LCCF Awards $50,000 in Community Grants

The Board of the Lawrence County Community Foundation awarded $50,000 in Community Grants to six Lawrence County nonprofit organizations. The grant recipients address a wide range of community needs – health, education, food security, homelessness, and animal welfare – and include:

•  Lawrence County Cancer Patient Services

• Lawrence County Head Start

• L.I.F.E. Food Pantry

• Men’s Warming Shelter

• Raptors Rise Rehabilitation Center

• White River Humane Society

  “We are grateful for the many dedicated nonprofits making a real difference in our community,” Hope Flores, CFP CEO, stated. “These recipients reflect the breadth of meaningful work being done and we’re happy to help them start the new year strong.”

 As a Community Foundation, we strive to make a positive impact by building a sustainable pool of resources which enables us to support local nonprofits and address community needs. To learn more about what we do and how you can become a partner in our mission, contact us as 812-279-2215 or LCCF@CFPartner.org or visit our website, www.cfpartner.org.

LCCF Awards over $9,900 in 2025 Classroom Grants

The Lawrence County Community Foundation Board of Directors awarded over $9,900 to thirty-four Lawrence County teachers through the 2025 LCCF Classroom Grant Cycle.

The Classroom Grant program is designed to fund small, in-class projects that might not have a typical funding source. The goal is to help teachers provide additional educational projects that reinforce curriculum in a creative and innovative way that stimulates student learning. These activities should inspire students to go home and say, “Today in school we . . .”

“This year's Classroom Grant Program saw a host of different projects that teachers designed to emphasize what they are teaching and engross their students,” shared Jennifer Pace, CFP Grants Manager.  “It is a fun and rewarding experience getting to share in the teachers’ excitement for their projects and their appreciation for the classroom grant that enabled them to bring their projects to fruition.”

If you would like to help support our teachers through the classroom grant program, please contact Hope Flores at (812) 279-2215 or hope@cfpartner.org to learn how you can contribute to the endowment for Classroom Grants.

The Lawrence County Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity, accepts and manages individual and business contributions made to permanent endowments, including the Great Grants Fund for K-12 education grants, LCCF Education Fund, and the Paris P. and Lottie (Collins) Porter Education Fund, which help fund the annual Classroom Grants. LCCF uses the income earned by these endowments to improve the quality of life in Lawrence County for this generation and generations to come. Enhancing educational opportunities is a natural fit for this goal.

Grant recipients and project names:

North Lawrence Community Schools:

• Elizabeth Butterfield, Armpit Fudge

• Michelle Chastain, STEAM-a-Palooza

• Molly Embree, Grandparent Game Day Connection

• Melissa Epping, Growing at Gateway

• Beth Felts, Eggciting Adventures

• Kirsten Gore, Hands on Habitats

• Tracy Hawkins, Art in the Classroom

• Jamie Hooten, Third Grade Glow Day

• Karyn Key, Language Development and Storytelling

• Joachim Ladwig, A Mile High in the Indiana Sky!

• Catherine Laydon, Herb Growing Kit

• Nick Laydon, Analyzing DNA

• Errin Layer, Holga Camera Project

• Michelle Luck, Silver Rings & Shiny Things!

• Helena Muehlbauer, Calming Sensory Spaces

• Amanda Nixon, Deeper Insight

• Darin Powell, Pneumatic Power

• Matthew Ray, Personality Masks

• Alicia Smith, STEM Center

• Sean Steele, Geode Tie Dye Project

• Jamie Willis, Game On: Coding Fun

Mitchell Community Schools:

• Chey-Ann Clouse, Glow in the Dark Art Show

• Maggie Hamilton, Storybook STEAM

• Jo Anne Heinz, Enhancing Civic & Economic Education

• Kirsten Martin, Cooking for Independence

• Rebecca Mason, Pin Loom Weaving

• Amanda Ochs, Reading Rockstars!

• Matt Sowders, Brain Breaks

• Shannon Thomas, Hands On!

• Melissa Whaley, Every Word Heard!

Lawrence County Independent Schools:

• Gregory Baugh, Please Don’t “Shelve this Project”

Springville Community Academy:

• Emily Brunk, STEAM Expansion

Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic School:

• Melissa Banks, The Psychology of Color

• Anne Marie West, Healthy Eating Habits

LCCF Awards $29,938 in Grants for Disadvantaged Elderly

The Lawrence County Community Foundation Board of Directors approved grants totaling $29,938 to ten non-profit organizations from the Margie Marie Pennington Fund for the Elderly. The grants ranged from $500 to $6,438 and target fundamental areas of need for our elderly population.

The Margie Marie Pennington Fund is a charitable fund that was established in 2014 through Margie Pennington’s estate plans. Margie established the fund to assist disadvantaged elderly and homeless elderly individuals in Lawrence County, even though she had moved away from the county when she was 19. “Thanks to Margie’s generosity, the Pennington Fund provides support to local programs serving the needs of disadvantaged elderly in our community,” said Bradford Dykes, LCCF Grants Committee Chair, “Margie’s legacy will continue to provide this support for decades to come.”

