Category: News

Ten high school seniors have been selected as finalists for the 2021 Monroe County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program. We hope you will join us in congratulating these phenomenal students:

Monroe County’s 2021 Lilly Scholarship finalists include:

• John Beggs, Bloomington High School South
• Hannah Browning, Lighthouse Christian Academy
• Ethan Cantrell, Bloomington High School North
• Darby FitzSimmons, Bloomington High School South
• Solveig Ksander Hicks, Bloomington High School North
• Josephine Sparks, Bloomington High School South
• Moya Stringer, Bloomington High School South
• Lucia Walker, Bloomington High School South
• Kaitlyn Young, Bloomington High School North
• Katherine Zinkan, Bloomington High School South

“This year’s Lilly Scholarship finalists represent a dynamic group of individuals who have achieved as students while also giving back to their communities in remarkable ways,” said Tina Peterson, Community Foundation’s president and CEO.

Among their many accomplishments, this year’s Monroe County Lilly Scholarship finalists have led more than 25 school organizations, displayed their talents in art, music, dance, theater, writing, and poetry, and excelled as athletes in soccer, cross country, volleyball, track, lacrosse, and swimming.

These civic-minded students have led efforts to engage young people in community government and encouraged their peers to register to vote. They have advocated for a greener environment through new local efforts and global initiatives. As selfless members of the community, they have also volunteered for 30 local organizations, including St. Vincent de Paul, Habitat for Humanity, Hoosier Hills Food Bank, WonderLab, Salvation Army, City of Bloomington Parks and Rec, Community Kitchen, Best Buddies, Meals on Wheels, Boys and Girls Clubs of Bloomington, and many others.  

“While we always regret that only two of these amazing finalists will ultimately receive the Lilly Scholarship, each one inspires great confidence in this generation of young people,” added Peterson. “It would be our hope that many of our finalists ultimately elect to stay in Indiana for school and begin their careers as Hoosiers.”

Monroe County’s Lilly Scholarship Application Process

Monroe County’s Lilly Scholarship finalists were selected from among 21 semifinalists and 117 applications submitted by students from Monroe County high schools.

Applications for the 2021 scholarship were blindly reviewed and independently scored by members of a scholarship committee at each Monroe County high school to identify 21 semifinalists. The number of semifinalists identified is reflective of each school’s senior class size. See complete list of semifinalists.

Each semifinalist was invited to submit an updated application, which included additional content and references from school and other community members, to be considered for the finalist round. The Community Foundation Scholarship Selection Committee then evaluated the completed semifinalist applications. This committee, which comprises members of the community and former Monroe County Lilly Scholars, blindly reviewed and scored applications from the semifinalists to select ten finalists. In selecting recipients for the Monroe County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship, consideration is given to student activities and achievements, community and civic service, academic performance, and leadership potential. 

The finalists will participate in interviews this week, and their interview scores will be combined with scoring from the written application. The finalists’ rankings, along with the committee’s recommendations for scholarship nominees, will be submitted to Independent Colleges of Indiana, Inc. for final selection of scholarship recipients for Monroe County. The two 2021 Lilly Endowment Community Scholars for Monroe County will be named in December 2020. 

About The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program:

Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are awarded four-year, 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.

Since the Lilly Endowment Scholarship Program’s inception in 1998, over $404 million in scholarship tuition has been provided. Including scholars from the 23rd cohort, which started their college careers this fall, 4,769 students have received full-tuition Lilly scholarships. The Lilly Scholarship program is administered by Independent Colleges of Indiana and community foundations in each of Indiana’s 92 counties.

For more information on the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program or other scholarships administered by CFBMC, visit https://cfbmc.org/lasting-impact/apply-for-a-scholarship/ or contact Marcus Whited, Program Director at 812-333-9016 or [email protected].

About Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County:

Created by individuals, families, and businesses who share a passion for Monroe County and a vision for its future, the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County has granted $30 million to more than 400 local nonprofit organizations since its incorporation in 1990. With a growing $33.5 million endowment, the Foundation makes a difference by connecting caring people, important causes, and community resources.

