Category: News

The Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County is celebrating its 25^th year serving Bloomington and Monroe County.  Over the past 25 years, the Community Foundation has put nearly $22 million back into the community in the form of grants to support a diverse set of needs and opportunities.

On Monday, the Community Foundation, in partnership with the Smithville Charitable Foundation, announced the recipients of the 2015 Community Impact Grants.  Twelve agencies were awarded grants from an original field of 48 applicants.  Grants range in size from $10,000 to $40,210 for a total of $319,991.    Community Impact Grants focus on funding charitable efforts that have the potential for encouraging change and creating solutions to the issues that impact our community.   Requests that include innovation, collaboration, and capacity building receive priority in the evaluation process.  This year represents the fourth year that Smithville Charitable Foundation joined the Community Foundation in funding the Community Impact Grants Initiative.
Grants include:

Area 10 Agency of Aging

The Mobility Management Project will support the continuation of the New Freedom Taxi Voucher Program, development of a volunteer driver program and the creation of educational materials and support for riders who need assistance understanding their transportation options.

Bloomington Economic Development Corporation

The Bloomington Code School was established in 2014 by the Bloomington Technology Partnership with a goal of rapidly upskilling the existing workforce to meet the needs of local tech companies.  With assistance from the Community Foundation and in partnership with CFC Properties, Smithville Communications, and Monroe County Public Library, Bloomington Code School has trained over 60 Monroe County residents in web design and web development, PHP development and Rails development.  Grant funds will support a part-time coordinator to continue the program and to define a sustainability plan.

Bloomington Hospital Foundation

IU Health-Bloomington, in partnership with IU School of Public Health, and community partners MCCSC, Premier Healthcare, and Bloomington Hospital Foundation, will launch a Coordinated School Health Program, a comprehensive model that connects physical, emotional, and social health with education.

Catholic Charities of Bloomington

To better provide mental health services to very young children (0-8 years) and their families, Catholic Charities Bloomington will upgrade and expand its Non-Directive Play Therapy services, which will provide early intervention to children who have experienced trauma.  This project will provide professional training and ongoing supervision to CCB staff in an effort to shorten the wait time for young children and their families in need of services.

Community Kitchen of Monroe County

Community Kitchen will replace its 16 year old cargo van.  This vehicle replacement allows for food transport during the summer and for the acquisition of large quantities of food in a dependable vehicle with much improved gas mileage.

Girls Inc.

Girls, Inc. is replacing a worn out bus with a “new” used bus, enabling more girls than ever before to participate in after-school programming and summer camps.  Transportation assistance is critical in a community that spans many low-income neighborhoods.

Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce Foundation

The Graduation Coach Initiative, using the Check and Connect training model, helps at-risk youth in Monroe County stay in school and graduate.  In the seven years since the program began, high school graduation rates in Monroe County have risen over 10 percentage points from 80.53% in 2007 to 94.90% in 2013.  Funding will support the graduation coaches and Check and Connect training for area youth workers and school counselors.  By connecting at-risk youth to a trained advocate and mentor, the Graduation Coach Initiative provides critical one-on-one time to students that need it most.

Ivy Tech Community College

Ivy Tech-Bloomington will expand its successful Arts Infused Preschool (AIP) to Highland Park Elementary School’s Title 1 preschool classroom.

Lotus Education and Arts Foundation, Inc.

Lotus will upgrade their administrative facilities and achieve a long-time strategic goal to become a more effective partner, and provide a year-round base for innovative, mission-driven programs.

New Hope Family Shelter, Inc.

The New Hope Early Childhood Center will establish a high-quality care and education program for children experiencing poverty in Bloomington and Monroe County.  By meeting low-income families’ needs for excellent, reliable, affordable childcare, the program will allow families a greater chance of attaining and sustaining employment or pursuing educational opportunities to the end of achieving lasting stability, and ensuring children enter school equipped for early success.

South Central Community Action Program (SCCAP)

SCCAP Thriving Connections (formerly Circles Initiative) will offer its first sustainable employment cohort for a group of highly motivated people striving to overcome poverty.  Participants will learn invaluable skills such as workplace communication and etiquette, goal setting and resume writing.  The children of participants will receive financial literacy and life skills education from staff, volunteers, partner agencies and peers.

Sycamore Land Trust

Sycamore’s project will protect a high-quality 30-acre nature preserve within the newly created Bean Blossom Conservation Area here in Monroe County.  This parcel will be part of a larger effort to connect already protected natural areas between Lake Lemon, Griffy Lake, and the White River in order to provide landscape-scale conservation benefits-significant habitat for the area’s biodiversity, clean air and water through the filtration of our storm water and pollution, and enhanced quality of life from scenic beauty and outdoor recreation.   This grant will leverage matching funds from the Indiana Bicentennial Nature Trust.

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 has granted $21 million to more than 380 local nonprofit organizations.  Our $26 million endowment is growing and so is the difference we make by connecting caring people, important causes and community resources.

About the Smithville Charitable Foundation:  Inspired by altruism, the Foundation’s main goal is to enrich the lives of those around them by creating opportunities and bringing necessities to communities in its areas of service.  As a private foundation, they work closely with community foundations in surrounding counties and support a variety of causes related to religion, education, health, relief of poverty or distress, and various public organizations.