The 2025 Pennington Grant recipients and projects include:

• Bertha’s Mission, Meal Delivery Program 2025

• Christian Women’s Connection / Mitchell First Church of God, Helping Hands for Seniors 2025

• Evelyn’s Blessing / OCCF, Evelyn’s Blessings

• Hoosier Hills Food Bank, 2025 Senior Supplemental Food

• Huron Baptist Church, Seniors in Need

• Lawrence County Cancer Patient Services, POP – Power of Protein

• Lions club of Bedford, Ramp Building Project 2025

• Seniors Citizens of Lawrence County, Senior Well-Being

• Southern Indiana Adult Guardianship Serves (SIAGS), Solutions Center, Timeless Connections

• Southern Indiana Center for Independent Living (SICIL), Cool Seniors 2025·      

To learn more about how you can make a lasting impact and spread kindness beyond your lifetime, contact Hope Flores at (812)279-2215 or LCCF@CFPartner.org to discuss how LCCF can assist you in achieving your charitable goals.

The Lawrence County Community Foundation is a charitable, non-profit organization whose mission is to be proactive in creating and growing an enduring source of charitable assets and to identify and respond to the changing needs of Lawrence County.

LCCF awards $86,972 in Boost and Impact Grants

The Lawrence County Community Foundation Board of Directors awarded $76,511 in Impact Grants to nineteen non-profit agencies through the 2025 LCCF Open Grant Cycle.  An additional $10,461 was awarded in Boost Grants to six organizations. Boost Grants have a $2,000 cap and are for smaller projects or general support for an organization.

A $15,000 Conditional Grant was awarded to Bertha’s Mission for building repairs. The grant will be awarded once the remaining funds needed to complete the project are raised.

“Lawrence County is blessed to have a wide variety of non-profit organizations that add to the quality of life in our county,” Bradford Dykes, LCCF Grants Committee Chair, observed. “Through these grants we hope to extend and improve the impact of their programs and services for our residents.”

Grant Recipients and Projects

Impact Grants

• City of Mitchell, Keepin’ Cool in the Shade

• Friends of Spring Mill State Park, Chimney Swift Tower

• Hoosier Hills Food Bank, Mobile Pantry

• Huron Baptist Church, Swing High

• Indian Creek VFD, Knoggin Safety

• Lawrence Co. 4-H Clubs & Fair Assoc., Inc., Building Possibilities

• Lawrence Co. 4-H Council, Inc., Superior STEAM,  Full STEAM Ahead for Literacy

• Lawrence Interfaith Endeavor, Inc. (LIFE), Restock the Pantry

• Mitchell Community Schools, Futureopolis

• MJHS/MHS Winter Guard Boosters, Spin, Toss, Repeat

• Pleasant Run Park, Inc., Swingin for the Fences

• Salvation Army, Lawrence Co., See a Need, Fill a Need

• Shawswick Township Trustee, Lawrence Co., Ensuring Safety

• Shawswick Volunteer Firefighters, OUT with the OLD, IN with the NEW

• Special Olympics, Walking on Sunshine!

• Springville Community Assoc., Community Inclusiveness

• Stone City Alliance for Recover & Hope, Sanctuary of a Bed

• United Way of South Central Indiana, Dolly Parton Imagination Library 2025

• White River Humane Society, Making an Impact – One Animal at a Time

Boost Grants

• Land of Limestone Master Gardeners, Lawrence Co., Gardening for Education & Health

• Lawrence Co. Soil and Water Cons. Dist., Lawrence County Water Quality

• Mitchell Walking Club, Inc., 2026 Back to School

• North Lawrence Stars Soccer, Middle School Soccer

• Purdue Extension, Lawrence Co., Be Heart Smart in Lawrence County

• Serenity Club of Bedford, Serenity 2025·       

“We want to extend our thanks to the many Lawrence County Community Foundation donors whose contributions make this a great place to live,” Dykes added.

This grant cycle was primarily funded by unrestricted endowments whose flexible funds can be used to meet the needs of Lawrence County – today’s known needs, and tomorrow’s unknown needs.  Contact Hope Flores, Community Foundation Partnership CEO, at 812-279-2215 or LCCF@cfpartner.org to learn more about how you can join us in making Lawrence County a great place to live and work.

The Lawrence County Community Foundation, a public charity, is governed by a volunteer board whose mission is to improve the quality of life in Lawrence County for this generation and generations to come.  The Community Foundation accepts and manages individual and business contributions made to permanent endowments, some of which fund the annual grant cycle.

Lilly Endowment grant to help strengthen early childhood education in the Indiana Uplands region

We are excited to be two of 10 counties in the Indiana Uplands region working collaboratively to strengthen early childhood education through a $7.8 million grant from Lilly Endowment! This funding, part of the GIFT VIII initiative, will help increase the availability of childcare, improve provider sustainability, and enhance the quality and affordability of early care and education across the region.

We look forward to seeing the positive impact this will have on families in Lawrence and Martin Counties and throughout the region.

This effort is being spearheaded by the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County (CFBMC). Following is a press release issued by CFBMC:

BLOOMINGTON, Ind – 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 2 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.

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.

2024 Lawrence County Classroom Grant Awards

The Lawrence County Community Foundation Board of Directors awarded over $9,500 to thirty-one Lawrence County teachers through the 2024 LCCF Classroom Grant Cycle.

The Classroom Grant program is designed to fund small, in-class projects that might not have a typical funding source. The goal is to help teachers provide additional educational projects that reinforce curriculum in a creative and innovative way that stimulates student learning. These activities should inspire students to go home and say, “Today in school we . . .”

"Awarding the Classroom Grant checks was a joy.  We watched teachers explain to their classes what they would be purchasing with their checks; some students couldn't help but jump excitedly.  We received forty-eight applications for projects that ranged from gingerbread houses to birdhouses, preschool to high school.  I wish we would have had the funds to approve them all," said Lisa Starr, CFP Finance and Grants Officer.

