Category: News

The Community Foundation of Bloomington & Monroe County is proud to announce the recipients of Monroe County’s 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships – Sophia Craiutu and Tamanah Fazel.

Including Monroe County’s two scholarship recipients, the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program (LECSP) will provide 147 scholarships statewide. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are known for their community involvement, academic achievement, character, and leadership.

LECSP scholarships may be used for otherwise unreimbursed full tuition, required fees, and a special allocation of up to $900 per year. The special allocation may cover the required books and equipment costs for four years of undergraduate study on a full-time basis, leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university. The program is administered statewide by Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) and locally through the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County.

Sophia Craiutu is a Bloomington High School North (BHSN) senior. Her parents are Aurelian Craiutu and Christina Craiutu.

At Bloomington North, Sophia is Cougars for Change’s co-president, Bridge USA president, and co-publicist with the Student Council. Sophia’s other school activities have included Cougar Leaders, United Nations (School SDGs), and Letters for Rose.

Outside of school, Sophia has been a competitive figure skater for over 8 years and is a lead coach at Frank Southern Ice Arena. She has also been actively involved with the Monroe County Youth Advisory Council, Bloomington’s NextGen Advocacy Program, the Bloomington chapter of the National Organization for Women, Braver Angles, the American Cancer Society Action Network, and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Sophia is also an Institute for Youth in Policy Fellow and a Civics Unplugged Fellow.

Sophia’s interest in public policy, current events, and international issues led her to co-found Global Learners. Through this organization, high school students work with K-8th grade students to get them interested in current events, news, global issues, politics, and policy through approachable lessons and hands-on activities.

The idea for Global Learners came to Sophia after spending summers in Romania with her family, where she realized that her U.S. elementary education system had not included much focus on international news and events.

“I thought of Romania and Bloomington as two separate worlds, through which no apparent efforts could be made to bring connection,” said Sophia. “I found power in my age, realizing that it didn’t matter that I was young– I could bridge my two worlds and provide younger students with the opportunity to learn about what was happening there. I began my organization, Global Learners, to connect Bloomington and Fundatiça, but it soon expanded and ended up connecting communities far beyond mine as well. It brought me a sense of connection. I became a bridge builder.”

“I cannot express how grateful I am for this opportunity from the Community Foundation and the Lilly Endowment,” added Sophia. “I aim to pursue an education centered around advocating for those around me and promoting equitable policy — this scholarship will make my journey that much more impactful.”

Tamanah Fazel is a Bloomington High School South (BHSS) senior. Tamanah’s parents are Solaiman Fazel and Megan Fazel.

At Bloomington South, Tamanah is president of DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) and BPA (Business Professionals of America) and has led fundraising activities for the Women Empowerment Club, Dance Marathon, and Asian Culture Club. Tamanah’s other school activities have included Diversity Club, Student Council, Debate Club, Students Advocating for a Greener Environment, and Girls Soccer.

Outside of school, Tamanah has studied Taekwondo and piano for over 10 years, mentoring and instructing younger students in both, and volunteered at WonderLab and Indiana University’s Science Fest.

In 2021, following the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan, Tamanah had the opportunity to meet, comfort, and serve as a translator to evacuees relocated to Indiana’s Camp Atterbury.

“The young women I met shared their difficult journeys to the United States,” said Tamanah. “They endured a lot to escape the Taliban suppression and restrictions.”

This experience inspired Tamanah to study finance and start her own nonprofit to help women become independent through financial literacy and education.

“I hope to play a part in a future where women can be the masters of their destinies and have access to education and employment. My experiences since 2021 have not only reshaped my perspective but also strengthened my resolve to drive change in the realm of women’s rights and economic independence.”

“I’m incredibly thankful for my family, friends, and teachers for the endless support throughout the years,” added Tamanah. “I would also like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the Lilly Endowment and Community Foundation for this amazing opportunity. I’m so grateful and honored.”

