cfa-gibson-county

Applications Now Open for 2026 Betty Ann McCullough Education Grant Programs

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 18:56:55 GMT

The Betty Ann McCullough Education Seminar and Convocation, Enrichment Project, and Teaching Achievement Grant Programs are now accepting applications. The Gibson County Community Foundation administers these three grant programs. The deadline to apply is Monday, March 9th, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

Betty Ann McCullough was an educator for the North Gibson School Corporation for more than 40 years and a strong supporter of education in her community. Along with several civic memberships, she was a member of the Gibson County Community Foundation advisory board. After Betty Ann McCullough passed away in 1997, three funds and grant programs were established in her memory.

The Betty Ann McCullough Education Seminar and Convocation Grant Program provides funding to public and private schools in Gibson County to host educational seminars and convocations to enhance the knowledge and skills of educators in science, mathematics, and language arts.
The Betty Ann McCullough Enrichment Project Grant Program provides funding to schools (including institutions of higher learning), libraries, and other public education organizations based or having substantial programs in Gibson County for innovative projects, programs, and equipment designed to enhance mathematics, science, and language arts educational opportunities for Gibson County residents.
The Betty Ann McCullough Teaching Achievement Grant Program awards a public-school educator for outstanding dedication and success in improving the mathematics or language arts skills and knowledge of students in the public schools of Gibson County.

The Betty Ann McCullough Education Committee will review applications and make recommendations for grant recipients.

For additional information about eligibility and requirements or the grant application process, please contact Amy Smith, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact, at asmith@communityfoundationalliance.org.

To learn more about creating a charitable legacy that reflects your values, contact Deanna Rhodes, Regional Director of Development, at drhodes@communityfoundationalliance.org.

Mallory Watt of Princeton Community High School Named 2026 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar for Gibson County

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 18:01:24 GMT

Gibson County Community Foundation is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2026 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Gibson County: Mallory Watt, Princeton Community High School. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are recognized for their community involvement, academic achievement, character, and leadership.

“Mallory impressed us with her exceptional work ethic, leadership, and communication skills throughout the application and interview process,” said Amy Smith, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact. “She is a well-rounded, highly involved student, an athlete, a leader, and someone deeply committed to serving her community. The nominating committee was truly privileged to meet her and is proud to recommend her for this transformative opportunity.”

Each Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship provides full tuition, required fees, and up to $900 per year for required books and equipment for four years of full-time undergraduate study leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university. Scholars also join the Lilly Scholars Network (LSN), which connects them with resources and opportunities to lead on campus and in their communities.

Both the scholarship program and LSN are supported by grants from Lilly Endowment to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI).

“[Receiving] the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship is a dream I’ve had since fourth grade, and I’m so grateful it finally became a reality! At first, I was excited about the award itself, but during the process, I discovered that the meaning of the scholarship is really about serving others and giving back to your community. It opened my eyes to how much of an impact service has on our Gibson County community. I love my community, and I am so thankful that I get to represent it in this way. 1 Timothy‬ ‭6‬:‭18‬ ‘Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share,’” said Mallory Watt, Lilly Endowment Community Scholar.

In nominating Gibson County’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholar, the committee considered GPA, SAT/ACT, school activities, work experience, community service, volunteer activities, personal statement, impromptu essay, and a finalist interview. After narrowing the field of applicants, nominees were submitted to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI), the statewide administrator of the program, for final selection.

Since its inception in 1997-1998, Lilly Endowment has supported this program with tuition grants totaling more than $505 million, benefiting over 5,400 Indiana students. The program’s primary purposes are:

To raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana.
To increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations play.
To encourage and support Lilly Scholars’ engagement with Indiana leaders to improve quality of life statewide.

About the Gibson County Community Foundation

Established in 1993, the Gibson County Community Foundation is a charitable resource devoted to our local community. We help people make meaningful gifts that improve life in Gibson County today and for generations to come. One of nine county affiliates of the Community Foundation Alliance, the Community Foundation exists to help caring people give back to the causes and community they care about most.

The Community Foundation Alliance is a 501(c)(3) public charity accredited by the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations® (National Standards) program representing operational effectiveness to foster excellence in community philanthropy. Since the inception of this program, the Community Foundation Alliance has consistently achieved National Standards accreditation. The Community Foundation Alliance provides management, administrative, and development expertise and services so that every local affiliate can focus on promoting philanthropy, building endowment, and grantmaking, making a difference in their community For Good. Forever.

About Lilly Endowment Inc.

Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in Eli Lilly and Company. The Endowment supports community development, education, and religion, with a special commitment to Indianapolis and Indiana.

About Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI)

Founded in 1948, ICI serves as the collective voice for Indiana’s 29 private, nonprofit colleges and universities. ICI institutions employ over 22,000 Hoosiers and generate a local economic impact of over $5 billion annually. Students at ICI colleges have Indiana’s highest four-year graduation rates and produce 30% of Indiana’s bachelor’s degrees while enrolling 20% of its undergraduates.

Apply Today: 2026 Community Scholarships Available for Southwest Indiana Students

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 13:58:34 GMT

The Community Foundation Alliance is proud to announce that applications are now open for its Community Scholarship Program, offering hundreds of opportunities for students across Southwest Indiana and in select areas of Illinois and Kentucky.

These scholarships, made possible by generous local donors, provide financial support for students pursuing college, university, technical programs, or other post-secondary education paths.

“Our scholarships reflect the belief that investing in students is investing in the future of our communities,” said Melinda Waldroup, Chief Program Officer of the Community Foundation Alliance. “We want every eligible student in Southwest Indiana and select areas of Illinois and Kentucky to have access to these opportunities and feel confident applying.”

Scholarship Program Highlights

Wide Range of Awards: Hundreds of scholarships for graduating seniors and high school graduates across Southwest Indiana and select areas of Illinois and Kentucky.
Simple Application Process: Scholarships can be completed through our online Community Scholarships Common Application.
Select special scholarship opportunities can be found on each community’s website.
Deadline: Applications are open today and close on January 19, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

How to Apply

Visit communityfoundationalliance.org/scholarships.
Review the 2026 Scholarship Guidebook.
Find your community and click through to its website.
Review all available scholarship opportunities and their eligibility criteria for your community.
Complete the 2025–2026 Community Scholarships Common Application.
Receive your automatic matches to scholarships you qualify for.
Submit all required materials, including essays and recommendation letters, by January 19, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

Start your application early!

All supplemental materials must be submitted by the deadline, so build in plenty of time for each step. Give your references time to complete their recommendations, allow yourself enough time to write thoughtful essays, and request your transcripts early so your Guidance Counselor has time to process them.

If you have any questions or need additional resources, please contact the staff member in your community.

Kentucky & Illinois

Michele Gates, Program Assistant

mgates@communityfoundationalliance.org | 812.429.1191

Daviess County

Laura Hazelman, Regional Director of Community Engagement & Impact

lhazelman@communityfoundationalliance.org | 812.254.9354

Gibson County

Amy Smith, Regional Director of Community Engagement & Impact

asmith@communityfoundationalliance.org | 812.386.8082

Knox County

Laura Hazelman, Regional Director of Community Engagement & Impact

lhazelman@communityfoundationalliance.org | 812.886.0093

Perry County

Emily Alvey, Regional Director of Community Engagement & Impact

ealvey@communityfoundationalliance.org | 812.547.3176

Pike County

Laura Hazelman, Regional Director of Community Engagement & Impact

lhazelman@communityfoundationalliance.org | 812.890.4469

Posey County

Amy Smith, Regional Director of Community Engagement & Impact

asmith@communityfoundationalliance.org | 812.838.0288

Spencer County

Emily Alvey, Regional Director of Community Engagement & Impact

ealvey@communityfoundationalliance.org | 812.649.5724

Vanderburgh County

Alysia Rhinefort, Regional Director of Community Engagement & Impact

arhinefort@communityfoundationalliance.org | 812.422.1245

Warrick County

Alysia Rhinefort, Regional Director of Community Engagement & Impact

arhinefort@communityfoundationalliance.org | 812.897.2030

Over $155,000 Awarded to 28 Local Organizations Serving Gibson County

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 16:48:12 GMT

The Gibson County Community Foundation announced that more than $155,000 has been awarded to 28 local nonprofits through its Community Good Grants Program. These grants support projects that strengthen the Gibson County community and improve the quality of life for local residents.

“At its heart, the Community Foundation is here to build a stronger future for Gibson County,” said Amy Smith, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact. “When our donors invest through the Foundation, they’re helping local organizations tackle real issues and create lasting impact.”

2025 Community Good Grant Recipients

$4,200 to Bread of Life Ministry, Inc. to pay freight for donated food and to purchase food items at discounted prices to distribute to low-income families in the tri-state area.
$4,000 to the Buffalo Trace Council-Boy Scouts of America to support the Scoutership program, which provides financial assistance for Gibson County Scouts.
$5,370 to Deaconess Foundation to provide mammography screening services and education to Gibson County women who are under- or uninsured via their Mobile Mammography Bus.
$2,500 to Dream Builders of Indiana to continue their mission of building beds for kids and increasing our tools to make each bed better than the last.
$4,000 to East Gibson Dollars for Scholars to provide financial aid for the post-secondary education of the graduating seniors at Wood Memorial High School.
$3,500 to the East Gibson Pantry, Inc., to purchase food and toiletries to stock the pantry for families and individuals in need.
$3,500 to the Emmy Corp dba Gibson County Animal Services to support the Senior Paws Program, which assists senior citizens and those in need in enhancing their lives and the lives of their pets by providing food and necessities.
$500 to the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra for Gibson County 3rd-5th graders to attend the March 19 & 20, 2026, Evansville Philharmonic Helen M. McKinney Young People's Concerts.
$2,000 to the Gibson County Council on Aging to buy nutritional foods for the Pick-up Meals Program for Gibson County seniors.
$4,000 to Gibson Southern Scholarships, Inc., to provide four (4) $1,000.00 scholarships to graduating seniors of Gibson Southern High School.
$5,000 to Holly’s House, Inc. to teach skills to keep kids safe from abuse by providing child abuse prevention programming to elementary students in Gibson County.
$5,000 to Junior Achievement of Southwestern Indiana to reach over 1,440 students in Gibson County through in-classroom learning experiences.
$620 to Lyles Station Historic Preservation Corporation for the installation of monitors in the school gallery and log cabin to enhance visitors' experiences and assist with telling the Lyles Station story.
$2,195 to Lyles Station Historic Preservation Corporation to purchase educational materials needed for the expansion of the Lyles Station Civil War Trunk Program, which will include an interactive 4-week hands-on Unit Study experience for students aged 6 to 14.
$5,000 to Mudpuppy Palace to bring Marty's Mobile Mudroom and hands-on STEAM learning to all three Gibson County School Districts by providing 10 full-day visits.
$4,622 to Mustang Adoption Academy to purchase one shelter kit to expand their trauma-informed equine-assisted veteran programs.
$3,500 to the Owensville Ministerial Alliance Food Bank (Outreach of Dayspring Community Church) to purchase food supplies and hygiene products for those in need in Montgomery and Wabash Townships.
$25,000 to the Owensville REH Center, Inc., to fund the replacement of the gymnasium floor.
$4,000 to Princeton Area Dollar for Scholars to provide funds for students who are pursuing secondary education opportunities.
$1,570 to Princeton Youth Baseball to purchase one SkyScan EWS Pro2 lightning detection system and one siren alarm to deliver facility-wide alerts in the event of lightning threats.
$1,850 to SAWS (Servants at Work, Inc.), to support the construction of at least 1 ADA-compliant wheelchair ramp for a low-income Gibson County resident with a disability.
$3,000 to Southwestern Behavioral Healthcare to purchase Matrix Model Curriculum Materials, an evidence-based outpatient program using CBT, incentives, and support to treat substance use disorders, along with support-related materials, and staff training.
$10,000 to The Isaiah 1:17 Project to support a Fortifying Fostering Families (F3) Program Manager. This person is based in Gibson County and is dedicated to implementing F3’s wraparound services.
$8,525 to Tulip Tree Health Services of Gibson County, Inc., to purchase used dental equipment for a dental clinic in Princeton, while continuing our Fort Branch dental clinic.
$1,051 to True Hope Pregnancy and Family Resource Center of Gibson County to purchase an HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw printer/copier, which is crucial for printing materials for clients participating in the BrightCourse curriculum.
$4,000 to Tri-State Food Bank to provide hunger relief for Gibson County children over the weekend through their Weekend Backpack Program.
$15,000 to the YMCA of Southwestern Indiana to purchase STEM Equipment and Supplies, expanding the STEM opportunities in Gibson County through programs at the Toyota Indiana Y that align with/support educational standards and objectives.
$1,950 to the YMCA of Southwestern Indiana (Camp Carson) for the purchase of (2) two indoor water bottle fillers.
$20,000 to Youth First, Inc. for Youth First Mental Health Professionals in Gibson County to provide students with access to prevention education & mental health support at no cost.

The Community Good Grants Program is just one of the powerful ways the Foundation connects local generosity to real community needs. Grants are funded through endowments established by donors who are deeply committed to the future of Gibson County.

