Martin County Community Foundation Awarded over $92,000 in Final Round of 2025 Impact Grant Cycle

The Martin County Community Foundation Board of Directors awarded $92,554 in Impact and Boost Grants to six organizations in the final round of grants in the 2025 Impact Grant Cycle. This rolling grant process allows applicants to submit proposals online throughout the year, with quarterly reviews and funding decisions.

“Through grant funding from the Martin County Community Foundation, six new projects are on the way to becoming a reality, enhancing life in Martin County and confirming Martin County is a great place to call home,” said Kevin Lewis, MCCF Grant Chair. “As we close on 2025, we'd like to thank our Board of volunteers, CFP staff, community and non-profit leaders, and, of course, our generous donors. Without our donors, none of this would be possible. We look forward to 2026 and can't wait to see more community projects and organizational missions brought to life with the help of MCCF. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!”

Grant Recipients and projects:

Boost Grants:

• Community Action Leading Loogootee., Prepare, Present, & Publish

• New Beginnings Community Church, 2025 Saturday Lunch Program

Impact Grants:

• Martin Co. Historical Society, Traveling with History

• Loogootee Community School Corp., Diamond in the Rough

• Shoals Community School Corp., Keepin’ it Toasty!

• Shoals Senior Housing, Inc., Golden Gables

This grant cycle was funded by unrestricted endowments whose flexible funds can be used to meet the needs of Martin County as they arise for generations to come. Gifts to unrestricted endowments are being matched $2 for every $1 gifted, while funds remain. Contact Curt Johnson at 812-295-1022 or MCCF@cfpartner.org to learn more about how you can triple the impact of your gift.

The Martin 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 Martin County. 

2024 Martin County Classroom Grant Awards

The Martin County Community Foundation Board of Directors awarded over $9,400 to twenty-five Martin County teachers through the 2024 MCCF 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 is always a joy.  We watch teachers explain to their classes what they would be purchasing with their checks; some younger students can't help but jump excitedly.  We received twenty-nine applications for projects that ranged from building snowmen to welding, 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 Curt Johnson at (812) 295-1022 or mccf@cfpartner.org.

The Martin County Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity, accepts and manages individual and business contributions made to permanent endowments, including the MCCF Education Fund which helps fund the annual Classroom Grants. MCCF uses the income earned by these endowments to improve the quality of life in Martin County for this generation and generations to come. Enhancing educational opportunities is a natural fit for this goal.

Grant recipients and project names follow:

Loogootee Community Schools

• Marci Arthur, Storm Kit Project

• Levi Atkins, Published Comic Books

• Lindsay Burch, Do You Want to Build a Snowman?

• Tara Lengacher, Secret Stories

• Ashley Roach, Flexible Fun

• Krista Truelove, Third Grade Cafe

• Shannon Wagler, LES Makerspace Refresh!

• Tyler Walton, Graphic Design

• Joel Weitkamp, Guitars on the Go

 Shoals Community Schools

• Ethan Adams, Welding Shop

• Alisha Bailey, SCS Drama Club

• Ashton Berry, Community Involvement

• Terra Boyd, Biology/Earth and Space Labs

• Chris Boylan, Putting Resources in the Resource Room

• Kari Goodman, Innovative Minds STEM Project

• Melanie Hawkins, Fine Motor and Sensory Boxes

• Heidi Hoffman, Adventure Land Mini Golf!

• Theresa Holt, Health Care

• Sandi Kidwell, Maple Syrup Project

• Traci LeTourneau, Training Future Chefs

• Cassie Phillips, Experimenting with Delectable Emulsions

• Brian Smith, Physical Education

• Wesley Stephenson, Chemistry Lab

• Raysha Wininger, Welcome to Starbooks!

• Emelia Yanez, Sensory