News

Imagining Homelessness As Rare, Brief, And Non-Repeating

By Mary Anne Sterling, Special Contributor

“Heading Home”—such a warmhearted phrase. It conjures up thoughts of a loving, safe place to return to at the end of the day. But for the hundreds of individuals and families experiencing housing insecurities, the notion of heading home is, at best, a hope.

But that notion may be changing for the better. For the past three years, our community has been working behind the scenes on a promising new approach to housing insecurity. We are proud to share a few ways that your generosity and support are creating long-term solutions to make homelessness rare, brief, and non-repeating.

In 2021, the Community Foundation, United Way of Monroe County, and the South Central Housing Network convened a working group of more than 100 people—local and regional service providers, government officials, community members, funders, and people with lived experience—to reimagine a more effective homelessness response. The findings from the group were used to create Heading Home 2021: A Regional Plan for Making Homelessness Rare, Brief, and Non-Repeating, and later that year, a new entity launched, Heading Home of South Central Indiana.

Aside from addressing the factors contributing to housing insecurity—from financial and legal challenges to emotional, physical, and mental health-related matters—the Heading Home working group analyzed best practices, mapped out service gaps, and qualified data needs. “Their collective efforts,” Mary Morgan, Director of Housing Security at Heading Home of South Central Indiana, explains, “resulted in a regionally focused plan to support long-term initiatives to eliminate regional housing insecurity and homelessness across a six-county area, including Monroe, Morgan, Lawrence, Owen, Greene, and Martin counties.” In addition to the original grants from United Way and the Community Foundation to establish Heading Home, the city of Bloomington and Monroe County have contributed about $5 million to the program over five years.

Heading Home Director of Housing Security Mary Moran with Assistant Director Tatiana Wheeler.

Her mandate, Mary says, “is to bring public, private, and nonprofit sectors together to develop and implement structural and systemic change to facilitate the way agencies deliver these critical services to our most vulnerable citizens.”

Heading Home is not a direct provider of services or housing. Rather, it works with an array of partners throughout the region to enhance what they do. For example, Mary explains that “tenants struggle to find current housing listings, and holders of Housing Choice vouchers grapple with finding landlords who will accept their vouchers. We are beta testing a centralized housing navigation resource developed with Myerson Consulting that we expect to launch in February.” This resource, which Heading Home will administer, will provide a single source of accurate, up-to-date information for all regional agencies to use.

At the same time, she adds, “landlords must be part of the solution, as well.” In partnership with the Bloomington Housing Authority, Heading Home is supporting a landlord risk mitigation fund to encourage landlords to accept vouchers.  Another initiative underway is a pilot program to fund landlord-owned housing renovations in exchange for long-term master lease agreements with local agencies. “Our long-term goal,” she says, “is to replicate this program in surrounding counties.”

Heading Home has already achieved much in its first year. It established a partnership with the South Central Housing Network to identify and address shared training and professional development needs across multiple agencies working on housing security. It has also initiated a program with local agencies to decrease homelessness and strengthen housing security for veterans.

With the continuing support and leadership of the Community Foundation, Heading Home spearheaded the idea to join Built for Zero (BFZ) in May 2022, becoming Indiana’s first region to be part of this national network of support to decrease homelessness through a data-driven Housing First approach. “Data is a powerful tool that can change how local homeless response systems work and the impact they can achieve. We are working with BFZ to ensure that community decisions are made using the most accurate information possible.” Mary says that the initiative will ultimately lead to a public data dashboard to show the region’s progress in reducing homelessness. “The Housing First and Built for Zero models show incredible promise in reducing chronic and veteran homelessness in our communities,” she says.

To learn more about each of these Heading Home programs, visit https://headinghomeindiana.org/

Spotlight on New Leaf, New Life

New Leaf, New Life, Inc. (NLNL) was established in early 2005 to address the unmet needs of people in our criminal justice system. For nearly two decades, the organization has helped hundreds of ex-offenders in Monroe County navigate social services and secure the resources they need to succeed upon release.

Jordan McIntire was named Executive Director in 2021. “At my core,” she confides, “I genuinely believe that each of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done. I believe it is our collective responsibility to work together to remove the barriers in our society that chronically oppress people. NLNL provides an opportunity to do just that.”

In addition to Jordan, the staff consists of two full-time professionals, a strong board, an army of volunteers, and a handful of student interns. “They have huge hearts, and their personal experience with incarceration and substance use makes them especially effective,” she adds.