Why This Matters

The Gibson County Community Foundation is more than a grantmaker. It’s a trusted local partner, connecting people who want to make a difference with the causes and organizations that make our community thrive. Each gift is invested for long-term growth, creating a permanent resource for local needs both now and for generations to come.

To learn more about how you can give back or create your own fund, contact Deanna Rhodes, Regional Director of Development at drhodes@communityfoundationalliance.org or 812.386.8082.

Justin O’Connor Named 2025 Recipient of the Mark Kniese Scholarship

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 14:36:18 GMT

The Community Foundation Alliance is proud to announce that Justin O’Connor has been selected as the 2025 recipient of the Mark Kniese Scholarship. This year marks the 23rd year of the scholarship, with more than $65,000 awarded since its creation. This scholarship will support O’Connor with his studies in Biomedical Health Science at Purdue University.

The Mark Kniese Scholarship was established by August Neal in memory of Mark Kniese, a beloved former counselor at Camp Carson in Princeton. Applicants must demonstrate exceptional dedication and rapport with campers while exemplifying the YMCA’s core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.

O’Connor has been a part of Camp Carson since he was six years old, first as a camper and later as a staff member.

“Camp holds a very special place in my heart… it's always been somewhere that I can leave behind my outside worries and focus on the present,” he said. “As a staff member, it has meant being able to experience what it feels like to truly spend the time bettering others instead of just yourself.”

He credits his years at camp with inspiring his career path. “Because of camp, I'm able to stay grounded and remember that the reason I want to study medicine is to better the lives of those around me.”

While applying for the scholarship, O’Connor reflected on the legacy of Mark Kniese. “He was someone who put the campers before himself and put his entire heart into the work that he did. As a counselor, I strove every day to follow in his footsteps and to carry on his legacy.”

Now in its 23rd year, the Mark Kniese Scholarship continues to honor a counselor who served campers and made a difference in their lives. Through the generosity of those who contribute to this fund, the scholarship not only supports higher education but also inspires recipients to carry forward the spirit of service and compassion that defined Mark Kniese’s life.

Local Organizations Step Up in Wake of Spring Storms with Support from Community Foundation

Fri, 08 Aug 2025 16:31:37 GMT

After severe storms and tornadoes affected Gibson County this spring, a number of local organizations moved quickly to help families recover, providing supplies, shelter, and vital support services. With funding made possible through a Special Project grant from the Gibson County Community Foundation, these efforts reached even further.

In total, $18,000 in grant funding was directed to groups assisting with immediate disaster response and infrastructure repair:

$9,000 to the American Red Cross Southwest Indiana Chapter

$1,500 to the Salvation Army Princeton

$2,500 to Sheep Dog Impact Assistance

$5,000 to the Gibson County Fairgrounds Pavilion, Inc.

“As a board, we deliberately set aside funding for critical needs like this. We were glad to be in a position to provide aid at a time when folks needed it most,” said Matt Monroe, Gibson County Community Foundation County Advisory Board President.

On the ground, these funds translated into real help, cleanup kits, health services, and storage supplies for impacted families, as well as gas for chainsaws and generators used in cleanup efforts. For some organizations, like the American Red Cross, the grant allowed them to offer direct financial assistance and continued emotional support.

“The American Red Cross responds to disasters every eight minutes, providing shelter, emergency supplies, and emotional support to those impacted,” said Beth Sweeney, Executive Director of the Southwest Chapter of the Indiana Region.

“On March 15, disaster workers with the Indiana Region were on the ground in Gibson County, assisting residents after severe weather by assessing damages, providing health and mental health services, financial assistance, cleanup kits, and information about recovery resources. The support of our donors and community partners, such as the Gibson County Community Foundation, enables the Red Cross to respond to disasters and help those who need it most," she added.

In another part of the county, spring flooding had damaged critical infrastructure at the Gibson County Fairgrounds. A $5,000 grant supported the emergency replacement of a major drainage pipe, restoring road access and ensuring safety ahead of upcoming community events.

"On behalf of the board of directors of The Gibson County Fairgrounds Pavilion Inc. and the Gibson County Fairground, I would like to thank [Gibson County Community Foundation] for awarding us with a $5,000 grant to assist in the replacement of a large culvert at the fairgrounds," said Charles Woodruff, President of the Gibson County Fair Board.

"[Gibson County Community Foundation’s] generous support will ensure the safety and functionality of the fairgrounds. The replacement of the culvert is vital for the longevity of the infrastructure, and [their] contribution plays a crucial role in this significant improvement."

The grants were made quietly, but with urgency. While the storms made headlines, it was the collaboration among local organizations and partners that made a lasting difference, focusing on what mattered most: helping neighbors recover and move forward.

15 Students Awarded More Than $35,000 in Scholarships from the Gibson County Community Foundation

ebaughman@communityfoundationalliance.org (Eve Baughman) — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 16:15:19 GMT

The Gibson County Community Foundation distributed more than $35,000 to 15 local Gibson County students from its Community Scholarship Program. These scholarships are funded by generous donors who have established a scholarship fund with the Gibson County Community Foundation.

Congratulations to this year’s recipients of the Community Scholarship Program!

1971 WMHS Alumni Scholarship – Elijah Schlottman

1993 Kiwanis Club of Princeton Memorial Scholarship – Gage Michael Maglis

Arts Council of Gibson County Scholarship – Emily Howell

Betty Ann McCullough Education Scholarship – Ainsley Sheffer

Bob Key Memorial Education Scholarship – Aleksandra Parmer

George & Dorthy Eykamp Scholarship – Braeden Davis

Kevin Dillon Gibson Southern Memorial Scholarship – Elizabeth Steckler

Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship 1st Alternate Scholarship – Allison Spindler

Lois Brink Memorial Nursing Scholarship – Emma Engelbrecht

Martha H. Brokaw Memorial Scholarship – Heidi Breidenbaugh

Norma J. Byrne Memorial Scholarship – Emma Engelbrecht

Project Associates Engineering Scholarship – Kelsey Ellis

Raymond and Gretchen Ceney Memorial Scholarship – Heidi Breidenbaugh

South Gibson College Continuation Scholarship – Isaac Pohl

Sutch-Briner Memorial Scholarship – Heidi Breidenbaugh

Warren W. Parke Memorial Scholarship – Grace Strickland

William & Lois Jackson Memorial Scholarship

Noah Wagener
Kyra Matsel

More Than $24,000 Awarded to 9 Organizations Stewarding Education in Gibson County

ebaughman@communityfoundationalliance.org (Eve Baughman) — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 13:45:29 GMT

Pictured (left to right): Rick Coleman, North Gibson Education Foundation, Inc. (NGEF) Board Member; Samantha Mays, NGEF Board Member; Amy Smith, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact; Susan Carey, NGEF Board President; and JD Weagley, NGEF Board Member.

More than $24,000 awarded to nine organizations stewarding education in Gibson County through the Betty Anne McCullough Enrichment Project and Education Seminar and Convocation Grant Programs.

Betty Ann McCullough was an educator for the North Gibson School Corporation for over 40 years and a strong advocate for education in her community. The Betty Ann McCullough Education Fund was established by friends and family of Mrs. McCullough upon her passing. There are three different grant programs funded by the Betty Ann McCullough Education Fund.

Congratulations to this year’s grant recipients!

East Gibson School Corporation | $1,200

Professional development presented by DeDe Wohlfarth, Professor of Clinical Psychology, to equip educators and staff with the knowledge and tools needed to support students affected by trauma

East Gibson School Corporation | $5,000

Hands-on materials for experiential learning at the preschool program

Fort Branch-Johnson Township Public Library | $800

Equipment for Culinary Camp, which is an annual summer camp that teaches children and teens about nutrition, math, science, food safety, and important culinary skills

North Gibson Education Foundation, Inc. | $5,000

Supplies for the NGEF Supplies Warehouse that will provide items at no cost to stock North Gibson School Corporation classrooms

Oakland City University-Acorn Academy | $3,600

Hands-on materials, nutritional snacks, and celebrations of learning certificates

Owensville Community School | $1,364.82

Three 3D Printers, 12 rolls of filament, and other required supplies

Owensville Community School | $1,000

Supplies for the Classroom Economy Program, an all-year classroom management activity that teaches students about the economy and money management

Owensville Community School | $544.93

Hand 2 Mind: Foundations for Strategies: Single-digit multiplication and division kit and Hand 2 Mind: Foundations for Strategies: Multi-digit multiplication and division kit

Princeton Public Library | $2,000

Professor Steve Science Show, Silly Safaris, Roz Puppets, The Water Show, and refreshments at the 2025 Summer Reading Program

South Gibson School Corporation | $1,079.86

(2) Foundations for Single Digit Addition and Subtraction Kits, (2) Foundations for Multi-Digit Addition and Subtraction Kits, and (2) "Developing Mathematical Reasoning, Avoiding the Trap of Algorithms” books

St. James Catholic School | $1,398.00

Bridge to Reading Kindergarten Classroom Refill (1 Year) and Bridge to Reading Second Grade Classroom Refill (1 Year) for Integrated Phonics and Phonemic Awareness Curriculum

Wood Memorial Jr./Sr. High School | $524.85

Entry ticket and food for 13 students and 2 adult chaperones to attend Physics Fun Day at Holiday World

Wood Memorial Jr./Sr. High School | $600

Supplies for the Calming Corner, which is proven to enhance math, science, and language arts by supporting focus, emotional regulation, and problem-solving skills

Gibson County Community Foundation helps families and friends honor their loved ones with charitable legacies. Contact Deanna Rhodes, Regional Director of Development at drhodes@communityfoundationalliance.org or 812-386-8082 to discuss your legacy of giving.

The 2026 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Application is Now Open in Gibson County

ebaughman@communityfoundationalliance.org (Eve Baughman) — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 16:08:13 GMT

The 2026 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship application is now available in Gibson County through the Gibson County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Community Foundation Alliance. The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program (LECSP) will provide 147 scholarships statewide and one scholarship in Gibson County.

LECSP scholarships may be used for otherwise unreimbursed full tuition, required fees, and a special allocation of up to $900 per year. The special allocation may cover the costs for required books and required equipment for four years of undergraduate study on a full-time basis, leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university.

The program, administered statewide by Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) and locally in Gibson County through the Gibson County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Community Foundation Alliance, is open to all Indiana residents who:

graduate from an accredited Indiana high school by 2026 and receive their diploma no later than June 30, 2026;
intend to pursue a full-time baccalaureate course of study at an eligible college or university in Indiana; and
meet the criteria specific to Gibson County Community Foundation. Visit gibsoncountycf.org/lilly-endowment-community-scholarship-program for complete information regarding the Gibson County application criteria.

Students can learn more about the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship in Gibson County and apply for this scholarship by visiting the Gibson County Community Foundation website. Applications must be completed and submitted by August 25, 2025, to be considered.

Applications will be evaluated on, but not limited to, the following criteria: GPA, school activities and work experience, community service, volunteer activities, personal statement/unusual circumstances, impromptu essay, and interview. Three finalists will be nominated by the Gibson County Community Foundation, and their names will be submitted to ICI for final selection of the recipients. Scholarship recipients will be notified in December.

Lilly Endowment created LECSP for the 1997-98 school year and has supported the program every year since with tuition grants totaling more than $505 million. More than 5,400 Indiana students have received Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships since the program’s inception.

The primary purposes of LECSP are: 1) to help raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana; 2) to increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations can play in their communities; and 3) to encourage and support the efforts of current and past Lilly Endowment Community Scholars to engage with each other and with Indiana business, governmental, educational, nonprofit and civic leaders to improve the quality of life in Indiana generally and in local communities throughout the state.

Gibson County Community Foundation is again pleased to offer LECSP for its 29th year in Gibson County. “The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program is a remarkable opportunity for high school seniors in Gibson County. I’m honored to be part of a process that recognizes students’ achievements and aspirations. Not only transforms the life of its recipient by supporting their educational and personal growth, but it also benefits the local community by investing in future leaders who are likely to give back and make a lasting difference in the region,” said Amy Smith, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact.

2025 Community Good Grants Available for Gibson County

ebaughman@communityfoundationalliance.org (Eve Baughman) — Mon, 19 May 2025 13:45:29 GMT

Gibson County Community Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2025 Community Good Grants Program. Nonprofit organizations serving Gibson County are encouraged to apply by Monday, August 4, 2025.

Community Good Grants are awarded to charitable partners addressing a wide range of local needs. Funding is available to support programs and projects that make a meaningful impact in Gibson County communities.

Organizations can find detailed grant guidelines and submit their application online .

For questions or assistance, please contact Amy Smith, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact, at 812.386.8082 or asmith@communityfoundationalliance.org.

Applications Now Open for Betty Ann McCullough Education Grant Programs

ebaughman@communityfoundationalliance.org (Eve Baughman) — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 16:17:04 GMT

The Betty Ann McCullough Education Seminar and Convocation, Enrichment Project, and Teaching Achievement Grant Programs are now accepting applications. These three grant programs are administered by the Gibson County Community Foundation. The deadline to apply is March 5, 2025.