If you would like to help support our teachers through the classroom grant program, please contact Hope Flores at (812) 279-2215 or hope@cfpartner.org to learn how you can contribute to the endowment for Classroom Grants.

The Lawrence County Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity, accepts and manages individual and business contributions made to permanent endowments, including the Great Grants Fund for K-12 education grants, LCCF Education Fund, and the Paris P. and Lottie (Collins) Porter Education Fund, which help fund the annual Classroom Grants. LCCF uses the income earned by these endowments to improve the quality of life in Lawrence County for this generation and generations to come. Enhancing educational opportunities is a natural fit for this goal.

Grant recipients and project names:

North Lawrence Community Schools:

• Robin Blackwell, Happy Healthy Learning

• Rachel Boshears, Learning Comes Alive!

• Nicholas Boyd, Snatoms Molecular Modeling Kits

• Presley Clark, Sensory Learning

• April Colchin, Gingerbread Houses

• Kirsten Curtis, Flexibility

• Beth Felts, It Just Makes “Sense!”

• Danielle Fish, Fun with STEM

• Kirsten Gore, Learning and Success Through Music

• Nechole Hall, STEM Education

• BreOnna Harding, Sensible Sensory

• Bridget Jeskewich, Glow STEM Day

• Karyn Key, Social/Emotional Learning Through Play

• Traci Miller, Enhancing Fine Motor Skills

• Matthew Ray, Personality Masks

• Angela Sanders, Drop Everything and Read

• Alicia Smith, Fine Motor Busy Bins

• Naomi Trojan, 1, 2, 3D

 Mitchell Community Schools:

• Maggie Hamilton, Bringing the Colonies to Life!

• Jeffrey Johnson, Mitchell Greenhouse

• Drusilla Lindsey, Computer Science Bins

• Addyson Lotz, Burris Birdhouses

• Addyson Lotz, Hatfield Habitats

• Megan Mishler, Reading and Math Stations

• Mitch Reed, Making Our Vision Real

• Lindsey Seitzinger, How to Build a Better World

• Shannon Thomas, Literacy Awareness in Preschool

• Melissa Whaley, Healthy Minds, Healthy Lives

 Lawrence County Independent Schools:

• Samantha Cornett-Couch, Empowering Student Voices Through Podcasting

Springville Community Academy:

• Decker Pope, A Culinary Exploration of Mexico

• Carrie Rainey, Who Done It? Critical Thinking

Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church:

• Melissa Banks, The Glow Show

LCCF Awards $18,225 in Grants for Disadvantaged Elderly

The Lawrence County Community Foundation board of directors has approved grants to six non-profit organizations from the Margie Marie Pennington Fund for the Elderly; the awards ranged from $1,625 to $5,000.  This year’s grants target fundamental areas of need for our elderly population. Food insecurity, loneliness, and those extra supplies that cost so much are provided through these programs giving our elderly the peace of mind that they can get what they need.

“The Margie Marie Pennington Fund is a charitable fund that was established in 2014 through Margie Pennington’s estate plans. Margie had a desire to assist disadvantaged elderly and homeless elderly individuals in Lawrence County, even though she had moved away from the county when she was 19. The fund aims to continue Margie's legacy by providing grants to support these individuals,” explained Brent Maudlin, LCCF 2024 Grants Committee Chairperson. “This year, grants totaling more than $18,000 were distributed from the Pennington Fund to further its mission. If you're interested in learning more about how you can make a lasting impact and spread kindness beyond your lifetime, you can reach out to the office of the Lawrence County Community Foundation (LCCF) to discuss how they can assist you in achieving your charitable goals.”

The 2024 Pennington Grant recipients and projects include:

• Bertha’s Mission, Meal Delivery to Disadvantaged Elderly

• Christian Women’s Connection / Mitchell First Church of God, Helping Hands for Seniors 2024

• Hoosier Hills Food Bank, 2024 Senior Supplemental Food

• Lawrence County Cancer Patient Services, Not Just Liquid

• Purdue Extension, Lawrence County, Food for Health and Cambridge Square – Bedford

• White River Humane Society, A Chance for a Friend

The Lawrence County Community Foundation is a charitable, non-profit organization whose mission is to be proactive in creating and growing an enduring source of charitable assets and to identify and respond to the changing needs of Lawrence County.

For more information on leaving your legacy in Lawrence County contact Hope Flores at (812) 279-2215 or hope@cfpartner.org.

Lawrence County Community Foundation Awards $100,000 in Boost and Impact Grants

The Lawrence County Community Foundation Board of Directors awarded over $91,592 in Impact Grants to twenty-two local agencies through the 2024 LCCF Open Grant Cycle.  An additional $7,800 was awarded in Boost Grants to five organizations. Boost Grants have a $2,000 cap and are for smaller projects or general support for an organization.

 “It's grant season, an exciting time when the Community Foundation fulfills its promise to past contributors.” Brent Maudlin, LCCF Grants Committee Chair, shared. “The dollars given in previous years have been invested and their growth is now being reinvested into these Lawrence County grants. This year, we received a long and diverse list of applications, reflecting the high need in our community. While we are unable to say yes to all requests, the good news is that a majority of the requests have been either partially or fully funded, resulting in tens of thousands of new dollars flowing into the places we call home through various non-profit organizations.”

Brent, added, “If you're interested in helping increase the funds available for future grants, there are opportunities, in some cases, to have your contribution matched at a ratio of $2 for every $1 you give! Contact our Community Foundation staff to learn how you can spread kindness and benefit Lawrence County for generations to come.”