Jordan acknowledges that the Community Foundation “has played a significant role in our ability to affect real change in the lives of our clients and the greater community.” She explains that “one of the most significant needs our clients face is finding and affording stable housing after incarceration.” But funding is extremely limited and difficult to obtain. “Most grants have too many barriers to overcome, such as employment verification, at least two paystubs, or proof of 14+ days of homelessness, not including incarceration,” she added.

“Over the past seven months, we’ve assisted 36 individuals leaving incarceration to obtain stable housing. We’ve focused on assisting people with placement in transitional housing/sober living, so they have a few months to find employment and get back on their feet.” She further explains that, of these 36 individuals, only one has experienced reincarceration, making the program recidivism or relapse rate only 2.7%. “This is a very significant accomplishment that we’re proud of, as one of our overarching goals is to reduce recidivism rates in our community. This wouldn’t be possible without the support of the Community Foundation Heading Home grant.”

By the Numbers: New Leaf New Life Heading Home Grant

36Participants in the Transitional Housing program since July 2022
2.7%Recidivism rate for individuals in the Transitional
Housing program
25.3%Recidivism rate for all New Leaf New Life clients
33.8%Recidivism rate for enter state of Indiana, 2021

Indiana Department of Correction defines adult recidivism as a return to incarceration within three years of the offenderís date of release from a state correctional institution.

“The program is a blessing to me and other women, we come here broken and with low self-esteem, New Leaf New Life gives us hope, provides us with things we need.”

Anonymous

Jordan confides that incarcerated individuals often experience trauma. “Transition support is vital,” she explains, “because people who are incarcerated will be released one day, and they’ll be our neighbors. If they don’t get a chance to redeem themselves, it becomes a vicious cycle that adversely affects our entire community. NLNL works tirelessly to curate opportunities for these individuals. We do this by empowering others – giving a hand-up, not a hand-out.”

You can learn more about New Leaf-New Life on their website, https://newleafnewlife.org/

Other Heading Home Grant Recipients

In Summer 2022, the Community Foundation awarded six nonprofit organizations with Heading Home Grants. A total of $200,000 was awarded as part of this funding initiative.

Beacon, Inc. for a capital campaign feasibility study, architectural designs, and land assessments associated with a new facility that would combine and expand essential services for people experiencing property, hunger, and homelessness. – This grant will enable Beacon, Inc. to explore the development of a multi-tiered building that would centralize and expand essential and emergency services and housing stabilization in one location with co-located space for local health and substance misuse programs.

Bloomington Housing Authority to establish a rent deposit funding program to reduce financial barriers for low-income residents to secure stable housing opportunities. –Available to income-qualified renters, deposit assistance will be provided to an estimated 50-75 individuals per year as zero interest, flexible loans that can be repaid over time in alignment with participant income.

Catholic Charities Bloomington to support the Parent Empowerment and Child Therapy Program, a collaboration with New Hope for Families. – Through this program, low-income families threatened by homelessness will have on-site access to mental health services, including attachment-based child therapy and parenting empowerment support groups. New Hope’s early childcare educators will also receive evidence-based trauma therapy training to support children at the Nest.

Community Justice and Mediation Center (CJAM) to expand no-cost mediation services through the Housing and Eviction Prevention Project, a program that provides free landlord-tenant mediation services, legal advice, social service/rental housing assistance referrals, and court navigation support. This grant will enable CJAM to provide advanced eviction-court mediation training, develop mediator recruitment strategies, and expand its capacity to serve more clients.

Monroe County United Ministries (MCUM) to expand its Self-Sufficiency Center financial assistance program, which provides rent, mortgage, and utility payments for low-income families and individuals at risk of eviction or homelessness. Grant funding will allow MCUM to expand financial assistance to 200 more families and increase Self-Sufficiency Center outreach to landlords and community members.

Because of you and your support of the Community Foundation, Monroe County is taking impactful strides to be a place where everyone has a place to call home. Thank you for making it possible!

Spring Scholarship Applications Now Open!

Through the continued support of our generous donors and community partners, the Community Foundation is proud to administer a number of educational scholarship funds for students in Monroe County.

Applications for the following scholarships are now open and will close later this spring. Please help us get the word out to students and families you know who may be interested in these opportunities!

Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Club Betty Burnett Welke Scholarship

Deadline to apply: March 1, 2023

Amount: It is expected that there will be two awards of up to $2,000.00 each.