The Betty Ann McCullough Education Seminar and Convocation Grant Program provides funding to public and private schools in Gibson County to host educational seminars and convocations to enhance the knowledge and skills of educators in science, mathematics, and language arts.
The Betty Ann McCullough Enrichment Project Grant Program provides funding to schools (including institutions of higher learning), libraries, and other public education organizations based or having substantial programs in Gibson County for innovative projects, programs, and equipment designed to enhance mathematics, science, and language arts educational opportunities for Gibson County residents.
The Betty Ann McCullough Teaching Achievement Grant Program awards a public-school educator for outstanding dedication and success in improving the mathematics or language arts skills and knowledge of students in the public schools of Gibson County.

To apply, please visit https://www.gibsoncountycf.org/betty-ann-mccullough-grants-programs . The Betty Ann McCullough Education Committee will review applications and make recommendations for grant recipients.

Gibson County Community Foundation Announces the 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program Recipient

ebaughman@communityfoundationalliance.org (Eve Baughman) — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 23:24:57 GMT

The Gibson County Community Foundation is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Gibson County – Max Wahl, Gibson Southern High School. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are known for their community involvement, academic achievement, character, and leadership. Scholarship award alternates were also announced. The first alternate, Allison Spindler, will receive a scholarship from the Friends of Gibson County Fund. Gage Maglis was named the second alternate.

“Max demonstrated exceptional work ethic, leadership, and communication skills throughout his application and interview process," said Amy Smith, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact for the Gibson County Community Foundation. "The nominating committee was privileged to meet Max and is proud to recommend him for this transformative opportunity.”

Smith continued, “This year, we received applications from 20 highly talented students. Each excelled academically and significantly contributed to various extracurricular and community activities. The outstanding quality of the applications made the selection process challenging for our dedicated committee, which carefully reviewed and scored each submission based on the established criteria."

Each Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship provides for full tuition, required fees, and a special allocation of up to $900 per year for required books and required equipment for four years. The scholarship is for full-time undergraduate students leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars may also participate in the Lilly Scholars Network (LSN), which connects both current scholars and alumni with resources and opportunities to be active leaders on their campuses and in their communities. Both the scholarship program and LSN are supported by grants from Lilly Endowment to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) and Indiana Humanities.

“I’ve always tried to do my best in the things I do, but I still can’t believe it would lead to an achievement like this. I’m so thankful for my family and my community for always supporting me, and I couldn’t be more grateful to the Community Foundation for giving me this honor,” said Max Wahl, 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar. “Now, I don’t have to stress about my college finances as much, and I can focus more on making our state and our communities a better place. I hope to attend Notre Dame in the fall, where this scholarship will help me reach my full potential. You only live once, so make the most out of your life!”

In determining Gibson County’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholar nominees, consideration was given to GPA, SAT/ACT, school activities and work experience, community service and volunteer activities, personal statement, impromptu essay, and finalist interview by the LECSP Nominating Committee. After the field of applicants was narrowed down, nominees were submitted to ICI, the statewide administrator of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program, which approves the final selection of scholarship recipients.

Lilly Endowment created the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program for the 1997-98 school year. Since then, grant funding in excess of $490 million has supported more than 5,300 Indiana students who have received scholarships through the program.

The primary purposes of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program are: 1) to help raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana; 2) to increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations can play in their communities; and 3) to encourage and support the efforts of current and past Lilly Endowment Community Scholars to engage with each other and with Indiana business, governmental, educational, nonprofit and civic leaders to improve the quality of life in Indiana generally and in local communities throughout the state.

More Than $158,000 Awarded to 35 Nonprofits Serving Gibson County

ebaughman@communityfoundationalliance.org (Eve Baughman) — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 17:13:29 GMT

The Gibson County Community Foundation awarded more than $158,000 in grants to 35 nonprofits through its 2024 Community Good Grants program. These nonprofits are committed to supporting the needs of Gibson County.

Congratulations to this year’s grant recipients!

$12,500 to JD Sheth Foundation, Inc. to expand the weatherization program to include a regional expansion including pre-blight prevention
$7,683.00 to Youth First, Inc. for evaluation and data collection
$4,000 to East Gibson Dollars for Scholars to provide financial support to continue the education of graduating seniors of Wood Memorial High School
$4,000 to Gibson Southern Scholarships, Inc. to provide four $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors of Gibson Southern High School
$4,000 to Princeton Area Dollars for Scholars to provide financial support to continue the education of graduating seniors of Princeton Community High School
$2,000 to the Gibson County CEO to support students enrolled in the program which is designed to utilize partnerships that provide an overview of business development and processes
$714.00 to Owensville Community School for the purchase of The Math Thinker and Whole Class Deluxe Bundle Math Stacker Magnetic Set
$717.47 to Owensville Community School for the purchase of Hands on Equations class set and Hands-on Equations Fractions for two classrooms
$960 to South Gibson School Corporation to purchase 24 phonic kits from Rocking Chair Readers
$600 to Oakland City University-Acorn Academy to purchase hands-on materials
$3,960 to Chemo Buddies to purchase supplies for 66 first-day comfort kit bags and last-day balloons, along with wigs, hats, accessories, and cosmetics for 10 cancer patients from Gibson County
$9,000 to Holly's House, Inc. to teach skills to keep kids safe from abuse by providing child abuse prevention programming to elementary students in Gibson County
$4,200 to Bread of Life Ministry, Inc. to pay the freight for donated food and to purchase food items at discounted prices to distribute to low-income families in the Tri-state area
$2,000 to Tri-State Food Bank to provide assistance for Gibson County children who rely on the free lunch program during the week but need food to help them get through the weekend
$4,000 to Habitat for Humanity of Gibson County to replace the HVAC unit at the Restore building
$700 to the Oakland City Columbia Township Public Library to purchase items needed to clean the headstones of a community cemetery to preserve historical markers
$200 to the Gibson County Council on Aging to purchase items needs for the free art/painting class for Gibson County Seniors to participate, learn and enjoy
$5,000 to Emmy Corp dba Gibson County Animal Services to help seniors and different a bled residents of Gibson County enhance their lives and the lives of their pets
$500 to the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra to enable students from Gibson County to attend the March 2025, Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra Helen M. McKinney Young People's Concerts
$4,000 to the Buffalo Trace Council-Boy Scouts of America to provide support for the Scoutreach afterschool program within the North Gibson School District and the workforce development program
$2,500 to the Albion Fellows Bacon Center, Inc. for expenses associated with survivor car travel to the Evansville shelter, safety, doctor's appointments, employment, etc.
$20,000 to The Arc Southwest Indiana for the purchase of a vehicle designed to provide reliable and accessible transportation for individuals with disabilities in Gibson County
$4,652 to Junior Achievement of Southwestern Indiana to serve a total of 462 students in Gibson County, focusing on Work Readiness, Entrepreneurship, and Financial Literacy
$1,000 to the YMCA of Southwestern Indiana for materials to construct a Camper Closet which will create a clean and organized space to have "camp readiness bags" readily available for campers
$17,535 to Princeton Youth Baseball to enhance overall accessibility and safety by demolishing and rebuilding a baseball dugout to ensure it accommodates people of all abilities
$2,398 to Lyles Station Historic Preservation Corporation to cover the expense of printing 1,000, 24-page color informational booklets for students
$2,000 to Owensville Ministerial Alliance Food Bank to buy food supplies and equipment for Montgomery and Wabash Townships
$2,349 to the Community Action Program of Evansville & Vanderburgh County, Inc. to purchase one new commercial freezer to enhance our food pantry in Gibson County
$10,050 to Gibson County Youth Theatre to purchase the rights, royalties, materials, and orchestration for our 2024-2025 Season
$3,700 to The Well of Gibson County to purchase incentives of $25.00 gift cards for gas, food, transportation (2 gift cards a month), and supplies
$8,000 to Dream Builders of Indiana to purchase a 7x16 enclosed trailer to house tools and supplies to build beds for children in Gibson County in need
$3,000 to Deaconess Hospital Foundation to provide patients who do not have access to transportation with rides to ensure they can consistently get to oncology treatments and appointments
$3,000 to North Gibson Education Foundation, Inc. for the Tiger Alley Public Art Display which will showcase mural-sized art created annually by NGSC students to be displayed in a new community area in downtown Princeton
$2,799 to True Hope Pregnancy and Family Resource Center of Gibson County to purchase the ILA Pro translation device to serve a more diverse client base
$1,249 to Psi Iota Xi Sorority-Fort Branch to purchase and install one adapted swing, in the public park in Fort Branch public park, to promote accessibility in the community

Funding for the Community Good Grants program wouldn’t be possible without the donors and organizations who donate to Community Good (Unrestricted) and Field of Interest Funds held by the Community Foundation. Thank you for your generosity and support of Gibson County.

Toyota Fund
Ann, John, and William Eugene Dunn Fund
Brown Family Fund
Friends of Gibson County Fund
Jack and Sue Freudenberg Family Fund
Phillip and Sharen Buyher Fund
Toyota Community Good Fund
Troy and Virginia Land Unrestricted Fund
Women’s Fund of Gibson County
Ray J. (Jerry) Watson and Ruth L Watson Memorial Fund
Smithville Charitable Foundation Fund of Gibson County
German American Bancorp Community Fund - Gibson
Bonaparte Family Unrestricted Fund
David and Janet Oldham Family Fund
Gibson Board of Trustees Fund
Melvin Oing Memorial Fund
Susan K. Partenheimer Fund

Ready to join in the giving? Learn more about opening an unrestricted Community Good Fund today!

Contact Deanna Rhodes, Director of Development at drhodes@communityfoundationalliance.org or 812.386.8082 (Main).

2024 Community Scholarship Applications Open

ebaughman@communityfoundationalliance.org (Eve Baughman) — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 15:59:42 GMT

Many of our donors have chosen to honor their loved ones, communities, high schools, colleges, and professions by establishing scholarship funds through their local Community Foundations in Daviess, Gibson, Knox, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburgh, and Warrick Counties. These funds support the annual Community Scholarship programs, providing valuable opportunities for students in Southwest Indiana. Thanks to their contributions, applications are being accepted now, with a deadline of Monday, January 20, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.

"We are excited to once again provide scholarship opportunities to students in our Southwest Indiana region,” says Melinda Waldroup, Chief Program Officer at the Community Foundation Alliance. “By offering these scholarships, we are not only investing in individual students but also in the future of our communities. We encourage all eligible students to apply and take a step towards achieving their educational and career goals."

Students may apply for one or more scholarships if they meet the eligibility requirements and selection criteria established by donors. Details about each scholarship and the application are posted on the website at communityfoundationalliance.org/scholarships.

Each scholarship is unique and supports students with a variety of backgrounds, educational goals, and economic statuses. Awards are made without regard to race, creed, color, sex, religion, or national origin and are based on a competitive process that may consider academic achievement, extracurricular activities, personal aspirations, educational goals, and financial need.

The deadline to apply is Monday, January 20, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.

Learn more and apply today!

Celebrating Dedication to Philanthropy

Fri, 20 Sep 2024 19:34:50 GMT

Leslie Mustard's 15 Years of Service with the Gibson County Community Foundation

(Princeton, Indiana) The Gibson County Community Foundation is thrilled to recognize and celebrate outgoing advisory board member Leslie Mustard's outstanding dedication to promoting philanthropy in Gibson County. Mustard concluded a remarkable nine-year tenure serving on the Foundation’s advisory board on June 30, 2024. Over the past 18 years, Mustard has served in various roles with the Gibson County Community Foundation and has served as a Community Foundation Alliance Board member representing Gibson County.

Since 2006, Mustard has actively participated in various committees, including the essential Community Good Grants Committee. Her commitment to philanthropy and the well-being of the community was honored at the advisory board’s June meeting with a special award presented by its president, Matt Monroe.

The advisory board, made up of local leaders, is the heart of the Foundation. Together, they promote philanthropy, build endowment, identify community needs, and strive to improve quality of life throughout Gibson County. The advisory board's collaborative efforts ensure that grantmaking and scholarship recommendations are tailored to most effectively benefit the community.

Mustard reflected on her 15 years of service, saying, "My opportunity to meet with wonderful donors and fund founders, learn from grantees their insights into improving life in Gibson County, and working with all the dedicated Gibson County Community Foundation Advisory Board members and staff has been a blessing. Watching the Gibson Foundation and the other eight affiliate foundations of the Community Foundation Alliance grow over the past 18 years into truly impactful philanthropic powerhouses has fueled my motor and solidified my love for our community. I will be forever grateful."

"We extend our heartfelt gratitude for Leslie’s steadfast service,” said Deanna Rhodes, Regional Director of Development. “Her contributions while serving on the advisory board and its committees have significantly impacted our community and will continue to inspire our ongoing efforts to enhance the lives of all Gibson County residents."

The Gibson County Community Foundation is one of nine affiliates of the Community Foundation Alliance in southwestern Indiana. Our community will continue to benefit from Mustard's experience and service as she remains a member of the Community Foundation Alliance Board of Directors representing Gibson County.

For more information about the Gibson County Community Foundation’s work, contact Deanna Rhodes, Regional Director of Development, at 812.386.8082 or drhodes@communityfoundationalliance.org .