Resilient Community Mental Health Grant requests due on Oct 12 and will be awarded on Oct 23

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and increased demand for mental health services, the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County has announced a new grant opportunity for nonprofits, schools, government entities, and other exempt organizations. The Resilient Community Mental Health Grants initiative will award grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 to nonprofits that serve residents in Monroe County. A total of $150,000 in grant funds is available.

“The impact that this pandemic has had on people’s emotional well-being has been overwhelming,” said President and CEO Tina Peterson. “Fear, anxiety, isolation, loss of income, and stay-at-home measures have all contributed to an increased demand for mental health services. While our community’s nonprofits are doing incredible work to provide care and services, we know that they need help to meet the acute demand for mental health programs and support. They also need funding to deliver services in new and different ways, such as telehealth or phone-based services. This grant opportunity will help improve capacity and the resiliency of our community’s nonprofits and our residents.”

Local 501(c)(3) organizations and other organizations exempt from filing for 501(c)(3) status may apply for a Resilient Community Mental Health Grants. Funding will be used to enhance or expand the capacity of local health programs, services, or organizations to provide mental, emotional, and behavioral health supports in Monroe County. Eligible expenses may include technology, staffing, training, equipment, therapeutic services and programs, and operational costs related to enhancing or adding capacity to health organizations, programs, or services to support individuals facing mental health challenges resulting from or exacerbated by COVID-19.

To be considered for funding, applicants must submit their requests on the Community Foundation’s grant portal by 11:59 p.m. on October 12. Awarded grants will be announced on October 23. For more information on eligibility and application procedures, contact CFBMC Program Director Marcus Whited at (812) 333-9016 or [email protected].

For more information on other COVID-19 funding initiatives & grants awarded this year by the Community Foundation, visit: https://cfbmc.org/covid-19-coronavirus-response

About Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County:

Created by individuals, families, and businesses who share a passion for Monroe County and a vision for its future, the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County has granted $30 million to more than 400 local nonprofit organizations since its incorporation in 1990. With a growing $34 million endowment, the Foundation makes a difference by connecting caring people, important causes, and community resources.

The Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County (CFBMC) has announced that 21 high school seniors have been selected as semifinalists for the 2021 Monroe County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program. Congratulations to these exceptional students:

• Lena Abdelkader, Bloomington High School North
• John Beggs, Bloomington High School South
• Ousman Berndt, Harmony School
• Savannah Bledsoe, Edgewood High School
• Andrew Blessinger, Edgewood High School
• Hannah Browning, Lighthouse Christian Academy
• Ethan Cantrell, Bloomington High School North
• Caroline Doyon, Bloomington High School North
• Darby FitzSimmons, Bloomington High School South
• Nicholas Goh, Bloomington High School South
• Solveig Ksander Hicks, Bloomington High School North
• Cooper Macy, Bloomington High School North
• Ohm Shah, Bloomington High School South
• Madeleine Shaw, Bloomington High School North
• Tyler Smith, Edgewood High School
• Josephine Sparks, Bloomington High School South
• Moya Stringer, Bloomington High School South
• Lucia Walker, Bloomington High School South
• Blake Waskow, Edgewood High School
• Kaitlyn Young, Bloomington High School North
• Katherine Zinkan, Bloomington High School South

Monroe County’s semifinalists were selected from among 117 applications submitted by students from Monroe County high schools. Applications for the 2021 scholarship were blindly reviewed and independently scored by members of a scholarship committee at each high school to identify semifinalists. The number of semifinalists identified is reflective of each school’s senior class size.

Each semifinalist has been invited to submit an updated application, which includes additional content and references from school and other members of the community, to be considered for the finalist round. The Community Foundation Scholarship Selection Committee will then evaluate the completed semifinalist applications. This committee, which is made up of members of the community and former Monroe County Lilly Scholars, blindly reviews and scores applications from the semifinalists to select ten finalists. In selecting recipients for the Monroe County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship, consideration is given to student activities and achievements, community and civic service, academic performance, and leadership potential. 

