredibly grateful for the opportunity this grant gives our children, and we
are so excited to see how this opportunity will bless our child care facility,”
said Director of the Covenant Christian Early Learning Place Shelly Hunt. “We
believe this grant will allow us to better help the children of our great
community.”
The OECOSL capacity building grants will also
allow these Monroe County early education programs to improve quality programming,
helping them to reach or maintain level 3 or 4 in Paths to QUALITY™. Paths to
QUALITY™ is Indiana’s voluntary, statewide rating system for early care and
education programs. It is a resource to help families make informed decisions
and to help early care and education providers improve the quality of their
programs. As programs advance levels from 1 to 4, providers demonstrate
significant quality improvements that support health and safety, learning
environments, planned curriculum, and national accreditation. More information
about Paths to QUALITYTM can be foundat: https://www.in.gov/fssa/2554.htm.
“High-quality early childhood education provides
a solid foundation for success in school and in life,” said Monroe Smart Start
Coordinator Jennifer Myers. “During the first five years of life, a child’s
brain develops at a faster pace than during any other time. It is essential
that children have a nurturing environment to safely explore, play, and learn.
Using developmentally appropriate practice, high-quality programs provide a
foundation for school readiness. At each age, early childhood educators provide
materials and learning experiences to support a child’s physical,
social-emotional, cognitive, and language development.”
Grant funding in Monroe County will also support
classroom assessments and professional development facilitated by Indiana
University’s Early Childhood Center. A portion of the funding will support
community and family engagement opportunities and marketing efforts.
The $32,000 grant from Early Learning Indiana
will support construction costs associated with adding classrooms to serve 24
more children at the Covenant Christian Early Learning Place. CFBMC was one of
seven applicants receiving nearly $329,000 in grants from Early Learning
Indiana. These grants were made in conjunction with capacity-building grants
released by OECOSL in December. Early Learning Indiana has awarded more than
$2.5 million in grants to create 1,800 new high-quality seats throughout the
state. Grants like these are made possible thanks to the generous support of
the Lilly Endowment and its $20 million in support of Early Learning Indiana’s
efforts.
In July 2017, Monroe County was also selected by
OECOSL as one of 20 counties eligible to participate in On My Way Pre-K,
Indiana’s first state-funded prekindergarten grant program. This program makes
high-quality prekindergarten available for free to 4-year-olds from low-income
families. Monroe Smart Start is serving as project lead to coordinate and
implement On My Way Pre-K in Monroe County in collaboration with OECOSL and
Chances and Services for Youth (CASY), Monroe County’s child care resource and
referral agency.
About Monroe Smart Start:
Since 2013, the Community Foundation has invested more
than $1.4 million in early childhood education initiatives. Monroe Smart
Start, a leadership initiative of the Community Foundation, works on behalf of
our community’s youngest learners, helping to ensure children are ready for
school and ready for life. Monroe Smart Start promotes early childhood
education by increasing access to high-quality early learning experiences, professional
development for educators, family engagement and community partnerships, early
learning advocacy, and On My Way Pre-K enrollment support. More information can
be found at www.monroesmartstart.org.
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 $27 million
to more than 400 local nonprofit organizations since its incorporation in 1990.
With a growing $33 million endowment, the Foundation makes a difference by
connecting caring people, important causes and community resources. More
information can be found at www.cfbmc.org
Ready Communities is a program of Regional Opportunity Initiatives, Inc. (ROI). This program provides counties in the Indiana Uplands with resources to strategically develop programs that build quality of place, grow regional capacity for workforce development and attraction, and improve the attributes and amenities that make our communities a desirable place to live, work, and play.
The Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County added three new members to its Board of Directors this year. Herb Caldwell, Mark Franklin, and Lindsey A. Smith have been elected to serve three-year renewable terms through June 30, 2021.
The Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County added three new members to its Board of Directors this year. Herb Caldwell, Mark Franklin, and Lindsey A. Smith have been elected to serve three-year renewable terms through June 30, 2021.