“Sophia and Tamanah are shining examples of the talented and compassionate young leaders emerging from Monroe County and the Indiana Uplands region,” said Community Foundation President and CEO Tina Peterson. “Their achievements, determination, and drive are a testament to the potential of young people everywhere. We proudly welcome them to the Lilly Endowment Community Scholars network and look forward to following their successes as they embark on their academic journeys.”

The Community Foundation has also announced that Monroe County’s eight other 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship finalists will each receive $1,000 scholarships to use at a college or university of their choosing. Congratulations to Monroe County’s 2025 JP Morgan Chase Bank and Community Foundation Scholarship recipients:

• Gabrielle Buckley, Edgewood High School
• Zoe Gray, Bloomington High School South
• Isha Harbaugh, Bloomington High School South
• Koel Harbaugh, Bloomington High School South
• Gavin Kocher, Bloomington High School North
• Wren Millick, Edgewood High School
• MaKenzie Rayles, Bloomington High School South
• Trinity Vuyyuri, Lighthouse Christian Academy

“This year’s finalists for Monroe County’s Lilly Scholarships have all demonstrated outstanding achievement in academics, leadership, and community service,” said Peterson. “Although we can only select two Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships for Monroe County, we are proud to award each of these deserving students with a Community Foundation scholarship to support their continued academic pursuits.’”

Evaluation Process for Monroe County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships:

Monroe County’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship recipients were selected from among 110 applications submitted by students from six of the ten 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.

CFBMC’s Board of Directors establishes the criteria and selection process for selecting Monroe County’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship recipients. A student who demonstrates notable abilities, leadership skills, civic potential through community service, exemplary school citizenship, and outstanding academic performance are considered for this scholarship opportunity.

High school seniors submit scholarship applications between July and August. Applications are blindly reviewed and independently scored by members of a Lilly Scholarship committee at each Monroe County high school to identify semifinalists. The size of each high school’s senior class size determines the number of semifinalists identified.

Next, semifinalists submit additional content and references. The Community Foundation Scholarship Selection Committee, comprised of community members and a former Monroe County Lilly Scholar, blindly reviews and scores applications from the semifinalists to select ten finalists. Each finalist is interviewed in October, and their interview scores are combined with scoring from the written applications.

The finalists’ rankings, along with the committee’s recommendations, are then submitted to Independent Colleges of Indiana, Inc. for final selection of scholarship recipients for Monroe County prior to the formal announcement in December.

Lilly Endowment created LECSP for the 1997-98 school year and has supported the program every year since with tuition grants totaling more than $490 million. More than 5,300 Indiana students have received Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships since the program’s inception.

The primary purposes of LECSP 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.

The LECS program has helped launch successful careers in fields such as medicine, education, engineering, and journalism. Many Lilly Scholars have remained in the local community and are active in the Lilly Scholars Network, connecting them with resources and opportunities for leadership, civic engagement, and community involvement.

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].

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 $50 million to more than 400 local nonprofit organizations since its incorporation in 1990. With a growing $45 million endowment, the Foundation makes a difference by connecting caring people, important causes, and community resources.

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. Since 1997, Independent Colleges of Indiana has administered the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program statewide with funding provided by Lilly Endowment Inc. 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. 

Create positive impact with us! Join an organization designed to make a difference, positioned to change the future, and ready for talent like yours. If you are willing to take the initiative, we have an opportunity for you to connect with a professional culture of innovation and collaboration while improving the quality of life for all who call our community and region home.

The Accounting and HR Assistant works closely with the Controller to support effective and streamlined financial systems and human resources (HR) functions of the Community Foundation and its affiliated organizations – Regional Opportunity Initiatives, CDFI Friendly Bloomington, and the Uplands Science and Technology Foundation.

For more details and how to apply, view the full Accounting and HR Assistant Description.

Chris and Erin Martoglio with daughters Aurelia and Jasmine.

Chris and Erin Martoglio believe that being committed to community can create lasting change, one stride at a time.

As a lawyer in Bloomington focused on business and estate planning, Erin’s professional path led her to work in charitable gifts advising, where she crossed paths with Brian Yeley. Yeley was the Board Chair at the Community Foundation and nominated her to join the Community Foundation Board in 2021. “The Community Foundation Board is a knowledgeable group of people that passionately care about the community,” Erin reflects.