Pictured (left to right): Amy Smith, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact with the Foundation; Matt Monroe, advisory board President; outgoing advisory board member Leslie Mustard; and Deanna Rhodes, the Foundation’s Regional Director of Development.

About the Gibson County Community Foundation

About the Community Foundation Alliance

Mark Kniese Scholarship Award Recipient Announced

Tue, 20 Aug 2024 19:19:32 GMT

The Community Foundation Alliance has announced the recipient of this year’s Mark Kniese Scholarship. This annual scholarship is made possible by a fund established by August Neal in memory of Mark Kniese, a former counselor at Camp Carson in Princeton. To be eligible, applicants must not only demonstrate dedication and rapport with campers but also embody the YMCA’s core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. This year, Riley Oakes of Evansville, Indiana, has been selected to receive a $3,500 scholarship.

Riley is enrolled at the University of Southern Indiana, pursuing a dual degree in Psychology and World Languages and Cultures with a concentration in Spanish, while also preparing for a career in Pre-Occupational Therapy. Reflecting on her time at Camp Carson, she shared, “Camp Carson has been my second home for the past three summers. I didn’t just find a physical home but also a community of people who have become dear friends. I’m incredibly thankful to work with them.”

She continued, “I love camp for the opportunities it provides everyone involved. It’s not just about the impact we have on campers but also how the camp experience has influenced me and my fellow counselors.”

When asked about receiving the Mark Kniese Scholarship, Riley expressed her gratitude: “Words cannot describe the honor I feel in being awarded a scholarship in Mark Kniese’s name. I look up to the example he set and carry our camp values with me in every interaction I have with campers and counselors.”

Riley also shared her excitement for the future: “In a few weeks, I’ll be leaving to spend the last semester of my undergraduate degree studying abroad in Spain. I’m eager to return to camp next summer and share my experiences with campers and counselors alike.”

2024 marks the 22 ^nd year of the Mark Kniese Scholarship with awards totaling more than $59,000.

Addiction Solutions Corporation Receives 30th Anniversary Grant From The Gibson County Community Foundation

Fri, 17 May 2024 15:07:08 GMT

Addiction Solutions Corporation recently received a $3,000 grant from the Gibson County Community Foundation through the Celebrating 30 Years of Supporting our Communities Grant Program.

In celebration of Gibson County Community Foundation’s 30 ^th Anniversary, the Celebrating 30 Years of Supporting our Communities Grant Program allows advisory board members to recommend $3,000 grants to local nonprofit organizations. The Community Foundation’s most recent grant recommendation was made by advisory board member Kent Walden.

Addiction Solutions Corporation (ASC) is a non-profit organization rooted in faith, established in 2018. Their initiative began with the creation of two recovery homes—one catering to men and the other to women in Vincennes, Indiana. In the same year, they opened a mixed-gender residence in Olney, Illinois. Then, in 2020, they extended their services to Gibson County by opening a men's home, and then a women’s residence in 2023. Presently, the organization serves a total of 65 residents across the three counties, with their primary focus on individuals struggling with substance abuse disorder. ASC provides a secure and structured environment for both men and women who are determined to transform their lives and overcome addiction. The program emphasizes not only immediate rehabilitation but also long-term restoration, by equipping their participants with the necessary tools to reintegrate into society as productive and contributing members.

To learn more about ASC, visit their website at https://addictionsolutionscorp.org/ .

For more information about funding opportunities through the Gibson County Community Foundation, contact Amy Smith, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact, at 812.386.8082 or via email at asmith@communityfoundationalliance.org .

Gibson County Animal Services Receives 30th Anniversary Grant From The Gibson County Community Foundation

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 19:15:21 GMT

Gibson County Animal Services recently received a $3,000 grant from the Gibson County Community Foundation through the Celebrating 30 Years of Supporting our Communities Grant Program.

Established in 1996, Gibson County Animal Services (GCAS) works to address the issue of stray animal overpopulation within Gibson County, collaborating with law enforcement agencies across the county, partnering with various community organizations, and engaging residents.

GCAS has implemented a range of programs and services designed to promote responsible pet ownership and animal welfare. These initiatives include educational presentations at local libraries, wellness clinics tailored for low-income individuals, seniors, and veterans, training sessions addressing animal abuse prevention, regular adoption events, spay/neuter assistance, foster programs, and educational outreach in public schools, among others.

To learn more about GCAS, or to find a new FUREVER friend, visit the organization’s website at https://www.gcasonline.org/ .

Pictured (from right): Tiffany Coomer, Community Foundation Advisory Board Member, along with GCAS employees and youth volunteers.

Oakland City University Campus Community Garden Receives 30th Anniversary Grant From The Gibson County Community Foundation

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 18:06:58 GMT

Oakland City University recently received a $3,000 grant from the Gibson County Community Foundation through the Celebrating 30 Years of Supporting our Communities Grant Program.

The OCU Campus Community Garden serves as a focal point for nature appreciation, preservation efforts, composting practices, and the promotion of pollinator habitats. Established in 2019, the Campus Community Garden serves as a hub for experiential learning, drawing participation from students, faculty, staff, and community members alike. The garden will soon introduce a new Beekeeping Club, providing opportunities for students and community members to engage in hands-on apicultural activities. As the garden continues to thrive and expand, there is a plan to provide fresh, organic produce to the East Gibson Food Pantry and make it accessible to the wider community, promoting food security and healthy eating habits.

For more information about the OCU Campus Community Garden and how you can volunteer to assist with continued expansion of the garden, contact Amanda Dempsey, at gotmoxie67@gmail.com .

Pictured: Dr. Ron Dempsey, President, Oakland City University, along with community members, Southwest Indiana Master Gardners, and Oakland City University campus staff.

Princeton Public Library Receives 30th Anniversary Grant From The Gibson County Community Foundation

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 18:59:13 GMT

The Princeton Public Library recently received a $3,000 grant from the Gibson County Community Foundation through the Celebrating 30 Years of Supporting our Communities Grant Program.

Since opening its doors in 1905, the Princeton Public Library prides itself on being a strong member of the community. The library has undergone many renovations and expansions since that time, welcoming the newest and current building structure in 2019. The current library is located at the corner of Hart and Water Street and offers a variety of programs and events for all ages. PPL has an extensive local history and genealogy library, dating back as far as the 1800s, a technology center, and offers meeting/activity rooms for rental. Every month the Princeton Public Library hosts multiple events, including Family Craft Night, sewing classes, and Story Time, to name just a few. To learn more about the Princeton Public Library, available resources, and their upcoming events, visit; https://www.princetonpl.lib.in.us/ .

Pictured (from left to right): Amber Alsobrooks, Princeton Public Library Marketing and Programming Supervisor, Shannon Linsday, Princeton Public Library Director, and Karen Beghtel, Community Foundation Advisory Board Member.

The Isaiah 1:17 Project Of Gibson County Receives 30th Anniversary Grant From The Gibson County Community Foundation

Thu, 22 Feb 2024 15:45:05 GMT

The Isaiah 1:17 Project recently received a $3,000 grant from the Gibson County Community Foundation through the Celebrating 30 Years of Supporting our Communities Grant Program.

Established in May 2017, The Isaiah 1:17 Project realizes that every child and family impacted by foster care matters, by offering an array of services that answer needs in the fostering community. The Isaiah 1:17 Project currently serves 11 counties in SW Indiana and has filled more than 9,000 Bags of Hope. These bags provide children transitioning to foster care clothes, snacks, and comfort items. Along with the Bags of Hope, The Isiah 1:17 Project provides bicycles to at-risk children, offers support to foster families through their Fortifying Foster Families Program, and brings communities together during the holidays with their Christmas Hopes and Dreams events. If you would like to learn more about The Isaiah 1:17 Project, visit their website at https://www.theisaiah117project.org/ , or contact them at 812.386.0117.

Pictured (from right): Kathleen Elliott, The Isaiah 1:17 Project, and Nathan Beloat, Community Foundation Advisory Board Member.

Betty Ann McCullough Grant Programs Now Accepting Applications

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 19:49:54 GMT

The Betty Ann McCullough Education Seminar and Convocation Grant Program, the Betty Ann McCullough Enrichment Project Grant Program, and the Betty Ann McCullough Teaching Achievement Grant Program are now accepting applications. These three grant programs are administered by the Gibson County Community Foundation. The deadline to apply is Monday, March 25, 2024.

Betty Ann McCullough was an educator for the North Gibson School Corporation for more than 40 years and a strong supporter of education in her community. Along with a number of civic memberships, she was a member of the Gibson County Community Foundation advisory board. She passed away in 1997, after which three funds and grant programs were established in her memory.

The Betty Ann McCullough Education Seminar and Convocation Grant Program serves to provide funding to public and private schools in Gibson County for the purpose of hosting educational seminars and convocations to enhance the knowledge and skills of educators in science, mathematics, and language arts.

The Betty Ann McCullough Enrichment Project Grant Program serves to provide funding to schools (including institutions of higher learning), libraries, and other public education organizations based or having substantial programs in Gibson County for innovative projects, programs, and equipment designed to enhance mathematics, science, and language arts educational opportunities for Gibson County residents.

The Betty Ann McCullough Teaching Achievement Grant Program awards a public-school educator for outstanding dedication and success in improving the mathematics or language arts skills and knowledge of students in the public schools of Gibson County.

For additional information about eligibility and requirements or the grant application process, please contact Amy Smith Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact at asmith@communityfoundationalliance.org or 812.386.8082.

True Hope Pregnancy & Family Resource Center Of Gibson County Receives 30th Anniversary Grant From The Gibson County Community Foundation

Tue, 23 Jan 2024 19:43:41 GMT

True Hope Pregnancy & Family Resource Center of Gibson County recently received a $3,000 grant from the Gibson County Community Foundation through the Celebrating 30 Years of Supporting our Communities Grant Program.

True Hope was established in Gibson County in 2023 and is a pregnancy and family resource center serving Gibson County Indiana, that offers specialized programs and services to anyone who is experiencing an unplanned pregnancy or difficult life circumstances. Some of the services offered by True Hope are pregnancy testing and consulting, infant supplies through their life skills program, life skills mentoring for men and women, and healthcare and community resource referrals. To learn more about True Hope, visit their website at https://truehopeprc.org/ or their office at 112 N West Street, Princeton, IN.

Habitat For Humanity Of Gibson County Receives 30th Anniversary Grant

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 21:38:37 GMT

Habitat for Humanity of Gibson County received a $3,000 grant from the Gibson County Community Foundation through the Celebrating 30 Years of Supporting our Communities Grant Program. Executive Director, Julia Rahman, stated that this funding will be utilized towards the opening of a Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Gibson County.

Habitat for Humanity ReStores are independently owned reuse stores operated by local Habitat for Humanity organizations. The ReStore will accept donations and sell a constantly changing inventory of diverse, high-quality merchandise to the public at a fraction of the retail price while diverting reusable household items and building materials from area landfills.

Habitat for Humanity was established in 1995 in Gibson County and since that time have built or rehabbed more than 26 homes in the county. They provide housing opportunities for those less fortunate by working with partner families and volunteers to build homes. Habitat homeowners achieve the strength, stability, and independence they need to build a better life for themselves and their families. A local bank holds the mortgages locally for partner families at a 0% interest rate. To learn more about Habitat for Humanity of Gibson County, visit their website at https://www.gibsoncountyhabitat.com/ .

Gibson County Community Foundation Now Accepting Applications for Community Scholarship Program

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 16:42:28 GMT

This year, donors to the Gibson County Community Foundation are once again making scholarship awards available through the Community Scholarship Program. Applications must be received by midnight on Friday, February 2, 2024.

“Many Foundation donors have honored their loved ones, high schools, or professions by endowing scholarship opportunities through the Foundation,” says Amy Smith, the Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact. “We administer scholarships established by individuals, families, and organizations to assist local students in pursuit of advanced education. Together, these scholarships make up our Community Scholarship Program.”

Students may apply for one or more scholarships, as long as they meet the particular eligibility requirements. Details about each scholarship and the application are posted on the website at gibsoncountycf.org/scholarships .

Eligibility requirements and selection criteria are determined by donors and are posted on the website. Each scholarship is unique and supports students with a variety of backgrounds, educational goals, and economic statuses. Awards are made without regard to race, creed, color, sex, religion, or national origin and are based on a competitive process that may consider academic achievement, extracurricular activities, personal aspirations, educational goals, and financial need.

The deadline to apply is midnight Friday, February 2, 2024.

Gibson County Community Foundation Announces the 2024 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Recipient

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 23:10:48 GMT

The Gibson County Community Foundation is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2024 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Gibson County – Katelyn Walker of Gibson Southern High School. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are known for their community involvement, academic achievement, character, and leadership.

“Katelyn’s strong work ethic, leadership, and communication skills were apparent in her application and interview. The nominating committee was honored to have the opportunity to meet Katelyn and recommend her for this life-changing opportunity,” said Amy Smith, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact for the Gibson County Community Foundation.

