Category: News

On August 19, the Community Foundation gathered with nonprofit partners and donors to celebrate an extraordinary milestone—the successful conclusion of the Strengthening Monroe County Nonprofits Endowment Matching Campaign. The event honored 18 local nonprofit organizations that worked tirelessly to secure matching funds and build lasting endowments to strengthen their missions for years to come.

Launched by the Community Foundation in 2024, the campaign offered nonprofits an opportunity to raise endowed funds with a dollar-for-dollar match. Thanks to the collective generosity of community members, businesses, and donor-advised fundholders, the campaign raised $1,368,490.

• $800,320 was raised directly by participating nonprofits.
• $568,170 was contributed as matching funds by the Community Foundation.

These funds are now permanently endowed, ensuring that each participating nonprofit has a source of sustainable funding to support its mission today and in the future.

Congratulations to the 18 participating organizations:

• Beacon
• Buskirk-Chumley Theater
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington
• Cancer Support Community South Central Indiana
• Community Kitchen
• Conservation Law Center
• Constellation Stage & Screen
• Lake Monroe Water Fund
• Meals on Wheels
• Monroe County Humane Association
• Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard
• New Hope for Families
• Pathways (formerly Monroe County United Ministries)
• Sycamore Land Trust
• United Way of South Central Indiana
• USA International Harp Competition
• WFHB Community Radio
• WonderLab

While the campaign has concluded, the impact is only just beginning. Each endowed fund will continue to grow and generate annual distributions, creating reliable streams of income that sustain vital services—from feeding neighbors in need and supporting families with children, to advancing the arts, protecting the environment, and more.

Thank You

We extend heartfelt gratitude to every donor, volunteer, and partner who contributed to this campaign. Your generosity has created a permanent legacy for Monroe County, ensuring that the nonprofits we value so deeply have the resources they need to thrive.

Rooted in faith and a love for their community, Johnny and Julie Lindsey have dedicated their lives to making Ellettsville a place where every child can thrive. From championing local schools to investing in young people’s dreams, their decades of service reflect a deep belief that strong communities grow from compassion, generosity, and the simple act of showing up to help.

Johnny, born and raised in South Carolina, met Julie, a Bloomington native, at Milligan College in Tennessee. The college sweethearts got married shortly after graduation and began raising their three children in North Carolina. However, a job opportunity brought the Lindseys joyfully to Monroe County, and Julie back home to Indiana.

From the beginning of Johnny and Julie’s marriage, their values have been grounded in giving. Thirty years ago, they began investing in the lives of children through Compassion International. This global organization provides financial support to help meet the physical, social, spiritual, and economic needs of children in impoverished communities. They went beyond financial assistance and cultivated relationships with the children they have sponsored, exchanging letters ever since.

The Lindseys have carried that same passion for children and young people into their local community.

“I just don’t think you can do much better than trying to help young people and kids,” Johnny said, reflecting on the joy they have found in supporting youth in Ellettsville and beyond.

Julie began her local service in Ellettsville twenty years ago when their children were in school. She instinctively began giving back by getting involved in her children’s school-related activities. This allowed for a wide range of volunteer roles, from PTO involvement to serving as the band’s treasurer.

Julie’s efforts led to an opportunity to revive the Richland-Bean Blossom Community School Foundation after years of inactivity, which provides resources and support to improve educational experiences beyond what the school district can offer, such as classroom supplies, project materials, and equipment.

The school foundation also introduced Julie to the work of the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County.

“I heard all of the things the Community Foundation was doing, and that really opened my eyes up to what they do. It is a good place to make an investment in our community,” she said.

Around the same time, Johnny joined the board of Edgewood Dollars for Scholars, a program that raises educational scholarship opportunities for Edgewood High School students. For over 15 years, Johnny has faithfully served as the president of the board of directors, investing in students’ educational opportunities. Over the years, Dollars for Scholars has provided Johnny and Julie with an opportunity to volunteer together, allowing them to combine their passion for education.

When Johnny became president of Peoples State Bank years ago, he also strongly advocated and positioned his teams for community investment.

“We set aside a certain amount of money that we’re going to use to go back into the community…then it’s really just a matter of prioritizing who we want to use it for,” he said. “But sometimes it’s just something you hear, there’s something going on, there’s a need, and so we try to direct those resources where we can,” Johnny explained.

