Category: News

“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.

Deadline to apply: August 15, 2024

The 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship application is now available in Monroe County through the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County. 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, administered statewide by Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) and locally in Monroe County through the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County, is open to all Indiana residents who:

• graduate from an accredited Indiana high school by 2025 and receive their diploma no later than June 30, 2025;
• intend to pursue a full-time baccalaureate course of study at an eligible college or university in Indiana; and
• meet the criteria specific to their local community foundation. Visit www.cfbmc.org for complete information regarding Monroe County’s application criteria.

Students can learn more about the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship in Monroe County and apply for this scholarship by visiting https://cfbmc.org/lasting-impact/apply-for-a-scholarship/lilly-scholarship/. Monroe County applications must be completed and submitted by Thursday, August 15, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. to be considered.

In September, students selected as semifinalists in Monroe County will be invited to answer additional application questions and provide reference recommendations from teachers or others. Applications for the finalist round will be due by September 24, 2024. Finalists will be identified and interviewed in October, and the names of the two 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholars for Monroe County will be submitted to ICI for final selection of the recipients. Scholarship recipients will be notified in December 2024.

Eligibility Requirements for Monroe County’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships:

• Applicant must be a legal resident of Monroe County, Indiana.
• Applicant must be currently attending or have attended an accredited Monroe County high school and/or the Indiana Academy (in Delaware County) for a minimum of three consecutive years (including senior year) and graduate by June of 2025. 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.
• Applicant must have a cumulative GPA of 3.70 or above (on a weighted four-point scale) through the end of their junior year and plan to pursue a full-time baccalaureate course of study at an Indiana college or university beginning in the Fall of 2025.
• Applicants must be available to participate in an interview with the selection committee on the evening of October 21 or 22 if selected as a finalist for the scholarship.

Evaluation Process for Monroe County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships:

There is not a rigid model for the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship. A student who demonstrates notable abilities, leadership skills, civic potential through community service, exemplary school citizenship, and outstanding academic performance will be considered for this scholarship opportunity.

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 a former Monroe County Lilly Scholar, 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 academic performance and activities, community engagement and civic service, student employment, 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.

“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,” said Tina Peterson, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County. “By offering the option to attend any accredited four-year college or university in the state, Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are able to broaden their educational horizons while staying connected to their roots. This enriches their experiences and boosts the chances they’ll build their careers in Indiana. It’s a win-win for our students and our communities.”

“We encourage individuals throughout Monroe County to spread the word about this opportunity, especially considering that the application deadline occurs before most high school seniors begin their final academic year,” added Peterson. “As always, we look forward to getting to know the applicants and hope each one of them will continue their post-secondary educations in Indiana and pursue thriving careers here in the Indiana Uplands region.”

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.

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 Executive Liaison will ensure the efficient operation of the President/CEO’s office and its interactions with key stakeholders such as board members, staff, and community leaders. The CEO provides leadership to both the Community Foundation and Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI) and the Executive Liaison will support the CEO’s work with both organizations.

For more details and how to apply, view the full Executive Liaison Description.

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 Community Foundation is pleased to announce that 18 local nonprofits are participating in the Strengthening Monroe County’s Nonprofits Endowment Matching Initiative.

Each participating nonprofit that reaches its fundraising goal by June 30, 2025, will receive a dollar-for-dollar match to grow an endowment at the Community Foundation. This initiative will bolster nonprofits’ sustainability to help ensure their important work continues in perpetuity. We are proud to shine a light on each of these nonprofit organizations.

You can click on each endowment link below to support this participating nonprofit. For more information and FAQs, visit the Matching Initiative website page.

Beacon Emerson Endowment

Beacon is a solutions-driven, antipoverty organization dedicated to aiding and empowering people experiencing extreme poverty, especially hunger and homelessness. Beacon provides housing, day and overnight shelter, hunger relief, social services, financial support, life essentials (like laundry, showers, and mail), and other related health and human services to hundreds of people each day and thousands of people each year.