Finalists will be identified and interviewed in October, and finalist interview scores will be combined with scoring from the written application. The finalists’ rankings, along with the committee’s recommendations for scholarship nominees, will be submitted to Independent Colleges of Indiana, Inc. for final selection of scholarship recipients for Monroe County. The two 2021 Lilly Endowment Community Scholars for Monroe County will be named in December 2020. 

Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are awarded four-year, 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.

“Despite the many uncertainties students face today, a record number of young people in Monroe County applied for the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship this year,” said Community Foundation President and CEO Tina Peterson. “We couldn’t be more pleased that all these exceptional students are interested in pursuing their post-secondary education at one of Indiana’s world-class higher education institutions. While only two Monroe County students will ultimately receive a Lilly Scholarship, we hope many of our applicants will elect to not only stay in Indiana for school but will also choose to make Indiana home after graduation.”

Since the Lilly Endowment Scholarship Program’s inception in 1998, over $424 million in scholarship tuition has been provided. Including scholars from the 23rd cohort, which started their college careers this fall, 4,769 students have received full-tuition Lilly scholarships. The Lilly Scholarship program is administered by Independent Colleges of Indiana and community foundations in each of Indiana’s 92 counties.

For more information on the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program or other scholarships administered by CFBMC, visit https://cfbmc.org/lasting-impact/apply-for-a-scholarship/ or contact Marcus Whited, Program Director at 812-333-9016 or [email protected].

About Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County:

Created by individuals, families, and businesses who share a passion for Monroe County and a vision for its future, the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County has granted $30 million to more than 400 local nonprofit organizations since its incorporation in 1990. With a growing $33.5 million endowment, the Foundation makes a difference by connecting caring people, important causes, and community resources.

IU Health Foundation provides lead gift, first grant from new LEARN Fund to subsidize affordable child care through Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington

The Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County has created a new funding initiative to address child care costs and the need for virtual learning resources. The Learning Equity and Resource Needs for Children and Families (LEARN) Fund will help ensure Monroe County children and families have the resources needed for children to learn effectively despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

With lead funding from IU Health Foundation and the IU Health South Central Region through a grant under the IU Health Community Impact Investment Fund, and additional funding support from the United Way of Monroe County and the Community Foundation, the LEARN Fund is launching with $150,000 that will immediately be available to support children and families.

The LEARN Fund will be used for child care costs for low-income families or families facing extraordinary circumstances. Funds may also be used to support e-learning related expenses, technology, education services, or other resources children may need to learn effectively while in-person schooling is limited or not possible. Grants from the LEARN Fund will be distributed through child care providers, schools, and nonprofit organizations that work directly with children and families who need assistance.

“COVID-19 has brought unprecedented change to our lives,” said IU Health South Central Region President Brian Shockney. “The LEARN Fund is just one way IU Health is working with our local community to help those who could use some assistance. Children are our future, and this fund will help ensure that more youth in our area receive the child care and education they need during this next normal. Increased child care will also result in more parents and guardians being able to return to the workforce.”

The first proactive grant from this fund is a $30,000 grant to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington (BGCB) to immediately subsidize child care costs for school-aged children. In addition to its current programs, BGCB will expand its ability to provide affordable child care during the traditional school day for students who cannot be in school buildings full-time due to COVID-19 restrictions.

BGCB expects to be able to serve between 300 and 450 children with a pod-based child care model. The program will support as many as 30 youth child care pods, each serving 10-15 children in compliance with CDC and local health guidelines. The pods will be located in all three BGCB sites and in other off-site community locations. Thanks to grant support to subsidize this program from the Community Foundation’s new LEARN Fund, costs to families for the BGCB child care program will be $20 per week per child.

Since mid-March, the Community Foundation has been working with a coalition of local leaders, educators, and providers to address emergency and essential child care needs in Bloomington and Monroe County. This taskforce has regularly collected information to help understand the need for child care, the barriers to providing care, and strategies to provide care in environments defined by the implications of COVID-19.