Johnny’s passion for reaching the youngest members of the Ellettsville community led to many investments by Peoples State Bank over the years that are geared towards youth, such as funding local food pantries, participating in backpack programs, and a “Reality Store” event where junior high students experience career exploration and financial decision-making.

Julie and Johnny shared, “When you meet people in local organizations and you can see their heart and their passion, you want to be a part of what they’re doing.”

There is no doubt that the Lindseys find joy in giving back to their community. Their latest gift to Monroe County was establishing the Lindsey Family Community Fund, an unrestricted endowment that will enable the Community Foundation to address local pressing needs of all kinds. Unlike funds dedicated to a specific cause, an unrestricted endowment allows the Community Foundation to respond flexibly to emerging opportunities and urgent challenges in Monroe County, today and for generations to come.

Julie said, “There’s just a part of us that wants to help others…because we feel like we have been blessed in a lot of ways, and I think that because we feel like God has provided for us, that it’s our duty to give to others as much as we can.”

Deadline to apply: August 18, 2025

The 2026 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship application is now closed in 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 CFBMC, was open to all Indiana residents who:

• graduate from an accredited Indiana high school by 2026 and receive their diploma no later than June 30, 2026;
• 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 https://cfbmc.org/lasting-impact/apply-for-a-scholarship/lilly-scholarship/ 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 submitted by Monday, August 18, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. will be considered.

Applications will be evaluated on, but not limited to, the following criteria: leadership skills, civic potential through community service, exemplary school citizenship, and outstanding academic performance. Two finalists will be nominated by the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County, and their names will be submitted to ICI for final selection of the recipients. Scholarship recipients will be notified in December.

Lilly Endowment created LECSP for the 1997-98 school year and has supported the program every year since with tuition grants totaling more than $505 million. More than 5,400 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.

CFBMC is again pleased to offer LECSP for its 29th year in Monroe County. “The Lilly Endowment and Independent Colleges of Indiana continue to make a profound impact by empowering local students to pursue their higher education goals right here in our state,” said Tina Peterson, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County. Through the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship, students can explore a wide range of academic opportunities at Indiana’s four-year colleges and universities. This connection strengthens both their personal growth and our region’s future workforce. It’s an investment in both promise and place.”

“We urge families and educators across Monroe County to help spread the word about this life-changing opportunity,” added Peterson. “With the application deadline arriving near the beginning of the school year, now is the time to apply. We are always inspired by the talent and potential of our local applicants and are excited to support the next generation as they pursue their education and careers in the Indiana Uplands.”

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 2026. 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.
• Applicants 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 2026.
• Applicants must be available to participate in an interview with the selection committee on the evening of October 20 or 21 if selected as a finalist for the scholarship.

Evaluation Process for Monroe County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships:

There is no 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. Each school’s senior class size determines the number of semifinalists identified.

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, 2025. 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 nominating 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.

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 marcus@cfbmc.org.

About the 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 $50 million to more than 400 local nonprofit organizations since its incorporation in 1990. With a growing $50 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 $5.5 billion annually. Students at ICI colleges have Indiana’s highest four-year, on-time graduation rates, and ICI institutions produce 30 percent of Indiana’s bachelor’s degrees while enrolling 20 percent of its undergraduates. 

The Community Foundation is thrilled to share some incredible news! Our “Strengthening Monroe County Nonprofits” endowment matching initiative has wrapped up—and it was a huge success!

All 18 participating organizations received a matching grant from CFBMC to either boost an existing endowment or launch a brand new one.

These nonprofits solidified their long-term sustainability and collectively grew their endowments by an amazing $1,368,490! In total, they raised $800,320 and received $568,170 in matching funds from the Community Foundation.

A huge congratulations to all the participating orgs listed below:

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

The Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County is seeking three Smart Start Coordinators to help expand access to high-quality early care and education in the Indiana Uplands region.

Uplands Smart Start Coordinators

Three Uplands Smart Start Coordinator positions are available to support a regional initiative aimed at expanding access to high-quality early care and education. Uplands Smart Start plays a leading role in Ready Early Learning in the Indiana Uplands (RELU)—a coordinated approach developed in partnership with 10 community foundations and stakeholders to sustainably improve access, affordability, and quality of early childhood education across the region. In this role, you will collaborate with local coalitions, providers, community foundations, and other stakeholders to advance county-specific goals while contributing to broader regional outcomes.