Impact Grants and Projects:

• BNLHS Band & Music Boosters, BNL Performing Arts Program

• Families Forever, Privacy and Respect

• Families Forever, Understanding Addiction Community Series

• Friends of Spring Mill State Park, To Air is Human

• Hoosier Hills Food Bank, Lawrence County Food Purchasing

• Hoosier Trails Council, BSA 145, STEM Afterschool Programs in Lawrence County

• Hoosier Uplands Economic Development Corporation, Hoosier Uplands Back to School Bash

• Hope Resource Center, Lab Expansion

• Indian Creek VFD, Bunker Gear

• Knights of Columbus, Council 1166 (St. Vincent de Paul Church), Hannah’s World

• Lawrence County Cancer Patient Services, Cap it Off

• Lawrence County Museum of History, Community Displays

• Oolitic Kiwanis (Hoosier Uplands EDC), Frying Fish for Our Future

• Pleasant Run Park, Inc., Lipstick and Rouge

• Raptors Rise Rehabilitation Center, Get the Lead Out!

• Salvation Army Lawrence County, Emergency Assistance 2024

• Shawswick Township Trustee, Lawrence County, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus

• Shawswick Volunteer Fire Department, Control & Extinguish

• Special Olympics, Lawrence County, in the House!!

• Stone City Alliance for Recovery and Hope, SARAH’s Second Chance Shop

• Stonegate Arts & Education Center, Stonegate Musical Arts Expansion

• Superior Steam (Lawrence County 4-H Council), Superior STEAM Pipeline Programs

• White River Humane Society, Making a Difference for Animals

Boost Grants and Projects:

• Becky’s Place (Catholic Charities), A Healthier Living Environment

• Bedford Revitalization Inc., Culture Crawl 2025

• First Christian Church of Bedford, Bedford Camp ADA Water Fountain

• Team OC, A Better Tomorrow at Burris Elementary

• United Way of South Central Indiana, Dolly Parton Imagination Library

 LCCF also issued Challenge Grants totaling $11,000 to two organizations. A challenge grant provides matching funds, helping organizations gain public awareness of their project goals and raise funds for their mission.  Once the challenge amount is raised, a grant check is presented to the organization. Challenge Grants were issued to the following organizations:

• Mitchell Walking Club applied for a grant to help them provide sneakers to Mitchell Community School students. They will be awarded $1,000 once their challenge is met.

• Lawrence Interfaith Endeavor, Inc. (LIFE) applied for a grant to support their Life Blessings program which provides food for the weekend for Mitchell and North Lawrence elementary students. Once their challenge is met, LIFE will be awarded a $10,000 grant.

This grant cycle was primarily funded by unrestricted endowments whose flexible funds can be used to meet the needs of Lawrence County as they arise.  To learn more about the 2 to 1 match  for unrestricted gifts, contact Hope Flores, CFP CEO, at 812-279-2215 or LCCF@cfpartner.org to learn more.

The Lawrence County Community Foundation, a public charity, is governed by a volunteer board whose mission is to improve the quality of life in Lawrence County for this generation and generations to come.  The Community Foundation accepts and manages individual and business contributions made to permanent endowments, some of which fund the annual grant cycle.

LCCF Summer 2024 Foundation News

The Summer edition of the Foundation News will catch you up on the latest happenings at the Lawrence County Community Foundation.

It’s Official, CFP has been awarded a Matching Grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.

The Community Foundation Partnership, Inc. (CFP), serving Lawrence and Martin Counties, has received matching fund grants totaling $750,000 for each county as part of the eighth phase of Lilly Endowment Inc.’s initiative, Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT VIII). 

CFP intends to utilize the funding to expand our unrestricted endowments, which play a vital role in meeting the evolving needs of our communities both now and in the future. These endowments offer versatility, empowering us to address new challenges, back local projects, and aid non-profits in navigating unforeseen obstacles.

Funds raised to support the community foundations’ unrestricted endowments will be eligible for a $2-to-$1 match from Lilly Endowment. To unlock the full match, each county needs to raise $375,000 in contributions from our communities by December 31, 2025. Achieving this goal will boost our unrestricted endowments by $1,125,000 in each county, enabling us to provide more grants annually.  This opportunity allows donors to triple the impact of their gifts to new or existing unrestricted endowments.

"We appreciate the opportunity provided by Lilly Endowment to enhance CFP’s and our donors' capacity to support our communities’ current and future needs,” said Hope Flores, CFP CEO.  “As the cornerstone of our communities, we are well-positioned to comprehend the intricate and evolving challenges encountered by our communities and assist our nonprofits in overcoming these hurdles to fortify our communities."

Through GIFT VIII Lilly Endowment has awarded matching fund grants totaling just over $134 million to community foundations serving all 92 of Indiana’s counties. Eligible community foundations submitted proposals requesting grants ranging from $675,000 to $15,000,000 based on the population of the counties they serve.

In 2023, Lilly Endowment launched GIFT VIII to help community foundations strengthen the towns, cities, and counties they serve. Matching fund grants are one of several funding opportunities designed to help community foundations promote long-term viability; further strengthen their abilities to lead; encourage board engagement; and support and develop strategic efforts to enhance quality of life in their communities.

About Lilly Endowment Inc.

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 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.

Since 1993, LCCF has been dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Lawrence County by creating a link between caring people, important causes, and community resources.  Through our endeavors, we have granted over $20,000,000 to strengthen our communities.