In addition to the LEARN Fund, this Monroe County Child Care Task Force has proactively worked with the Community Foundation’s Monroe Smart Start program to:

• help essential workers identify and find available child care spots in Monroe County;
• create a child care worker call out and match potential workers to paid employment opportunities;
• film a child care safety video to help ease fears among families about returning to child care settings; and
• develop a new COVID-related child care and learning resource website for families: https://www.monroesmartstart.org/families/learn-resources/

“The Community Foundation welcomes donations to the LEARN Fund,” stated Tina Peterson, President and CEO of the Community Foundation. “Nothing is more important to the resiliency of our community than the care and education of our children. Resources from LEARN Fund will ensure that care is available to families that need it, children have a safe place to learn while their parents work, and that families have the technology they need to support learning.”

For more information on the LEARN Fund, please contact:

• Program Director Marcus Whited at [email protected]
• Director of Development Meagan Niese at [email protected]

About Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County:

Created by individuals, families, and businesses who share a passion for Monroe County and a vision for its future, the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County has granted $30 million to more than 400 local nonprofit organizations since its incorporation in 1990. With a growing $34 million endowment, the Foundation makes a difference by connecting caring people, important causes, and community resources.

About Indiana University Health

A private, nonprofit organization, Indiana University Health is Indiana’s largest comprehensive health system and is comprised of hospitals, physicians and allied services dedicated to providing preeminent care throughout Indiana and beyond. Our unique partnership with Indiana University School of Medicine gives our highly skilled physicians access to innovative treatments using the latest research and technology. More information is available at www.iuhealth.org.

Deadline to apply for eligible high school seniors is August 13, 2020

The Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County (CFBMC) has opened its application for the 2021 Monroe County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program. Interested high school seniors have until Thursday, August 13 to submit applications to be considered for the scholarship program. 

Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are awarded four-year, 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. In selecting recipients for the Monroe County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship, consideration is given to student activities and achievements, community and civic service, academic performance, and leadership potential. 

“Although we’ve moved the deadline up a bit this year, we feel that we have updated the application to allow for a more efficient and streamlined process for all involved,” said Program Director Marcus Whited.

Semifinalists for the scholarship will be identified in September, and will be invited to submit updated applications for the finalist round by Thursday, September 24. Finalists will be identified and interviewed in October, and the two 2021 Lilly Endowment Community Scholars for Monroe County will be named in December 2020. 

Eligibility Requirements:

• Applicant must be a resident of Monroe County. 
• Applicant must attend an accredited Monroe County high school and/or the Indiana Academy for at least three consecutive years.
• Applicant must graduate by June of 2021 from one of these eligible schools: Bloomington High School North, Bloomington High School South, Edgewood High School, Seven Oaks Classical School, Academy of Science and Entrepreneurship, Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics & Humanities, Bloomington Graduation School, and Lighthouse Christian Academy. 
• Applicant must have a cumulative GPA of 3.70 or above (on a weighted four-point scale) through the end of their junior year.
• Applicant plans to pursue a full-time baccalaureate course of study at an Indiana college or university beginning in the Fall of 2021.

Evaluation Process:

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

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

“Monroe County and the Indiana Uplands region is home to exceptional students and exciting career opportunities,” said Community Foundation President and CEO Tina Peterson. “We are grateful that the Lilly Endowment in collaboration with Independent Colleges of Indiana for this incredible opportunity to incent young people to pursue their post-secondary education at Indiana’s world-class higher education institutions. Our hope is that these students not only stay here for school but also pursue thriving careers here and raise families in our communities.” 

Since the Lilly Endowment Scholarship Program’s inception in 1998, over $424 million in scholarship tuition has been provided. Including the 23rd cohort, which begins college classes this fall, 4,769 full-tuition Lilly scholarships have been awarded. The Lilly Scholarship program is administered by Independent Colleges of Indiana and community foundations in each of Indiana’s 92 counties.

For more information on the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program or other scholarships administered by CFBMC, visit https://cfbmc.org/lasting-impact/apply-for-a-scholarship/ or contact Marcus Whited, Program Director at 812-333-9016 or [email protected].

About Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County:

Created by individuals, families, and businesses who share a passion for Monroe County and a vision for its future, the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County has granted $30 million to more than 400 local nonprofit organizations since its incorporation in 1990. With a growing $33.5 million endowment, the Foundation makes a difference by connecting caring people, important causes, and community resources.