Herb Caldwell attended Indiana University, earning a B.A. in Telecommunications. Herb worked for the Whirlpool Corporation in sales, marketing, and product innovation before returning to alma mater. At Indiana University, he previously served in development roles for the Kinsey Institute and the Kelley School of Business. He is currently the Director of Development and External Relations for the Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Multicultural Affairs at Indiana University. Caldwell resides in Bloomington with his wife, Angela, and their dogs, Cracker and Otis. They have one son, Jackson, who lives in New Orleans.
“It is a humbling experience to be a part of the solution toward making a difference in people’s lives,” said Caldwell. “I look forward to bringing my perspective and knowledge and sharing what I can to move our organization to greater heights. I hope that we are able to continue to advance our fundraising and grant making capabilities to provide hope and opportunities to many more citizens in our community.”
Mark Franklin grew up in a rural farm community in central Indiana and moved to Gas City, IN after college. While working in the banking industry in Muncie, Mark earned an MA degree from Ball State. He has worked 17 years in banking and the last 10 with German American Bank in Bloomington and Bedford. Mark and his wife Michelle Franklin have four children ages, 12,12, 5, and 3.
“The Community Foundation is a wonderful organization that carries out various philanthropic missions of our community members,” said Franklin. “I share in the CFBMC’s passion of serving others. I am looking forward to aiding the CFBMC to grow in our ability to impact Monroe County. We have such a diverse community, and it is exciting for me to be a small part of the process in helping give back.”
Lindsey A. Smith has been a Bloomington resident since 1994. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Indiana University and a Master of Science degree in Education from the University of Southern California. While a student at Indiana University, he was a cadet in the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Infantry of the United States Army on the day of his graduation.
Lindsey served as a career Army officer, including duties throughout the Continental United States and Germany, in addition to three combat deployments: once to Panama, in 1989; and, two deployments to Afghanistan, from 2010 to 2012. Following his retirement from the U.S. Army, Smith served as Executive Director of the Division of Family and Children Services for Monroe County. Smith also has nearly 25 years of service as an adult Boy Scout leader and mentor with the Bloomington-based Hoosier Trails Council. Lindsey and his wife Dawn have two daughters, Shannon (Zachary) Johnson of Tokyo, Japan, and Erin Smith of Bloomington, and a son, Ryan Smith of Kaiserslautern, Germany.
“I am honored to have been selected a new member on the Bloomington and Monroe County Community Foundation Board,” said Smith. “I am proud to serve with other board members having the passion and commitment to be visionaries, looking toward the future to keep Bloomington and Monroe County strong.”
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 $27 million to more than 400 local nonprofit organizations since its incorporation in 1990. With a growing $33 million endowment, the Foundation makes a difference by connecting caring people, important causes and community resources. More information can be found at www.cfbmc.org.
Community Foundation and BEDC awarded grant to develop Monroe County Quality of Place and Workforce Attraction Plan
The Bloomington Economic Development Corporation and Community Foundation of Bloomington & Monroe County announced today that they jointly received a $50,000 planning grant from Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI). This money will be used to develop a Quality of Place and Workforce Attraction Plan for Monroe County. The plan will detail how the county can improve quality of life, attract and retain top talent for our workforce and attract new businesses and investment to the region.
The initial planning grant is part of the Ready Communities Initiative from ROI. The initiative will provide each of the 11 counties of the Indiana Uplands region with the resources necessary to strategically plan for, develop, and implement projects and programs that build quality of place, grow regional capacity for workforce development and attraction, and improve the attributes and amenities that make the Indiana Uplands a desirable place to live, work and play.
In order to create the comprehensive Quality of Place and Workforce Attraction Plan, an advisory team has been assembled and includes representatives from Monroe County government, the City of Bloomington, local employers, Ivy Tech Community College, Indiana University, Ellettsville and the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, Monroe County Community School Corporation, Richland Bean Blossom School Corporation, and more.
After successfully creating a Quality of Place and Workforce Attraction Plan, eligible organizations and projects within the county will be able to apply for implementation grants to be awarded in phases over the next two years.