BCT Management Endowment

Buskirk-Chumley Theater is launching its first endowment, a vital step in ensuring the long-term sustainable use of the Buskirk-Chumley Theater as a performing arts center and movie theater.  The endowment will provide a reliable source of funding for BCT-presented programming, allowing it to continue offering high-quality performances and special events for the enjoyment of present and future generations.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington Endowment

Since 1956, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington has been dedicated to serving the youth in our local community. Its mission is to empower all young people to reach their full potential as caring, productive, and responsible citizens. The Clubs provide an extensive schedule of after-school programming, summer camps, and holiday break camps. 

Cancer Support Community South Central Indiana Endowment

CSC is launching a new endowment to further its mission of uplifting and strengthening people impacted by cancer by providing support, fostering compassionate communities, and breaking down barriers to care. CSC offers five pillars on which its survivorship program is built: support services, education, wellness, social connections, and information, assistance, and referrals. 

Community Kitchen Endowment

Community Kitchen provides free nutritious meals, nutrition education, referrals to other agencies, and a clean, comfortable social environment for patrons, staff, and volunteers. Community Kitchen works to educate the public about the extent of hunger in Monroe County, explain probable causes of hunger, and provide ways to respond to hunger needs. 

Conservation Law Center Endowment

CLC is the only Indiana-based nonprofit environmental law firm dedicated to public interest litigation, policy advocacy, and support for organizations. CLC’s core mission is to provide pro bono representation to conservation organizations engaged in protecting clean water and natural habitats in the Great Lakes region, as well as to environmental nonprofits and community groups tackling environmental health and justice issues in Indiana.

Constellation Stage & Screen Endowment

Constellation produces world-class theater and film that impacts the national performing arts industry through new work development. Productions, community events, and education programs serve as a leading contributor to the cultural and economic vibrancy of Bloomington. Constellation’s offerings include year-long classes, summer camps, workshops, after-school programs, in-school residences, and theater and film writing competitions. 

Lake Monroe Water Fund Endowment

The Lake Monroe Water Fund is one of approximately 43 water funds worldwide
established to meet local freshwater needs. Incorporated in 2021, LMW is the first water fund in Indiana and works to promote, catalyze, and invest in nature-based solutions and practical remedies across the 440 square miles of a five-county watershed that drains into Lake Monroe.

Meals on Wheels Endowment

Bloomington Meals on Wheels is establishing a new endowment at the Community Foundation. Its mission is to provide nutritional meals to homebound persons who are unable through medical or physical disability to purchase and prepare nourishing meals. Services are provided to the ill, disabled, or elderly regardless of income and without distinction. 

Monroe County Humane Association Endowment 

MCHA strives to advance animal welfare, deepen human-animal bonds, and extend accessible veterinary care and humane education across our community.  Its services include the Crisis Housing Program, Accessible Veterinary Clinic, Mobile Vaccine Clinics, Street Outreach Program, Spay/Neuter Assistance, and Food and Supply Pantry Program. 

Monroe County United Ministries Endowment

Monroe County United Ministries seeks to end generational poverty for Monroe County families. MCUM supports community members in breaking the cycle of poverty through assistance with basic and financial needs, self-sufficiency coaching, and affordable, high-quality early learning. 

Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard Endowment

Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard increases access to healthy food for all people in need in ways that cultivate dignity, self-sufficiency, and community. Since 1998, MHC (often known as the Hub) has been working to relieve hunger and improve access to healthy food. Founded by two mothers who had experienced food insecurity firsthand, the Hub was intentionally designed with a focus on health, choice, and respect. 

Roland E. Kohr Endowment for New Hope for Families

New Hope for Families provides emergency shelter for up to 12 families at a time while its dedicated team of skilled and caring professionals works with those families to help them move through homelessness to stability. New Hope is the only place in Monroe County where families with children can find shelter together.

Sycamore Land Trust Monarch Environmental Education Endowment

Sycamore Land Trust preserves land, restores habitats, and connects people to nature in southern Indiana. The primary purpose of this fund is to support SLT’s environmental education program, which was established to help children and adults understand, appreciate, and connect with nature so that they are moved to protect it.