In 1932, Elizabeth (Betty) Burnett was initiated into the Indiana Beta Chapter of Pi Beta Phi and served her chapter as the social chairman, rush chairman, and panhellenic representative during her years as an active member. This memorial scholarship honors Betty Burnett’s years of service and commitment to the Pi Beta Phi chapter at Indiana University. View more information about the Pi Beta Phi Scholarship.

Camisha R. Sims Memorial Nursing Scholarship

Deadline to apply: May 1, 2023

Amount: Coming Soon!

This scholarship honors the legacy of Camisha R. Sims, a dedicated nurse who cared selflessly for others and pursued excellence in her field with passion. This scholarship award is designed to support students who need financial assistance to pursue their goals of becoming a nurse like Camisha. Ideal candidates are Monroe County students of color pursuing any level of nursing or similar healthcare-related field. Priority will be given to students already enrolled in a nursing program, though incoming nursing students may be considered as well. View more about the Camisha R. Sims Memorial Nursing Scholarship.

Stinesville High School Alumni Scholarship

Deadline to apply: March 22, 2023

Amount: Two awards expected of $4,000 each.

This scholarship is awarded to an Edgewood High School senior with 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.

Monroe County Ag Day Scholarship

Deadline to apply: March 22, 2023

Amount: Award amounts of up to $1,600.oo is possible. Amount of individual awards varies from year to year.

This scholarship is awarded to a current high school senior who meets at least one of the following criteria: raised on a farm, member/former member of the Monroe County 4-H program, or current member of an FFA chapter in Monroe County. Scholarship(s) may be used for college tuition, fees, books, and/or equipment necessary for coursework. Applicants may major in any area of study; however, preference will be given to those individuals majoring in Agriculture, Home Economics, or Natural Resources. View more information about Monroe County Ag Day Scholarship.

Thomas Moeller Memorial Scholarship

Deadline to apply: May 9, 2023

Amount: Up to $800.00 in awards is possible.

This scholarship was created in honor of Tom Moeller, who was best known for his musical talents and the doors he helped to open for others. This scholarship provides music scholarships/grants to 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, and tuition for music camps. View more information about the Thomas Moeller Memorial Scholarship.

Carl Deal, Jr., Memorial Scholarship

Deadline to apply: March 29, 2023

Amount: Two awards expected of $2,000 each.

This scholarship was created in honor of Carl Deal, Jr.  Mr. Deal felt a strong passion for The Boys & Girls Club and a deep appreciation for its strong commitment to our community as well as its impact on the lives of his family and friends. Carl was a long-time Boys & Girls Club member and wanted to give back to the young people of this community. Upon his death, his friends, co-workers, and family coordinated a fundraiser known as “King’s Blues, BBQ & Funkfest” to raise funds to create a scholarship to be presented annually to a current or former Boys & Girls Club member for post-secondary education or training. View more information about the Carl Deal, Jr., Memorial Scholarship.

Looking for a complete list of scholarships administered by the Community Foundation? Visit the Apply For A Scholarship page.

For specific questions on these or other scholarship opportunities, please contact Program Director Marcus Whited at [email protected] or 812-333-9016.

Feb 7: The Changing Demographics of Giving: What All Nonprofits Need to Know

The Community Foundation invites all nonprofit leaders and their boards to learn from Dr. Una Osili about the latest research and practical considerations nonprofits need to know about engaging and including donors from all backgrounds to achieve their missions.

Featuring Una Osili, Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy

The Community Foundation invites all nonprofit leaders and their boards to learn from Dr. Una Osili about the latest research and practical considerations nonprofits need to know about engaging and including donors from all backgrounds to achieve their missions.

As we consider trends in philanthropy in our communities, one thing is clear: the philanthropic landscape continues to be both complex and rapidly changing. Economic factors, social values, the impact of the changing demographics, and the rapid rise in the use of technology have all played a central role. What are the key factors shaping philanthropy now, and how do they impact nonprofits in our communities? What is the most effective way to engage donors of different backgrounds? How can nonprofits reach young donors now and in the future? Who is giving, and who is getting? This insightful and energized keynote address by Dr. Una Osili, Ph.D., IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, will address these questions and more.

February 7, 2022 | Monroe Convention Center
Continental Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Program begins at 8 a.m.
This is a free event, but registration is required.

About Una Osili

Una Osili serves as the Efroymson Chair in Philanthropy and Economics and Associate Dean for Research and International Programs at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, the world’s first school dedicated to the study of philanthropy. She also serves as Dean’s Fellow for the Mays Family Institute on Diverse Philanthropy.