Chris, an entrepreneur who founded a consulting firm, Blue Burro, also brings a wealth of experience and a passion for giving back to this community. Erin and Chris met through their shared love of running and continue to run together with their twin daughters, Aurelia and Jasmine. Erin was inspired by her grandmother, who continued to run into her late 80s.

In 2023, they chose to devote some of their philanthropy towards this passion and established the Long Run Fund to support cross country programs in local schools. “We wanted our fund to support the team that shows up in jeans because they don’t have uniforms or the kid who doesn’t have the right shoes,” Erin shares. “Running has been such a big part of our lives, and we want to ensure that every child has the opportunity to participate.”

Aurelia and Jasmine, now juniors in high school, embraced the family passion for running by participating in cross country. Erin and Chris believe cross country is a meaningful sport, saying, “It’s a lifetime sport; it can visit you throughout your life.” The Long Run Fund represents a financial commitment and a legacy of community involvement that they hope will inspire their daughters.

At the same time, Erin and Chris created the Martoglio Family Fund, an unrestricted fund that aims to address various community needs. “We heard the Lilly Endowment was providing matching dollars for unrestricted funds at the Community Foundation, and we thought it was a great opportunity,” Chris explains. “If you are going to be charitable, multiplying the amount for your fund is just incredible.”

Erin and Chris are committed to making a difference in their community, especially during challenging times. “Unrestricted funds at the Community Foundation were used to meet the emergency needs of Monroe County during COVID-19,” Chris notes.

Their trust in the Community Foundation stems from its ability to respond to evolving community needs. “They have a good finger on the pulse of what the community needs,” Erin adds.

As they look ahead, Erin and Chris hope their efforts will encourage others to get involved. “I hope that other people will see that they can create a similar fund,” Erin states.

“Our goal for the Martoglio Family Fund is to invest in the community without a predefined direction,” Chris explains. “We believe in the discipline of the Community Foundation’s allocations. It’s a springboard for lasting impact.”

By working with the Foundation, the Martoglio family is not just contributing funds; they’re building a legacy that will benefit Monroe County for generations to come.

Ten high school seniors have been selected as finalists for the 2025 Monroe County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program. Congratulations to these exceptional students:

• Gabrielle Buckley, Edgewood High School
• Sophia Craiutu, Bloomington High School North
• Tamanah Fazel, Bloomington High School South
• Zoe Gray, Bloomington High School South
• Isha Harbaugh, Bloomington High School South
• Koel Harbaugh, Bloomington High School South
• Gavin Kocher, Bloomington High School North
• Wren Millick, Edgewood High School
• MaKenzie Rayles, Bloomington High School South
• Trinity Vuyyuri, Lighthouse Christian Academy

“Every year, we are inspired and encouraged by Monroe County’s young leaders, and this year is no exception,” said Community Foundation President and CEO Tina Peterson. “This year’s Lilly Scholarship finalists were selected from a group of 110 remarkable high school seniors in Monroe County who excel as leaders in their schools and our community. While only two of these impressive high school seniors will receive Monroe County’s Lilly Scholarship, we are proud to recognize each of our community’s finalists and their accomplishments,” added Peterson.

Among their many accomplishments, this year’s Monroe County Lilly Scholarship finalists have participated and held leadership roles in more than 40 school clubs and organizations, including Student Councils, Academic Super Bowl, Science Olympiad, National Honor Society, Women Empowerment Club, Environmental Club, DECA, Debate Team, Asian Culture Club, Spanish Club, French Club, Global Learners, 4H, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and many more.

In sports, this year’s finalists have been active in soccer, softball, cross country, track and field, tennis, golf, swimming, taekwondo, figure skating, cheerleading, and lacrosse. They have also pursued a variety of fine arts such as writing, photography, marching and concert band, ballet, piano, choir, show choir, and theater.