Thanks to the generosity of Community Foundation donors wanting to support local nonprofits during the pandemic and the Lilly Endowment through the United Way of Monroe County’s COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund, the Foundation was able to open another funding round of COVID-19 Rapid Response Grants this past week.

In the third phase, the Foundation awarded 24 grants through a streamlined evaluation process. This grant opportunity supports Monroe County nonprofits with grants of up to $2,500.

Phase III Rapid Response Grant recipients:

• Amethyst House
• Bloomington Developmental Learning Center
• Buskirk-Chumley Theater Management
• Catholic Charities
• Center for Sustainable Living – Bloomington Community Bike Project
• Community Justice & Mediation Center
• Courage to Change Sober Living
• Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County
• LifeDesigns
• Lotus Education & Arts Foundation
• Monroe County United Ministries
• My Sister’s Closet
• New Hope for Families
• New Leaf New Life
• Pantry 279
• Reimagining Opera for Kids
• Shalom Community Center
• Society of St. Vincent De Paul
• WFHB
• WildCare Inc.
• Windfall Dancers
• WonderLab
• YMCA of Monroe County
• Youth First, Inc.

Grant funds will be used immediately for supplies, equipment, remote-work technology, staffing, and to enable our local nonprofits to sustain capacity to serve our community. All nonprofit organizations serving Monroe County were eligible to apply regardless of whether they were awarded a grant in a previous Rapid Response Grant round.

“Monroe County’s nonprofits have responded to this crisis in incredible and innovative ways,” said President and CEO Tina Peterson. “We are encouraged by the creativity, compassion, and commitment exhibited by these organizations during this challenging time. We are proud of the work they are doing despite trying circumstances. Working together, thoughtfully, and collaboratively, we can make a difference for those who call Monroe County home.”

The Community Foundation received 90 Rapid Response grant requests in the three rounds of funding. Fifty-six COVID-19 Rapid Response grants have been awarded for a total of $116,322.34 across the three funding rounds.

Phase II Rapid Response Grant recipients (announced April 10):

• Amethyst House
• Area 10 Agency on Aging
• Artisan Alley
• Bloomington Meals on Wheels
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington
• Ivy Tech Foundation
• Midway Music Speaks
• Monroe County Humane Association
• Stages Bloomington
• Susie’s Place

Phase I Rapid Response Grant recipients (announced in two groups, March 31 & April 2):

• All-Options Pregnancy Resource Center
• American Red Cross Southeast Indiana Chapter
• Bloomington Playwrights Project
• Bloomington Symphony Orchestra
• Buskirk-Chumley Theater Management
• Catholic Charities
• Community Kitchen of Monroe County
• Courage to Change Sober Living
• Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County
• Healthnet
• Hoosier Hills Food Bank
• Middle Way House
• Monroe County History Center
• Monroe County United Ministries
• Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard
• New Leaf New Life
• People and Animal Learning Services
• Pets Alive
• WFHB
• Wheeler Mission Ministries
• Women Writing for a Change
• WonderLab

At this time, Rapid Response Grant applications are currently closed. Should additional funding become available, we will announce funding opportunities on www.CFBMC.org. If you have questions, please contact Program Director Marcus Whited at [email protected].

About Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County:

Created by individuals, families, and businesses who share a passion for Monroe County and a vision for its future, the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County has granted $30 million to more than 400 local nonprofit organizations since its incorporation in 1990. With a growing $33.5 million endowment, the Foundation makes a difference by connecting caring people, important causes, and community resources.

Thanks to the generosity of the Lilly Endowment through the United Way’s COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund and Community Foundation donors that want to support our local nonprofits during the pandemic, we are pleased to share we have funding for a third round of Rapid Response Grants. Grants will immediately support Monroe County nonprofits to carry out their work for the benefit of those who call our community home. 

Grant amounts ranging from $250 to $2,500 will be awarded through a streamlined application process. Nonprofits are asked to apply by noon on Thursday, May 14. Grant awards will be announced on Friday, May 15.  Read more.

11-year old Audrey Clampitt wanted to do something special for the healthcare workers, and all of the people hunkered down during the coronavirus pandemic.