An internationally recognized scholar in economics, Osili leads the research and publication of Global Philanthropy Tracker and the Global Philanthropy Environment Index, as well as Giving USA, the annual report on American philanthropy. She is the founder of Generosity for Life, a digital platform, and chairs the school’s signature research project, the Philanthropy Panel Study, the most comprehensive study of the generosity of American families over time.

Osili has provided expert testimony at the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, Joint Economic Commission and United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee on philanthropy and international development.

Osili received her Bachelor’s in economics from Harvard University and her MA and Ph.D. in economics from Northwestern University.

Community Foundation awards 15 Community Impact Grants totaling $439,083

The Community Foundation recognized nonprofit organizations receiving competitive grants at its January 12 Community Impact Grant Awards reception.

The Community Foundation recognized nonprofit organizations receiving competitive grants at its January 12 Community Impact Grant Awards reception. A total of $439,083 was awarded from the Foundation’s most recent competitive Community Impact Funding Initiative.

“We are so proud to share that this year’s 15 grants will impact more than 28 nonprofit agencies and organizations,” said President and CEO Tina Peterson. “By finding innovative and inspired ways to collaborate through projects and programs like these, our local nonprofit organizations are maximizing their impact and creating a better place for individuals and families to thrive in Bloomington and Monroe County.”

“These collaborative grants are examples of how local nonprofits are lifting up our community,” added Peterson.

Regularly, the Community Foundation entertains funding requests from 501(c)(3) nonprofit agencies and tax-exempt organizations for projects and programs that benefit the citizens of Bloomington and Monroe County.

The Community Impact Funding Initiative is a competitive grant program designed to fuel innovative ideas and lasting impact in Monroe County through funding opportunities that meet our community’s most pressing needs and seize its most compelling opportunities. In recent years, the Community Foundation has defined specific priorities for this annual funding program, including mental health resiliency, housing security, community vibrancy, quality of place, and rapid COVID-19 response.

This year’s Community Impact Funding Initiative was designed to support a broad range of community needs such as arts and culture, social and health services, education, recreation, beautification and preservation, animal welfare, the environment, and community development. Priority in the evaluation of grant awards was given to projects that incorporate and embrace innovative or transformative solutions to critical community issues; collaboration across organizations and/or sectors to increase impact and effectiveness; and planning for long-term sustainability (when applicable). 

Grants were awarded in amounts ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 for a total of $439,083:

  • Bloomington Economic Development Corporation (with Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce Foundation serving as fiscal agent) to support the implementation of the Monroe County Economic Vitality Project. – Through this initiative, BEDC is convening input from partners and residents to develop a strategy for improving life in Monroe County in five specific focus areas: land use and infrastructure, housing, business and employment creation, workforce, and quality of life.
  • Bloomington Refugee Support Network to assist newly arriving families with essential needs, including legal services and medical treatment. – The Refugee Support Network supports asylum seekers, refugees, and other displaced migrants who flee violence in their home countries. RSN helps families with a new start in Monroe County by providing clothing, food, shelter, medical services, school enrollment, transportation, and immigration advice.
  • Catholic Charities Bloomington Counseling Services to fund 800 Child Therapy Program sessions at Fairview Elementary School. – This evidenced-based therapy program increases the accessibility of mental health care for children experiencing poverty, food and housing scarcity, and generational trauma. By decreasing family barriers such as travel or after-work appointments, this school-embedded program, combined with at-home techniques for parents, serves as a preventative tool to address trauma and prevent future cycles of poverty.
  • Constellation Stage & Screen for operational expenses associated with the reopening of Waldron Arts Center. – Following the three-way merger of Bloomington Playwrights Project, Cardinal Stage, and Pigasus Pictures, Constellation launched its new business model and will utilize grant funds for the management, renovation, and the recent reopening of the Waldron Arts Center.
  • Exodus Refugee Immigration for intensive case management services. – In October 2021, Exodus was approved by the U.S. State Department to open a resettlement site for refugees in Bloomington. Grant funding will support needs assessments, language translation services, and financial assistance for an estimated 20-50 refugees in 2023.
  • Foundation of Monroe County Community Schools for developmental informed trauma training for up to 40 early childhood educators and administrators. – This grant will enable early educators at MCCSC, New Hope for Families, Monroe County United Ministries, and South Central Community Action Program to participate in trainings on trauma-informed practices, including triggers and how to manage them; the role of relationships and interventions in building resilience; and stress reduction strategies for children, families, and service providers. The outcome of these trainings will be the creation of trauma-informed learning environments that help children prepare for success in school.
  • Girls Inc. for 60 girls ages 9-14 to participate in the SheLeads summer camp program. –This grant will fund camp activities, including scholarships for girls referred by the Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative (JDAI). Through a series of challenges and activities that inspires girls to be strong, smart, and bold, camp participants work together to overcome gender stereotypes, take positive risks, and improve their confidence while focusing on goal setting and independence.
  • Indiana Solar for All (Center for Sustainable Living serving as the fiscal agent) for the installation of eight solar arrays on low-income homes. – A volunteer-run project of the Center for Sustainable Living, Indiana Solar for All provides low-income homeowners with training, guidance, and the materials to install solar energy systems for their homes. This grant will fund solar systems for homeowners making 25%-80% of the Area’s Median Income to reduce their disproportionate energy cost burden while reducing the community’s carbon emissions.
  • Lake Monroe Water Fund for water quality initiatives related to fertilizer management. – Phosphorus and nitrogen that wash into waterways from fertilizer runoff contribute to harmful algal blooms and oxygen-depleted water. Algal blooms in Lake Monroe have become more frequent in recent years. This project aims to reduce harmful nutrients flowing into Lake Monroe by partnering with the Monroe County Soil & Water Conservation District (MCSWCD) to provide professional soil health advice and free soil testing to landowners on up to 570 properties covering 570-5700 acres in the Lake Monroe watershed.
  • Monroe County Court Appointed Special Advocates for the “Interrupting Racism for Children” training program for staff, board members, and volunteers that work with children. –Assessments and comprehensive training sessions will allow advocates to confront bias, individual racism, and institutional racism and empower them with tools to create outcomes where children thrive and race does not predict their life outcomes.
  • Peoples Cooperative Market for the Sponsored Box Program for families served by Middle Way House, Pantry 279, and New Hope for Families. – A volunteer-run farmers’ market, People Cooperative Market promotes food justice for marginalized farmers and access to local food for socially vulnerable populations. Grant funding will be used to buy local nutrient-dense food, including produce, meat, eggs, dairy, and bread, for distribution to individuals and families who utilize pantries or shelters and are experiencing food insecurity.
  • People and Animal Learning Services (PALS) for the Changing Leads program. – A partnership with Amethyst House and Centerstone, this grant will help provide equine-assisted adaptive group therapy to 20 individuals in treatment for substance use disorder. Through this program, participants develop a bond with horses, learn how to build trusting relationships, care for others, control impulses, and decrease stress and sadness.
  • RoboBoosters for fabrication equipment, tools, and hardware. – RoboBoosters is supporting the transition of two school-based FIRST robotics teams (The Quandrangles & I.C.E. Robotics) to community-based teams. This grant will help to fund replacement equipment to set the teams up for a successful transition and inspire a passion for STEM in a wider audience of students in a new location, the Indiana University Luddy Multidisciplinary Engineering & Science Hall.
  • Town of Ellettsville to help preserve a historic log cabin and relocate it from Vine Street to the Heritage Trail near the Ellettsville Town Hall. – Following its relocation, this donated 558-square-foot log cabin constructed in the 1880s will undergo restoration so that visitors can enter and learn about its history in the community.
  • WFHB Community Radio for expenses associated with partnering with Limestone Post on a new weekly series called Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Investigate. – Grant funding will be used to conduct audience engagement workshops, reach underserved communities, and cover important local topics, including community health, housing, the environment, and local government.

This year’s community Impact Grants were awarded from the Community Foundation’s Unrestricted Endowment Fund, select field of interest and donor advice funds, and collaborative funding provided by Community Foundation partners, including the Smithville Charitable Foundation. 

“We are grateful for our 10-year partnership between the Community Foundation and Smithville Charitable Foundation and the generosity of donors for entrusting us to invest in innovative programs and ideas that improve the quality of life for all who call Bloomington and Monroe County home,” added Peterson.

Competitive Grant Initiatives Since 2019

In addition to grants awarded as part of the 2022-2023 Community Impact Funding Initiative, the Community Foundation utilized its January 12 reception to recognize all of the agencies awarded competitive grants since 2020.

  • In August 2022, the Foundation awarded $200,000 to six organizations as part of its Heading Home grant initiative. Read more.
  • In December 2021, the Foundation awarded $154,000 to nine organizations as part of its Creating Community grant initiative. Read more.
  • In November 2021, the Foundation awarded $150,000 to eight organizations as part of its Mental Health Resiliency grant initiative. Read more.