As engaged community members, they have demonstrated service to the community as volunteers, activists, advocates, and fundraisers. Among the local nonprofits that their service has impacted are local churches, senior centers, Jill’s House, WonderLab, Salvation Army, Community Kitchen, American Cancer Society, Kiwanis International, IU Science Fest, Fourth Street Arts Festival, Riley Dance Marathon, Braver Angels, and many others.

They have all also found time for work-based learning and work experiences through summer internships, jobs, and self-employment as tutors, camp counselors, caregivers, photographers, babysitters, dog sitters, coaches, bakers, lifeguards, restaurant hostesses, sales associates, and clinic assistants.

The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program (LECSP) will provide 147 scholarships statewide and two in Monroe County. LECSP scholarships may be used for otherwise unreimbursed full tuition, required fees, and a special allocation of up to $900 per year. The special allocation may cover the required books and equipment costs for four years of undergraduate study on a full-time basis, leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university.

The program is administered statewide by Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) and locally in Monroe County through the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County.

“The Lilly Endowment and Independent Colleges of Indiana are opening doors and encouraging high school students to pursue their college dreams right here in Indiana,” added Peterson. “Ultimately, we hope all of this year’s applicants will elect to not only stay in Indiana for post-secondary education but will also choose to begin their careers and make the Indiana Uplands region their home.”

Monroe County’s finalists were selected from among 21 semifinalists and 110 applications submitted by students from six of the ten 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.

Evaluation Process for Monroe County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships:

CFBMC’s Board of Directors establishes the criteria and selection process for selecting Monroe County’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship recipients. A student who demonstrates notable abilities, leadership skills, civic potential through community service, exemplary school citizenship, and outstanding academic performance are considered for this scholarship opportunity. 

High school seniors submit scholarship applications between July and August. Applications are blindly reviewed and independently scored by members of a Lilly Scholarship committee at each Monroe County high school to identify semifinalists. The size of each high school’s senior class size determines the number of semifinalists identified. 

Next, semifinalists submit additional content and references. The Community Foundation Scholarship Selection Committee, comprised of community members and a former Monroe County Lilly Scholar, blindly reviews and scores applications from the semifinalists to select ten finalists. Each finalist is interviewed in October, and their interview scores are combined with scoring from the written applications. 

The finalists’ rankings, along with the committee’s recommendations, are then submitted to Independent Colleges of Indiana, Inc. for final selection of scholarship recipients for Monroe County prior to the formal announcement in December.

Lilly Endowment created LECSP for the 1997-98 school year and has supported the program every year since with tuition grants totaling more than $490 million. More than 5,300 Indiana students have received Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships since the program’s inception.

The primary purposes of LECSP 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. 

The LECS program has helped launch successful careers in fields such as medicine, education, engineering and journalism. Many Lilly Scholars have remained in the local community and are active in the Lilly Scholars Network, connecting them with resources and opportunities for leadership, civic engagement, and community involvement.

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].

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 $50 million to more than 400 local nonprofit organizations since its incorporation in 1990. With a growing $45 million endowment, the Foundation makes a difference by connecting caring people, important causes, and community resources.

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.

Since 1997, Independent Colleges of Indiana has administered the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program statewide with funding provided by Lilly Endowment Inc. 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. 

The new Community Kitchen Express Location is nearing completion! The Community Foundation recently awarded a $50,000 grant to support this upgraded facility, which provides carryout meals for families experiencing food insecurity.

“Since 2000, the Express Location has continually provided critical access to nutritious meals for Crestmont neighborhood residents and the surrounding area,” said Community Foundation President and CEO Tina Peterson. “The Foundation has such confidence in Community Kitchen and appreciated the opportunity to invest in its broad mission over the years. This investment in a new facility will enhance Community Kitchen’s ability to serve patrons and those in need with dignity for years to come.”

The Express Location will continue to provide warm and cold carryout meals and will feature a new consulting room where patrons can discuss other services with referral specialists. Completion is scheduled for this fall. Stay tuned for updates!