United Way of Monroe County Community Care Endowment

United Way of South Central Indiana improves peopleís lives by bringing together expertise, funding, and volunteer support to positively impact the resilience of our community and those who live within it. In partnership with others, it works to eliminate inequities experienced by low-income and diverse populations so that all people have a safe, healthy home environment, achieve their educational potential, and increase their financial stability. 

Susann McDonald Endowment for the USA International Harp Competition

The USA International Harp Competition (USAIHC) is an independent triennial performance competition held at IUís Jacobs School of Music that recognizes the accomplishments and fosters the careers of gifted young harpists worldwide. Founded in 1989 by Susann McDonald, the USA International Harp Competition is open to harpists of all nationalities between the ages of 18 and 32.  

WFHB Endowment Fund

WFHB exists to provide an open forum for the exchange and discussion of ideas and issues and to celebrate and increase local cultural diversity. WFHB envisions a sustainable, diverse, participatory multimedia service that contributes to an entertained, informed, and empowered community. As a community radio station, WFHB is supported financially by contributions from listeners, program underwriting, and community service grants.

WonderLab Catherine Olmer Legacy Endowment

WonderLab’s mission is to ignite a love of science through learning that is experiential, inclusive, and amplifies the role science plays in the world. This endowment was created to honor and continue the legacy of Catherine Olmer, a founding director of WonderLab. This fund will support WonderLab in carrying out its role and mission as an award-winning science museum located in the heart of downtown Bloomington.  

If you have questions, contact Program Director Marcus Whited at [email protected], Development Director and COO Meagan Niese at [email protected], or call (812) 333-9016.

Nonprofits that meet their fundraising goals will receive matching funds from the Community Foundation to help ensure their work continues in perpetuity

The Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County (CFBMC) is pleased to announce that 18 local nonprofits are participating in its latest initiative to create or grow existing endowments through June 30, 2025.

Each participating nonprofit that reaches its fundraising goal will receive a dollar-for-dollar match to grow an existing endowment or establish a new endowed fund at the Community Foundation.

Participating nonprofits include:

• Beacon
• BCT Management, Inc. (Buskirk Chumley Theater)
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington
• Cancer Support Community South Central Indiana
• Community Kitchen
• Conservation Law Center (new endowed fund)
• Constellation Stage & Screen
• Lake Monroe Water Fund (new endowed fund)
• Meals on Wheels (new fund)
• Monroe County Humane Association
• Monroe County United Ministries
• Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard “The Hub” (new endowed fund)
• New Hope for Families
• Sycamore Land Trust
• United Way of South Central Indiana
• USA International Harp Competition
• WFHB Community Radio
• WonderLab (additional endowed fund)

Donors can give gifts of cash, securities, or irrecoverable planned or estate gifts to support these local nonprofits in meeting their match goals. To help participating nonprofits meet their fundraising goals and secure their endowment match, visit www.cfbmc.org/agency-match to donate.

In addition to matching endowment funds, participating agencies will each receive a $10,000 capacity-building operational grant to address immediate needs or staff their endowment fundraising activities.

By leveraging the allocated capacity-building and matching funds, the anticipated impact of this initiative is expected to exceed more than $1.16 million for participating local nonprofits by the end of the campaign in July 2025.

The Community Foundation opened this matching fundraising opportunity to nonprofits serving Monroe County in December 2023. Applications to participate were received from 31 nonprofit organizations.

“It was incredible to see so many agencies thinking about how best to sustain and maximize their impact far into the future,” said President and CEO Tina Peterson.

“We would have preferred to accept all 31 nonprofits that applied into this matching campaign, added Peterson. “It was a difficult selection process for the committee and Board of Directors, but we are thrilled to be able to extend this opportunity to a total of 18 organizations. We would not have been able to accept all of these organizations into the program without the generosity of donor advised fundholders who have stepped in to co-fund the capacity-building grants.”

Today, more than 50 local nonprofits benefit from agency or designated funds at the Community Foundation. The Foundation is utilizing its unrestricted and selected field of interest funds to support the initiative. The Foundation’s Board of Directors initially anticipated supporting approximately 10-12 nonprofits to create or grow a designated agency fund through this matching program.