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 more than $30 million since its incorporation in 1990. With a growing $42 million endowment, the Foundation makes a difference by connecting caring people, important causes, and community resources. For more information, visit www.cfbmc.org.

Jan 12: Community Impact Grant Awards

Join us for the Community Impact Grant Awards, a special reception to recognize and honor the Community Impact Grant recipients!

Join us for the Community Impact Grant Awards, a special reception to recognize and honor the Community Impact Grant recipients!

When: Thursday, January 12, 4:30 p.m.

Where: John Waldron Arts Center
122 S Walnut Street, Bloomington, IN 47404

Please RSVP by January 12. For event questions, please contact us at (812) 333-9016 or [email protected].

Jake Keller and Grace McKay awarded Monroe County’s 2023 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships

The Community Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2023 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships for Monroe County – Jake Keller and Grace McKay.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Community Foundation of Bloomington & Monroe County is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2023 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships for Monroe County – Jake Keller and Grace McKay. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are known for their community involvement, academic achievement, character, and leadership.

“Each year, we are inspired by the accomplishments of our community’s young people, and this year is no exception, said Community Foundation President and CEO Tina Peterson. “Jake and Grace have both demonstrated excellence in academics, leadership, and service. They have also found unique ways to pursue their passions and extend their learning experiences within the community. We look forward to following their academic journeys and hope one day they will choose to seek our fulfilling careers here in Monroe County or in the Indiana Uplands region.”

Each Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship provides for full tuition, required fees and a special allocation of up to $900 per year for required books and required equipment for four years. The scholarship is for undergraduate students studying on a full-time basis leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars may also participate in the Lilly Scholars Network (LSN), which connects both current scholars and alumni with resources and opportunities to be active leaders on their campuses and in their communities. Both the scholarship program and LSN are supported by grants from Lilly Endowment to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) and Indiana Humanities.

Jake Keller is a senior at Bloomington High School South (BHSS) and the son of Amy and Joe Keller. He is the president of Dance Marathon at BHSS and a co-founder of the Community Outreach Association, a club focused on organizing volunteer opportunities on behalf of students and local nonprofits. Keller is a member of the National Honor Society, the BHSS Cross Country and Track and Field teams, and Songs of South.

With an interest in video and filmmaking, Jake has sought out opportunities to hone his production and editing skills. He has operated cameras with the Sherwood Oaks Christian Church production team and partnered with the Monroe County Community School Corporation to produce a promotional video highlighting the STEM-to-Them Mobile Lab. He also founded the Bloomington Media Club to help teens get more hands-on videomaking experiences through partnerships with local nonprofits and businesses.

“I am so grateful to have been chosen to receive this scholarship,” said Jake Keller. “The process was long, but all of the people involved were incredibly kind and helpful, which I am so appreciative of. I also want to say a special thank you to my family and friends who support me in all of my endeavors.”

Grace McKay is a senior at Bloomington High School South and the daughter of Kimberly and Joel McKay. McKay is captain of the Bloomington South Soccer team and a member of the National Honor Society, basketball team, and Unified Track and Field teams. She is also a student leader with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Best Buddies, and the DECA clubs at BHSS.

Grace has a passion for service and helping others in our community. Through involvement with Sherwood Oaks Christian Church, she has served as a middle school group leader, high school ministry leader, summer camp counselor, and Parents Night Out volunteer. Grace has also served meals at Wheeler Mission and Redbud Hills retirement community.

“Having met all the other highly qualified finalists, I feel extremely honored that the Community Foundation chose me as one of the winners this year,” said Grace McKay. “Saying ‘thank you’ doesn’t come close to describing my gratitude for the opportunity I’ve been given as a Lilly Scholar.”

The Community Foundation has also announced that Monroe County’s eight other 2023 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship finalists will each receive $1,000 scholarships to use at a college or university of their choosing:

  • Felicia Bolander, Edgewood High School
  • Clara Crain, Edgewood High School
  • Advaith Iyengar, Bloomington High School North
  • Carina Jacobson, Bloomington High School South
  • Connor Shin, Bloomington High School North
  • Jack Steiner, Bloomington High School North
  • Hazel Stringer, Bloomington High School South
  • Hayden Wilson, Edgewood High School

“Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship applicants represent so much hope for our community and Indiana’s future,” said Jessika Hane, chair of Monroe County’s Scholarship Committee. “We continue to be amazed and astounded by the accomplishments, leadership, and service of our community’s rising generation. The scholarship selection process is never easy, but we are inspired by all of these high school seniors and confident that their futures are bright.”

