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Happy New Year!
Strange as it may seem, I’d like to wish you a very happy new year! July 1st marks the beginning of the Community Foundation’s fiscal year, and it brings with it all the promise and anticipation some might more commonly associate with January 1st.
As you read through this newsletter, you’ll get a good feel for some of that promise: new opportunities for early learning in our community, the next round of Lilly Community scholarships, the latest iteration of impact granting, and initiatives to continue aligning the 11 counties of Southwest Central Indiana for sustainable economic and community prosperity.
As for anticipation, our staff and board are in the process of preparing for grantmaking from each of the 215 funds that comprise the Foundation’s endowment. After our annual audit is complete in early Fall, we will begin making these grants:
- From designated and agency funds: We will distribute over 100 checks to nonprofits, in Monroe County and beyond, as designated by the donor(s) that established each fund.
- From field of interest funds: We will identify needs and opportunities that can be supported with grants that align with the fund founder’s area (field) of interest. These interests are broad and far reaching from community beautification and animal welfare to sheltering and education.
- From unrestricted funds: We will support the Community Impact Funding Initiative, early childhood education, and much more. These funds give us the greatest opportunity to be responsive and flexible in addressing the needs of our community year in and year out. For example, this year we will partner with our friends from Monroe County, Centerstone and others to sponsor the Opioid Summit and consider other ways we might enable solutions to this and other significant challenges that we face as a community. We will also work with the City in developing a Community Development Finance Institution.
- From donor advised funds: We will work with individuals and families to identify the most fulfilling and responsive ways to support the community using annual grants from these funds.
As this New Year begins at the Community Foundation, what we call fiscal year ’18, we look forward to another year of using our resources that exist because of the generosity of donors, to connect caring people with compelling causes. Our goal is always to create significant and relevant impact. What better way to start a new year!
Monroe County Selected for On My Way Pre-K
On June 7, Governor Eric J. Holcomb released the list of 15 counties eligible to take part in the expanded On My Way Pre-K program, and Monroe County is among them! This program will make prekindergarten available in our community to more 4-year-olds from low-income families. Local providers will enroll students for the 2018-2019 school year, and limited participation could begin as early as January.
“We have, as a community, been very thoughtful about improving the quality of early learning experiences locally and growing access for those children from families who financially wouldn’t have the capacity to do so otherwise,” said Tina Peterson. “In the state of Indiana, we know for every dollar we invest in early care, it will generate another four dollars in benefit,” Peterson added. “It pays for itself in the long term. It’s good for families, it’s good for communities, and it’s really good for workforce development and for supporting local employers.” Read More.
Cary Curry Lighting Up the Dance Floor for CFBMC
The Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County is proud to be among seven local nonprofit organizations chosen by leaders in our community to benefit from the Dancing with the Celebrities Competition. A very special thank you to Cary Curry, owner of Curry Auto Center, for dancing on behalf of CFBMC!
Cary will be dancing this year to support the creation of a new Community Foundation endowment. The Curry Family Fund for a Compassionate & Caring Community will support activities that foster greater compassion in our community, such as mentoring initiatives, programs for at-risk children and families, faith-based community support, and more.
You can help Cary win the coveted Mirror Ball Trophy! Every dollar raised between now and September counts as a vote. The trophy will be awarded the night of the event to the nonprofit and celebrity dancer that raises the most funds. Donate today (select the Cary Curry – Dancing with the Celebrities fund).
SAVE THE DATE to cheer on Cary as he lights up the dance floor! Dancing with the Celebrities is September 9 at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. Read More.
Special Thanks to CFBMC Board Members
Three of our board members completed their terms with the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County on June 30th.
Mayer Maloney, Denise Howard and Ted Najam each served for nine years and all have made lasting contributions to the Foundation and the community. Thank you for your tremendous leadership and selfless dedication to improving the lives of people in Monroe County!
2017 Impact Grants Focused on Empowering Youth
2018 guidelines and details to be announced in August.
Earlier this year, CFBMC and Smithville Charitable Foundation awarded $325,000 in 2017 Community Impact Grants. Fourteen grants were awarded with $250,000 allocated specifically to fund projects that “empower youth to reach their potential.”
“In fiscal year 2017, we asked for grant projects designed to prepare young people for success and provide them with the skills, knowledge, and awareness to inspire and equip them to reach their full potential,” said Tina Peterson, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County.
“The response to our request was overwhelming. From prevention of substance abuse and addiction, character and leadership development, and career awareness to tolerance and acceptance of others, the substance of the grants funded is timely, essential, and relevant to our community.” Read More.
The next round of impact granting will be announced in late summer 2017.
See List of 2017 Impact Grant Recipients
2017 Scholarship Recipients Announced
The Community Foundation is proud to help local students and adults to fund their educational dreams. Established by generous individuals and companies, CFBMC’s scholarship programs help members of our community pursue continuing education, develop their unique potential, and enhance their ability to contribute to Monroe County and society.
Congratulations to the Community Foundation’s 2017 scholarship recipients. We wish them well as they begin their educational journeys and pursue their career aspirations.
See List of 2017 Scholarship Recipients
Application Now Available for the Lilly Scholarship
Applications for the Monroe County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program are now available online. 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.
Interested high school seniors have until Thursday, August 31st to submit their applications to be considered for the scholarship program. Finalists for the scholarship will be identified in October, and the two 2018 Lilly Endowment Community Scholars for Monroe County will be named in December 2017. Read More.
Infographic: How Does An Endowment Fund Work?
Giving Online Just Got Easier
We recently launched a new online giving form to make it even easier to support one of the Community Foundation’s 215 funds. Along with an improved user interface, you can now set up recurring donations and pay via Mastercard, Visa, Discover, American Express and PayPal. Have questions about making a gift online, contact Meagan Niese at 812.333.9016 or [email protected].
Make A Gift Online Now
Upcoming Events and Important Dates
- August 31: Application deadline for the 2018 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program
- September 9: Join us to cheer on Cary Curry at Dancing with the Celebrities (tickets available now!)
- September 28: First Annual South Central Opioid Summit. This free, one-day summit, will bring people together to collaborate on the region’s opioid epidemic. Register Now.
ROI Announces New Regional Workforce & Education Initiatives
Regional Opportunity Initiatives introduced a series of education, workforce and quality of life initiatives at its first Annual Report to the Region held on April 26 in French Lick, IN.
Initiatives announced will impact the 11 counties of Southwest Central Indiana and include a Ready Schools Initiative, STEM Fellows, Out-of-School STEM Learning Grants, a cybersecurity challenge, an Educator Boot Camp with local employers, the Skill UP! Work and Learn Internship program for technology students, a Speakers Bureau, a competitive positioning and branding effort, and quality of place grantmaking. In addition, regional convenings will take place this summer around career pathways and adult education. Ongoing initiatives include the I69 interchange analysis and Graduation and Career Coaching in 11 Southwest Central Indiana high schools. Read More.