“At first, I wanted to do something to tell the healthcare workers that we are thankful, and to the world, to say that we can really do this,” said Audrey. So, I decided to write a song, and maybe put piano in it.”

The Community Foundation’s Director of Marketing Betsy Trotzke recently got a chance to interview Audrey over Zoom to learn more about her, her love of music, and what she wants to do when she grows up.

Writing a song was a natural fit for Audrey. “My parents say that I’ve been singing since before I could talk,” said Audrey. She began playing the piano in kindergarten, and since the age of six has written more songs than she can count.

“I just come up with the words, and then if I can, I add music,” she said. “I like sharing my songs with the world, and this was a really good chance for me to do that and get a good message out.”

Audrey lives in Bloomington with her parents Andrew and Abra, and has two younger siblings Naomi (age 9) and Lincoln (age 8). They also have a cat named Hoosier and chickens.

For her Overcome music video, Audrey said she took inspiration from other videos, but that it was her dad who had the idea to film familiar places in Bloomington and on the IU campus that people might be missing.

“That was the first time I ever really created a music video,” added Audrey. “I hope people take away a lot of hope from this because we can overcome this. I know in my family that Naomi and Lincoln keep asking, and I do too, ‘when will all of this be over?’ We just need to know that it will be over at some point and that we can get through this. We will.”

Since schools have closed, Audrey said she’s been using her time at home to work on her music and has taught herself to play the ukulele, a gift she received this past Christmas. Her next song on the ukulele will be about her family, and we were lucky to get a sneak peek.

While music is her passion, Audrey has many other hobbies as well. She likes to bake with her mom, read, and write her own stories. When she grows up, she wants to be an author, illustrator, actress, and songwriter.

“I’m actually working on a book right now,” Audrey added. “It’s called the House of Secrets and I think I’m on page 95. I want to get to 150, then to 200. I want it to be pretty big, because my plan is to publish that, then I want to make it into a musical. Then, I can do all of my things at once – write a book, read it, sing and star in it.”

Audrey’s determination and talent inspire us. Follow your dreams, Audrey! The Community Foundation would like to thank Audrey and the entire Clampitt family for sharing their time and talents to spread this uplifting message of hope.

Audrey attended Lakeview Elementary School this year. She is heading into 6th grade this fall and will be 12 years old in October.

Dear Community Foundation Friends,

Like you, we’ve experienced a lot in the last few weeks. Unprecedented impact on our schools, workplaces, families, and daily lives. Yet, even as we exercise social distancing, our community has come together and shown incredible generosity and kindness.

• Tailors and sewers are producing masks for healthcare workers and residents by the thousands.
• Residents are supporting small business with the purchase of gift cards and take-out food.
• Distillers are producing hand sanitizer and distributing it free to those in need.
• Broadband companies are offering expanded data and low-cost plans for low-income families.
• Schools have opened up wi-fi hotspot access for students & members of the public.
• Neighbors have donated bedding and supplies for COVID-19 shelter spaces for homeless individuals and families.
• Musicians and artists are sharing their talents online for free.
• Volunteers have given their time to prepare and deliver food and supplies to homebound neighbors.
• Healthy people have donated blood during an urgent time of need.
• Families and friends are checking in on one another over Zoom.
• Community members have generously donated money to support those families and organizations that desperately need support during this difficult time.

Amid all of this activity — much of which is happening from within our own homes — many of our essential community members go to work each day. We owe tremendous thanks to our hometown heroes: healthcare workers and caregivers, first responders, and those working in grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, food service, childcare, and public transportation. We are proud to be a part of Monroe County, and we know that we are Stronger Together.

On March 22, we shared with you the Community Foundation’s COVID-19 Phase I Response Plan. Today, we are proud to share that the Foundation has deployed $148,200.80 to support emergency COVID-19 relief and nonprofit sustainability in Monroe County. The Foundation has granted:

• $25,000 to the United Way of Monroe County to address basic needs for shelter, food, and medical care
• $66,193.80 in Rapid Response grants to 32 nonprofit organizations for immediate supplies, equipment, remote-work technology, and staffing
• $57,007 in fund distributions from donor-advised, agency, designated and repurposed grant funds to sustain the capacity of nonprofits

These grants would not have been possible without the generations of donors, companies, families, and nonprofits in our community that have trusted us for 30 years to address pressing needs and compelling opportunities in Monroe County.