To triple your impact in Lawrence County, your gift to made payable to LCCF, may be mailed to PO Box 1235, Bedford, IN 47421, or can be made online at https://www.cfpartner.org/. If you would like to learn more about the Matching Grant or inquire about establishing an unrestricted endowment at LCCF please call 812-279-2215 or email LCCF@cfpartner.org. To see a full list of unrestricted funds managed by LCCF, visit https://www.cfpartner.org/funds.

To triple your impact in Martin County, your gift to made payable to MCCF, may be mailed to PO Box 28, Loogootee, IN 47553, or can be made online at https://www.cfpartner.org/. If you would like to learn more about the Matching Grant or inquire about establishing an unrestricted endowment at MCCF please call 812-295-1022 or email MCCF@cfpartner.org. To see a full list of unrestricted funds managed by MCCF, visit https://www.cfpartner.org/funds.

LCCF Winter 2023 Foundation News

LCCF 2023 Classroom Grant Recipients

LCCF awarded just under $10,000 in Classroom Grants to thirty0two Lawrence County teachers through the 2023LCCF Classroom Grant Cycle. The Classroom Grant program is designed to fund small, in-class projects that might not have a typical funding source. The goal is to help teachers provide additional educational projects that are creative, innovative, and stimulate student learning.

“Our teachers work hard to establish a strong educational foundation for our students. Often they spend their own money to provide extra learning opportunities for their students,” said Judy Quyle, Classroom Grants Coordinator. “Through the Classroom Grant program LCCF hopes to not only support the teachers in their essential role in educating our children, but to enhance the learning experience for the children.” The grants fund projects that reinforce the lessons in the classroom and excite the students about what they are learning.

Grant recipients and project names:

North Lawrence Community Schools
Danielle Fish, Sensory Experience
Karyn Key, Love For Literacy
Sabrina Sumpter, Social-Emotional Awareness and Learning Techniques
Allison Brown, Sensory Supported Safe Space
Stacy Mundy, Hatching Chicks with Mrs. Mundy
Rachel Boshears, Science of Reading in our Hands
Crystal Fisher, Let’s Glow! Review Day Rotation Stations
Naomi Trojan, Sensory Overload
Sean Steele, Advanced Tie Dye T-shirts
Nicholas Boyd, Snatoms Molecular Modeling Kits
JoAnna Hackney, Sewing Stars
Lacy Hawkins, Hands on History with Prehistoric Tools
Alita Masters, Making Through the Day
Matthew Ray, Personality Masks
Hilary Whitaker, Making Economics Relevant
Logan Felts, Hatching Interest!
Aaron Harrell, Advisory News
Amanda Nixon, Sensory/Safe Space

 Mitchell Community Schools
Kamala Blevins, Increase Academic Learning Through Play
Shannon Thomas, Fine Motor Readiness
Hannah Courtright, Light Up Heart Model
Tiffany Church, Care Cubbies
Erica Cuellar, Snack Cart
Matt Olson, Student Advancement in Construction
Margaret Sears, Cross-Curricular Earth Day Celebration

Lawrence County Independent Schools
Jenny Hopper, Classroom Fundamentals
Regina Weir, Outdoor Classroom: Food Demonstration Site

Springville Community Academy
Danielle Garrison, Xtra Math, Xtra Smart Kiddos!
Amy Spence Greenan, Yellow and Blue Go Green

Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic School
Melissa Banks, Art of the World
Holly Thatcher, Comparing Modern and Ancient Cephalopods
Spencer Wardlow, Overcoming our Hoopstacles

$30,000 in 30th Anniversary Surprise Grants

In celebration of 30 years serving Lawrence Couny, LCCF is awarding $30,000 in surprise Anniversary Grants. Between now and Thanksgiving, we will be awarding ten $3,000 grants to local non-profit organizations that were selected by Board vote.

The Anniversary Grant program was announced at our 30th Anniversary Dinner and the first award was presented to the White River Humane Society. As each surprise grant is awarded, the recipient will be announced on Facebook.

Surprise Grant #1: White River Humane Society
Surprise Grant #2: Bertha’s Mission
Surprise Grant #3: Little Theatre
Surprise Grant #4: Mitchell Community Public Library
Surprise Grant #5: Bedford Public Library
Surprise Grant #6: City of Mitchell Parks and Recreation
Surprise Grant #7: Friends of Spring Mill State Park
Surprise Grant #8: Lawrence County Cancer Patient Services
Surprise Grant #9: 630 Recovery Place / Celebrate Recovery
Suprise Grant #10: Lawrence County Larc. (LARC)

Springville Park and the Lawrence County Community Foundation

“There is nothing so American as our parks” – Franklin D. Roosevelt said, and folks who call Springville Indiana home would agree.

There is nothing like a park to make a small town a wonderful place to live; where kids can learn to throw a ball with friends or learn how to balance themselves on a bike. There’s nothing like a park to encourage a full workout under the guise of play.

Our story begins with a park. Or at least a place that needed a park.

The small town of Springville Indiana had a gym built by the WPA in 1936. It had several lovely historic churches and homes. It was populated with wonderful families. What it did not have was a park.

Instead, the town center was a mix of abandoned and neglected properties, the Spring Creek was littered with refuse from the giant trash bins overflowing with the community’s garbage.

Denny Godsey wanted to change that and so he went to work casting his vision and enlisting the help and influence of others to form the Springville Heritage Community Association.