Two Monroe County graduating high school seniors will be awarded four-year (eight semesters or twelve trimesters), full tuition scholarships to pursue baccalaureate degrees at colleges or universities in Indiana. The scholarship also includes up to $900 annually for required textbooks and equipment.

Eligibility Criteria:
The student must be a citizen of the United States and a legal resident of Monroe County, Indiana. The applicant will have attended an accredited Monroe County high school and/or the Indiana Academy for four years and graduate by June of 2015. The applicant must have a G.P.A. of 3.5 or above (on a four-point scale) through the first semester 2014-15 and plan to pursue a full-time baccalaureate course of study at an Indiana college or university beginning in the Fall of 2015.

Conflict of Interest Criteria:
In order to comply with IRS rules, the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County, Inc. has determined that the applicant must note on the Scholarship application form any of the following relationships: A child or step-child, grandchild or step-grandchild, great grandchild or step-great grandchild, brother, sister, brother-in-law, sister-in-law (or spouse of any before mentioned persons), or spouse of someone who is currently a Director, member of the Foundation Scholarship Selection Committee, or staff of the Community Foundation. Further, for the applicant to be eligible if any of the previously mentioned relationships to any current high school Scholarship Selection Committee member exists, the committee member must not be involved in any way with the student selections for this year.

Selection Criteria:
There is no rigid model for the Lilly Endowment Community Scholar. The student who demonstrates ability and potential through community service, exemplary school citizenship, outstanding academic performance and school attendance will be considered. S.A.T. scores and the student’s G.P.A. will be reviewed. An attendance rate of 95% or better during high school career is expected.

Retention Criteria:
In order to retain the scholarship for the full four years, the student must maintain full-time status at an Indiana college or university and be a student “in good academic standing”. A copy of each semester’s bill must be sent to the Community Foundation office as soon as received by the student. All book receipts from the current year must be turned in to the Foundation office and any unused book stipend money returned. A copy of the student’s cumulative transcript must be submitted as soon as it is available each Spring. Lilly Scholars will need to submit documentation of enrollment and grades each semester. In addition, annual progress reports will be required throughout college and for ten years post-graduation from college.

Application Information:
Applications will be available online October 17, 2014 at www.cfbmc.org/lasting-impact/apply-for-a-scholarship/

Participating high schools have assembled committees comprised of school staff members. These committees will score and rank all applicants. For 2015, the Foundation Scholarship Selection Committee will accept the top three (3) finalists from Bloomington High School North, three (3) finalists from Bloomington High School South, two (2) finalists from Edgewood High School, and one (1) each from the Academy of Science and Entrepreneurship, Indiana Academy, Bloomington Graduation School at Broadview Learning Center, and Lighthouse Christian Academy. Applications are evaluated by schools’ Lilly committees then are reviewed by foundation staff to confirm eligibility criteria is met. “Blinded” versions (all identifying information removed) are then scored by the Foundation Scholarship Selection Committee. The Committee will then interview selected finalists. Foundation staff combines scores from the written evaluation and interview evaluation to provide the final ranking composite. If there is a tie, staff will review applications for a “yes” answer to the question “Will you be the first person in your family lineage to complete a baccalaureate degree?”. Applicant who has answered “Yes” will win the tie. If neither or both applicants answer yes, staff will consider composite score on Criterion #3 of written evaluation. If there is still a tie, staff will consider composite score on Criteria #4 of written evaluation. The Community Foundation will nominate two recipients and four alternates. Final approval of Lilly Scholars is made by Independent Colleges of Indiana.

What additional information is required to be provided through the online application?

• An official academic transcript. After students provide email addresses for school Guidance staff, the online system will generate automatic emails to Guidance staff requesting upload of official transcripts. Finalists will be asked to submit their Fall semester 2014 grades once finalists are determined and grades are available.
• Two letters of reference from adults other than family members. Through the online scholarship application process, students must provide emails addresses for the referrers, and the system will generate emailed requests for letters of reference. One should be from a school representative; i.e. teacher, counselor, coach, club sponsor, and one from a non-school related community connection; i.e. youth group leader, community volunteer supervisor, or employer.
• Essay questions – Applicants must provide responses to the following written essay questions:
   Question #1): What do you believe is the most pressing issue facing our community, state, country, world, (choose one) and how might your plans for the future impact this issue? Limit response to 200 words.
  Question #2): In your wildest dreams, if you had no boundaries, limitations, or expectations of you, what would you like to experience in your lifetime? Limit response to 400 words.

Deadline to Apply
Applications should be completed and submitted online by December 1, 2014. Application components must be 100% complete as indicated online to be considered.

Timeline

• October 17, 2014 Applications available online
• December 1, 2014 Application Deadline
• December 19, 2014 Schools submit online reviews and scoring to CF by 5:00pm
• January 7, 2015 Blind applications available online to CF scholarship Committee for scoring
• January 28, 2015 Application scoring completed by Scholarship Committee
• February 4-20, 2015 Finalist Interviews, Committee selects nominees
• February 26, 2015 Community Foundation Board approves nominees
• February 27, 2015 Nominee Report and documentation sent to ICI
• By March 27, 2015 ICI notifies CF of approved nominees. CF will immediately notify students and make announcement of recipients.