The Community Foundation has also been actively involved with our community’s leading philanthropic organizations to develop a cohesive strategy for social service support during this time of hardship. We are working closely with our partners to address four areas of emerging need: emergency childcare, health and personal safety, shelter, and food. This week the Foundation, through its Monroe Smart Start program, activated an online portal to help identify individuals qualified to provide childcare services for the families of essential workers in our community. Those expressing interest will be matched with childcare providers in need of staffing or with families looking for in-home care. Childcare is an urgent need that must be addressed, and we are grateful to the organizations that are dedicated to providing safe, quality programming for the children of parents who are working daily to meet the essential needs each and every one of us.  View the portal.

Finally, we are also trying to do our part in supporting others who are stepping forward during this time of crisis.  We’ve provided funding to help the Mill launch the Navigation Center – a web-based resource for local businesses and entrepreneurs negatively affected by COVID-19. We are also loaning a technology platform to assist the city in providing loans to small businesses, nonprofits, and cultural groups through its Rapid Response Fund. The Foundation is also joining others in communicating critical information through a variety of channels. 

We are grateful to our partners in philanthropy, elected officials, community leaders, school officials, employers, and early learning providers for their willingness to come together at this time for the good of all who call Monroe County home.

From all of us at the Community Foundation, thank you for all you are doing for Monroe County – and especially for the kindness you are showing to those among us that are most vulnerable. We will continue to be responsive and during this difficult time and encourage you to contact us with any questions you have via phone at (812) 333-9016 or via email.

Thank you,

Tina Peterson
President and CEO
[email protected]
812.327.3303 (c)

The Community Foundation has been working with past grantees & fundholders to identify ways to repurpose unused dollars to meet emerging needs brought on by COVID-19. We’ve also heard from many donors that want to support our community’s organizations during this crisis. Thanks to their generosity, The Community Foundation was able to open another funding round of Rapid Response Grants this week to immediately support Monroe County nonprofits to carry out their work.

In the second phase of Rapid Response Grants, the Foundation awarded 10 grants. A total of 32 COVID-19 Rapid Response grants has been awarded through two rounds of funding. This grant opportunity was opened to immediately support Monroe County nonprofits with grants of up to $2,500 through a streamlined evaluation process. Grant funds will be used immediately for supplies, equipment, remote-work technology, staffing, and to enable our local nonprofits to sustain capacity to serve our community.

Phase II Rapid Response Grant recipients:

• Amethyst House
• Area 10 Agency on Aging
• Artisan Alley
• Bloomington Meals on Wheels
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington
• Ivy Tech Foundation
• Midway Music Speaks
• Monroe County Humane Association
• Stages Bloomington
• Susie’s Place

Phase I Rapid Response Grant recipients:

• All-Options Pregnancy Resource Center
• American Red Cross Southeast Indiana Chapter
• Bloomington Playwrights Project
• Bloomington Symphony Orchestra
• Buskirk-Chumley Theater Management
• Catholic Charities
• Community Kitchen of Monroe County
• Courage to Change Sober Living
• Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County
• Healthnet
• Hoosier Hills Food Bank
• Middle Way House
• Monroe County History Center
• Monroe County United Ministries
• Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard
• New Leaf New Life
• People and Animal Learning Services
• Pets Alive
• WFHB
• Wheeler Mission Ministries
• Women Writing for a Change
• WonderLab

“The Community Foundation is proud to be working in parallel with our philanthropic partners to address the emergent needs of local organizations during this early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said President and CEO Tina Peterson. “Both the large grant the Foundation made to the United Way COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund and the Rapid Response Grants are meant to ensure that essential organizations have the capacity to lean in during this time of crisis. The Foundation is exploring everything possibility for creatively deploying its resources to support those who call our community home.”

The Community Foundation received 56 Rapid Response grant requests in the two rounds of funding. At this time, Rapid Response Grant applications are currently closed. If you have questions, please contact Program Director Marcus Whited at [email protected].