But vision is nothing without financial resources. With assistance from a local businessman, the association invested in a relationship with Lawrence County’s Community Foundation Partnership. (CFP)

In partnership with the CFP, abandoned and neglected properties were purchased and cleared and the work of building a park began. A playground and walking path were installed, and a covered bridge was constructed across the reclaimed stream to a basketball court and a shelter house.

Today Denny Godsey has nothing but praise for the Community Foundation.

“Without the assistance of the Community Foundation, Springville Park would not be the asset it is to our small town. They have been key partners to improving our community.” 

At the end of the schoolyear, the park was filled with 2nd and 3rd graders from the local school, running races, kicking soccer balls, shooting free throws, and impatiently waiting till after lunch to get their feet wet in the stream. Under a shady tree. Natasha Breedlove was resting on a blanket with her baby.

 “It is so nice here. We come down anytime it’s pleasant and just hang out. I can walk the baby around the path as the kids play in the creek.”

Lane Kimmel was coaching a kickball game but took a few minutes to talk to me.

“A day outdoors is worth five inside. Our family loves this park. This is where we came to teach our daughter to ride a bike. She has memories here that will last her entire life.”

In 2016 a fire destroyed the gym across the street from the park. But the community quickly responded with a consensus that rebuilding was the only option for this historic landmark. Once again, the Community Foundation proved their value with grants and distributions to assist the rebuilding and restoration process in excess of $76,280 and assisting in finding other grants outside their organization.

“The Community Foundation has been great at directing us to additional resources,’ Ken Thompson, “and their support has emboldened others to partner with us as we transform our community.”

Our small towns can sometimes feel like afterthoughts when it comes to the challenges facing our region, but the Community Foundation recognizes their value and is eager to be a partner in their success.  The Springville Heritage Fund was established by the Community Foundation Partnership, Inc. to benefit the Springville community.  Since inception distributions from the fund have granted more than $17,000 to projects in Springville and the principal of the fund continues to grow.  Gifts of any size are tax-deductible and can be made payable to Springville Heritage Fund, P.O. Box 1235, Bedford, IN 47421.  Cash, stocks, IRA Required Mandatory Distributions can be donated to the fund as well as naming the Fund as a beneficiary in your will or estate plans.  Contact Hope Flores at the Community Foundation Partnership for more information at 812-279-2215.

LCCF Awards 2023 Boost and Impact Grants

Superior STEAM Grant Presentation. Pictured lefto to right: Lisa Starr, CFP Grants and Finance Officer; Brent Maudlin, LCCF Board Vice President; with Superior STEAM: Rich Schmitt, Tyson Chase, Joslynn White, Seraphina Tomlin, Owen Schmitt, Nathan Tomlin, Josh Tomlin, Iris Tomlin, and Archer Tomlin

The Lawrence County Community Foundation Board of Directors awarded over $70,000 in Impact Grants to eighteen local agencies through the 2023 LCCF Open Grant Cycle.  An additional $8,200 was awarded in Boost Grants to five organizations. Boost Grants have a $2,000 cap and are for smaller projects or general support for an organization.

Brent Maudlin, LCCF Grants Committee Chair, said, “This year, more so than past years, we had a long list of applicants with projects covering one end of the county to the other.  The committee was very thoughtful and carefully considered every application. The grant requests surpassed the dollars available, and the committee had to make tough decisions.  We know the projects awarded will impact many segments of the community and we’re thankful for all the volunteers that will use these grant dollars along with their hard work to grow our community one project at a time.”

LCCF also issued Challenge Grants totaling $24,572 to three organizations. A challenge grant provides matching funds, helping organizations gain public awareness of their project goals and raise funds for their mission.  Once the challenge amount is raised, a grant check is presented to the organization. Challenge Grants were issued to the following organizations:

·        The City of Mitchell for improvements to the basketball court at Memorial Park. Once the challenge is met, Mitchell will receive a $10,472 grant to help fund this project.

·        The Lawrence County Horse & Pony Club (Lawrence County 4-H Council) applied for a grant to expand their warm-up arena to accommodate their growing club. They will be awarded a $6,500 grant once their challenge is met.

·        Junior Stars, Inc. is a newly formed organization to support youth football. Once their challenge is met, they will receive a $7,600 grant to purchase football equipment. Junior Stars met their challenge and were awarded their grant.

The Lawrence County Community Foundation, a public charity, is governed by a volunteer board whose mission is to improve the quality of life in Lawrence County for this generation and generations to come.  The Community Foundation accepts and manages individual and business contributions made to permanent endowments, some of which fund the annual grant cycle.

Impact Grants and Projects:

• BNLHS Band & Music Boosters, And the Beat Goes On

• Friends of Spring Mill State Park, Spring Mill Tandem Kayaks

• Hoosier Hills Food Bank, Supplemental Food 2023

• Hope Resource Center, Privacy and Security

• Knights of Columbus, Council 1166 (St. Vincent de Paul Church), Multi-Sensory Room 2023

• Lawrence County Cancer Patient Services, Soothing the Pain

• Lawrence County Soil & Water Conservation District – Putting Down Roots in the Bedford Tree Nursery

• Mitchell Community Public Library, Children’s Department Early Learning Upgrade

• Mitchell Community Schools, Bringing Industry 4.0 at Mitchell High School

• Mitchell Community Schools, MJHS Project Based Learning Community 5K & Food Drive