Created by individuals, families, and businesses who share a passion for Monroe County and a vision for its future, the Community Foundation has granted nearly $20 million to more than 380 local nonprofit organizations. Our $25 million endowment is growing, and so is the difference we make by connecting caring people, important causes, and community resources.

For more information on the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship contact:
Marcus Whited, Office Administrator
Community Foundation • Bloomington and Monroe County, Inc.
101 W. Kirkwood Avenue, Suite 321
Bloomington, Indiana 47404
[email protected]
Phone: 812-333-9016
www.cfbmc.org

It was in 1990 that the tireless championing and unflagging persistence of  a small group of community leaders resulted in the incorporation of what was then to be called the Bloomington Community Foundation. These founders had a vision of an organization designed to grow and evolve with this community forever.  In April, 2015, that same Community Foundation will celebrate its 25^th birthday.

In the early years, board members and staff reached out across the community to engage donors from all walks of life in building the beginnings of an endowment that would position the Community Foundation to respond to Monroe County’s most pressing needs and its most compelling opportunities, year after year.

Twenty-four years later, the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County holds 185 funds and $25 million in assets thanks to gifts from thousands of donors.  More than $20 million has been returned to the community through strategic granting and investments in 379 unique charitable organizations in and around Bloomington, as a result.

In honor of Monroe County’s upcoming Bicentennial in 2018 and the Foundation’s 25^th birthday, the Community Foundation’s Board of Directors has established the Bicentennial Fund.  Proceeds from this fund will be used for impact granting across the community in areas as far reaching as the arts, education, healthcare, the environment, economic development and social services.  Before the Bicentennial is celebrated in January, 2018, the Foundation is focused on growing the endowment substantially.  A recent announcement from Lilly Endowment Inc. will help to make the goal attainable.
In July, Lilly Endowment Inc. announced GIFT Phase VI, an effort to promote sustainable and effective community foundations in Indiana. Through this initiative, the Endowment will make matching grants available to Indiana Community Foundations, with the amount based upon the county’s population.  Monroe County is one of seventeen counties eligible for $1,000,000 in matching grant dollars to grow funds for strategic grantmaking across our community.

Community Foundation President and CEO, Tina Peterson, states, “The Lilly matching opportunity both incentivizes and challenges us to significantly grow our capacity to support this community, forever.  By achieving our endowment goal and meeting the match requirements, we can increase our grantmaking in the community by almost $100,000 a year.  This equates to a million dollars in a decade, $6 million in next fifty years.  It’s a game changer!”

Board Chair, Judge Edward Najam, adds “The Community Foundation Board is enthusiastic to once again partner with the Lilly Endowment Inc, to maximize the impact of local gifts, to grow the Foundation’s Endowment, celebrate the Foundation’s 25th anniversary and Monroe County’s Bicentennial, all at the same time.  The Community Foundation is on a roll and we continue to pursue that vision for the Foundation that our Founders passed down to us.   We must continue to grow and evolve with our Community.”

Gifts to the Community Foundations Bicentennial Fund or to a new or existing unrestricted endowment fund will be matched dollar for dollar.  Gifts qualifying for matching funds must consist of irrevocable contributions of cash or property which can include marketable securities, cash equivalents and real property including the present value of irrevocable deferred gifts.  Multi-year pledges are also matchable as long as each gift is received by the Community Foundation before March 31, 2016.  Specific incentives will be available for corporate giving.

Individuals wishing to learn more should contact the Community Foundation at 812.333.9016 or [email protected].

About Lilly Endowment Inc.  Lilly Endowment Inc. launched the Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT) initiative a quarter century ago to encourage the establishment and strengthening of community foundations as vehicles to improve the quality of life in Indiana communities.  The success of Indiana’s community foundations over the intervening years has far exceeded the Endowment’s expectations when GIFT began.  Now 94 community foundations and county affiliate funds throughout Indiana make grants to support local charitable organizations and programs in all of Indiana’s 92 counties.  The number of community foundations in the state has grown that number from about a dozen in 1990.  During the same period, the total value of the assets of Indiana Community Foundations that have regularly participated in GIFT has increased from an aggregate value of about $30 million to nearly $2 billion, and those community foundations have paid grants totaling more than $915 million.  These results would not have been achieved without the imagination, generosity, commitment and leadership of thousands of donors, volunteers and foundation staff members throughout the state.

About The Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County:  The Community Foundation knows that vitality can come from all corners of our community.  We make grants, offer expertise and lead in collaboration with others to meet our community’s most pressing needs and seize its most important opportunities.  From early childhood development to aging, from basic needs to economic development, from the arts to the environment, our donors fuel innovative ideas and power lasting impact for our communities.

The Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County is celebrating 25 years of Grantmaking in Monroe County.  Up to $325,000 will be available for funding the 2015 Community Impact Funding Initiative, a joint project with the Smithville Charitable Foundation.

