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.
$2.1 million in new funds raised for the Monroe County community
With more than $2 million in new funds, the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County (CFBMC) has announced it exceeded fundraising goals set for the Lilly Endowment GIFT Phase VI matching challenge.
“Thanks to the foresight and generosity of donors and organizations in our community, the Community Foundation received the full $1 million dollars in match from the Lilly Endowment,” said President and CEO Tina Peterson.
“We’re grateful to these individuals, families and businesses who share our passion for Monroe County and a vision for its future.”
In total, 645 individuals and businesses gave $1.18 million in gifts. With the match provided by Lilly Endowment, the Community Foundation’s endowment has grown by $2.18 million total.
“The Lilly matching opportunity has allowed us to significantly grow our capacity to support our community and increase our grantmaking ability,” added Peterson. “It’s a game changer. Because of GIFT VI’s impact, the Foundation will be able to make $98,000 in additional grants to the community each year forever. That translates to an additional $1.8 million over the next 25 years to address the most pressing needs and compelling opportunities in our community.”
In 2014, Lilly Endowment Inc. announced Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT) Phase VI, an effort to promote sustainable and effective community foundations in Indiana. Through this initiative, the Endowment made matching grants available to Indiana community foundations, with the amount based upon the county’s population. Monroe County was one of 17 counties eligible for $1 million in matching dollars to grow funds for strategic grantmaking in our community. The Phase VI Lilly Endowment fundraising challenge ended March 31, 2016. This phase was the sixth Lilly Endowment initiative to provide matching challenges to Indiana community foundations since 1990.
As part of the current Lilly Endowment challenge, CFBMC’s Board of Directors set a target of 65% in unrestricted funds. Of the $2.1 million raised in this time period, the Community Foundation exceeded its goal with 76%, or $1.4 million, to grow unrestricted funds. Personal gifts from the Foundation’s Board of Directors totaled $111,661 and board members established eight new named unrestricted funds.
“Unrestricted funds allow us the flexibility to address Monroe County’s ever-changing needs,” said Development Director Meagan Niese, “Through strategic grant making and leadership initiatives, the Community Foundation is able to facilitate innovative and proactive funding to respond to the community’s most pressing and compelling opportunities, challenges and urgent needs.”
The Lilly GIFT VI challenge also gave CFBMC momentum for its “Corporations for the Future” campaign. Corporations took advantage of the matching opportunity to create new funds and partner with CFBMC, often for the first time. The number of new companies that made gifts to CFBMC during this time period increased by 24% with a total of $484,450 from 17 corporations.
New donors also participated in the Community Foundation’s first match-day event, “Match Madness” in March 2015. Match Madness was an event to grow the endowments of 10 local nonprofit agencies. The Community Foundation offered $150,000 ($50,000 Lilly GIFT VI and $100,000 CFBMC) in match dollars. Combined, agency endowments grew by $280,000 in this 25-hour period.
“We are immensely grateful to the Lilly Endowment for GIFT VI,” Chris Cockerham, chair of the Community Foundation development committee. “This opportunity challenged and incentivized us to develop new and innovate ways to significantly grow for the future. We’re proud of the outcome, and thrilled that it gave us the opportunity to develop new relationships and increase awareness about the Foundation and the agencies and nonprofits that are so vital in our community.”
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 $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, including impacting education, healthcare, the environment, charitable economic development, social services, the arts and more.
About Lilly Endowment Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by three members of the Lilly family through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. A separate entity from the pharmaceutical company, the foundation supports community development, education and religion causes primarily in Indianapolis and Indiana.
Lilly Endowment Inc. launched the Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT) initiative 25 years ago to encourage the establishment and strengthening of community foundations as vehicles to improve the quality of life in Indiana communities. The success of Indiana’s community foundations over the intervening years has far exceeded the Endowment’s expectations when GIFT began. With assistance from the Lilly Endowment, all 92 counties in Indiana are served by a community foundation or affiliate. The total value of the assets of Indiana community foundations that have regularly participated in GIFT has increased from an aggregate value of about $30 million to nearly $2 billion, and those community foundations have paid grants totaling more than $915 million. These results would not have been achieved without the imagination, generosity, commitment and leadership of thousands of donors, volunteers and foundation staff members throughout the state.
CFBMC Board Member and Old National Bank Regional CEO Mark Bradford has been chosen as Indiana’s 2016 Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser by the Indiana chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). Bradford will receive the award at the Indiana Philanthropy Awards Dinner on November 17, 2016 in Indianapolis, IN.