Monroe County’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Application Process

Monroe County’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship recipients were selected from among applications submitted by students from six of the 11 high schools that serve Monroe County students. Eligible schools include The Academy of Science and Entrepreneurship, Covenant Christian School, Bloomington Graduation School, Bloomington High School North, Bloomington High School South, Edgewood High School, Harmony School, Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics & Humanities, Lighthouse Christian Academy, and Seven Oaks Classical School.

Applications for the 2023 scholarship were blindly reviewed and independently scored by representatives from each high school to identify semifinalists. The number of identified semifinalists reflects each school’s senior class size.

Each semifinalist was invited to submit an updated application, which included additional application questions and recommendations. The Community Foundation’s Scholarship Selection Committee then evaluated the completed semifinalist applications. This committee, comprised of community members, blindly reviewed and scored applications from the semifinalists to select ten finalists. In selecting 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.

The finalists were interviewed by the Foundation’s Scholarship Selection Committee, and their interview scores were combined with scoring from their written applications. The finalists’ rankings, along with the committee’s recommendations for scholarship nominees, were submitted to ICI, the statewide administrator of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program, which approves the final selection of scholarship recipients.

Lilly Endowment created the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program for the 1998-99 school year and has supported the program every year since with grants totaling in excess of $486 million. More than 5,000 Indiana students have received the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship since the program’s inception.

The primary purposes of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program are: 1) to help raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana; 2) to increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations can play in their communities; and 3) to encourage and support the efforts of current and past Lilly Endowment Community Scholars to engage with each other and with Indiana business, governmental, educational, nonprofit and civic leaders to improve the quality of life in Indiana generally and in local communities throughout the state.

For more information on the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program or other scholarships administered by CFBMC, visit https://www.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 more than $27 million since its incorporation in 1990. With a growing $44 million endowment, the Foundation makes a difference by connecting caring people, important causes, and community resources.

About Lilly Endowment Inc.:
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. Although the gifts of stock remain a financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff, and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education, and religion. The Endowment funds significant programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion. However, it maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.

About Independent Colleges of Indiana:
Since 1997, Independent Colleges of Indiana has administered the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program statewide with funding provided by Lilly Endowment. Founded in 1948, ICI serves as the collective voice for the state’s 29 private, nonprofit colleges and universities. ICI institutions employ over 22,000 Hoosiers and generate a total local economic impact of over $5 billion annually. Students at ICI colleges have Indiana’s highest four-year, on-time graduation rates, and ICI institutions produce 30 percent of Indiana’s bachelor’s degrees while enrolling 20 percent of its undergraduates.

Get to Know Monroe County’s Finalists for the 2023 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship

This video was shown at the Community Foundation’s Annual Report to the Community on November 15, 2022. The theme of the event focused on how we, as an organization and as a community, lift people and each other up (through our work, through our words, and through our actions).

Each of these high school seniors excels in their academics, gives back to their communities, and exhibits civic responsibility. We’re proud to share a little be of each of them with you!

To see photos from the event, click here.

Photo Gallery: 2022 Annual Report to the Community

On November 15, we hosted the Community Foundation’s 2022 Annual Report to the Community. It was an honor and pleasure to celebrate the students, organizations, and people that lift our community up! Thank you to everyone that was able to celebrate with us!

On November 15, we hosted the Community Foundation’s 2022 Annual Report to the Community. It was an honor and pleasure to celebrate the students, organizations, and people that lift our community up! Thank you to everyone that was able to celebrate with us!

Ten high school seniors selected as finalists for Monroe County’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships

The Community Foundation has announced that 10 high school seniors have been selected as finalists for the 2023 Monroe County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program. The finalists will be honored at the Community Foundation’s Annual Report to the Community on Tuesday, November 15.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Community Foundation has announced that 10 high school seniors have been selected as finalists for the 2023 Monroe County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program. The finalists will be honored at the Community Foundation’s Annual Report to the Community on Tuesday, November 15.

Monroe County’s 2023 Lilly Scholarship finalists include:

  • Felicia Bolander, Edgewood High School
  • Clara Crain, Edgewood High School
  • Advaith Iyengar, Bloomington High School North
  • Carina Jacobson, Bloomington High School South
  • Jake Keller, Bloomington High School South
  • Grace McKay, Bloomington High School South
  • Connor Shin, Bloomington High School North
  • Jack Steiner, Bloomington High School North
  • Hazel Stringer, Bloomington High School South
  • Hayden Wilson, Edgewood High School

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 Monroe County, two students are awarded Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships each year.