In 1991, the Community Foundation awarded its first grants; five $1,000 grants went out for projects that included:

• handicap accessibility at Hilltop Garden
• an exercise program with the YMCA and Fontainebleau
• BHSS Academic Decathlon
• computer software for the Boys & Girls Club
• beautification project at the Monroe County Airport

Today, the Community Foundation focuses on community changing impact grants and awards $10,000 to $50,000 grants; a few recent projects include:

• Bloomington Playwrights Project (with IU Theater) – to develop a perpetually funded theatre collaboration
• Hoosier Hills Food Bank – a refrigerated van “Grover” to deliver fresh foods to partner agencies
• Options for Better Living – helping Options and Christole merge into LifeDesigns
• Boys and Girls Club – to help bring Lemonade Day to Monroe County
• Catholic Charities of Bloomington – implementation of electronic medical records system allowing increased quality and expanded services to those in need of mental health counseling
• LifeDesigns – organization and implementation of a shared services organization
• Habitat for Humanity – Family Self Sufficiency program to improve and expand the educational outreach programs to children of homeowners, helping children achieve greater academic success
• Franklin Initiative – Graduation Coach Initiative to help expand and maintain services that help at risk students graduate from high school
• Ivy Tech Foundation – AMP Program Workforce Development Solutions bringing job training and career opportunities to Bloomington
• Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce with BEDC – Bloomington Coding School pilot program

Community Foundation assets have grown from $16,000 in 1990 to over $25 million today.  This growth, and partnerships like the one with Smithville Charitable Foundation, enables the Foundation to distribute over $1 million annually back into the community supporting agencies, programs and projects that help to improve the quality of life here in Monroe County. 

“It has been very gratifying to observe the increasing impact these grants have made in our community” said Denise Howard, Chair of the grants committee.  “The donors of the Community Foundation and the Smithville Charitable Foundation are to be commended for their generosity which allows us the opportunity to distribute these funds to very worthy organizations and causes.  I’m looking forward to learning about new projects that will enhance the community.”

The Community Impact Funding Initiative, which aims to strengthen the community by supporting innovative projects with lasting impact, is designed to enable organizations to address pressing problems or pursue compelling opportunities of vital importance to Monroe County.  Local 501(c)(3) organizations and other organizations exempt from filing for 501(c)(3) status may apply for the grants with requests ranging from $10,000 to $50,000.  Priority consideration will be given to projects that meet one or more of the following criteria: offers innovative or transformative solutions to critical community issues, fosters collaboration across organizations and/or sectors to increase impact and effectiveness, and creates capacity-building opportunities for developing more efficient or sustainable organizations.

To be considered for funding, applicants must first submit a two-page letter of intent and verification of tax-exempt status to the Community Foundation by 5 p.m. on August 25, 2014.  Following review of the letters of intent, selected organization will be invited to submit full grant proposals, which will be due October 27, 2014.  Grants will be awarded at a celebration event to take place January 12, 2015.

Guidelines and instructions for the letters of intent are available online at https://cfbmc.org/lasting-impact/apply-for-a-grant/community-impact-grants/.  For more information on the Community Impact Funding Initiative and application procedures, contact CFBMC Program Director Renee Chambers at (812) 333-9016 or [email protected].

About the Community Foundation: Created by individuals, families, and businesses who share a passion from Monroe County and a vision for its future, the Community Foundation has granted over $20 million to more than 380 local nonprofit organizations.  Our $25 million endowment is growing and so is the difference we make by connecting caring people, important causes and community resources.

About Smithville Charitable Foundation: Inspired by altruism, the Foundation’s main goal is to enrich the lives of those around them by creating opportunities and bringing necessities to communities in its areas of service.  As a private foundation, they work closely with community foundations in surrounding counties and support a variety of causes related to religion, education, health, relief of poverty or distress, and various public organizations.

With the arrival of its newest fleet vehicle, “Growver”, Hoosier Hills Food Bank (HHFB) has launched Project GROW – the Garden Route On Wheels to distribute more fresh produce to agencies in Monroe County.  “Growver” joined the HHFB fleet Monday after delivery last week by Curry Auto Center to Signs Now for graphics installation.

GROW is being initiated with a $50,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County (CFBMC), which supported the purchase of the van and the addition of staff hours to handle deliveries.  Further support was provided by Curry Auto Center and the City of Bloomington Community Farmer’s Market.  Community response to HHFB’s Feeding America/Hussman Challenge grant last winter is also helping the food bank to procure additional fresh produce.

“Getting more fresh produce out to our partner agencies has been a major goal for the past several years,” said HHFB Executive Director and CEO Julio Alonso. “We’ve been able to break down barrier after barrier to make that happen and this project represents a major step.  We often have produce to offer but many of our agencies haven’t been able to access it because of resource or logistical limitations.  This project will take the produce to them at times when it is convenient – so they don’t have to come get it and they don’t have to store it for extended periods.”

On Tuesday, “Growver” will make his first deliveries, offering fresh kale grown in HHFB’s Garden, purchased fresh carrots and watermelons, and produce from weekly Farmer’s Market vendor donations to the Salvation Army of Bloomington, Bloomington Township Food Pantry, Stepping Stones, and New Hope Family Shelter.  Future weekly deliveries will include about 7 other agencies including Area 10 Agency on Aging, Richland Township Food Pantry, Perry Township Food Pantry, First United Methodist Church Food Pantry, Monroe County United Ministries food pantry and child care program, and Middle Way House.