“The Community Foundation is greatly indebted to Mark for his leadership,” said President and CEO Tina Peterson. “Mark embodies the potential that a volunteer can make in inspiring and motivating peers, fellow board members, the community, and an organization’s staff to stretch beyond the norm, to set ever higher expectations, and to achieve.”
Bradford, along with Community Foundation leadership, created the CFBMC Corporations for Our Future Campaign in 2013. Under Bradford’s volunteer leadership in this initiative, corporate giving to the Community Foundation has increased by 24 percent since 2013. With $687,200 in endowed corporate gifts, the campaign is already more than 68 percent towards its $1 million goal in corporate gifts by 2022. Thanks to the Lilly Endowment GIFT VI matching challenge, a portion of corporate funds were also matched between 2014 and 2016. With a match of $408,850 from the Lilly Endowment, the impact of corporate gifts to the Community Foundation has totaled $1,096,050 since 2013.
“This project has been a labor of love for Mark,” said Immediate Past Board Chair Edward W. Najam, Jr. “He is an incredible advocate for the mission of the Foundation.”
Funds raised from the Corporations for Our Future Campaign will generate more than $46,000 in grants to local nonprofit organizations next year. Over the next 10 years, the impact of corporate gifts raised to date will infuse more than $500,000 into Monroe County to respond to the community’s most pressing needs and compelling opportunities.
“As is the case with all good fundraisers, Mark is driven by a passionate commitment to making Monroe County a better place for all who call it home,” added Peterson. “He is a strong fundraiser who knows how to connect with others and draw upon their love of our community. But more significant than his ability to raise funds is the legacy of impact he has created for Monroe County.”
Tickets and sponsorships are available for the 2016 Indiana Philanthropy Awards on November 17. More information and the complete list of 2016 award recipients is available at https://community.afpnet.org/afpinindianachapter/home.
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 $26 million endowment, the Foundation makes a difference by connecting caring people, important causes, and community resources.
Grant initiative to prioritize projects this year that empower youth.
The Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County announced today that grants are available through the Community Impact Funding Initiative. The grants, co-funded by Smithville Charitable Foundation, aim to strengthen the community by supporting innovative projects with lasting impact and enabling organizations to address pressing problems or pursue compelling opportunities in Monroe County. The 2017 grant initiative will award more than $300,000 to area nonprofits and will prioritize projects that “empower youth to reach their potential.”
Local 501(c)(3) organizations and other organizations exempt from filing for 501(c)(3) status may apply for the 2017 grants with requests ranging from $10,000 to $50,000. Priority consideration will be given to projects that meet one or more of the following criteria: empower youth to achieve their full potential; offers innovative or transformative solutions to critical community issues; or foster collaboration across organizations and/or sectors to increase impact and effectiveness.
“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.” For example, 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 are asking for grant projects designed to allow nonprofits and other exempt organizations to prepare young people for success and provide them with skills, knowledge and awareness to inspire and equip them to reach their full potential.”
Youth development grants are intended for programs with broad scope, influencing and addressing educational, career and general life issues. Potential examples include grant projects that promote and facilitate character development, leadership skill development, career awareness, positive mental health, prevention of substance abuse, tolerance and acceptance of others, soft and interpersonal skill development, entrepreneurship education, and preparation for STEM-related training and/or careers.
“We are hoping this year’s focus on youth will be a strong call to action in our community,” added Peterson. “Only 12 of Indiana’s counties have experienced an increase in child population since 2008 and Monroe is one of those counties. This gives us a unique opportunity to become a leader in addressing the many challenges Indiana faces while empowering youth here at home.”
To be considered for funding, applicants must first submit a two-page letter of intent and verification of tax-exempt status to CFBMC by 5 p.m. on September 19. Following review of the letters of intent, selected organizations will be invited to submit full grant proposals, which will be due November 7. Grants will be awarded January 9, 2017.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the generosity of CFBMC donors and the Smithville Charitable Foundation for making this grant initiative possible,” added Peterson.
“We have seen these funds used in amazing ways to address a broad range of community needs,” added Darby McCarty, a governor on the Smithville Charitable Foundation Board of Directors. “We’re excited once again to invest in this initiative and are looking forward to seeing the funded projects make a difference in the lives of Monroe County residents.”