Katelyn is the daughter of Todd and Melinda Walker of Haubstadt, Indiana. Following graduation, she plans to pursue a degree in Chemistry at either the University of Evansville, Indiana University Indianapolis, or the University of Notre Dame, where she plans to pursue a career in medicine. In addition to excelling academically, Katelyn is active in the Spanish Club, Student Council, FCCLA (Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America), Sunshine Society, and Health Occupations Students of America. She has served as played on the Gibson Southern High School Golf Team for the past four years and was named All-County, advancing to the State Finals her Junior year, along with being named All-Conference. Katelyn is also the piano accompaniment for various high school performances and musicals, along with playing outside of school. Her volunteerism is outstanding, with her dedicating her time to organizations such as the Tri-State Food Bank, Borrowed Heart, and the Evansville Rescue Mission.

In determining Gibson County’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholar nominee, consideration was given to academic performance, community and school involvement, special circumstances, an impromptu essay, and an interview by the LECSP Nominating Committee. After the field of applicants was narrowed down, the nominee was submitted to ICI, the statewide administrator of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program, which approves the final selection of scholarship recipients.

“This year we had 21 extremely talented students apply for the scholarship. Each student not only excelled academically but in a wide range of extracurricular and community activities,” said Smith. She added, “The quality of the applications made the selection process difficult for the very dedicated committee, which thoroughly reviewed each application and scored fairly based on the set forth guidelines.”

Scholarship award alternates were also announced. The first alternate, Eva Spindler will receive a scholarship from the Friends of Gibson County Fund. Clayton Moyer was named the second alternate.

Lilly Endowment created the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program for the 1998-99 school year and has supported the program every year since with grants totaling in excess of $505 million. More than 5,200 Indiana students have received the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship since the program’s inception.

Tri Kappa Gamma Omega Receives 30th Anniversary Grant

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 16:37:47 GMT

Tri Kappa Gamma Omega of Oakland City recently received a $3,000 grant from the Gibson County Community Foundation through the Celebrating 30 Years of Supporting our Communities Grant Program.

Tri Kappa is a women’s philanthropic organization in Indiana that promotes the arts, culture, and education. This funding will help boost the Heritage House Endowment Fund, which was established in 1990 after the Oakland City Tri Kappa Gamma Omega Chapter sold its Chapter House, and began meeting at the community room of the Oakland City Public Library. Interest accrued from the Heritage House Endowment Fund is used to award a scholarship to a non-traditional student pursuing a college degree.

Lyles Station Receives 30th Anniversary Grant From The Gibson County Community Foundation

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 18:53:35 GMT

Lyles Station Historic Preservation Corporation recently received a $3,000 grant from the Gibson County Community Foundation through the Celebrating 30 Years of Supporting our Communities Grant Program.

In celebration of Gibson County Community Foundation’s 30 ^th Anniversary, the Celebrating 30 Years of Supporting our Communities Grant Program allows advisory board members to recommend $3,000 grants to local nonprofit organizations. The Foundation’s most recent grant recommendation was made by advisory board member Leslie Mustard.

Since its founding in 1998, Lyles Station has been steadily and progressively restoring, maintaining, and developing the Historic School and Museum as a valuable resource to our community. Lyles Station engages in many programs that service the entire tri-state area, some of the programs included are tours of the School House and Museum, celebrating National Black History Month, Juneteenth, and the Farm to Table event each September, along with a corn maze in October. Lyles Station also hosts school field trips each spring and fall for students from surrounding counties in Indiana as well as neighboring counties in Kentucky and Illinois. Lyles Station also features numerous garden plots and agricultural educational experiences throughout each year. Learn more about this organization by visiting https://lylesstation.org/ .

Gibson County Community Foundation Awards More Than $182,000 To 35 Nonprofit Partners

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 15:04:56 GMT

The Gibson County Community Foundation awarded $182,192 in grants to 35 local nonprofit organizations through its 2023 Community Good Grants program. This year’s grants provide flexible funding for a variety of charitable projects and organizations serving Gibson County.

This year’s grant recipients were:

· $12,500 to Emmy Corp dba Gibson County Animal Services to improve the quality of life for low-income Seniors/disabled/veterans by assisting them in being able to keep and care for their companion animals;

· $12,500 to the Gibson County Council on Aging to purchase a 15-passenger van to be able to transport our seniors;

· $12,500 to Youth First, Inc. to provide free access to expert mental health support in 15 Gibson County schools to over 5,300 students K-12;

· $10,150 to Deaconess Hospital Foundation to purchase and ship 6 AEDs to be utilized in Gibson County;

· $9,800 to Princeton Police Department to purchase Safariland Liberator IV COMS for seven officers for the newly created ERT (Emergency Response Team);

· $9,480 to Gibson County Sheriff’s Office to fund the purchase of the K9 and the Ray Allen Narc Safe Kit;

· $8,500 to Holly’s House, Inc. to teach skills to keep kids safe from abuse by providing child abuse prevention programming to elementary students;

· $7,500 to The Arc Southwest Indiana to expand their new hire training orientation and make required updates to materials, and training to increase staff knowledge and retention;

· $7,186 to Tulip Tree Health Services of Gibson County Inc. to purchase five new laptops with essential software to replace outdated laptops used by clinical staff;

· $6,700 to Fellowship of Christian Athletes to support youth development and leadership program expenses in Gibson County;

· $5,500 to Tri-State Food Bank to provide assistance for Gibson County children who rely on the free lunch program during the week but need food to help them get through the weekend:

· $5,490 to Chemo Buddies to support Gibson County individuals impacted by chemotherapy, along with their families;

· $5,400 to the YMCA of Southwestern Indiana to create a new music and recording program in a studio featuring music, sound recording, and podcasting for our campers and school groups to use;

· $5,000 to the Gibson County CEO to support students enrolled in the program which is designed to utilize partnerships that provide an overview of business development and processes;

· $5,000 to Princeton Youth Baseball to provide opportunities for individuals with disabilities in Gibson County to participate in challenger league "Bambino Buddy Ball" baseball;

· $5,000 to Princeton Band Boosters, Inc. to support the Princeton Community Marching Band 2023 season;

· $4,850 to The Isaiah 1:17 Project to purchase a thermostat, cardboard sorter, Bloomerang Volunteer Data Base, five shopping carts, and tinting for the front office windows;

· $4,700 to Lyles Station Historic Preservation Corporation to provide patrons with an entertaining and educational night of history experiencing the one-man show telling the story of Alonzo Fields;

· $4,200 to Bread of Life Ministry, Inc. to pay the freight for donated food and to purchase food items at discounted prices to distribute to low-income families in the Tri-state area;

· $4,000 to East Gibson Dollars for Scholars to provide financial support to continue the education of graduating seniors of Wood Memorial High School;

· $4,000 to Gibson Southern Scholarships, Inc. to provide four $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors of Gibson Southern High School;

· $3,920 to Junior Achievement of Southwestern Indiana to facilitate 55 JA experiences in Gibson County, serving 1,210 students, focusing on Work Readiness, Entrepreneurship, and Financial Literacy;

· $3,800 to the Princeton Public Library to purchase three little libraries and one blessing box, along with one slimline refrigerator;

· $3,500 to the Buffalo Trace Council-Boy Scouts of America to provide STEAM learning tools and programs for students in North Gibson Scoutreach;

· $3,000 to the Albion Fellows Bacon Center, Inc. to purchase 12 dressers for guest rooms;

· $2,520 to Addiction Solutions Corporation for staff training, including certified peer recovery specialist, certified peer recovery supervisor, and ethics training;

· $2,500 to the Gibson County Chamber of Commerce to develop a website as a one-stop landing spot for all things Gibson County, including a community calendar for organizations and businesses. The final desire to communicate to others outside of the area what makes Gibson County an interesting and unique place to visit, live, work, and learn;

· $2,500 to The Well of Gibson County for incentives provided to the mothers enrolled in the program;

· $2,296 to WNIN Tri-State Public Media, Inc. to pay for the Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood portion of the annual PBS Programming Fee that WNIN must pay in order to broadcast the show;

· $2,000 to the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra to enable students from Gibson County to attend the March 2024, Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra Helen M. McKinney Young People's Concerts;

· $2,000 to the Gibson County Soccer Club for nets, goals, paint, and maintenance of Gibson County Soccer fields;

· $2,000 to Habitat for Humanity of Gibson County to purchase a desktop computer and computer accessories;

· $1,000 to The Oasis Gibson Food Partners to support the Food Partners program;

· $600 to Owensville Community School for the purchase of a portable speaker and shaved ice machine and supplies to use during activities that bring the school and community together; and

· $600 to the Broadway Players to upgrade the Synology database.

Funding for the Community Good Grants program was provided by donors and organizations establishing and donating to Community Good (Unrestricted) and Field of Interest Funds held by the Gibson County Community Foundation. Those funds are:

· Ann, John, and William Eugene Dunn Fund

· Bonaparte Family Unrestricted Fund

· Brown Family Fund

· David and Janet Oldham Family Fund

· Friends of Gibson County Fund

· German American Bancorp Community Fund – Gibson

· Gibson Board of Trustees Fund

· Jack and Sue Freudenberg Family Fund

· Melvin Oing Memorial Fund

· Phillip and Sharen Buyher Fund

· Ray J. (Jerry) Watson and Ruth L. Watson Memorial Fund

· Smithville Charitable Foundation Fund of Gibson County

· Susan K. Partenheimer Fund

· Toyota Fund

· Troy and Virginia Land Unrestricted Fund

· Toyota Community Good Fund

· Women's Fund of Gibson County

Mark Kniese Scholarship Award Recipients Announced

emily@builtbyviv.com (Emily Brandenstein) — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 15:00:55 GMT

The Community Foundation Alliance has announced the recipients of this year’s Mark Kniese Scholarship. The annual scholarship is made possible by a fund established through August Neal in memory of Mark Kniese, who had been a counselor with her at Camp Carson in Princeton. In addition to demonstrating dedication to and rapport with campers, applicants must exhibit the YMCA’s core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. Breanna Bailey from Evansville, Indiana, and Clark Fehrenbacher from Chandler, Indiana have been selected to each receive a $2,500 scholarship.

Bailey is attending the University of Southern Indiana where she is studying biology. She commented, “I am so happy to receive the Mark Kniese Scholarship. It warms my heart to know that his love for camp still goes on strong and that I get to share that with many others as well.” Bailey continued, “Without camp, I would not be the person I am today. I would not have experienced all these wonderful opportunities. I am truly honored to work as a counselor at Camp Carson.”

Fehrenbacher is attending Indiana University where he is studying human biology. “Camp Carson is a truly magical place. From attending when I was just seven years old, to working there this past summer, it truly amazes me of the impact this camp has on our youth. It has always let me express my truest self and allowed me to focus on being the best person I can possibly be. It has taught me to constantly better myself and that I am valued,” stated Fehrenbacher.

He went on to say, “As a young man in the military, the looming possibility of getting deployed weighs a lot on your mental health. Being only 20 years old I have to live with that, but Camp Carson relieves that stress by allowing me to be a kid again. It also gives me a legacy to leave behind by impacting so many kids. This camp has truly changed my life.”

2023 marks the 21 ^st year of the Mark Kniese Scholarship with awards totaling just over $57,500.

Gibson County Community Foundation Welcomes New Local Advisory Board Members

Tue, 22 Aug 2023 18:49:38 GMT

The Gibson County Community Foundation welcomes five new advisory board members: Karen Beghtel, Tiffany Coomer, Margo English, Craig Pflug, and Alyssa Ricker. These new members join the other dedicated business and community leaders volunteering their time and talents to grow our impact within the community.

This fiscal year’s advisory board also includes Matt Monroe (president), Kent Walden (vice president), Robin Sermersheim (secretary), Rachel Adamson, Nathan Beloat, Amanda Dempsey, Christina Hager, C.T. Montgomery, Leslie Mustard, and Lindsay Schmitt.

Volunteer members of the advisory board play a vital role in the success of the Community Foundation. They focus on local asset development, learning about the community’s greatest needs and nonprofits that support those needs, and recommending grants and scholarships. “Community members that serve on our advisory boards play a vital role in the success of our work. They volunteer countless hours to ensure donors’ dollars are continually making a positive impact on the quality of life of people in Gibson County,” said advisory board president, Matt Monroe.

While the Gibson County Community Foundation is an affiliate of the Community Foundation Alliance, at least one county advisory board member serves as a county representative on the Alliance Board. This fiscal year's representatives are Eric Reed (vice-chair) and Leslie Mustard.

For more information about the Gibson County Community Foundation activities, follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gibcocommfoundation or visit www.gibsoncountycf.org .

30 Year Celebration Allows Special Olympics of Gibson County To Receives Grant

Thu, 10 Aug 2023 12:51:10 GMT

Special Olympics of Gibson County recently received a $3,000 grant from the Gibson County Community Foundation through the Celebrating 30 Years of Supporting our Communities Grant Program.

In celebration of Gibson County Community Foundation’s 30 ^th Anniversary, the Celebrating 30 Years of Supporting our Communities Grant Program allows advisory board members to recommend $3,000 grants to local nonprofit organizations. The Foundation’s most recent grant recommendation was made by advisory board member Eric Reed.