Peterson added, “At the heart of everything we do is a vision to create a vibrant Monroe County where every individual has the opportunity to thrive — now and in the future.” “The Foundation is proud to be able to deploy our flexible funding at this time to enable these nonprofits to grow their endowments and strengthen their future impact with a permanent source of revenue that will benefit their organizations and Monroe County residents for years to come.”

The Power of Endowment: An endowment fund can be a powerful tool that enables nonprofit organizations to have a long-lasting, sustained impact in our community. Endowment funds are also called permanent funds because they are intended to grow over time through investing. The principal is not spent but retained for the growth of the fund. Investment earnings are used for annual agency distributions that can be used immediately or re-invested into the fund for future use. Through the power of endowment, your gifts grow over time to do good in perpetuity! For more information, visit: https://cfbmc.org/powerful-giving/for-our-agencies/

The Community Foundation was established in 1990 to encourage and manage philanthropic support for the long-term benefit of the community and all those who call it home. Today, the Foundation has more than 270 funds – each defined by donors who provided the resources to create the funds. Distributions from these funds are returned to the community each year through charitable grants.

Some funds focus on specific nonprofit organizations, while others, such as our unrestricted and field of interest funds, are flexible and deliver powerful support that allow us to respond to our community in the most relevant and beneficial ways. The Community Foundation combines its deep understanding of the community and its compelling opportunities and pressing needs to deploy competitive grant rounds, proactive grants, education scholarships, and funding to support community leadership initiatives.

If you have questions about this opportunity, contact Program Director Marcus Whited at [email protected] or Development Director and COO Meagan Niese at [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 $30 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.

Andy and Kim Allard believe strong, supported families are foundational to every community, and their donor advised fund enables them to positively impact families in Bloomington. The couple shares, “We love supporting families and children in our community. We want our giving to be a catalyst for their growth and success by creating opportunities.”

Kim grew up in Ohio and moved throughout the Midwest during her childhood. She attended Ohio University to study elementary education, where she continued to cultivate her passion for teaching. “I have known since I was very young that I would be a teacher when I grew up. The moment my fate was solidified and my teaching ‘career’ began was when I received a double-sided easel-style chalkboard for my fifth birthday. I joyously began my teaching career that very day in my family’s living room. I have taught a variety of grade levels in elementary school, preschool, and within the church.” Kim currently works at Clear Creek Christian School as a 6th-grade teacher.

Andy grew up in Bargersville and studied finance at Indiana University Kelley School of Business. He has been in the banking industry for 32 years and currently serves as the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the IU Credit Union for the last 16 years. 

Andy and Kim met while working at a Greenwood restaurant shortly before starting their careers. The couple married after college and recently celebrated 32 years of marriage with their two daughters, Madeleine and Lydia. 

Supporting families has always played an essential role for Andy and Kim, even before their daughters were born. “As a newly married couple, we were leading the youth group at our church and supporting causes for families and children at risk,” Kim shared. “The journey to start our family wasn’t easy, and we explored and considered adoption,” said Kim. “Giving back and serving others, especially children, was one way for us to cope with our fertility struggles.”

Andy also recalled discovering his passion for programs serving families and children. “I remember when I was working at the bank in Indianapolis; we were encouraged as leaders to network in our community and to give back. One day, there was a nonprofit fair, and I went from booth to booth, grabbing brochures and asking questions. When I returned to my office, all the brochures were about youth and family needs. There was one program, Champions for Children, that served new parents and taught them how to care for their children. I distinctly remember when we were new parents how difficult it was. I had an epiphany because I had my family nearby and was blessed with an education and financial security, but I was still at my wit’s end. So that’s when I realized how difficult it must be for families at risk or in need.” 