Additional agencies will be brought on as the project evolves, said Alonso.  “We’re trying to tailor this around when the agencies need the food, but also have to factor in when we have product and when staff is available to deliver, so we’re starting with about a dozen and will add as time goes on.  Some of our larger agencies, like Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard, Community Kitchen and Shalom Center already receive deliveries because they’re so large and we can move large quantities of other products to them.  Up to now we haven’t really had the capacity to deliver to smaller agencies. We distributed over 756,000 pounds of fresh produce last year and we want to do more so clients have healthy options. ”

“Growver” will also get an introduction to the Bloomington community this week, with two opportunities to support the food bank.  The van, a refrigerated 2014 Chevrolet Express 3500, will be part of HHFB’s entry in Friday’s Bloomington 4^th of July parade, when the food bank will collect non-perishable food donations from parade goers.  On Saturday, July 5, “Growver” will be at the City of Bloomington Community Farmer’s Market to collect fresh produce donations from market patrons and vendors and help promote the Plant a Row program.

Like all HHFB programs, support from across the community is making GROW possible.  “The Community Foundation’s grant is the lynch pin for this program,” said HHFB Director of Development and Administration Jake Bruner. 

“They’ve funded some additional staff time for the first year, and more importantly they funded the cost of the van. But we wouldn’t have been able to get the van we needed if Curry Auto Center hadn’t stepped up and made sure the price fit our budget.  Signs Now helped keep the graphics costs down and since the van is tied in with our weekly Farmer’s Market collections, the Market helped with those costs.  Of course, we also need ongoing support to keep the produce flowing.  It will come from our garden and gleaning programs, from Plant a Row, from local retail donations and from purchases and all of that involves volunteers, food donors and financial support.”

CFBMC President and CEO Tina Peterson expressed excitement about the Foundation’s role in supporting GROW, “Hoosier Hill Food Bank is an organization that is never satisfied with business as usual.  They constantly strive for new and better ways to serve our community by helping to support and catalyze others who work on the front line of addressing hunger and food insecurity in our community.  Given that HHFB supports essentially every organization serving those in need of food support, it becomes apparent that progress and innovation at the food bank translate to progress and innovation for hundreds of other organizations too.   The Community Foundation is grateful for the opportunity to continue partnering with HHFB and you can bet we will be applauding every time we see “Growver” making deliveries around the community!”

Two graduating high school seniors, both from Bloomington High School North, will each receive a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to an Indiana public or private college of their choosing. Ms. Emma St. John and Mr. Winston Winkler were chosen as the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County’s 2014 Lilly Endowment Community Scholars from among 62 applicants representing six high schools in Monroe County. In addition to the cost of tuition, they will each receive a $900 annual stipend for books and other materials.

“These two recipients are incredible young people selected from an outstanding group of finalists,” said Jean Emery, chair of the Community Foundation’s Scholarship Selection Committee. “The committee was highly impressed with their poise during the interview process.  We were truly amazed with not only their academic achievements but how each finds the time to volunteer in so many ways in our community, which was a major component of the selection criteria.  The entire group of finalists should be congratulated.”

Emma St. John is the daughter of David and Karin St. John and plans to pursue post-secondary studies in Human Biology at Indiana University.  At BHSN, Emma has served as President of the Student Athletic Board, Co-President and Leadership Board Member of Habitat for Humanity, and President of the Hoosiers Outrun Cancer team.  She is an Academic Scholar Award recipient and a member of the National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, and Business Professionals of America.  Emma has been recognized as an outstanding athlete, being named to the Herald Times All-Area Track & Field First Team and All-Area Basketball Second Team and was selected as senior captain. 

“I am honored to have received the Lilly Scholarship, especially among such a talented group of finalists.”  St. John said.  “I am truly grateful that The Lilly Endowment and The Community Foundation chose to invest in my education and I am so excited to be attending Indiana University in the fall as a Human Biology major.”

Winston Winkler is the son of Tiffany Tsu and Malcolm Winkler and plans to pursue post-secondary studies in Bio-Chemistry at Indiana University.  Winston has participated at BHSN as a LOTS Senior, Student Council Executive Board Member, Student Athletic Board Member, Cougar Leader, National Honor Society Member, and is currently serving as the Senior Class President.  Winston has been a four-year member of the school band, earning many distinctions as a musician, and has participated in chess competition for four years.  Winston is a four-year member of Track and Field and also participated in Soccer and Lacrosse.  He has been very involved with his community, serving as Co-President for Habitat for Humanity, and as the Morale/Publicity Executive for the Riley Dance Marathon and for Hoosiers Outrun Cancer.

“I am extraordinarily thrilled to have received the Lilly Scholarship”, stated Winston upon learning of his selection.  “It is my sincerest hope that with the help and support from the scholarship I can continue to uphold the values of the Community Foundation, and have community work and service to others at the forefront of my thought. I know that the Lilly Scholarship will change my life, and I would really like to thank all the people who have supported me along the way.”

Gregorio Lopes, from Bloomington High School North, was one of the original selections for the award but declined in order to attend school out of state.

The selection committee used a blind review process to score written applications from eleven finalists. The other finalists, along with Lopes, St. John and Winkler, were Denise Dorotheo, Gabriel Jones, Emily Moon, Katie Moore, Beth Nethery, Samantha Sparks, Hannah Spiegel, and David Nathan Wigington.  Each finalist was interviewed, with their interview scores tallied alongside the scores from the written portion of their application. The rankings, along with the committee’s recommendations were submitted to and approved by Independent Colleges of Indiana, Inc., a nonprofit corporation representing 31 regionally accredited degree-granting colleges and universities in the state.