The mission of Special Olympics of Gibson County is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, offering them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, participate in the sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship, with their families, other Special Olympic athletes, and the community. With the awarded funds, the Special Olympics of Gibson County, plan to purchase gifts to be awarded to their athletes and volunteers at their annual banquet, also they will award Athlete of the Year, Coach of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, and Family of the Year a special gift. Garie Belcher, County Coordinator, stated that “Receiving these funds is a blessing and they will be utilized to recognize how important our athletes, coaches, and volunteers are.”

Learn more about this organization by visiting http://www.specialolympicsgibsoncounty.org/ .

Gibson County Community Foundation Now Accepting Applications For The 2024 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program

Mon, 31 Jul 2023 13:35:53 GMT

The 2024 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship (LECSP) application is now available in Gibson County through the Gibson County Community Foundation. The LECSP will provide 147 scholarships statewide and one scholarship in Gibson County. LECSP scholarships may be used for otherwise unreimbursed full tuition, required fees, and a special allocation of up to $900 per year. The special allocation may cover the costs for required books and required equipment for four years of undergraduate study on a full-time basis leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university.

The program, administered statewide by Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) and locally in Gibson County through the Gibson County Community Foundation, is open to all Indiana residents who:

• graduate from an accredited Indiana high school by 2024 and receive their diploma no later than June 30, 2024;

• intend to pursue a full-time baccalaureate course of study at an eligible college or university in Indiana; and

• meet the criteria specific to their local Community Foundation.

Students can learn more about the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship in Gibson County and apply for this scholarship by visiting https://www.gibsoncountycf.org/lilly-endowment-community-scholarship-program . Applications must be completed and submitted by Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at 12:00 pm (Noon) to be considered.

Applications will be evaluated on, but not limited to, the following criteria: GPA, school activities and work experience, community service, and volunteer activities, personal statement/unusual circumstances, impromptu essay, and interview. Three finalists will be nominated by the Gibson County Community Foundation and their names will be submitted to ICI for final selection of the recipients. Scholarship recipients will be notified in December.

Lilly Endowment created LECSP for the 1997-98 school year and has supported the program every year since with tuition grants totaling more than $486 million. More than 5,000 Indiana students have received Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships since the program’s inception.

The primary purposes of the LECSP are: 1) to help raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana; 2) to increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations can play in their communities; and 3) to encourage and support the efforts of current and past Lilly Endowment Community Scholars to engage with each other and with Indiana business, governmental, educational, nonprofit and civic leaders to improve the quality of life in Indiana generally and in local communities throughout the state.

The Gibson County Community Foundation is again pleased to offer LECSP for its 27th year in Gibson County. “The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship is a great opportunity for Gibson County high school seniors, and I am excited to be a part of the process that will recognize student achievements and goals. This scholarship will enormously impact the recipient’s life, and help them excel in their educational endeavors and beyond,” said Amy Smith, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact for the Gibson County Community Foundation.

Betty Ann Mccullough Educational Funds Awards Over $24,000 In Grants

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 13:00:13 GMT

The Gibson County Community Foundation has announced grant recipients of the Betty Ann McCullough Enrichment Project Grants Program, which provides funding for educational programs in Gibson County.

These programs are made possible through the generous support of Betty Ann McCullough who was an educator for the North Gibson School Corporation for more than 40 years and a strong supporter of education in her community. Along with several civic memberships, she was a member of the Gibson County Community Foundation Advisory Board. Betty Ann McCullough passed away in 1997.

Grants totaling $24,085.28 were awarded to the following organizations:

· $5,000.00 to St. James School for ADA-accessible ramps and railings for St. James School's inclusive playground project;

· $1,792.50 to Fort Branch-Johnson Township Public Library to add materials to the library's collection that will enhance and enrich children's engagement with reading and learning;

· $1,215.78 to Owensville Community School Kindergarten to provide supplies to implement independent literacy and math learning centers in order to enhance student learning;

· $1,352.00 to Owensville Community School First Grade to purchase Rocking Chair Readers, SOR magnetic phonics kits, and SOR Secret Stories porta pic phonic boards;

· $1,085.00 to Owensville Community School Technology to purchase STEM toys for students at Owensville Community School, bringing real-world concepts to life in Grades K-8;

· $2,000.00 to Oakland City Elementary to purchase supplies for the life skills classroom for grades K-5;

· $7,000.00 to Oakland City University - Acorn Academy to provide support for quality educational assistance in various forms of tutoring/mentoring enhancing the academic performance levels of children served;

· $1,000.00 to Oakland City Columbia Township Public Library to further language and math skills through playful learning in the form of circulating game kits and DIY manipulatives;

· $580.00 to Wood Memorial Jr./Sr. High School to provide funding for the physics classes to travel to Holiday World for the Fun with Physics Day;

· $1,000.00 to Francisco Elementary School to purchase supplies for the sixth-grade class to do at least 2 different public service projects;

· $1,000.00 to Princeton Band Boosters to purchase new percussion mallets for the Princeton Band program; and

· $1,060.00 to Haubstadt Community School Science to bring science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) manipulatives to students for a hands-on learning approach.

The Gibson County Community Foundation helps donors like Betty Ann McCullough to fulfill their philanthropic goals by offering a variety of fund types.

Gibson County Community Foundation Seeking Grant Applicants

Tue, 23 May 2023 13:16:46 GMT

The Gibson Community Foundation is now accepting online applications for its Community Good Grants Program. The deadline to submit applications is July 31, 2023.

The Community Foundation awards Community Good Grants to charitable partners located in or directly serving Gibson County. Funding opportunities are available to support a broad range of local needs. Grants are normally given as one-time support of a project but may be considered for additional support or for expansions or outgrowths of an initial project.

Charitable entities can view details related to funding requirements and access the grant application via the Foundation’s website at https://www.gibsoncountycf.org/community-good-grants-program . All organizations submitting grant proposals will be notified of the outcome via email on or before October 1, 2023.

Agencies and projects that are not eligible for funding include religious organizations proposing activities that support a religious purpose, political parties or campaigns, endowment creation or debt reduction, capital campaigns, annual appeals or membership contributions, and travel requests for groups or individuals such as bands, sports teams, or school classes.

Gibson County Community Foundation Announces Free Public Workshop

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 19:57:55 GMT

The Gibson County Community Foundation is announcing a FREE public workshop, The Poverty Simulation on Tuesday, April 18 ^th from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon at Oakland City University, Johnson Center, 705 N Franklin St, Oakland City, Indiana. Complimentary lunch will be provided following the workshop, so registration is required to attend. Please follow this link to register no later than Monday, April 10th: https://tinyurl.com/5btxkz6y .

Poverty is a reality for many individuals and families. But unless you’ve experienced poverty, it’s difficult to truly understand the implications. The Poverty Simulation is an experience designed to help participants begin to understand what it might be like to live in a typical low-income family trying to survive from month to month. It’s a simulation, not a game. The object is to sensitize participants to the realities faced by low-income citizens.

After receiving a Community Leadership Planning Grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc. as part of its seventh phase of the Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow initiative (GIFT VII) , the Gibson County Community Foundation conducted an active stakeholder engagement process including data and document review, community leader forums, and issue-specific stakeholder meetings. As a result, the “cycle of poverty” was selected as a top priority to address with GIFT VII Implementation Grant funds to align with existing work in the community. Community leaders discussed the need to increase education, access to financial capital, and connections of those living in poverty to help disrupt the cycle of poverty.

With the guidance of Nikki Lasher, Director of Family Health Services with Tri-Cap, participants will assume roles of families facing poverty. Each participant will have distinctive identities and will encounter different hardships while being tasked to provide basic necessities and shelter for their “families”. During the simulation, each “family” will visit different tables that represent community resources and services offered to families in daily life. The Poverty Simulation is recommended for any individual wishing to increase their understanding of poverty, inspire local change, promote poverty awareness, and transform perspectives. Due to the realistic portrayals of the experience, it is recommended for those aged 17 or older.

Betty Ann Mccullough Grant Programs Now Accepting Applications

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 21:33:53 GMT

· The Betty Ann McCullough Education Seminar and Convocation Grant Program serves to provide funding to public and private schools in Gibson County for the purpose of hosting educational seminars and convocations to enhance the knowledge and skills of educators in science, mathematics, and language arts.

· The Betty Ann McCullough Enrichment Project Grant Program serves to provide funds and challenge grants to schools (including institutions of higher learning), libraries, and other public education organizations based or having substantial programs in Gibson County.

· The Betty Ann McCullough Teaching Achievement Grant Program awards a public-school educator for outstanding dedication and success in improving the mathematics or language arts skills and knowledge of students in the public schools of Gibson County.

To apply, please visit https://www.gibsoncountycf.org/betty-ann-mccullough-grants-programs. T he Betty Ann McCullough Education Committee will review applications and make recommendations for grant recipients.

Gibson County Community Foundation Announces the 2023 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Recipient

Tue, 20 Dec 2022 18:56:42 GMT

The Gibson County Community Foundation is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2023 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Gibson County – Cade Hurt of Princeton Community High School. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are known for their community involvement, academic achievement, character, and leadership.

“Cade’s entrepreneurial spirit, along with his diverse background of involvement, in and out of school were apparent in his application and interview. The nominating committee was honored to have the opportunity to meet him and recommend him for this life-changing opportunity,” said Amy Smith, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact for the Gibson County Community Foundation.

Cade is the son of Wesley and Stacy Hurt of Princeton, Indiana. Following graduation, he plans to pursue a degree in Business at the University of Notre Dame. In addition to excelling academically, Cade is active in the Key Club, Student Council, National Honor Society, Magic the Gathering Club, and the Junior/Senior Advisory Club. He has served as the Princeton High School Girl’s Assistant Tennis Coach, along with earning four Varsity Letters, and was named to the All-Conference First Team (PAC), in the sport. Cade is also involved in theatre and serves as a Drama Camp Counselor with Gibson County Youth Theatre. During his sophomore year of high school, he started BUFF Teens of Gibson County (Building Up Financial Futures) Club to educate other students about business and finances.

Each Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship provides for full tuition, required fees, and a special allocation of up to $900 per year for required books and required equipment for four years. The scholarship is for undergraduate students studying on a full-time basis leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars may also participate in the Lilly Scholars Network (LSN), which connects both current scholars and alumni with resources and opportunities to be active leaders on their campuses and in their communities. Both the scholarship program and LSN are supported by grants from Lilly Endowment to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) and Indiana Humanities.

“This year we had 22 extremely talented students apply for the scholarship. Each student not only excelled academically but in a wide range of extracurricular and community activities,” said Smith. She added, “The quality of the applications made the selection process difficult for the very dedicated committee, which thoroughly reviewed each application and scored fairly based on the set forth guidelines.”

Scholarship award alternates were also announced. The first alternate, Jake Decker will receive a scholarship from the Friends of Gibson County Fund. Rachel Pohl was named the second alternate.

Lilly Endowment created the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program for the 1998-99 school year and has supported the program every year since with grants totaling in excess of $486 million. More than 5,000 Indiana students have received the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship since the program’s inception.

Gibson County Community Foundation Awards Community Good Grant To Addiction Solutions Corporation of Almost $20k

Tue, 20 Dec 2022 18:40:40 GMT

The Gibson County Community Foundation recently awarded Addiction Solutions Corporation with a grant of $19,836.00 through their 2022 Community Good Grants program. Their mission is to help individuals achieve and maintain sobriety by building a strong foundation. This grant will be utilized to install a sanitary sewer system, and showers as required by code at Stephanie’s House, the new women's addiction recovery house opening in the spring of 2023 in Princeton, Indiana.

Funding for this grant program was provided by the Friends of Gibson County Fund.

Pictured (left to right): Trina Cameron, Director of Stephanie’s House, Kristina Hannel, Executive Director of Addiction Solutions, Inc., Stephanie Bishop, and Amy Smith, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact, Gibson County Community Foundation.

Gibson County Community Foundation Announces Free Public Workshop Bridges To Sustainable Communities

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 17:55:36 GMT

The Gibson County Community Foundation is announcing a free, public workshop featuring Jim Ott, National Consultant with aha! Process on Wednesday, January 25 ^th from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm at the YMCA Camp Carson Lodge, 2034 Outer Lk Rd, Princeton, Indiana.

This workshop will consist of a comprehensive approach to understanding poverty. Most anti-poverty programs lack a system-wide scope of effort, while Bridges to Sustainable Communities, provides clear examples and proven best practices of what is possible when all stakeholders in poverty, communities, businesses, and organizations come together with a coherent plan of action. Complimentary lunch and refreshments will be provided so registration is required to attend. Please follow this link to register no later than Monday, January 16th: https://tinyurl.com/42ep33u6 .

After receiving a Community Leadership Implementation Grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc. as part of its seventh phase of the Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow initiative (GIFT VII) , the Gibson County Community Foundation conducted an active stakeholder engagement process including data and document review, community leader forums, and issue-specific stakeholder meetings.

As a result, the Gibson County Community Foundation selected the cycle of poverty as its top priority to address with GIFT VII Implementation Grant funds to align with existing work in the community. Community leaders discussed the need to increase education, access to financial capital, and connections of those living in poverty to help disrupt the cycle of poverty.