Over the years, Andy and Kim have become deeply connected throughout the community and feel inspired to give back wherever possible. The couple volunteers frequently through their church at Sherwood Oaks and with local charities while serving separately in roles through nonprofit boards, locally and globally. “It is part of our civic responsibility to be purposeful and give back, whether through volunteerism or financial contributions,” Andy said. In the couple’s view, Kim shares, “We feel it is important to give back to the community where we live, which is also the community that invested and helped raise our daughters. Building connections and relationships within our community is important because it provides a constant thread that ties us all back together.”

In 2020, Andy and Kim established the Allard Family Charitable Fund, a non-permanent donor advised fund (DAF) through the Community Foundation, to support programs and philanthropic passions that matter the most to them – children and families. 

“It is deeply rooted in our beliefs and a core tenant of our faith,” the couple shared. “We have been blessed with a means to bless others, and serving others is love in action. When you give back, you can see tangible needs met. Providing opportunities for individuals in our community to grow and prosper is important to us.” 

The Allards shared that establishing their donor advised fund was easy and efficient. “When I first heard about setting up a fund, it seemed daunting and complicated, but it was easy to set up,” Andy said. The Community Foundation is great about helping you understand how your charitable dollars can be used and deployed.” 

The Allard Family Charitable Fund also provides tax benefits for the Allards as they give back. “When the tax laws changed, a cap was placed on tax deductions for charitable giving, but we were exceeding it,” said Andy. “By setting up a DAF, we can easily bundle our giving for tax advantages and handle our grants or distribute whenever we want, almost like a charitable checkbook.”

Kim agreed, adding: “It really is a great way to be efficient with your charitable giving. It does feel like, in a sense, a charitable checkbook. It’s very user-friendly and has no downside – It’s a win-win situation. The ease at which everything is managed at the Community Foundation is amazing. The new fund portal is a game changer; we can put in our request, and it tracks our giving. So, really, the simplicity of having the fund is wonderful.” 

“We have seen the impact of our fund through the causes we support,” said Andy. “The vast majority of our giving is centered on kids and families. We are strong supporters of  New Hope for Families, and a significant portion of our grants went to their capital campaign, which resulted in two new buildings and provided additional capacity to serve their clients.”

“The Boys & Girls Club is another organization that we partner with,” Kim added. “They are excellent at focusing on the needs of children and providing quality resources for families and kids. Whether it is during the summer or after school, it is the continuity and high-quality experiences that matter to us. It’s putting love into action, and that’s what our fund looks like.” 

Partnering with the Community Foundation to establish a fund can turn your charitable dollars into a philanthropic powerhouse. Andy and Kim shared, “When we partnered with our local community foundation to start the donor advised fund, we essentially partnered with our neighbors. There is a level of care and connection here that makes our charitable giving more effective. If you have a cause where your heart lies, the Community Foundation partners with you to make connections and structure your charitable giving more effectively.”

During this holiday season of festive lights and the shimmer of joy, we are reminded of those that illuminate our paths toward a stronger, thriving, and more connected community.

Your generosity and commitment make our community shine brightly throughout the year.

May your holidays be filled with the same warmth and brightness you’ve shared. Here’s to a season of joy, gratitude, and the promise of an even brighter future together.

Our offices will be closed on December 22-26 and January 1st. If you need to reach out us, drop us a line at [email protected] or leave us a message at (812) 333-9016.

The Community Foundation of Bloomington & Monroe County is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships for Monroe County – Dominic D’Onofrio and Anson Reynolds.

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 costs for required books and 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 through the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County.

“Dominic and Anson are wonderful examples of the talented, engaged, and generous young people that call Monroe County and the Indiana Uplands region home,” said President and CEO Tina Peterson. “We are proud to recognize their accomplishments and look forward to following their academic journeys as they join an incredible network of Lilly Endowment Community Scholars.”

Domonic D’Onofrio is a Bloomington High School North (BHSN) senior and the son of Brian and Danica D’Onofrio. D’Onofrio is the president of the BHSN Habitat for Humanity Club and a member of the Cougar Community Kitchen Club, Student Athletic Board, National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, Art Club, and Young Life. He also competes on the Varsity Cross Country and Track and Field teams.

Among his community service activities, D’Onofrio has prepared summer lunches for school-aged children with Monroe Community Kitchen and served as a youth mentor for St. Charles School middle school basketball players.