Twenty-one high school seniors selected from six area schools as semifinalists for Monroe County’s two 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County (CFBMC) has announced that 21 high school seniors have been selected as semifinalists for the 2025 Monroe County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program. Congratulations to these exceptional students:

• Audrey Adams, Bloomington High School South
• Gabrielle Buckley, Edgewood High School
• Sophia Craiutu, Bloomington High School North
• Daniel Crum, Seven Oaks Classical School
• Tamanah Fazel, Bloomington High School South
• Mayah Fish, Bloomington High School North
• Zoe Gray, Bloomington High School South
• Isha Harbaugh, Bloomington High School South
• Koel Harbaugh, Bloomington High School South
• Gavin Kocher, Bloomington High School North
• Wren Millick, Edgewood High School
• Gabriel Oliger, Bloomington High School South
• MaKenzie Rayles, Bloomington High School South
• Lilah Reed, Bloomington High School North
• Ashton Shalley, Academy of Science and Entrepreneurship
• Sara Shedd, Bloomington High School North
• Aiden Shin, Bloomington High School North
• Kate Thies, Bloomington High School North
• Trinity Vuyyuri, Lighthouse Christian Academy
• Luke Waugh, Edgewood High School
• Danielle Yang, Bloomington High School South

The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program (LECSP) will provide 147 scholarships statewide and two scholarships in Monroe County. LECSP scholarships may be used for otherwise unreimbursed full tuition, required fees, and a special allocation of up to $900 per year. The special allocation may cover the costs for required books and required equipment for four years of undergraduate study on a full-time basis leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university.

The program is administered statewide by Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) and locally in Monroe County through the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County.

Monroe County’s semifinalists were selected from among 110 applications submitted by students from seven of the ten 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. 

Evaluation Process for Monroe County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships:

Applications are blindly reviewed and independently scored by members of a Lilly Scholarship committee at each Monroe County high school to identify semifinalists. The number of semifinalists identified is determined by each school’s senior class size. 

Next, semifinalists submit additional content and references from schools and other members of the community. The Community Foundation Scholarship Selection Committee then evaluates the semifinalist applications. This committee, comprised of community members and former Monroe County Lilly Scholars, blindly reviews and scores applications from the semifinalists to select ten finalists. In October, each finalist will be interviewed, and their interview scores will be combined with scoring from the written applications. 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’ rankings, along with the committee’s recommendations for scholarship nominees, are then submitted to Independent Colleges of Indiana, Inc. for final selection of scholarship recipients for Monroe County prior to the formal announcement in December.

Lilly Endowment initially established LECSP for the 1997-98 school year and has supported the program every year since with tuition grants totaling more than $490 million. More than 5,300 Indiana students have received Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships since the program’s inception.

The primary purposes of LECSP 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].

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 $50 million to more than 400 local nonprofit organizations since its incorporation in 1990. With a growing $45 million endowment, the Foundation makes a difference by connecting caring people, important causes, and community resources.

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.

Since 1997, Independent Colleges of Indiana has administered the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program statewide with funding provided by Lilly Endowment Inc. 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. 

Photo: Community Foundation Program Director Marcus Whited (left) with Gabe Golden, Constellation’s Managing Director, and Jordan Stephens, Audience Services Manager.

We’re proud to share that Constellation Stage and Screen has been awarded a $22,500 Dance & Movement Grant from the Community Foundation’s Marina Svetlova Fund for Dance!

Constellation will use these grant funds to support choreography expenses for three upcoming shows and purchase a component dance floor and moveable mirror system. The new equipment will support Constellation’s dance and movement productions and be used by other organizations for rehearsals and performances in the John Waldron Arts Center.

Born to Russian parents, Marina Svetlova (1922-2009) was a French and American ballerina. In addition to her accomplished dancing career, Svetlova was also a teacher and choreographer. Svetlova joined the IU School of Music and its Ballet Department in 1970 and was named department chair later that year, a role she held until her retirement in 1992. Svetlova lived in Bloomington until her death on February 11, 2009. The Marina Svetlova Fund for Dance supports community-based, nonprofit programs and organizations that promote the art of dance in various forms.