Since 1998, the Lilly Endowment Scholarship Program has assisted more than 3,900 Indiana high school graduates with more than $300,000,000 in tuition for pursuing baccalaureate degrees at Indiana colleges and universities.

“The Community Foundation is pleased to have been given the opportunity to work with the Lilly Endowment and Independent Colleges of Indiana in selecting fifty-four Monroe County Lilly scholars in the last 17 years,” stated Community Foundation President and CEO, Tina Peterson.  “The benefit realized by this community and our state by encouraging these exceptional young people to pursue an education in Indiana is immeasurable.  As a condition of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship, the recipients stay in touch with the Community Foundation for at least a decade after receiving their undergraduate degrees.  It’s inspiring to watch them become teachers, doctors, engineers, scientists, journalists or even professional bloggers, like Indianapolis physician and blogger Annie Marshall, a BHSN graduate, Monroe County Lilly Scholar and author of Annie’s Eats.  This scholarship allows them to pursue careers that might otherwise have been unattainable and helps us ensure that many of these young people stay here, in Indiana, to become the citizens and leaders needed to ensure a bright, prosperous future for our communities.”

Previous Lilly scholarship recipients from Monroe County include:

1998
Amber (Martindale) Yount (1998, BHSS); Butler
Rebecca (Strain) Spriggs (1998, Edgewood); University of Evansville
 
1999
Kathleen Tran (1999, BHSS); Indiana University
Aaron Ray (1999, Edgewood); Indiana University
Amanda Horvath (1999, BHSS); Notre Dame
Nathan Fuller (1999, BHSN); Rose-Hulman
 
2000
Andrew Krebbs (2000, Edgewood); Indiana University
Michael Goodman (2000, BHSN); Indiana University
Alison O’Malley (2000, Edgewood); Butler
Morgan Volrich Riggs (2000, BHSN); Indiana University
 
2001
Lindsay Kile (2001, Edgewood); Purdue
Ruthie (Willsey) Sterrett (2001, BHSS); Purdue
Ann Marshall (2001, BHSN); Indiana University
Elizabeth Sloan (2001, BHSN); Indiana University
Reed Carmichael (2001, BHSN); DePauw University
Talialin Fehrenbach (2001, BHSS); Butler
 
2002
Theodore (Tio) Savich (BHSN); Earlham
Aliese Sarkissian (BHSN); DePauw University
Virginia Chappell (BHSS); Indiana University
Michael Kruszynski (Indiana Academy); Rose-Hulman
James Moynihan (Edgewood); Butler
Andrea (Stalcup) Wallace (Edgewood); University of Evansville
 
2003
Amber (Knowlton) Todd (BHSS); Indiana University
David Courtney (BHSS); Earlham
Jennifer Richardson (BHSN); Indiana University
Robert (Matt) Hawkins (Edgewood); Rose-Hulman
Abram Hess (Indiana Academy); Indiana University
Anand Patel (BHSN); Indiana University
 
2004
Ryan Hodge (Indiana Academy); Rose-Hulman
Isaac (Ike) Dolby (BHSN); Purdue
Jennifer (Laird) Black (BHSS); Butler
Tara Langvardt (Edgewood); DePauw University
Caitlin (Odya) Homenda (Edgewood); Indiana University
Mark Strother (BHSN); Indiana University
 
2005
Manisha Patel (BHSN); Indiana University
Jesse Pontius (BHSN); Purdue University
 
2006
David Kim (BHSN); Notre Dame
Jenna Beasley (BHSN); Indiana University
 
2007
Meehan Lenzen (BHSN); Notre Dame
Kristen Miller (BHSS); Indiana University
 
2008
Ashley Larason (BHSS); Purdue University
Thomas Weakley (Edgewood); DePauw/ Indiana University
 
2009
Miranda Arthur (Edgewood); Butler
Audrey Ernst (Edgewood); University of Indianapolis
 
2010
Bhavin Patel (BHSN); Indiana University
Stephen Zerfas (BHSN); Notre Dame
 
2011
Maha Elsarrag (BHSN); Indiana University
Lynne Bauman (BHSS); Notre Dame
 
2012
Evelyn Bauman (BHSS); Notre Dame
Alex St. John (BHSN); Indiana University
 
2013
Hannah Alani (BHSS); Indiana University
Shannon Jager (BHSN); DePauw University
 
 
About CFBMC:  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 $20 million to more than 380 local nonprofit organizations since its incorporation in 1990. With a growing $25 million endowment, the Foundation makes a difference by connecting caring people, important causes and community resources.

The Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County, Inc. is accepting applications for the 2014 Precision Health Network Funding Initiative; up to $21,000 is available for granting. The Precision Health Network Fund is designated to assist with the development or enhancement of community health education and health outcomes.  Programs selected to receive grants must have stated goals that meet at least one of the following criteria with the first two generally receiving higher consideration:

1. Prevention of disease
2. Self-management of chronic disease
3. Promotion of health and healthy lifestyles; specifically, as it would relate to wellness, prevention of disease, and/or self-management of chronic disease and serve the citizens in one or more of the following counties in Indiana:

• Monroe
• Lawrence
• Brown
• Greene
• Morgan
• Orange
• Owen
• Martin
• Daviess

Precision Health Network grants are made only to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and organizations that are exempt from filing for 501(c)(3) status; this includes units of government, school corporations, and religious organizations.  Organizations do not have to have health related missions.  Grants may be awarded to religious organizations for programs that are non-proselytizing and do not promote religious doctrine or instruction.  Groups may apply individually or in collaboration with one another.  Programs developed through individual initiatives or by the for-profit sector will need to have a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serve as the “fiscal agent” for the program. To confirm eligibility and learn more about an organization, a site visit may be arranged. Agencies receiving grant awards in 2013 included:

• Monroe County United Ministries – Monroe County
• Area 10 Agency on Aging – Monroe & Owen Counties
• Vincennes University Foundation dba Generations, Area 13 Area on Aging – Daviess, Martin & Greene Counties
• Volunteers in Medicine – Monroe & Owen Counties
• John Nichols Health Clinic – Owen County
• Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard – Monroe County

Grant guidelines and applications are available on the Community Foundation’s website; https://cfbmc.org/lasting-impact/apply-for-a-grant/precision-health-network-grants/  Completed applications must be submitted to CFBMC by 5:00 p.m., May 15.  Recipients will be announced by June 30.  For more information on the Precision Health Network Funding Initiative and application procedure, contact CFBMC Program Director Renee Chambers at (812) 333-9016 or [email protected].

About the Precision Health Funding Initiative:  The Precision Health Network Fund, a Field of Interest fund at the CFBMC, was established in 1996 upon the dissolution of Precision Health Network, Inc. The endowed fund provides annual grant funding designated to assist with the development or enhancement of community health education and health outcomes in the counties which constituted the service area for IU Health-Bloomington Hospital and Bloomington physicians.  Since 1998, the Precision Health Funding Initiative has awarded 92 grants totaling over $359,000.

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 has granted $20 million to more than 379 local nonprofit organizations.  Our $22 million endowment is growing and so is the difference we make by connecting caring people, important causes and community resources.

This week the Community Foundation and the Smithville Charitable Foundation announced the recipients of the 2014 Community Impact Grants.  From an original pool of 45 applicants, sixteen organizations received grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 for a total of $406,000 in financial support. While every grant funded has the potential for creating substantial impact, several also represent new approaches to addressing significant needs or opportunities in Monroe County.

• Lettuce Works is a social enterprise inspired by a successful model from another state.  Through this enterprise, South Central Community Action Program will help low income individuals, primarily those with disabilities, improve their job skills by employing them to work in greenhouses growing hydroponic produce year round using no pesticides or herbicides.  The produce will be sold to local restaurants and stores.
• The Bloomington Economic Development Corporation will work in collaboration with the Franklin Initiative in piloting a “Coding School” to provide software coding courses to help area workers and job seekers qualify for technology-based jobs.  Additionally, they will offer coding training for area youth to prepare them for employment in the high growth technology sector. Other collaborators include Envisage Technologies and WorkOne.
• Habitat for Humanity will launch a family self-sufficiency program designed to help families stay in their homes or qualify for Habitat homes. The goal is to change habits and alter long-term financial behaviors through intensive budgeting and financial training paired with peer group support.  In addition, the participants’ children will be engaged in a mentoring program designed to encourage them to pursue post-secondary educational programs.

In 2011, the Community Foundation shifted its grant making away from smaller, project based grants to focus on funding charitable efforts that have the potential for encouraging change and creating solutions to the issues that impact our community.  Smithville Charitable Foundation joined the Community in funding the Community Impact Funding Initiative and, three grant cycles later, 57 grants have been awarded through the initiative for a total support of just over $1.1 million.  Requests that include innovation, collaboration, and capacity building receive priority in the evaluation process.
Other grants receiving support through the initiative in 2014 address a broad range of community needs ranging from the arts and graduation coaching in the public schools,   to nutrition for those facing food insecurity and capacity building support for area nonprofits.  Additional recipients include:

• Susie’s Place – Bloomington will expand their capacity to provide investigation and intervention support in bullying and school harassment situations.
• Stone Belt for Project Search, a program that prepares young adults with disabilities for competitive employment through classroom experiences and total immersion in business internships.
• Stepping Stones for a year-long capacity building initiative designed to help the organization achieve the next level of operational and programmatic maturity.
• Roundabout Opera for Kids will complete the development of 12 unique operas for young audiences in local elementary, middle and high schools.
• Monroe County United Ministries will reopen and sustain a preschool room for 2 year olds in an accredited program for less advantaged youth.
• Monroe County Public Library will complete the startup and implementation of Nonprofit Central, which provides resources, expertise and training to local nonprofits.
• LIFEDesigns will merge two summer camp programs to increase educational retention over the summer months in an inclusive environment for young people with disabilities.
• Ivy Tech Foundation for an Advanced Manufacturing Initiative that will build a regional partnership tasked with bringing advanced manufacturing training and career opportunities to the region.  Training will focus on the manufacturing process, safety, maintenance and quality practices.
• Hoosier Hills Food Bank for the Garden Route on Wheel (GROW) to deliver fresh produce to organizations and partner agencies serving those dealing with food insecurity.
• Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce Foundation for the Graduation Coach Initiative, which provides one-to-one focused counseling support for at-risk students to ensure they graduate from high school.
• First Book Monroe County to supply 8,000 books to low-income children ages five to eight in area Title 1 schools.
• Ellettsville Fire Department for the purchase and replacement of essential fire hoses.
• Amethyst House for the transition to electronic healthcare records.