These regional positions are full-time roles with benefits, and coordinators will be employed through the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County.

To view full job descriptions and details on how to apply, visit the links below.

Job Description: Uplands Smart Start Coordinator – Service Delivery Area 1 (Crawford, Dubois, and Orange Counties) Learn more >>

Job Description: Uplands Smart Start Coordinator – Service Delivery Area 2 (Lawrence, Martin, and Daviess Counties) Learn more >>

Job Description: Uplands Smart Start Coordinator – Service Delivery Area 3 (Owen, Brown, and Greene Counties) Learn more >>

These positions are part of the Community Foundation’s leadership initiative to strengthen early learning and education in the Indiana Uplands region. Learn more.

Heading Home of South Central Indiana and the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County are seeking two passionate professionals to help lead initiatives to expand access to safe, stable homes and reduce unsheltered homelessness.

Landlord Engagement Specialist

This role focuses on building strong relationships with landlords and property managers to expand housing access for individuals and families using vouchers and other supports. You’ll foster new relationships, educate stakeholders, help break down stigma surrounding homelessness, ensure landlords are supported, and track data on housing availability.

Housing Solutions Director

Lead and support a team of outreach and prevention professionals working with those experiencing or at risk of homelessness. You’ll drive strategy, oversee day-to-day team operations, and collaborate across sectors to secure housing outcomes.

Both positions are full-time, salaried roles with benefits and are employed through the Community Foundation, and fully dedicated to Heading Home.

To see the full job descriptions and apply, please visit the Heading HOme website at: https://headinghomeindiana.org/news/heading-home-is-hiring/

These positions are part of the Community Foundation’s leadership initiative focused on reducing unsheltered homelessness in Monroe County through increased case management, street outreach, and landlord engagement, and other homelessness diversion and prevention efforts. Learn more.

In the aftermath of the devastating tornadoes that swept through our community on May 16, our thoughts are with those whose homes, businesses, organizations, and lives have been disrupted. We know Monroe County is stronger together—and that’s never more true than in times of disaster. Like many others, we stand ready to support our neighbors and community.

We are also incredibly grateful for all those who have already stepped up in remarkable ways. Whether you are a first responder or just checking in on your neighbors, your generosity shows the true spirit of this community.

As Monroe County begins to recover, here are just a few immediate ways you can help our community.

Emergency Management & Information:
For local updates on emergency management and debris removal, please follow the Monroe County Emergency Management – Indiana Facebook page.

Storm Damage:
If you or someone you know has sustained damage in the storm, please visit in211.org, dial 2-1-1, or call 866-211-9966.

Immediate Shelter:
The American Red Cross of Indiana opened a shelter at Sherwood Oaks Christian Church (2700 E. Rogers Rd) for those in need. Anyone needing assistance can also call 1-800 RED CROSS (800-733-2767). Follow the Red Cross on Facebook for more updates.

People and Animal Learning Services:
While its horses are safe, the PALS barn and pastures suffered significant damage. If you would like to support recovery efforts, visit https://palstherapy.org/disaster-relief/ and follow PALS on Facebook for updates.

Habitat for Humanity:
Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County has shared that its warehouses on the south side of town also suffered significant damage. These buildings were filled with ReStore overstock items, building materials, tools, and work trucks. You can help by buying furniture at Restore to make room for items that had been stored at the warehouses. Follow the Habitat for Humanity and ReStore Facebook pages for more updates.

Tornado Relief Fund:
The United Way of South Central Indiana, in cooperation with the Monroe County Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) and Greene County officials, has opened a Relief Fund and is seeking donations to support short and long-term recovery from the recent tornadoes and severe weather for low- and moderate-income neighbors in Monroe and Greene counties. Visit the United Way Tornado Relief Fund page for more information.

Volunteer to Help:
To volunteer to help with debris cleanup or assist in other ways, visit the Bloomington Volunteer Network.

In February, we kicked off a new initiative to reduce unsheltered homelessness in Monroe County. The Community Foundation hosted a meeting with our partners in this initiative: Heading Home of South Central Indiana, Beacon, New Hope for Families, South Central Community Action Program, the Monroe County Public Library, HealthNet, Centerstone, City of Bloomington, & Monroe County’s Township Trustees.