Projects that will be considered for Implementation grants must align with the Monroe County Quality of Place and Workforce Attraction Plan and address one or more of the following goals:
Aesthetics and Beautification Enhancements (ex: place branding, public art, streetscape beautification, park enhancements, and main street type investments)
Connectivity Infrastructure Development (ex: bike & pedestrian paths, trail enhancements, walkability improvements, public broadband or wi-fi, and public transit or other transportation needs)
Community Cohesion & Support (ex: childcare facilities, workforce training centers, public spaces, innovation spaces, and farmers markets)
In order to develop a plan that meets the specific wants and needs of our community, the BEDC and Community Foundation invite citizens of Monroe County to provide input. In addition to targeted focus groups representing key community stakeholders, the organizations have released a survey for public feedback about a variety of quality of life indicators. Results from the survey will help identify areas that should be addressed by the Quality of Place and Workforce Attraction Plan.
Community members are invited to participate by using the online survey link: http://bit.ly/MonroeQoP
Innovative model to help Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) invest locally in small businesses, affordable housing, and community facilities
Innovative model to help Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) invest locally in small businesses, affordable housing, and community facilities
Local funders plan to invest $4 million in financing to kick off CDFI Friendly Bloomington, an innovative approach aimed at catalyzing small business growth, expanding affordable housing, and supporting community facilities in Bloomington and Monroe County.
CDFI Friendly Bloomington is a newly formed 501(c)(3) that will pair local investment opportunities with regional and national investors, known as CDFIs, that specialize in markets and populations that often cannot qualify for traditional financing. CDFI Friendly Bloomington may provide financing alongside CDFIs to incentivize participation or close a financing gap.
A CDFI is a financial institution that exists to meet community financing needs outside the margins of conventional finance. They provide capital and services to underserved populations – low-income, low-wealth, and other disadvantaged groups and areas. CDFIs provide financing with development services—technical assistance and training to help their borrowers succeed. For more than 30 years, CDFIs have produced substantial community impact through jobs, affordable housing, and sustainable community facilities, as well as solid financial returns. More than 1,000 CDFIs operate in the U.S., providing billions of dollars of financing annually.
“Today is an exciting day for the greater Bloomington community,” said CDFI Friendly Bloomington board member Tina Peterson, who also serves as the President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County and CEO of Regional Opportunity Initiatives. “The launch of this new organization represents public and private collaboration at its best. Not only will CDFI Friendly Bloomington serve as a model for other communities, but it will also benefit many facets of our community and region for many years to come. Most importantly, it will allow us to address local needs of local people and ultimately impact those who call our community home.” Peterson will serve as the initial President of the organization’s Board.
“CDFIs can help provide key financial tools in tackling the challenges of affordable housing in Bloomington, while also helping to spur small business growth,” said Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton. “As we launch the nation’s first ‘CDFI Friendly City,’ Bloomington is harnessing the power of national financing to activate and amplify local resources. We deeply appreciate all of the private and public partners whose collaboration has been essential to establishing this creative funding source to improve the well-being of Bloomington residents and businesses.”
Four local and regional banks have taken leadership positions by planning $2 million in senior debt financing to CDFI Friendly Bloomington. These investors include First Financial Bank, Old National Bank, German American Bank, and Woodforest National Bank. In addition, the Bloomington Urban Enterprise Association (BUEA) and the Bloomington Redevelopment Commission each have made $1 million capital grant commitments.
“First Financial Bank is extremely proud to work with other partners to support the communities we do business in,” said First Financial Bank’s Market President Cindy Kinnarney. “We feel CDFI Friendly Bloomington aligns very well with our strong desire to do all we can to help our community thrive.”
“Bloomington is a progressive community with strong schools, very high quality of life, and a dynamic business community,” said Old National Bank Region President Scott Shishman. “CDFI Friendly Bloomington is an excellent tool that will generate more economic activity which will only make Bloomington better. I am very excited about CDFI Friendly Bloomington.”