“My home is really special to me, and leaving it to the Community Foundation in my will to help alleviate homelessness felt like the right thing to do. With my estate gift, I hope more people can have their own safe place to call home.” -Kathy Weller

Kathy Weller values Monroe County as the place where she and her family decided to settle. In this story, Kathy shares her passion to support housing security in our community.

“Through circumstances beyond their control, many families in our community have nowhere to call home,” said Weller. “I have been blessed that I never had to worry about where I was going to lay my head at night. By gifting my home to the Community Foundation, my house will support our neighbors who are housing insecure.”

Kathy grew up in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, before attending Purdue University to pursue a degree in landscape architecture with a focus on residential design. After college, Kathy married Steve Weller, an Indiana University graduate with a master’s degree in biology. Once they married, Steve made a pivot in his education by also studying landscape architecture. Steve began specializing in park planning and administration in Northern Illinois. This led to the Wellers starting their own business, Ecological Planning, where they worked restoring wetlands to make up for development impacts in the Chicago area. 

Kathy retired from residential design to work full-time with Steve on their wetland restoration business and to raise their two children, Amelia and Nathan. While their projects remained in Illinois, they searched for a new home in Indiana so they could return to their roots and reconnect with their families.

In 2004, while visiting family in Ft. Wayne, Steve stumbled upon an intriguing real estate listing in Bloomington. The family decided to extend their stay to explore the property, which ultimately led them to find their forever home here.

After Steve’s passing in 2022, Kathy wanted to continue his legacy by giving back to the community they loved. “The driving force of my giving is having empathy for people and causes beyond myself,” she said. “We are all collectively responsible for sharing our blessings and good fortune in the best way we can to help others who have fallen on hard times.”   

Kathy decided to establish the Weller Family Fund with the Community Foundation as a donor advised memorial fund to Steve. She shares her experience: “Giving brings me so much joy and continually energizes me to do more. A benefit of partnering with the Community Foundation is their expertise in knowing the needs of the community. I became aware of their good work in bringing together individuals and organizations who work together to better Monroe County.”

After creating the Weller Family Fund, Kathy continued to look for more ways to invest in Bloomington.

 “As I considered what I could do for my community, I received an impact report from the Community Foundation about the Heading Home initiative, and it made sense to gift my own home to benefit those efforts,” Kathy said. “I thought about how hermit crabs shed their shells when they’re done with them and leave them for another crab to use, and I thought I could do the same thing with my house. So I named the Community Foundation and their Housing Security Endowment in my estate plan.”

Heading Home of South Central Indiana was established as a result of the leadership work the Community Foundation and others facilitated in 2020 to address the challenges of housing insecurity. Heading Home and the resulting Heading Home Plan were created to make homelessness rare, brief, and non-repeating. The Community Foundation’s Housing Security Endowment will provide long-term, sustaining funding for efforts that align with the Heading Home plan. 

The Community Foundation can receive all kinds of gifts in different forms to benefit the Housing Security Endowment or any of its other 290+ funds. A gift of real estate or property, like Kathy’s, is a powerful example of giving assets besides cash.  “Naming the Community Foundation as the beneficiary for my home was almost no effort. The Community Foundation wrote up a memorandum of my charitable intent, summarizing the purpose and details of my gift,” she said. “It was quite easy.”

The Community Foundation will assume ownership of Kathy’s home after her life. The proceeds from the home’s sale will support efforts to improve housing security in Monroe County in perpetuity. “Unhoused persons are part of our community. If someone doesn’t have their basic human rights of food, clothing, or shelter, the community pitches in, and we all rise up better together,” said Kathy. 

Kathy shares, “Giving is an innate part of our nature, and it really is like a circle: to receive and to give back. Many generous volunteers and donors in our community have been integral to the Community Foundation’s success. They have been doing this for decades, and I am honored to join them in giving back.”

Kathy’s house will have a lasting impact in our community. By designating the Community Foundation and its Housing Security Endowment as the beneficiary of her estate, Kathy will transform her home into a sustainable source of giving so that others don’t have to go without a home.