Among their many accomplishments, this year’s Monroe County Lilly Scholarship finalists have participated in more than 50 school organizations clubs and sports, volunteered for over 40 organizations, and worked in more than 20 local businesses.

They have pursued and created internships and work experiences to explore their future career paths and have translated ideas into new organizations, clubs, and businesses. As engaged members of the community, that have impacted many local nonprofits including Area 10 Agency on Aging, City of Bloomington, Community Kitchen, Habitat for Humanity, Hoosier Hills Food Bank, Justice Unlocked, New Hope for Families, Middle Way House, People and Animal Learning Services, Pantry 279, Salvation Army, Wheeler Mission, WonderLab, YMCA, and many others.

“In the midst of the pandemic, this exceptional group of young people did more than persevere,” said Tina Peterson, Community Foundation’s president and CEO. “This year’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship finalists have shown remarkable motivation to take control of their futures by pursuing their passions, leading by example, and demonstrating kindness.”

“While we always regret that only two of these amazing high school seniors will ultimately receive the Lilly Scholarship, we are proud to recognize each of their accomplishments and hope that many of them will choose to stay in Indiana as they continue their educations and begin their careers.”

The Community Foundation’s Annual Report to the Community begins at 4:30 p.m. on November 15 in Shreve Hall at Ivy Tech Bloomington (200 Daniels Way, Bloomington, IN 47404). This annual event is a celebration of the Foundation’s past year of connecting caring people, important causes, and community resources. More information can be found at: https://cfbmc.org/

Monroe County’s Lilly Scholarship Application Process

Monroe County’s finalists were selected from among 21 semifinalists and 84 applications submitted by students from six of the 11 high schools that serve Monroe County students. Eligible schools include The Academy of Science and Entrepreneurship, Covenant Christian School, Bloomington Graduation School, Bloomington High School North, Bloomington High School South, Edgewood High School, Harmony School, Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics & Humanities, Lighthouse Christian Academy, and Seven Oaks Classical School.

Applications for the 2023 scholarship were blindly reviewed and independently scored by representatives from each high school to identify semifinalists. The number of identified semifinalists reflects each school’s senior class size.

Each semifinalist was invited to submit an updated application, which included additional application questions and recommendations. The Community Foundation’s Scholarship Selection Committee then evaluated the completed semifinalist applications. This committee, comprised of community members, blindly reviewed and scored applications from the semifinalists to select ten finalists. In selecting 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.

Finalists were interviewed during the week of October 17, and finalist interview scores combined with scoring from the written application. The finalists’ rankings, along with the committee’s recommendations for scholarship nominees, are submitted to Independent Colleges of Indiana, Inc. for final selection of scholarship recipients for Monroe County. The two 2023 Lilly Endowment Community Scholars for Monroe County will be named in December 2022.

Lilly Endowment created the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program for the 1998-1999 school year and has supported the program every year since with tuition grants totaling in excess of $439 million. Administered statewide by Independent Colleges of Indiana, Inc. with local support from Indiana community foundations, more than 5,000 Indiana high school students have been awarded the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship since the program’s inception.

The primary purposes of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program are 1) to help raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana; 2) to increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations can play in their communities; and 3) to encourage and support the efforts of current and past Lilly Endowment Community Scholars to engage with each other and with Indiana business, governmental, educational, nonprofit and civic leaders to improve the quality of life in Indiana generally and in local communities throughout the state.

For more information on the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program or other scholarships administered by CFBMC, visit https://www.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 $28.9 million to more than 400 local nonprofit organizations since its incorporation in 1990. With a growing $44 million endowment, the Foundation makes a difference by connecting caring people, important causes, and community resources.

Nov 15: Annual Report to the Community

Join us to celebrate the past year of connecting caring people, important causes, and community resources.

Join us to celebrate the past year of connecting caring people, important causes, and community resources.

ANNUAL REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY
Tuesday, November 15, 2022
Program at 4:30 p.m. Cocktail reception to follow.

Ivy Tech Shreve Hall
200 Daniels Way
Bloomington, IN 47404
Directions

To RSVP by November 10, send an email to [email protected] or call Emily Hannon at (812) 333-9016.