In support of CDFI Friendly Bloomington, Bank of America has also announced it will lend up to $10 million at low cost to CDFIs that participate in the community alongside the new entity.
“I am excited about the public-private-philanthropic partnership evolving to support CDFIs in Bloomington,” explained Bank of America’s CDFI Executive Dan Letendre. “As the nation’s largest investor in more than 260 CDFIs across the country, Bank of America has seen, first-hand, the tremendous impact that innovative and creative CDFIs can have on historically underserved communities.”
Bank of America intends to offer CDFIs financing at 1% and for up to 10 years “in an effort to support CDFIs in this initiative and as an incentive for CDFIs to do business in Bloomington, Indiana,” according to Letendre.
“This approach can serve as a model for CDFI expansion in many other markets,” he added.
CDFI Friendly Bloomington is the first effort of its kind in the nation. The formation of this new organization follows 18 months of exploratory work and market research to increase and expand flexible and affordable financing options in the community. Seed funding was provided by the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County and the Bloomington Urban Enterprise Association. Led by a local CDFI working group, the development of CDFI Friendly Bloomington included a market assessment of potential investment opportunities, outreach to national CDFI leaders and investors, and a first-of-its-kind Bloomington symposium in 2017 with representatives of local, regional, and national CDFIs, banks, and foundations, as well as the U.S. Treasury’s CDFI Fund.
The Bloomington CDFI working group identified three main areas in which CDFI financing would benefit the community, including affordable & workforce housing, small businesses particularly early-stage companies, and community facilities.
To date, a few CDFIs have made loans and investments in Bloomington and Monroe County. CDFIs tend to be concentrated in larger metropolitan areas, however. The launch of CDFI Friendly Bloomington represents a new approach to promoting community financing in smaller communities. The purpose of CDFI Friendly Bloomington is to (1) market and promote Bloomington and Monroe County to CDFIs across the state, the region, and the nation; (2) match local demand for financing from businesses, housing developers, nonprofits, and community organizations to CDFIs; and (3) provide financial enhancements alongside the CDFIs in support of local borrowers.
CDFI Friendly Bloomington’s goal is to work with CDFIs to facilitate up to $50 million in new loans in Bloomington and Monroe County over the next five years.
The Board of Directors met officially for the first time on Monday, December 17. Members of the Board include:
Warren Cutshall, Miller Real Estate
John Hamilton, Mayor of Bloomington
Cindy Kinnarney, First Financial Bank
Jane Kupersmith, Bloomington Urban Enterprise Association
Tina Peterson, Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County and Regional Opportunity Initiatives, Inc.
Scott Shishman, Old National Bank
The Board of Directors will conduct a nationwide search for the organization’s first Executive Director. Operations are expected to begin in January with financing beginning as early as April 2019.
The Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe Country has announced Monroe County’s 2019 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship recipients.
The Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe Country has announced Monroe County’s 2019 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship recipients. Christian Gettelfinger and Calvin Prenkert 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.
Christian Gettelfinger of Bloomington High School North is the son of Gary Gettelfinger and stepson of Karen Hrisomalos. His school activities have included Dance Marathon for Riley Hospital for Children, Hoosiers Outrun Cancer, Student Athletic Board, Cougar Leaders, Habitat for Humanity, and Best Buddies. He has participated in a number of athletic programs including Bloomington High School North Tennis and Lacrosse, United States Tennis Association, Russell Road Racquet Club, and Palm Springs Racquet Club. For 11 years, Christian has been active with Camp Kasem, a free summer camp for children impacted by a parent’s cancer. Most recently serving as a counselor-in-training, Christian is regarded as a compassionate and inspiring leader to fellow campers. He is planning to attend Indiana University in the fall and major in biology.
“I would like to thank God, my friends, family, coaches and teachers for support over the years,” said Gettelfinger. “I am blessed to be a Lilly Scholar and want to thank the Lilly Endowment and the Community Foundation for this opportunity.”
