News

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 QUALITY^TM 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.

See the January Early Learning Indiana announcement and full list of grant recipients at: https://earlylearningin.org/early-learning-indiana-awards-329k-in-grants-to-expand-eight-early-learning-programs/

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

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.

Monroe County Quality of Place Survey: http://bit.ly/MonroeQoP

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

For more information on CDFI Friendly Bloomington, visit https://cdfifriendly.wordpress.com/

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.

For more information on CDFI Friendly Bloomington, visit https://cdfifriendly.wordpress.com/

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.

The Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County (CFBMC) has announced that $326,700 has been awarded to nonprofit organizations as part of its Community Impact Funding Initiative. The 13 organizations selected for grants this year were honored at the Community Impact Grant Awards reception on Thursday, December 6, at Hoosier Energy.

“The Community Impact Funding Initiative is designed to support exceptional organizations doing essential work,” said President and CEO Tina Peterson. “Individually and collectively, this year’s recipients will use grant funds to address issues and opportunities that are essentially relevant to Monroe County now. We are humbled by the creativity, compassion, and commitment exhibited in these grant projects and enthusiastic about their potential to advance our community in uniquely significant ways.”

Grants funded through the competitive Community Funding Impact Initiative aim to strengthen the community by supporting projects that address pressing problems and compelling opportunities in Monroe County. This granting initiative is designed to support a broad range of community needs including arts and culture, social and health services, education, recreation, beautification and preservation, animal welfare, the environment, and community development opportunities.

The Community Impact Funding Initiative is funded through unrestricted funds at the Community Foundation and designated field of interest funds established to support particular areas of focus. This year also represents the ninth year that Smithville Charitable Foundation joins the Community Foundation in funding Community Impact Grants.

“It is a privilege once again for the Smithville Charitable Foundation to partner with the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County to fund great work,” said Darby McCarty, a governor on the Smithville Charitable Foundation Board of Directors and President/CEO of Smithville Communications. “From education through the arts to assisting those with recovery needs, these grants embody the giving spirit of our community.”

Grants were awarded in amounts ranging in size from $10,000 to $50,000 for a total of $326,700.

Community Impact Grant Recipients:

Bloomington Creative Glass Center to create a new weeklong summer camp targeted for primary school aged children – With an interest in visual arts, the camp will include hands-on and experience activities in glass art and other visual disciplines.

Bloomington Playwrights Project to establish the Bloomington Academy of Film and Theatre (BAFT) – In collaboration with Pigasus Pictures and Cardinal Stage Company, the grant will provide funding to establish a new coordinated theatre education program for training in acting, voice, dance, musical theatre, film, and other performing arts. Long-term goals include the growth in the talent pool for both artistic and technical roles.

Boys & Girls Club Bloomington to pilot the Youth Mental Health Bridges program at the Ferguson Crestmont Club – In collaboration with Catholic Charities of Bloomington, the grant will fund onsite training of Boys and Girls Club staff and materials to empower staff to better recognize and respond to mental health and behavioral needs of youth members. Staff from Boys and Girls Club Bloomington and Catholic Charities will work side by side in serving club members.

Centerstone of Indiana for expanding capacity to serve individuals in recovery who are in need of extended transitional housing – Extended Transitional Supportive Housing is the final state of the continuum of care for individuals with substance use disorder. The grant will provide extended safe and stable housing for individuals in recovery treatment programs, increasing the likelihood of successful long-term recovery, rehabilitation, and reunification of families.

Dimension Mill for the REBOOT Fellowship, Intern Summer Camp, and Bloomington’s TechPoint XTern program – The grant will fund programming and marketing for three educational and workplace learning programs aimed at facilitating the growth of a tech-enabled, entrepreneurial talent pipeline in our community.

Foundation of Monroe County Community Schools for professional development for early learning professionals working in 27 classrooms across MCCSC – The grant will fund staff development to support all of MCCSC’s early learning classrooms to improve learning opportunities and outcomes for our youngest learners.

Indiana Recovery Alliance for a peer harm reduction specialist to build the capacity of IRA to expand access to social services for persons who use substances in Monroe County – The peer harm reduction specialist will support individuals through intensive case management, peer outreach, counseling, individual intervention plans, and connections to available social services.

Monroe County History Center to develop the Monroe County Living with History program, a series of museum-based dementia support programs – In collaboration with the IU Health Alzheimer’s Resource Service, the grant will fund staff training and program development to offer access to resources and museum-based archives for people living with dementia and their care partners. Programming will include memory boxes, workshops, a memory café, and self-guided memory walk tours.

Monroe County United Ministries to pilot the Self-Sufficiency Center’s Your Path program – The grant will fund coaches, professional development and program materials to aid clients in poverty who are working towards self-sufficiency. Programming will focus on family stability, physical and mental health well-being, financial management, education, and employment.

New Leaf – New Life for the Sustainable Volunteering and Training Development Project – The grant will fund development of a sustainable volunteer program to assist incarcerated or ex-offender residents transition back into the community through programs focused on addiction support, education, job counseling, and social services/case management.

People & Animal Learning Services to expand a pilot of the Little Bits equine-assisted learning program – In collaboration with Youth Services Bureau of Monroe County and other organizations serving at-risk youth, the grant will provide funding to allow at-risk youth access to riding and horsemanship programming. A focused curriculum will help participants develop essential skills such as listening, understanding, empathy, self-esteem, coping, and trust.