• Pleasant Run Park, Inc., Playground Palooza Project

• Salvation Army Lawrence County, Emergency Assistance Program

• Shawswick Township Trustee, Gas Monitors

• Shawswick Volunteer Fire Department, Protect and Preserve

• Springville Community Academy, Medical Office Restoration

• Springville Community Association, Come On In

• Superior Steam (Lawrence County 4-H Council), Superior STEAM OSMO Education

• White River Humane Society, Stop the Cycle and Make a Difference

• Youth First, Mental Health Supports for Mitchell Students

Boost Grants and Projects:

• Indian Creek Volunteer Fire Department, SCBA Bottles

• Indiana Health Center, Lawrence County, Serving Lawrence County

• Lawrence County Historical & Genealogical Society, Preserving Our Past – DMH Collection

• Mitchell Community Schools, MHS Agriculture/Horticulture Agribusiness

• NLCS Robotics Booster Club, Robotics

GM Bedford Casting Operations Partners with LCCF to Provide Local Volunteer Fire Departments with Safety Gear, Equipment, and Supplies

GM Bedford Casting Operations Reinforces Commitment to Bedford Community Through Nonprofit Grant Program

Local facility provides $50,000 in grants to four area nonprofits

BEDFORD, Indiana — General Motors recently completed the national grant distribution of its 2023 Community Impact Grants (CIG) Program  to its recipients – totaling $3 million in grants to 157 nonprofits across its U.S. manufacturing communities. 

In Bedford, Indiana, this meant $50,000 in grants to four local nonprofits.

The CIG program is one example of how General Motors supports growth in local communities. Through this program, local manufacturing facilities collaborate with GM’s corporate giving arm to identify nonprofits helping address local issues facing their community.

“The generosity of GM and our workforce in this community inspires me every day,” said Mark Dickman, plant director at GM Bedford Casting Operations.” GM has been in this community for more than 81 years and we see the positive impact these local organizations can have when they have the resources to do so. Whether it’s an investment of time or money, we are committed to serving and growing with the greater Bedford community and all of the communities in which GM employees live and work.”

The 2023 Bedford-area grant recipients include:  

·        United Way of South Central Indiana – grant funds will support four elementary school STEM classrooms with needed supplies for the 2023-24 school year.

·        Community Foundation Partnership, Inc. – grant funds will support equipment, safety gear, and supplies for Volunteer Fire Departments. This funding helps emergency responders who do not receive compensation but volunteer to help people in the communities we serve, whether fighting fires, working traffic accidents, or helping with lift assists.

·        Lawrence County Economic Growth Council – grant funds will support the Introduction to Local Jobs & Skills (ILJAS) course to equip Lawrence County community members with the skills to gain and maintain living wage employment. ILJAS is a 3-week course introducing welding, machining, construction, health sciences, workplace safety, and soft skills.

·        Foundation for Monroe County Community Schools – grant funds will support the purchase of Micro:bit and sensor kits to ensure teachers have the technology needed to support lessons that meet state standards in computer science. Teachers using the STEAM lab will have access to the kits, which is critical in giving our students the skills they need to become future programmers, engineers, and designers.

Since 2019, GM has granted more than $13 million to nonprofits in its facility communities, and $222,000 to the Bedford region through the Community Impact Grants program. 

General Motors (NYSE:GM) is a global company focused on advancing an all-electric future that is inclusive and accessible to all. At the heart of this strategy is the Ultium battery platform, which will power everything from mass-market to high-performance vehicles. General Motors, its subsidiaries and its joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Baojun and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety and security services, can be found at https://www.gm.com.

LCCF Awards $26, 291 in Grants for Disadvantaged Elderly

The Lawrence County Community Foundation board of directors has approved grants to seven non-profit organizations from the Margie Marie Pennington Fund for the Elderly; the awards ranged from $1,625 to $7,500. 

Brent Maudlin, 2023 LCCF Grant Committee Chair, said “Our community is blessed to be able to specifically focus grant dollars on projects benefiting older residents through the Pennington Grant Cycle. These funds have enabled many worthy projects to come to fruition that otherwise might not have been possible.”

The 2023 Pennington Grant recipients and projects include:

·       Hoosier Hills Food Bank, 2023 Senior Supplemental Food

·       Lawrence County Cancer Patient Services, CAN – Cancer Affecting Nutrition

·       Lions Club of Bedford, BLC Ramp Building Project 2023

·       Senior Citizens of Lawrence County, Senior Well-Being

·       Shawswick Township Trustee, Lawrence County, Giving Elderly Hope Through Pennington Grant 2023

·       SICIL, Solutions Center, Emergency Planning for Independent Living

·       White River Humane Society, You Got a Friend in Me

LCCF Announces 2022 Impact Grant Recipients

The Lawrence County Community Foundation Board of Directors awarded over $69,000 in Impact Grants to eighteen local agencies through the 2022 LCCF Open Grant Cycle.  Earlier this summer, LCCF awarded Boost Grants totaling $11,877 to eight organizations through the 2022 Open Grant Cycle. 

In addition to the $60,866 awarded Thursday, challenge grants totaling $8,500 were issued to the Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence County and Green Hill Cemetery Association. A challenge grant provides matching funds, helping organizations gain public awareness of their project goals and raise funds for their mission.  Once the challenge amount is raised, a grant check is presented to the organization.

 Kim Sipes chaired the LCCF Grants Committee this year, “This year’s grants cover a wide range of projects representing the needs throughout the community and give us a great overview of the work these organizations are doing. It is impressive what is being accomplished.”