Debbie Lemon wanted her planned gift with the Community Foundation to reflect her history and connection to Monroe County. Debbie’s ties to this community have deep roots spanning multiple generations. She explains, “My cousin, Tom Lemon, was the mayor of Bloomington for several years. After World War II, we had an influx of students to our town and started having water issues, which is when Lake Lemon was created.”

Debbie grew up on the southwest side of town, where she attended high school while her parents owned a retail store. Debbie gratefully recalls this “idyllic life.”

She attended Indiana University Bloomington to study Marketing and Entrepreneurship, a new field for her class. After graduating, Debbie worked in healthcare sales in Chicago and Seattle for a few years before moving to Indianapolis. Debbie moved back to Bloomington in 1985 to be closer to family and because she loved the town. She had a long career in the community, culminating in her role as Secretary of the Board of Trustees of Indiana University from 2014 to 2021 before retiring.

As Debbie resettled in the community, she became more aware of the many charitable efforts – and she got involved. “When I came back to Bloomington, many of the people I used to know had moved away. I joined Leadership Bloomington, where I began networking and getting to know more organizations. I became involved in the hospital, Hospital Board of Directors, Local Council of Women, Hospital Foundation Board, and Parks Foundation Board, amongst others. Now, I am on the board of the Bloomington Health Foundation. Through this, I have seen the different community needs and focused my philanthropic efforts.”

Her firsthand experience witnessing the challenges of nonprofits led Debbie to create an unrestricted endowment at the Community Foundation in her estate plan. This permanent endowment, the Debbie Lemon Community Fund, will provide flexible grant funds to support community needs in perpetuity. The Debbie Lemon Community Fund will continue Debbie’s legacy of service and giving as it supports Monroe County’s changing needs. 

Debbie continues, “Serving on these boards and learning about their operating expenses, the help they need, and overhead made me passionate about unrestricted funds. Sometimes organizations have a specific focus, but they are often just trying to keep their doors open.” Debbie adds, “When the pandemic happened, no one had a line item in their budget that said ‘pandemic.’ Challenges and changes come from nowhere, but unrestricted funds keep everyone flexible and adept at handling these weighty issues.” The Community Foundation was the ideal place for Debbie to leave her gift because she knows her funds will be cared for, and it will ensure this place she loves will thrive, now and forever. “The Community Foundation makes me feel like this is the right place for my giving to happen because it will be done right, it will be done responsibly, and we will know the outcome,” she said. “When this money comes from my planned gift, I hope it will have a positive community spirit.” 

By leaving a legacy gift with the Community Foundation, Debbie can support the various organizations she has been connected to while adapting to the growth and needs they experience over time. Debbie says, “For my will, I know the institutions I am focusing the funds towards and leave them unrestricted, which gives the organizations a little more flexibility over the years.” 

 As both a volunteer and donor, Debbie has experienced the Community Foundation’s impact and shares in the vision for local, long-term support. “The Community Foundation covers a multitude of broad areas and covers needs that could be chronic or even acute,” she said. “The Community Foundation looks into the needs here and now, as well as the future. I appreciate that the Community Foundation can address things at a moment’s notice to reach community needs.”

Monroe County has become a better place thanks to Debbie’s many contributions, which will continue forever thanks to her thoughtful, planned gift. “This is my hometown,” Debbie shares, “I feel such a loyalty and a commitment to making it better. What’s important to me is that Bloomington keeps its beauty and continues to develop to be a place with great jobs for a growing workforce and that we support those gaps for the services people need. I have always felt very strongly about local giving. You can see the impact of your giving, give feedback, and see tangible assets.”

The survey is now closed! We will share the results of the survey soon.

The Community Foundation launched a local news survey in late March to provide residents with an opportunity to share what they think of Monroe County’s local news landscape. Survey responses received through April 12 will be used to better understand local news needs and how we might work together as a community to address local news challenges and opportunities. 

Results will be used by the Community Foundation, local news professionals, and community stakeholders to begin identifying potential solutions from which the entire county can benefit.