With the guidance of Jim Ott, participants during this free, public workshop will learn new models, ideas, applications, and tools that present action steps and guidelines to affiliate poverty. This workshop is a follow-up session to the Bridges out of Poverty workshop held in August 2021. Attendance of the prior workshop is helpful, but not required.

About aha! Process

Bestselling author Ruby K. Payne founded the training and publishing company aha! Process in 1996 with the mission to enable individuals, institutions, and communities to stabilize and grow resources for all, particularly those in poverty. aha! Process works to obtain this mission by providing workshops, publications, and consulting services. This is done by creating an understanding of the dynamics that cause and maintain poverty from the individual to the systems level.

Gibson County Community Foundation Community Scholarship Program Now Accepting Applications

Thu, 01 Dec 2022 14:21:30 GMT

This year, donors to the Gibson County Community Foundation are once again making scholarship awards available through the Community Scholarship Program.

“Many foundation donors have honored their loved ones, high schools, or professions by endowing scholarship opportunities through the Foundation,” says Amy Smith, the Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact. “We administer separate scholarship funds established by individuals, families, and organizations to assist local students in pursuit of advanced education. Together, these scholarships make up our Community Scholarship Program.”

Eligibility requirements and selection criteria are determined by donors and are posted on the website. Each scholarship is unique and supports students with a variety of backgrounds, educational goals, and economic statuses. Awards are made without regard to race, creed, color, sex, religion, or national origin and are based on a competitive process which may consider academic achievement, extracurricular activities, personal aspirations, educational goals, and financial need.

The Foundation offers the following tips to help students complete their applications:

· Review the Community Scholarship Tips to Apply document.

· Print the Student Review Sheet to assist with your scholarship review process.

· Begin working on the application early.

· Follow all instructions carefully and make sure you are submitting all the required parts (including letters of recommendation, transcripts, etc.).

· Check and double-check your application before submitting.

The deadline to apply is 12:00 midnight on Monday, February 13, 2023.

Gibson County Community Foundation Awards More Than $136,000 to 24 Nonprofit Partners

Tue, 22 Nov 2022 16:55:44 GMT

The Gibson County Community Foundation has awarded $136,360.00 in grants to 24 local nonprofit organizations through its 2022 Community Good Grants program. This year’s grants provide flexible funding for a variety of charitable projects and organizations serving Gibson County.

This year’s grant recipients were:

· $4,000 to East Gibson Dollars for Scholars to provide financial support to continue the education of graduating seniors of Wood Memorial High School;

· $4,000 to Gibson Southern Scholarships, Inc. to provide four $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors of Gibson Southern High School;

· $4,000 to Princeton Area Dollars for Scholars to provide funds for students who are pursuing secondary education opportunities;

· $15,000 to Youth First, Inc. to provide funding for 13 Gibson County partner schools, so that Youth First social workers can provide specialized coaching to support students, families, and educators at no cost;

· $1,300 to Sts. Peter and Paul School to provide funding for flexible seating and chair bands which helps students stay focused during the day for their kindergarten through 2nd grades classrooms;

· $800 to Sts. Peter and Paul School to purchase STEM materials for hands-on learning and selected books that will support students in problem-solving skills and social-emotional learning;

· $4,200 to Bread of Life Ministry Inc. to pay the freight for donated food and to purchase food items at discounted prices to distribute to low-income families in the tristate area;

· $5,000 to Owensville Ministerial Alliance Food Bank (Outreach of Dayspring Community Church) to purchase food, supplies, and equipment for Montgomery and Wabash Townships;

· $5,000 to Gibson County CEO (grant to be made to Gibson County Economic Development Corporation as fiscal sponsor) to provide support for the Gibson County CEO program, which is a yearlong course for students designed to utilize partnerships that provide an overview of business development and processes;

· $5,000 to Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry to provide funding for processing fees on donated livestock and deer, which is distributed to hunger relief agencies within Indiana;

· $10,600 to The Isaiah 1:17 Project to support three core elements of the F3 program--Bags of Hope, DreamCycles, and Christmas Hopes & Dreams in Posey County;

· $5,340 to Chemo Buddies to provide first-day chemo comfort kit bags (Chapstick, hand sanitizer, port pillow, neck rest, handmade warm blanket, tissues, game books, candy, chocolate, journal, pen, etc.), wigs, hats, and accessories;

· $6,500 to The Arc of Southwest Indiana to invest in education and training to develop staff to be future leaders of the agency and those within the intellectual or developmental disability community;

· $7,000 to the Fort Branch-Johnson Township Public Library to expand the materials and capabilities of the current weekly library preschool class and to be able to accommodate all learning styles and needs;

· $2,000 to the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra to enable students from Gibson County to attend March 2023, Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra Helen M. McKinney Young People's Concerts;

· $5,000 to Emmy Corp dba Gibson County Animal Services to improve the quality of life for low-income Seniors/disabled individuals by assisting them in being able to keep and care for their companion animals;

· $8,350 to Deaconess Hospital Foundation to provide funding for the HeartSaver program of Deaconess Foundation and Deaconess Heart Hospital, to place 6 AEDs with Gibson County First Responders;

· $8,500 to Holly’s House, Inc. to provide funding for the Think First & Stay Safe child abuse prevention program which targets elementary students by teaching skills to keep kids safe from abuse;

· $2,520 to Junior Achievement of Southwestern Indiana to facilitate 21 programs in Gibson County, serving 472 students, focusing on Work Readiness, Entrepreneurship, and/or Financial Literacy;

· $8,000 to Sheep Dog Impact Assistance Southern Indiana to provide funding to send Veterans, First Responders, and Civilians to EMR/EMT classes to help assist in the demand for assistance in our community;

· $2,250 to Gibson County Council on Aging to provide funding for the quilting club to purchase material, patterns, thread, backing for the quilts, etc.;

· $5,000 to YMCA of Southwestern Indiana to provide funding to Camp Carson for new AV equipment, in their expanded dining hall, which will serve more campers and grow their capacity for local groups, churches, or families;

· $3,000 to Tri-State Food Bank to partner with Gibson County agencies to provide food for 150 households at risk of hunger; and

· $10,000 to the City of Princeton Parks Department to build an open-air structure for parties, family reunions, or other similar events at Lincoln Park (from a combination of unrestricted funds).

Funding for the Community Good Grants program was provided by donors and organizations establishing and donating to community good (unrestricted) and field of interest funds held by the Community Foundation. Those funds are:

· Toyota Fund

· Ann, John, and William Eugene Dunn Fund

· Bonaparte Family Unrestricted Fund

· Brown Family Fund

· David and Janet Oldham Family Fund

· Friends of Gibson County Fund

· German American Bancorp Community Fund – Gibson

· Gibson Board of Trustees Fund

· Jack and Sue Freudenberg Family Fund

· Melvin Oing Memorial Fund

· Phillip and Sharen Buyher Fund

· Susan K. Partenheimer Fund

· Troy and Virginia Land Unrestricted Fund

· Women's Fund of Gibson County

· Ray J. (Jerry) Watson and Ruth L. Watson Memorial Fund

· Smithville Charitable Foundation Fund of Gibson County

To learn more about the Community Foundation and establishing a Fund to create greater good for Gibson County, please visit our website at gibsoncountycf.org or contact Tamara Miley at tmiley@communityfoundationalliance.org.

The Gibson County Community Foundation and Partnering Nonprofits Host Community Talk

Mon, 14 Nov 2022 13:31:25 GMT

The Gibson County Community Foundation and partnering nonprofits recently hosted a Community Talk at the Oakland City Columbia Township Public Library. The Community Talk discussion was focused around strengthening Gibson County by addressing the cycle of poverty and community needs.

The event was held on November 8, 2022, and included panelists Matthew Hoffer, Oakland City University Community Engagement; Julia Rahman, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Gibson County; Kristine Georges, Executive Director of Tulip Tree Family Health Care; and Emilie Brown, Executive Director, of The Well of Gibson County, Inc. The panelists educated participants about their organizations, their collaborative efforts working to alleviate the cycle of poverty, and how community members can become involved.

This event follows two earlier county-wide “One Book, One Community” discussions regarding charity and community building. The books discussed were Charity Detox and 13 Ways to Kill Your Community.

Oakland City Columbia Library Director, Julie Elmore stated that "These books provided an excellent insight into the ways we give and simple ways to make our communities better. The conversation today, provided an excellent opportunity for participants to learn how these local agencies are working towards these goals."

This event was made possible by the Gibson County Community Foundation which received the Community Leadership Planning Grant from Lilly Endowment as part of the Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow initiative (GIFT VII) . The Implementation Grant from Lilly Endowment will focus on supporting programs that will help educate the public about poverty, the realities for people living in poverty, and how organizations, employers, and families can work together to help individuals move out of poverty and become more self-sufficient.

Mark Kniese Scholarship Award Recipient Announced

Mon, 22 Aug 2022 12:30:03 GMT

The Community Foundation Alliance has announced the recipient of this year’s Mark Kniese Scholarship. The annual scholarship is made possible through a fund established by August Neal in memory of Mark Kniese, who had been a counselor with her at Camp Carson in Princeton.

Noemi Cerritos Gatto from Ft. Campbell, KY has been selected to receive this year’s $3,500 scholarship. Noemi is attending Middlebury Institute of International Studies where she is studying to obtain her Master’s Degree in International Environmental Policy.

“Being a camp counselor was something I wanted to do since my first week at summer camp. I thought wow, these people are so cool, I want to be like them. I saw their willingness to be silly, their joy, and their passion as something I wanted to be a part of. So, when I completed my first year of college I decided to work at a summer camp. Working at summer camps, and Camp Carson specifically, has thought me so much about myself. I learned I could be confident and silly, and help kids to enjoy their summer like I enjoyed mine. Camp Carson taught me that I am capable of what I set my mind to and that I am an empowering leader.” says Gatto.

She added, “I feel extremely honored to receive the Mark Kniese scholarship. I am honored my peers felt I was deserving of this award. This scholarship will help me pay for my graduate degree. Which do to camp and my love of the outdoors is in International Environmental Policy. I aim to honor Mark Kniese by sharing the love of camp by sharing my experience and how much camp has impacted my life.”

This is the 20 ^th year for the scholarship with awards totaling just over $52,500.

Gibson County Community Foundation Now Accepting Applications For The 2023 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program

Wed, 27 Jul 2022 15:09:15 GMT

The 2023 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship application is now available in Gibson County through the Gibson County Community Foundation. The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program (LECSP) will provide 143 scholarships statewide and one scholarship in Gibson County. LECSP scholarships may be used for otherwise unreimbursed full tuition, required fees, and a special allocation of up to $900 per year. The special allocation may cover the costs for required books and required equipment for four years of undergraduate study on a full-time basis leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university.

The program, administered statewide by Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) and locally in Gibson County through the Gibson County Community Foundation, is open to all Indiana residents who:

• graduate from an accredited Indiana high school by 2023 and receive their diploma no later than June 30, 2023;

• intend to pursue a full-time baccalaureate course of study at an eligible college or university in Indiana; and

• meet the criteria specific to their local community foundation.

Students can learn more about the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship in Gibson County and apply for this scholarship by visiting. Applications must be completed and submitted by Tuesday, September 6, 2022, before midnight, to be considered.

Applications will be evaluated on, but not limited to, the following criteria: GPA, school activities and work experience, community service and volunteer activities, personal statement/unusual circumstances, impromptu essay, and interview. Three finalists will be nominated by the Gibson County Community Foundation, and their names will be submitted to ICI for final selection of the recipients. Scholarship recipients will be notified in December.

Lilly Endowment created LECSP for the 1997-1998 school year and has supported the program every year since with tuition grants totaling more than $424 million. Nearly 5,000 Indiana students have received Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships since the program’s inception.

The Gibson County Community Foundation is again pleased to offer the LECSP for its 26 ^th year in Gibson County. Amy Smith, the Community Foundation’s Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact, says, “The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship is a great opportunity for Gibson County high school seniors, and I am excited to be a part of the process that will recognize student achievements and goals. The scholarship will make an enormous impact on the recipient’s life and help them excel in their educational endeavors and beyond.”

Betty Ann Mccullough Educational Funds Awards Over $25,700 In Grants

Thu, 07 Jul 2022 12:21:05 GMT

The Gibson County Community Foundation has announced grant recipients of the Betty Ann McCullough Enrichment Project Grants Program, which provides funding for educational programs in Gibson County.

Grants totaling $25,711.12 were awarded to the following organizations:

· Oakland City University was awarded $6,000.00 for the Acorn Academy. The academy provides quality educational assistance in various forms of tutoring/mentoring to enhance the academic performance levels of the children served.

· Lyles Station Historic Preservation Corporation received $5,205.12 to expand the Civil War Trunk Program founded in 2012 to make additional needed educational materials available to more students.

· Saints Peter and Paul School received $780.00 for the Secret Stories Program, a supplemental phonics program that engages young students to learn and recall difficult phonics skills.

· Oakland City University was awarded $6,000.00 to grow the sustainability of the Campus Community Garden by offering educational opportunities through science, botany, and ecology.