United Way of Monroe County to explore the potential for developing a Miracle League baseball field and recreational complex in Monroe County – The grant will fund a comprehensive analysis of the feasibility of a Miracle League field, an accessible baseball complex for children and adults with physical or mental disabilities. This complex and program would service individuals who are excluded from conventional baseball leagues and would greatly benefit from increased opportunities for socialization and recreation.

Volunteers in Medicine of Monroe County to continue efforts to become a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Monroe County – As a free clinic, VIM cannot serve people experiencing poverty who have insurance, including Medicaid and Medicare. This matching grant will fund legal and accounting work to initiate the process of merging with an existing FQHC entity. Ultimately, the goal is to enable VIM to provide and expand the depth and variety of its medical services to many more low-income uninsured and insured individuals in the greater Bloomington region.

Several grant recipients shared how these grant funds will impact their organizations and communities:

“Bloomington Playwrights Project, and our partners at Pigasus and Cardinal Stage Company, are honored by the support and thrilled that the Community Foundation shares our vision for arts education in Bloomington,” said Chad Rabinovitz, producing artistic director at BPP. “Collaborating on such an ambitious project is no small task. The funds from the Community Impact Grant will be instrumental in getting the Bloomington Academy of Film & Theatre off the ground and will not only revolutionize education for the performing arts in Bloomington, but also establish a brand new model that other communities throughout the country can follow.”

“The Indiana Recovery Alliance is grateful to have been named a recipient of a Community Foundation Impact Grant,” said Director Chris Abert. “With this funding, the IRA will be able to reach people who are using drugs and provide collaborative assistance in a time of unprecedented fatal overdose, Hepatitis C and HIV epidemics. This funding and programming will ensure that previously isolated community members are connected to life-saving services and supplies, and it will have a positive impact both on the individual and our community as a whole.”

“Receiving a Community Impact grant to launch Your Path will enable Monore County United Ministry’s coaches to focus on helping our clients move towards self-sufficiency,” said Katie H. Broadfoot, interim executive director and development director. “Your Path helps with education and enrollment in opportunities that free up an individual’s resources for other needs, eventually tapering households off of assistance as their circumstances stabilize and providing them with support and encouragement to sustain their self-sufficiency and economic stability.”

About the 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.

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.

Competitive grant initiative to award grants ranging from $5,000 to $20,000

The Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County is now accepting applications for the Precision Health Network Funding Initiative. Up to $100,000 in grant funds is available for schools to implement substance abuse and curriculum-based prevention programs for students in grades six through eight.

Eligible schools for this year’s grant initiative include all public, charter, and accredited private schools in Brown, Daviess, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Morgan, Orange, and Owen Counties. Competitive grants will be awarded in amounts between $5,000 and $20,000.

The Precision Health Network Fund is designated to assist with the development or enhancement of community health education and health outcomes in this 9-county region. This year, the Community Foundation Board of Directors selected a focus area for the funding on evidence-based substance abuse prevention programs for middle school age students.

“It is critical to begin addressing the underlying issues that contribute to substance use early in life,” said President and CEO Tina Peterson. “We know that substance abuse often begins in the middle school years. Early prevention programs can lower the percentage of incidents of teen substance abuse and schools are the best places to implement strategies for educating, reducing, and preventing future substance abuse issues. The younger we start, the better the outcomes for our young people.”

This year’s Precision Health Network grant initiative was inspired by the Prevention Matters program, an initiative of the Indianapolis-based Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation. Prevention Matters is projected to help 151 schools in Marion County identify, implement, and sustain proven substance abuse prevention programs. These programs will equip students with skills to avoid drugs and alcohol, while also improving academic achievement, attendance, classroom behavior, and social and emotional well-being.

“The Community Foundation is grateful for the leadership of the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation and appreciative of their willingness to allow others to borrow from and build upon their strategy,” added Peterson.

The Community Foundation’s Precision Health Network Initiative grants will be awarded to help fund evidence-based substance abuse programs. Schools awarded grants may select from eight curriculum-based programs or propose an evidence-based program already in place. Curriculum-based programs include Achievement Mentoring, Curriculum-Based Support Group, LifeSkills Training, Positive Action, Project Alert, Project SUCCESS, Ripple Effects, and Second Step.

Schools awarded grants may use the funding towards curriculum, program materials, professional development for teachers and staff, and program training. Up to 5% may be applied toward technical assistance and stipends for substitute teachers. The grant application deadline is Thursday, January 31, 2019. Grants will be awarded in March 2019.

Application guidelines for the Precision Health Network Funding Initiative can be found online at: https://cfbmc.org/lasting-impact/apply-for-a-grant/precision-health-network-grants/
For more information on eligibility and application procedures, contact Program Director Marcus Whited at (812) 333-9016 or [email protected].

About the Precision Health Funding Initiative:

The Precision Health Network Fund, a field of interest fund at the Community Foundation, was established in 1996 upon the dissolution of Precision Health Network, Inc. The endowed fund provides grant funding designated to assist with the development or enhancement of community health education and health outcomes in the counties that constituted the service area for IU Health-Bloomington Hospital and Bloomington physicians. Since 1998, the Precision Health Funding Initiative has awarded 104 grants totaling more than $405,000.

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.