Calvin Prenkert of Bloomington High School South is the son of Jamie and Debra Prenkert. His school activities have included National Honor Society, Panther Activity Council, Peer Mediators, Bloomington South Dance Marathon, Student Council, Quill and Scroll, and the Optimist Newspaper. He has volunteered at The Nest at New Hope for Families, Hoosier Hills Food Bank, and First Presbyterian Church. He has participated in athletic programs, including Bloomington High School South Tennis, Bloomington Bullets Ultimate Frisbee, and the Bloomington Ultimate Frisbee Adult Recreational League. Calvin has also been passionately involved in theater and choir programs at South and in the Bloomington community with significant roles in Hello Dolly, Guys and Dolls, and Footloose. Calvin plans to attend Indiana University in the fall.
“I am extremely humbled and blessed to be a recipient of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship,” said Prenkert. “I would like to thank the Lilly Endowment, the Community Foundation, my teachers and administrators, and my parents for giving me this wonderful opportunity. I recognize that I have been given a great gift and I know I will do whatever I can to help generate a positive impact in the world.”
“If you are looking for affirmation that the future holds promise, I invite you to learn more about our Lilly Scholars, Calvin and Christian, Community Foundation President and CEO Tina Peterson. “Both are humble, caring and hardworking individuals who have excelled in school and in life. It is our pleasure to introduce them not only as Lilly Scholars but also as exceptional representatives of our community.”
The Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County has also announced that the eight other 2019 Lilly Scholarship finalists will receive $1,000 scholarships to use at a college or university of their choosing:
2019 JPMorgan Chase Bank Scholarship Recipients
Jerrett Alexander, Bloomington High School North
Nidhi Krishnan, Bloomington High School South
Noelle Simoneaux, Edgewood High School
2019 Community Foundation Scholarship Recipients
Caroline Cherry, Bloomington High School North
Hope Gummere, Bloomington High School South
Jordan Monson, Bloomington High School South
Jonathan Rickert, Bloomington High School North
Wilson Zinkan, Bloomington High School South
The ten finalists were selected from among 22 semifinalists and 69 total Monroe County applicants. Applications for the 2019 scholarship were blindly reviewed and independently scored by members of a scholarship committee at each Monroe County high school to identify semifinalists. Semifinalists were selected from each Monroe County high school that had applicants. The number of semifinalists selected was reflective of the relative size of each Monroe County high school’s senior class. This year’s 22 semifinalists included eight seniors from Bloomington High School South, seven from Bloomington High School North, four from Edgewood High School, and one each from the Academy of Science and Entrepreneurship, Lighthouse Christian Academy, and the Indiana Academy. See complete list of semifinalists.
The Community Foundation Scholarship Selection Committee, which is made up of members of the community and former Monroe County Lilly Scholars, blindly reviewed and scored the semifinalists’ applications to select the ten finalists. Next, the finalists were interviewed, and their interview scores combined with scoring from the written application. The finalist’s rankings, along with the committee’s recommendations for scholarship recipients, were submitted to the statewide scholarship administrator Independent Colleges of Indiana for final selection of Monroe County’s two 2019 Lilly Endowment Community Scholars.
In selecting the recipients for the Monroe County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship, consideration is given to student activities and achievements, community and civic service, academic performance, and leadership potential.
Since 1998, the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program has assisted more than 4,600 Indiana high school graduates statewide with more than $392 million in tuition to pursue baccalaureate degrees at Indiana colleges and universities. The program is administered by Independent Colleges of Indiana and community foundations in each of Indiana’s 92 counties.
Previous Lilly scholarship recipients from Monroe County include:
2018 Aaron Nunes (BHSS); Purdue University Greta Stephenson (BHSN); Indiana University
2017 Betsy Beggs (BHSS); DePauw University Frances Kincaid (BHSN); Indiana University
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 $27 million to more than 400 local nonprofit organizations since its incorporation in 1990. With a growing $32 million endowment, the Foundation makes a difference by connecting caring people, important causes and community resources.