Below is a summary of how each organization will use the awarded funding:

BNLHS Band & Music Boosters - $10,000 toward the purchase of a new semi-trailer to replace their 30-year-old trailer.  The trailer will safely transport band instruments and equipment to competitions and performances throughout the region.

Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence County – Up to $6,000 (2:1 challenge) to purchase AED units.

First Christian Church of Bedford - $3,999 to make the Bedford Camp and Conference Center playground accessible to children with limited mobility.

Friends of Spring Mill State Park - $3,650 total was awarded; $1,150 for equipment to be used in the Pioneer Print Shop and $2,500 to improve the accessibility of the Nature Center.

Green Hill Cemetery Association - $2,500 (1:1 Challenge) to repair and replace the wrought iron fencing surrounding the cemetery.

Hoosier Hills Food Bank – $4,000 to put toward the cost of a new refrigerated truck that will serve Lawrence and surrounding counties.

Kappa Kappa Kappa Gamma Epsilon Chapter - $500 to defray the cost of buses during the Spring Mill State Park Candlelight Tour.

Knights of Columbus, Council 1166 - $3,000 to replace furniture in the LARC common area where clients gather for lunch and large group activities.

Lawrence Co. 4-H Council, Inc. - $5,070 to provide opportunities for social engagement and leadership development in the youth of our community.

Lawrence Co. Historical and Genealogical Society - $4,605 to provide the technology needed to inventory artifacts and record Lawrence County history.

Lawrence Co. Independent Schools - $1,500 to provide gardening supplies for their Phoenix Garden Club Farm to Table program.

Marshall Township VFD - $4,700 to provide a ventilation system to remove smoke and fumes from structures making it safer for firefighters.

Raptors Rise Rehabilitation Center - $2,300 Urban Owl program which will educate participants on the importance of Screech Owls and provide each participant with a nest box kit.

Salvation Army Lawrence County - $4,000 to provide assistance to Lawrence County residents facing unexpected financial setbacks and other urgent needs.

Stone City Alliance for Recovery & Hope - $5,980 to provide bunk beds for the Men’s Warming Shelter.

Stonegate Arts & Education Center - $1,400 to provide microphones/headsets and props for their Kids Arts Camp.

White River Humane Society – $4,000 for the spay and neuter program.

Youth First - $2,162 to provide technology support for the Youth First social worker at Mitchell Community Schools.

Lawrence County Community Foundation Awards $26,500 in Grants for Disadvantaged Elderly

The Lawrence County Community Foundation announced the 2022 grant recipients from the Margie Marie Pennington Fund for the Elderly; the awards ranged from $2,500 to $10,000.  The Pennington endowment was created to assist organizations with programs impacting elderly in Lawrence County, Indiana, that are disadvantaged or homeless.

 Endowments, such as the Margie Marie Pennington Fund, are perpetual. Although Margie Pennington passed away several years ago, her legacy will go on forever in Lawrence County through the grants issued from the endowment.

 “If people direct assets to permanent endowments in their wills, then they, too, can have an impact forever,” Hope Flores, CEO of the Community Foundation said, “one that goes on long after they’re gone. The Lawrence County Community Foundation can help you serve your community, whatever your interests are.  An endowment fund may benefit a field of interest or specific charities or causes serving Lawrence County.”

 “The best part of Margie’s gift is that it will only continue to grow over time”, Flores added.  “Although Margie is gone, her gift to the Community Foundation will continue to meet the needs of Lawrence County disadvantaged or homeless elderly forever.”

 The 2022 Pennington Grant recipients and projects include:

•  Hoosier Hills Food Bank, Ruby

• Hoosier Uplands, Basic Home Repair for Disadvantaged Elderly

• Lawrence Co. Cancer Patient Services, LP-Liquid Protein

• Lions Club of Bedford, Elderly Ramp Builds

• Shawswick Township Trustee, Lawrence Co. , Giving Elderly Hope in 2022

• Southern Indiana Adult Guardianship Services, Breakfast Bash with Long Term Care

Lawrence County Community Foundation Awards 2022 Boost Grants

The Lawrence County Community Foundation (LCCF) Board of Directors awarded Boost Grants totaling $11,876 to eight organizations through the 2022 LCCF Open Grant Cycle. 

 “Boost grants are great,” Kim Sipes, LCCF Grants Chair, shared. “Even though these grants are smaller, they are able to be processed more quickly and have a more immediate effect in our community. Boost grants also have more flexibility which is particularly beneficial to smaller organizations. This year’s Boost Grants cover a wide variety of needs from developing a tree nursery to educating expectant parents.”

 The 2022 Boost Grants were funded by the Patrick & Sharon Robbins Humanitarian Fund, M. Jeanette Norman Fund, LCCF Education Fund, David Allen Jacobs Community Fund, Sargent Family Fund, Smithville Charitable Foundation Fund for Lawrence County, Betty R. Hilderbrand Bedford Parks and Recreation Fund, and the Ferguson Community Fund.

The 2022 Boost Grant recipients and projects include:

•  Families Forever, Recovery Services Enhancement

• Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry, “Meat” the Need 2022

• Hope Resource Center, Expectant Parent Education

• Huron Baptist Church, Fun, Fun, Funball!!

• Lawrence Co. Cancer Patient Services, Monitoring O2

• Lawrence Co. Soil and Water Conservation District, Developing a Tree Nursery

• Lawrence Co. Foster Support Group, Inc., Storage and Technology

• Lawrence Interfaith Endeavor, Inc., Life Blessings Program for Shawswick