This initiative, funded with funding support from the Lilly Endowment, will advance evidence-based strategies focused on reducing Monroe County’s population of individuals and families experiencing unsheltered homelessness through increased case management, street outreach, and landlord engagement, and other homelessness diversion and prevention efforts.

For more information on this initiative, visit: https://cfbmc.org/giftviii-implementation-mc/ and stay tuned for updates.

The Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County (CFBMC) has received a Community Leadership Implementation Grant of $7,394,505 from Lilly Endowment Inc. through the eighth phase of the Endowment’s Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT VIII) statewide initiative. Through GIFT VIII, Lilly Endowment is supporting the efforts of community foundations and their partners to strengthen quality of life for the people in the towns, cities, counties, and regions they serve.

With this grant, CFBMC will collaborate with Heading Home of South Central Indiana, the South Central Community Action Program (SCCAP), agencies in the South Central Housing Network, and other local partners to advance evidence-based strategies focused on reducing Monroe County’s population of individuals and families experiencing unsheltered homelessness through increased case management, street outreach, and landlord engagement and other homelessness diversion and prevention efforts. This implementation grant is one of two that CFBMC received through the GIFT VIII initiative.

From 2019 to 2024, Monroe County’s population of individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness—those sleeping in city parks, cars, encampments, abandoned buildings, and on the streets —grew by 217%, according to the local point-in-time counts. Dramatic increases in the number of unhoused individuals have strained public resources and overburdened social service agencies.

Several years of cross-sector community planning resulted in The Heading Home Plan, A Regional Strategy for Making Homeless Rare, Brief, and Non-Repeating (2021), and The Housing Action Plan for Bloomington/Monroe County (2024). CFBMC also utilized Lilly Endowment GIFT VIII Community Leadership planning grant funding to further explore high-impact solutions to reduce unsheltered homelessness in Monroe County.

Within these studies and plans, a shared case management approach was identified among the most actionable strategies to reduce unsheltered homelessness and divert at-risk individuals and households into stable housing.

Funds from the GIFT VIII Implementation grant will embed 10 case managers throughout the community within partner agencies that work most closely with unhoused individuals. These case managers will use a strengths-based Housing First approach to helping people experiencing unsheltered homelessness and households at risk of a severe housing crisis. Case managers will provide access to resources, help reduce or prevent risk agents (such as medical issues, job loss, challenges with transportation and childcare, etc.), and work with individuals and families to build success plans for long-term housing security. Heading Home will be the coordinating entity for the housing case managers as well as other positions dedicated to this initiative.

In addition to case management, this grant will support a pilot of a Housing Stability Income Supplement Program for families at risk of losing stable housing and provide match funding to grow the Community Foundation’s Housing Security Endowment Fund to ensure long-term sustainability of efforts to address unsheltered homelessness.

“On behalf of the Foundation and our entire community, I want to share how incredibly grateful we are to Lilly Endowment for this significant grant,” said CFBMC President and CEO Tina Peterson.

“Unsheltered homelessness is a public health and safety crisis impacting not just those living on the streets but our entire community,” added Peterson. “For several years, we have been focused on this unprecedented crisis, engaging with key partners to identify intentional, evidence-based strategies and supporting the development of Heading Home to coordinate activities that strengthen housing security in our community. This grant from Lilly Endowment will help mitigate the current crisis of unsheltered individuals and enable our community to begin implementing promising long-term strategies to improve housing security in Monroe County.”

Mary Morgan, the director of Heading Home of South Central Indiana, added that this grant will support a comprehensive, community-wide cross-sector approach. “Key partners from local government, public safety, healthcare, and social services have all shown a deep commitment to working together to help individuals and families in crisis,” said Morgan. “We know this won’t be easy, but our coalition is optimistic that by working together we can implement systemwide changes to move people more quickly into housing with the support services they need to keep them stably housed.”

CFBMC’s grant from the Endowment is one of 30 implementation grants being awarded through GIFT VIII. CFBMC was also awarded a second Community Leadership Implementation GIFT VIII Grant from Lilly Endowment to strengthen the quality and capacity of early childhood education programs within 10 counties of the Indiana Uplands region. Read more about this grant.