D’Onofrio hopes to study architecture in college. As part of his career exploration, D’Onofrio interned in 2022 with Monroe County Habitat for Humanity, where he researched accessory dwelling units and net-zero construction to help Habitat and future homeowners explore sustainable housing options.

“During my work with Habitat, my reason for being an architect shifted to focusing on social impact and serving the community,” said D’Onofrio. “I learned up close that being an architect means listening to and actively serving the needs of real people to create a more equitable, just, and accessible community.”

“I am extremely honored and grateful to be awarded this scholarship by the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County and Lilly Endowment,” said D’Onofrio. “While I truly cannot express the whirlwind of emotions I have, I want to thank my supportive family, friends, teachers, coaches, and mentors who have been incredibly influential in my life. Becoming a Lilly Scholar has been an incredible experience that will change my life.”

Anson Reynolds is a Bloomington High School South (BHSS) senior and the daughter of Josh and Laura Reynolds. Reynolds is president of DECA, the Bring Your Own Book Club, and the Write On! Creative Writing Club. She is also a member of the Student Council, Academic Super Bowl, Indiana Mathematics League, BHSS Varsity Volleyball Team, and Bloomington Volleyball Club.

Among her community service activities, Reynolds has served on the Monroe County Juvenile Probation Youth and Family Work Group and has tutored with the Monroe County Public Library VITAL program.

In 2021, Reynolds co-founded Boost Volleyball Camps, which provides multi-day skills and training for middle school girls. “For the past three summers, I have helped middle schoolers enhance their volleyball and life skills,” said Reynolds. “With college on the horizon, there is even more responsibility and wisdom to acquire. I am grateful for the experience of running Boost Volleyball because it has allowed me a glimpse of my potential to impact others. My journey as a role model is only beginning.”

“I’m so grateful to the Community Foundation and the Lilly Endowment for this incredible opportunity,” said Reynolds. “I hope to use my time in college to pursue my dream of making education accessible to all so I can give others moments like this.”

The Community Foundation has also announced that Monroe County’s eight other 2024 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship finalists will each receive $1,000 scholarships to use at a college or university of their choosing:

• Kyle Davis, Bloomington High School South
• William Foley, Bloomington High School North
• Teagan Hanna, Bloomington High School North
• Ingrid Pendergast, Bloomington High School North
• Dylan Stringer, Bloomington High School South
• Lucy Tait, Bloomington High School South
• Joshua Tait, Bloomington High School South
• Layla Vamos, Bloomington High School North

“This year’s finalists have demonstrated excellence in academics, leadership, and service to our community,” added Peterson. “We are proud to award each of them a Community Foundation scholarship to support their continued academic endeavors. After completing their post-secondary educations, we hope they seek out one of the many amazing job opportunities available in the Indiana Uplands to begin their careers.”

Chair of Monroe County’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Committee, Jessika Hane, added her admiration for this year’s finalists. “The scholarship selection process is never easy, but these high school seniors inspire us. They represent so much hope for our community, and we are confident that the future is bright for Monroe County, our region, and the state of Indiana.”

Monroe County’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Application Process

Monroe County’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship recipients were selected from among 143 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.

Applications were blindly reviewed and independently scored by members of a Lilly Scholarship committee at each Monroe County high school to identify 21 semifinalists. The number of semifinalists identified is determined by each school’s senior class size.

Each semifinalist was invited to submit an updated application, which included additional content and references from schools and other community members. The Community Foundation Scholarship Selection Committee then evaluated the semifinalist applications. This committee, comprised of community members and a former Monroe County Lilly Scholar, 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.

Each finalist was interviewed in October, and their interview scores were combined with scoring from the written applications. The finalists’ rankings, along with the committee’s recommendations for scholarship nominees, were then submitted to Independent Colleges of Indiana, Inc. for final selection of scholarship recipients for Monroe County.

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 $505 million. More than 5,200 Indiana students have received the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship 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.

About the Community Foundation: 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 $30 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.

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 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.