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 has granted $18 million to more than 380 local nonprofit organizations.  Our $20 million endowment is growing and so is the difference we make by connecting caring people, important causes and community resources.

About the Smithville Charitable Foundation:  Inspired by altruism, the Foundation’s main goal is to enrich the lives of those around them by creating opportunities and bringing necessities to communities in its areas of service.  As a private foundation, they work closely with community foundations in surrounding counties and support a variety of causes related to religion, education, health, relief of poverty or distress, and various public organizations.

The Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County (CFBMC) announced today that grants of $10,000 to $50,000 are available for local nonprofit and tax-exempt agencies through the foundation’s Community Impact Funding Initiative, a joint project with the Smithville Charitable Foundation. The initiative, which aims to strengthen the community by supporting innovative projects with lasting impact, is designed to enable organizations to address pressing problems or pursue compelling opportunities of vital importance to Monroe County.  Up to $400,000+ will be available for funding community impact initiative grants.

“We are looking not only for projects that will have a measurable, meaningful impact on critical issues for local residents, but also for those that will become self-sustaining by permanently expanding the organization’s capacity to serve the community,” said Tina Peterson, CFBMC president and CEO. “The large award amounts reflect our commitment to facilitating major projects that would not otherwise be possible for these organizations.”  “We want to see organizations come forward with ideas that are going to fundamentally impact what they can do for the area,” said Darby McCarty, president of the Smithville Charitable Foundation. “We’re hoping to hear from a broad range of organizations representing many different types of services.”

Local 501(c)(3) organizations and other organizations exempt from filing for 501(c)(3) status may apply for the grants with requests ranging from $10,000 to $50,000. Priority consideration will be given to projects that meet one or more of the following criteria: offers innovative or transformative solutions to critical community issues, fosters collaboration across organizations and/or sectors to increase impact and effectiveness, and creates capacity-building opportunities for developing more efficient or sustainable organizations.In addition, funding from several Field of Interest funds may be available for programs/projects that support the following:

1. promote arts education in elementary and secondary schools in Bloomington and Monroe County
2. classical music performance and education
3. the arts and/or arts programs in Monroe County
4. shelter and/or programs that assist the homeless
5. the art of dance, primarily ballet or contemporary dance (including education, instruction, choreography, and performance)

To be considered for funding, applicants must first submit a two-page letter of intent and verification of tax-exempt status to CFBMC by 5 p.m. on September 20.  Following review of the letters of intent, selected organizations will be invited to submit full grant proposals, which will be due November 4.  Grants will be awarded January 14, 2014.

Guidelines and instructions for the letters of intent are available online at https://cfbmc.org/lasting-impact/apply-for-a-grant/community-impact-grants/.  For more information on the Community Impact Funding Initiative and application procedures, contact CFBMC Program Director Renee Chambers at (812) 333-9016 or [email protected].

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 has granted $18 million to more than 330 local nonprofit organizations.  Our $20 million endowment is growing and so is the difference we make by connecting caring people, important causes and community resources.

About the Smithville Charitable Foundation:  Inspired by altruism, the Foundation’s main goal is to enrich the lives of those around them by creating opportunities and bringing necessities to communities in its areas of service.  As a private foundation, they work closely with community foundations in surrounding counties and support a variety of causes related to religion, education, health, relief of poverty or distress, and various public organizations.

Health Grants Awarded
H-T Report | Posted: Sunday, July 28, 2013 12:00 am

The Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County has announced the 2013 awards from the Precision Health Network Fund.
Of the 22 organizations from Brown, Daviess, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Morgan, Orange and Owen counties seeking support for projects, six were given funding totalling $30,108 and touching the lives of 3,000 citizens in five counties.

One of the six is Volunteers in Medicine, a free health care clinic in Bloomington for uninsured adults in Monroe and Owen counties, served 2,847 patients in 2012. VIM estimates that more than 90 percent of its patients come to VIM seeking assistance for pain or medical issues caused by untreated dental problems, and recent studies and reviews have shown a statistical association between periodontal disease and pre-eclampsia, cardiovascular disease, stroke, pulmonary disease, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes.

VIM will pilot a program to provide dentures to patients after significant tooth loss or extractions. If it helps improve both the overall health and employability of patients, VIM plans to pursue options for sustaining the program in the future.

The other five Precision Health Network grants funded this year are:

• Area 10 Agency on Aging for equipment and training programs to support senior citizens living with balance issues.
• Johnson Nichols Health Clinic for chronic disease prevention and treatment through a program to identify and treat chronic and acute health issues for uninsured persons living in poverty in Owen County.
• Monroe County United Ministries for the healthy living initiative, a program to address the physical, cognitive, and nutritional needs of low-income preschoolers enrolled in MCUMs affordable childcare program.
• Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard for its community garden education program that helps low-income populations increase self-sufficiency and learn about the healthy benefits of gardening.
• Vincennes University Foundation doing business as Generations, Area 13 Agency on Aging for Care Transition, a program to provide patients in Daviess, Greene and Martin counties with the tools and support needed to transition from the hospital to home.

To view this press release on the web, click on the link below:
http://www.heraldtimesonline.com/news/local/health-grants-awarded/article_d805881e-2cce-5375-bcca-d2dcfdcb1e7e.html?_dc=926086476072.6691