Category: News

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

Regional leaders to develop economic development strategy for Southwest Central Indiana

Effort funded through planning grant from Lilly Endowment

(INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., July 2013) Leaders from industry, academia, community organizations and a federal military base have united to develop a strategic plan that leverages the unique assets of the Southwest Central Indiana region to drive economic growth and enhance residents’ quality of life.

A $650,000 planning grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. will enable the Southwest Central Indiana region to identify opportunities, assets and resources that can be better utilized and coordinated to provide economic opportunities for its residents and communities. The region includes a world-class research university (Indiana University – Bloomington) and Naval Support Activity Crane, a military base which houses Indiana’s only federal laboratory, which collectively employ more than 10,000 people. Its growing life sciences industry employs another 4,400 people, and there is a high concentration of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) jobs. The region also has a thriving hospitality and entertainment industry and is home to the state’s largest concentration of state forests, parks, lakes, fish and wildlife areas. Additionally, the new I-69 corridor between Evansville and Indianapolis runs through the heart of this region, which is expected to enhance economic development opportunities and offer greater connectivity through shorter routes and travel times.

Initially, the strategic planning efforts will focus on 11 counties in the region: Brown, Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Orange, Owen and Washington counties. These counties represent the Indiana Department of Workforce Development’s Economic Growth Region 8, plus all of the counties served by Radius│Indiana. Throughout the planning process, the geographical focus may evolve as the plan develops. A steering committee consisting of regional leaders and stakeholders invested in the Southwest Central Indiana region will lead the planning effort. Steering committee members include:

• Brian Blackwell, director, Office of Engagement, NSWC Crane;
• Duane Embree, national director of Military and Defense Initiatives, Ivy Tech Community College;
• Paul Mitchell, president and CEO, Energy Systems Network (ESN);
• Dan Peterson, vice president of Industry and Government Affairs, Cook Group; Steering Committee Chair;
• Tina Peterson, president and CEO, Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County
• Becky Skillman, president and CEO, Radius│Indiana;
• William Stephan, vice president for Engagement, Indiana University;

Steering Committee Chair Dan Peterson says it’s not only the diversity of expertise of the committee members, but their commitment to collaborative strategic planning that will make it a successful project. “Each of these committee members is deeply invested in the success of this unique part of the state – both on a professional and a personal level,” he said. “It’s a landmark opportunity to capitalize on their widespread expertise for such an important common goal.” 
“The Southwest Central Indiana region has great potential for dramatic growth in a number of key sectors,” said ESN President and CEO Paul Mitchell. “Unlocking this potential will require a unified plan that leaders are prepared to leverage and co-invest in.” 

Lilly Endowment’s grant was awarded to the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership Foundation, which supports the charitable and educational activities of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP), and will be managed by ESN, a CICP initiative that will support the activities of the steering committee and produce a comprehensive plan. This work builds on an initial planning grant from Lilly Endowment which was used to conduct asset mapping and data analysis on the defined region. While the results showed strong potential for enhanced growth, the steering committee recognized more work and engagement with regional leaders was required to develop a robust regional plan and shared vision for Southwest Central Indiana. 

ESN has selected Lori Torres, former commissioner of the Indiana Department of Labor in Governor Mitch Daniels’ administration, to serve as project director for the 12-month grant period. The steering committee will meet regularly to develop a set of recommendations for the region. Recommendations from local and regional leaders, economic and workforce development experts, community foundations and the public will be solicited throughout the process. 

“Community involvement is critical in these types of planning projects to ensure the final proposal is representative of what the people who live and work here want,” said Torres. “The committee is looking forward to hearing from people from all corners of the region to get them engaged and invested in the outcomes of this process.” 

The steering committee has already begun meeting and will coordinate public listening sessions later this year. The plan is expected to be finalized by mid-2014. 

ABOUT ENERGY SYSTEMS NETWORK 
Energy Systems Network (ESN) is a not for profit, industry-driven economic initiative focused on bringing alternative energy technology solutions to market, using innovation to confront global energy challenges with systems-level solutions. In 2012, the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) initiative broke ground on the Battery Innovation Center (BIC) in the Southwest Central Indiana region. The BIC is a customer-driven single point of access for battery research, development, testing and commercialization. The $20 million facility is located at Westgate Technology Park in Crane, Ind. and will open operations beginning later this year, providing significant economic growth to the area. For more information, visit www.energysystemsnetwork.com.

ABOUT LILLY ENDOWMENT INC.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based, private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by three members of the Lilly family — J.K. Lilly Sr. and sons J.K. Jr. and Eli — through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, the Endowment 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 and maintains a special commitment to its hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana. More information can be found at www.lillyendowment.org.

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Contact:
Melissa Roberts, Energy Systems Network

• Phone: 317.532.4808
• Email: [email protected]

Raquel Bahamonde, Central Indiana Corporate Partnership

• Phone: 317.308.0064
• Email: [email protected]

To view this press release on the web, please visit Inside Indiana Business.