A few examples of recent Impact Grant projects include:
Foundation of Monroe County Community Schools – development of curriculum to enable Grandview Elementary become Bloomington’s first state-accredited STEM school.
New Hope Family Shelter – establishment of an Early Childhood Education Center, a high-quality care and education program for children experiencing poverty in Bloomington and Monroe County.
WonderLab – utilization of a museum-planning consultant to reimagine its environment and exhibits to enhance visitor experience and add science learning throughout.
Centerstone – funding to support three certified mental health first aid instructors to train 200+ concerned Monroe County citizens to support children, adults and veterans facing a mental illness or substance use disorder.
Cardinal State Company – implementation of a new online box office and ticketing system to streamline operations and improve long-term financial management and organizational stability.
Sycamore Land Trust – creation of a 30-acre nature preserve within the Bean Blossom Conservation area, a parcel that is part of larger effort to connect already protected areas between Lake Lemon, Griffy Lake and the White River.
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 $26 million endowment, the Foundation makes a difference by connecting caring people, important causes and community resources.
About Smithville Charitable Foundation: Inspired by altruism, The Smithville Charitable Foundation was established in 2007 as a desire to enrich lives by creating opportunities and bringing necessities to the communities served by Smithville Communications. As a private foundation, Smithville Charitable Foundation works closely with community foundations in the 17 counties of its service territory to support a variety of causes related to religion, education, health, the arts, relief of poverty or distress, and various public organizations.
Applications for the Monroe County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program are now available. Interested high school seniors have until August 31st to submit their applications to be considered for the scholarship program. Finalists for the scholarship will be identified in October and the two 2017 Lilly Endowment Community Scholars for Monroe County will be named in December 2016.
“Our community continues to be blessed with exceptionally talented young people and we’re honored to award Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships to deserving Monroe County students again this year,” said Community Foundation President and CEO Tina Peterson. “To ensure that every eligible student has the opportunity to apply, we want our community to be aware that the timeline for the Lilly Scholar program has changed and applications are due much earlier this year.”
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. 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.
Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are awarded four-year, full tuition scholarships to pursue baccalaureate degrees at colleges or universities in Indiana. The scholarship also includes up to $900 annually for required textbooks and equipment. In selecting recipients for the Monroe County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships, 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 4,000 Indiana high school graduates with more than $300 million in tuition for pursuing baccalaureate degrees at Indiana colleges and universities.
Deadlines for all other donor-established scholarships administered through The Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County will remain unchanged. For more information on the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program or other scholarships administered by CFBMC, visit https://cfbmc.org/lasting-impact/apply-for-a-scholarship/ or contact Marcus Whited, Program Director at 812-333-9016 or [email protected].
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 $26 million endowment, the Foundation makes a difference by connecting caring people, important causes and community resources.
The timeline and deadlines are changing this year for the Monroe County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program and students interested in applying will need to act quickly to complete requirements for participating. The two 2017 Lilly Scholars for Monroe County will be named in December 2016. Previous scholarship recipients were announced in March of the year they graduated from high school. The change affects the program for all Indiana community foundations.
The advanced 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 Scholars earlier in the school year would give more time for them to decide which college or university to attend.
Lilly Scholars are awarded four-year, full tuition scholarships to pursue baccalaureate degrees at colleges or universities in Indiana. The scholarship also includes up to $900 annually for required textbooks and equipment. In selecting recipients for the Monroe County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships, consideration is given to student activities and achievements, community and civic service, academic performance and potential for leadership.
Online applications will be made available on the Community Foundation website this summer. Students planning to apply for the scholarship should expect to submit their completed materials in August. The Community Foundation Board of Director’s is reviewing the new scholarship procedures and the new timeline will be publically announced in June on the CFBMC website.
“For 20 years, the Community Foundation has been given the distinct honor of awarding the Lilly Community Scholarships to deserving Monroe County students,” said Community Foundation President and CEO Tina Peterson. “This community continues to be blessed with exceptionally talented young people and the pool of potential candidates for this scholarship is always highly competitive. To ensure that every eligible student has the opportunity to apply, we want to get information out to the community about this change in deadlines early in order to ensure that students make plans to start their application process this summer in advance of the new deadlines.”
Deadlines for all other donor-established scholarships administered through The Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County will remain unchanged. For more information on the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship or other scholarships administered by CFBMC, visit www.cfbmc.org or contact Marcus Whited, Program Officer at 812-333-9016 or [email protected].
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 $23 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.
