The Community Foundation is deeply honored to be entrusted as the home of the Isabella Hutchison Memorial Scholarship Fund, a permanent endowment established through a planned gift bequest. The endowment, funded by an estate gift of more than $350,000 from Isabella Hutchison, will provide college scholarships to students from the Bloomington High School South Orchestra. The endowment honors Isabella’s love of music and her belief in the power of the arts while providing post-secondary educational opportunities for aspiring students.
“We are honored to play a role in carrying forth Isabella’s legacy through this endowment,” said President and CEO Tina Peterson. “The Isabella Hutchison Memorial Scholarship Fund will serve as a fitting tribute to her legacy—celebrating her passion for equipping young people to fully develop their talents and capabilities.”
Born on June 11, 1933, in Bloomington, Indiana, to Walter B. and Marion S. (Beveridge) Hutchison, Isabella Hutchison led a life characterized by pioneering spirit, athletic achievement, and dedicated leadership. From her earliest days as the first woman to receive a Girl’s Athletic Association scholarship at Bloomington High School, she forged a path that would uplift women’s athletics and shape opportunities for generations to come.
After earning her Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and Recreation in 1959 and a Master’s in Health and Safety in 1963 from Indiana University, Isabella demonstrated both athletic prowess and academic rigor. Her talents spanned basketball, field hockey, softball, volleyball, tennis, and badminton — excelling as both a team All-Star and a champion individual athlete.
In 1965, she carried that passion and ambition to the University of Miami, where she laid the foundation for what would become a thriving women’s athletics department. Beginning by establishing intramural sports for women, she elevated the university to the national stage—launching full recruiting programs and securing scholarships under the emerging Title IX. Her leadership earned her the role of Director of Women’s Athletics by 1977, and she was later honored with induction into the University of Miami Hall of Fame.
Returning to Bloomington, she served as the Associate Athletic Director for Women’s Sports at Indiana University until her retirement in 2000. Under her leadership, IU’s women’s teams in tennis, golf, track & field, cross country, and softball all rose to national prominence — earning top-20 rankings and cultivating All-American and All-Conference athletes.
Isabella passed away on September 21, 2024 — capping a life defined by leadership, generosity, and an enduring commitment to equity in sports. While her career focused on athletics, she leaves behind a legacy gift to the Community Foundation that will forever honor her other passions – music, the arts, and her love for her high school.
The application period for the inaugural Isabella Hutchison Memorial Scholarship will open in spring 2027.
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For more information on planned giving to the Community Foundation, please contact Meagan Niese, Development Director, at meaganniese@cfbmc.org or (812) 333-9016.
About the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County
The Community Foundation connects donors and resources to catalyze solutions that strengthen Monroe County through grantmaking, leadership, and strategic partnerships to drive both immediate and long-term impact. Created by individuals, families, and businesses who share a passion for Monroe County and a vision for its future, the Community Foundation has granted $52 million to more than 600 local nonprofit organizations since its incorporation in 1990. With a growing $59 million endowment, the Foundation makes a difference by connecting caring people, important causes, and community resources to address our community’s most pressing challenges and seize its most compelling opportunities.