In 1990, Lilly Endowment launched the Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT) initiative to help establish and further develop community foundations throughout Indiana. Lilly Endowment hoped that Indiana’s community foundations could enhance the quality of life in their communities by convening conversations among people of diverse ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, occupations, races, and cultural traditions about their communities’ most compelling needs and opportunities, as well as the best ways to address them.

About Lilly Endowment

Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private 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 programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion, and maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.

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 $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.

About Heading Home of South Central Indiana

Heading Home of South Central Indiana is a regional initiative launched in 2021 to strengthen housing security and decrease homelessness. As a backbone organization based in Monroe County, Heading Home works with community partners to address system-level needs and to be a catalyst for long-term, sustainable change that results in safe, stable housing for residents in South Central Indiana.

Lilly Endowment Inc., through the eighth phase of its Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT VIII) initiative, has awarded a $7,834,000 Community Leadership Implementation Grant to the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County (CFBMC) on behalf of the Indiana Uplands region. GIFT VIII is a statewide Lilly Endowment initiative designed to support the efforts of community foundations and their partners to strengthen quality of life for the people in the towns, cities, counties, and regions they serve.

This implementation grant, one of two that CFBMC received through the GIFT VIII initiative, will strengthen the quality and capacity of early childhood education programs in 10 counties of the Indiana Uplands region. Counties served by this grant include Brown, Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Orange, and Owen.

In 2021, Indiana Uplands counties began examining how they might improve their child care landscape and early learning outcomes in collaboration with Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI) and Monroe Smart Start (an early learning leadership initiative of CFBMC). In the years since, each Indiana Uplands county has established or expanded early learning coalitions comprised of local community foundations, early education providers, school systems, community economic and development organizations, employers, and other organizations. These county coalitions have conducted research, identified best practices, and developed locally specific early care and education strategic plans in collaboration with ROI, defining proposed activities to increase access to high quality early care and education opportunities.

“Thanks to this funding from Lilly Endowment, communities in the Indiana Uplands region will be able to begin activating strategies they have developed in collaboration with local stakeholders and regional partners with the intent of improving outcomes for thousands of children, families, employers, and communities,” said Community Foundation President and CEO Tina Peterson.

In collaboration with community foundations and each county’s early care coalition, CFBMC will launch Indiana Uplands Smart Start. With the support of a regional team of Smart Start coordinators, each county will receive funding and ongoing support through the grant to begin implementing initiatives outlined in their early care and education strategic plans. While specific activities will vary in each county, funding will be used to create and expand the capacity of childcare centers to serve more children, create efficiencies through shared services, strengthen provider sustainability, and deliver resources to improve the quality of educational experiences children receive before kindergarten.

To advance these efforts, the Indiana Uplands Smart Start team will coordinate activities and provide project leadership, facilitation, and connectivity to subject matter experts and business mentors. A new regional Employer Resource Network will also provide innovative services to support employer and childcare provider partnerships in the Indiana Uplands.

“Not only is early care and education critical for young children, but it also impacts our region’s institutions, employers, and prosperity,” said Jennifer Myers, director of Monroe Smart Start. “Our region has united around a shared commitment to improving early learning, and county coalitions are excited to continue our momentum in the region and begin translating the work into measurable impact for the benefit of all Indiana Uplanders.”

This grant is one of 30 implementation grants being awarded through GIFT VIII. CFBMC was also awarded a second Community Leadership Implementation GIFT VIII Grant from Lilly Endowment to deploy evidence-based strategies focused on reducing Monroe County’s unsheltered homeless population. Read more about this grant.

In 1990, Lilly Endowment launched the Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT) initiative to help establish and further develop community foundations throughout Indiana. Lilly Endowment hoped that Indiana’s community foundations could enhance the quality of life in their communities by convening conversations among people of diverse ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, occupations, races, and cultural traditions about their communities’ most compelling needs and opportunities, as well as the best ways to address them.

About Lilly Endowment

Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private 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 programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion, and maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.

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 $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.

About Monroe Smart Start

A leadership initiative of the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County, Monroe Smart Start promotes local and regional early childhood education through high-quality early learning experiences, professional development for educators, family engagement, community partnerships, and advocacy.

About Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI)

Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to advance economic and community prosperity in the 11 counties of the Indiana Uplands (Brown, Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Orange, Owen, and Washington counties). ROI is growing potential and possibility through a focus on advanced industry sectors, regionalism, transformative school and workforce redesign, and placemaking strategies.