· Fort Branch-Johnson Township Public Library received $7,726.00 for the Hands-On-Learning Program which promotes hands-on learning by adding STEM, literacy, and discovery tools to the library's future children's area.

The Gibson County Community Foundation helps donors like Betty Ann McCullough to fulfill their philanthropic goals by offering a variety of fund types. If you are interested in setting up a fund, please contact Tamara Miley, Regional Director of Development at tmiley@communityfoundationalliance.org or 812-386-8082 to discuss your legacy of giving.

Gibson County Community Foundation Awards Over $23,000 In Scholarships

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 18:21:58 GMT

The Gibson County Community Foundation announces the distribution of community scholarships totaling $23,400. This year, funds established by generous donors, provided scholarships for 13 area students.

In addition to announcing the recipients, the Regional Director of Community Engagement & Impact, Amy Smith states, “The Gibson County Community Foundation is thankful to our generous fund founders and donors who make these scholarship awards possible. Their investment in post-secondary educational opportunities will greatly benefit each of the recipient’s futures. The process of choosing who will be awarded each of these scholarships is undertaken with dedication and discipline by a committee of volunteer leaders. We are grateful for their hard work and dedication. The process is never easy because our Gibson County students are outstanding.”

The scholarships awards are:

The 1971 WMHS Alumni Scholarship is an annual scholarship created by the Wood Memorial High School Class of 1971 Alumni. This year’s award is $500 and the recipient is Mykayla Spindler, Wood Memorial High School.

The Arts Council of Gibson County Scholarship is an annual scholarship created by the Arts Council of Gibson County to benefit graduating seniors of Gibson County high schools pursuing advanced education in the fields of art, drama, or music. From 1991 to 2007, the Arts Council of Gibson County fulfilled its mission of encouraging, assisting, coordinating, and promoting cultural arts activities in Gibson County by providing “informances” and clinics for all Gibson County students in grades K-12. This year’s award is $2,500 and the recipient is Lillian Parmer.

The Betty Ann McCullough Education Grant is an annual scholarship created by the family and friends of Betty Ann McCullough. This year’s award is $1,000 and the recipient is Michael Goodwin, Princeton Community High School.

The Kevin Dillon Gibson Southern Memorial Scholarship is an annual scholarship created by the family of Kevin Dillon. This year’s award is $1,500 and the recipient is Helen Kiesel, Gibson Southern High School.

The Lois Brink Memorial Nursing Scholarship is an annual scholarship created by Bruce C. Brink Sr. in memory of his wife, Lois. This year’s award is $3,000 and the recipient is Maci Foster, a 2020 graduate of Gibson Southern High School, currently attending the University of Southern Indiana.

The Lura and Doyle Skelton Family Memorial Scholarship is a renewable scholarship created by the Hillside United Methodist Church and Lawrence F. Skelton in memory of his parents. The student must be an active member of the Hillside United Methodist Church in Princeton, Indiana. This year’s award amount is $1,500 and the recipient is Jaleigh White, Princeton Community High School.

The Norma J. Byrne Memorial Scholarship was created by Georgianne and Jim Parshall in loving memory of Georgianne’s mother, Norma Briner Byrne. Norma grew up in Hazleton before settling in Princeton after her marriage to Patrick Byrne and received her nursing degrees from the University of Evansville and Indiana State University. She enjoyed her years as a nurse in Princeton Community Schools. This year’s award is $1,000 and the recipient is Madelyn Cummins, Princeton Community High School.

The Patrick D. Byrne Jr. Memorial Scholarship is an annual scholarship created by Georgianne and Jim Parshall in loving memory of Georgianne’s father, Pat Byrne. Pat was a proud mechanical engineering graduate of Purdue University and president of Byrne Motors. Pat dedicated his life to helping his neighbors and serving the community. This year’s award is $1,000 and the recipient is Michael Goodwin, Princeton Community High School.

The Project Associates Engineering Scholarship is an annual scholarship created by Project Associates, Inc. to provide scholarships for engineering students attending or planning to attend the University of Evansville or the University of Southern Indiana. This year’s award is $2,500 and the recipient is Michael Goodwin, Princeton Community High School.

The Raymond and Gretchen Ceney Memorial Scholarship is a scholarship fund established in memory of Raymond and Gretchen to help students pursue advanced education. This year’s award is $1,500 and the recipient is Karis Blacklock, Wood Memorial High School.

The South Gibson College Continuation Scholarship is an annual scholarship created by Genie Gard to help current college students (rising sophomores through seniors) continue their educational pursuits. This year’s award is $1,000 and the recipient is Alexis Coy, Gibson Southern High School.

The Sutch–Briner Memorial Scholarship is an annual scholarship created by Charles P. and Cathy J. Briner in loving memory of Pauline Hassel Briner Sutch, George Lester Sutch, and Jane McFetridge Sutch. This year’s award is $900 and the recipient is Kaitlyn Dunkel, Princeton Community High School.

The Warren W. Parke Memorial Scholarship is an annual scholarship created in loving memory of Warren W. Parke by his daughter to honor his passion for sports, his contributions to the community, and his commitment to education. This year’s award is $500 and the recipient is Lucas Gress, Wood Memorial High School.

The William and Lois Jackson Memorial Scholarship was established by Ed Jackson, Alan Jackson, and Sue Jackson Rains to support a student’s first year of college – one award for a student majoring in arts and humanities and another award for a student majoring in science, technology, engineering, or math. This year’s STEM award, in the amount of $1,000 was received by Halle Humbaugh, Gibson Southern High School.

In addition, the Community Foundation administers the Gibson County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship program. As in years past, the Community Foundation awards scholarships to the student selected as the alternate for the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship. The scholarships are made possible by donors to the Friends of Gibson County endowment fund. The amount being awarded this year is $4,000 (paid out over four years of college) and the recipient is Maura Kluesner, Gibson Southern High School.

The Gibson County Community Foundation County Advisory Board would like to thank the parents, family members, teachers, school administrators, coaches, mentors, and everyone who has inspired these students to be the very best they can be. Congratulations to these outstanding students and their families. We wish you the best as you pursue your college degrees and future opportunities.

Gibson County Community Foundation Awards 5 Grants Totaling $100,000

Fri, 27 May 2022 14:51:37 GMT

The Gibson County Community Foundation recently presented grant awards in the amount of $100,000 to 5 organizations serving Gibson County. The For Good, For Families, For Gibson County Grant Program focused on charitable programs or projects that were aimed to reduce poverty, increase family economic stability, and address the effects of poverty on youth.

The grants awarded are:

· $20,000 to Habitat for Humanity of Gibson County to establish The Partner Family Education Project which will provide educational opportunities for Gibson County Habitat for Humanity families;

· $28,000 to The Isaiah 1:17 Project to support the F3 program which provides support to foster families;

· $15,500 to The Arc of Southwest Indiana for a new multipurpose training facility to be utilized by the Raising the Bar Program which creates employment opportunities for people with disabilities;

· $30,000 to Youth First, Inc. to provide funding for six Youth First Social Workers in 13 Gibson County schools;

· $6,500 to Princeton Public Library to purchase three Tower Gardens and the necessary equipment to be utilized specifically at the Princeton Public Library to provide community organizations with multigenerational programs and opportunities to grow fruits and vegetables;

According to Amy Smith, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact, the grant was made possible by the commitment of the Gibson County Community Foundation Advisory Board members. Amy says “this unrestricted grant was a result of the Advisory Board participation in the Lilly Endowment, Inc., GIFT VII Board Engagement Initiative, in which each board member was challenged to provide funds, in exchange for the $100,000 grant, which they could award however they deemed best within Gibson County.”

“There is a lot of great work being done in Gibson County, and the board is excited to partner with these agencies on each of their missions,” says Matt Monroe, President of the Gibson County Community Foundation Advisory Board. “We are grateful to the Lilly Endowment for making this possible.”

The Gibson County Community Foundation is committed to addressing the cycle of poverty within the county through a variety of programs and funding opportunities. Over the last year, grant dollars have been focused on educating the public about generational poverty and providing training to educators on classroom strategies for working with at-risk youth. The Community Foundation believes that helping families achieve self-sufficiency and equipping them with a support system is vital to addressing the issue. The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

Gibson County Community Foundation Seeking Grant Applicants

Wed, 25 May 2022 12:39:53 GMT

(Gibson County, Indiana) The Gibson Community Foundation is now accepting online applications for their Community Good Grants Program. The deadline to submit applications is August 5, 2022.

Agencies and projects not eligible for funding include religious organizations proposing activities that support a religious purpose, political parties or campaigns, endowment creation or debt reduction, capital campaigns, annual appeals or membership contributions, and travel requests for groups or individuals such as bands, sports teams, or school classes.

Betty Ann McCullough Grant Programs Now Accepting Applications

Thu, 10 Feb 2022 22:37:29 GMT

Betty Ann McCullough was an educator for the North Gibson School Corporation for more than 40 years and a strong supporter of education in her community. Along with a number of civic memberships, she was a member of the Gibson County Community Foundation Advisory Board. She passed away in 1997, after which three funds and grant programs were established in her memory.

The Betty Ann McCullough Education Seminar and Convocation Grant Program serves to provide funding to public and private schools in Gibson County for the purpose of hosting educational seminars and convocations to enhance the knowledge and skills of educators in science, mathematics, and language arts.
The Betty Ann McCullough Enrichment Project Grant Program serves to provide funds and challenge grants to schools, libraries, and other public education organizations based or having substantial programs in Gibson County.
The Betty Ann McCullough Teaching Achievement Grant Program awards a public school educator for outstanding dedication and success in improving the mathematics or language arts skills and knowledge of students in the public schools of Gibson County.

To apply, please visit https://communityfoundationalliance.org/gibson/grants . The Betty Ann McCullough Education Committee will review applications and make for recipients.

Gibson County Community Foundation Seeking Grant Applications

Mon, 17 Jan 2022 22:32:50 GMT

The Gibson County Community Foundation is now accepting funding requests for its For Good, For Families, For Gibson County Grant Program to provide funding for charitable programs or projects that aim to reduce poverty and its effects on youth and to increase family economic stability. The total amount available for this grant initiative is $100,000, with the possibility of multiple grant awards. Grant request amounts must be a minimum of $10,000. The deadline to submit applications is March 1, 2022.

Proposals must strategically address the issues of generational poverty and childhood well-being, including but not limited to, the following areas:

Two-generation approach programs that lead to family economic stability,
Childcare programs for working families or parents seeking employment or to further their education,
Social-emotional learning programs,
Tutoring and other afterschool programs, or
Free meal programs.

Charitable entities can view funding requirements and access the grant application at https://communityfoundationalliance.org/grant/for-good-for-families-for-gibson-county-grant-program/ . All organizations submitting grant proposals will be notified of the outcome via email on or before April 30, 2022.

The Foundation welcomes funding requests from nonprofit organizations that are deemed tax-exempt under sections 501(c)(3) and 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code and from governmental agencies serving the county. Funding requests from nonprofit organizations not classified as a 501(c)(3) public charity may be considered provided the project is charitable and supports a community need. In some cases, organizations without the 501(c)(3) designation may be required to obtain a fiscal sponsor.

Prospective grant applicants are invited to schedule a meeting with Foundation staff to receive an overview of the funding opportunity and to ask specific questions. Contact Amy Smith, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact at 812-386-8082 or asmith@communityfoundationalliance.org to schedule an orientation meeting.

Gibson County Community Foundation Awards Over $116,000 To 23 Nonprofit Partners

Wed, 22 Dec 2021 22:30:29 GMT

The Gibson County Community Foundation has distributed $116,384 in grants to 23 local nonprofit organizations through its 2021 Community Good Grants program.

This year’s grants provide flexible funding for a variety of charitable projects and organizations serving Gibson County. Grants awarded are:

$5,000 to Chemo Buddies to provide support to chemotherapy patients in Gibson County;
$1,500 to YMCA of Southwestern Indiana to build a greenhouse to teach campers the value of planting, growing, and harvesting while at YMCA Camp Carson;
$825 to Sts. Peter and Paul School to support the “Secret Stories Phonics, DreamScapes, and Vocabulary A-Z: Infusing Reading Science with Brain Science” programs which utilize a multisensory approach that help students grow in their phonics and reading skills in half the time;
$4,000 to Gibson Southern Scholarships, Inc. to provide four $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors of Gibson Southern High School;
$5,060 to St. Joseph Catholic School to support the “Adding Art to Schools” project which would allow the school to create a reoccurring art program to enrich lives and add a creative outlet for about 90 students;
$7,157 to Addiction Solutions Corporation for the installation of a security system to ensure the safety and accountability of the participants of the Princeton Recovery House;
$4,000 to East Gibson Dollars for Scholars to provide financial support to continue the education of graduating seniors of Wood Memorial High School;
$6,824 to Lyles Station Historic Preservation Corporation to support the expansion of the children’s outdoor recreation area to include a specifically designed area for teenagers;
$4,950 to The Arc of Southwest Indiana to support the Inclusive Talent Apprenticeship Professionalism & Success Skills Course in Gibson County which provides professionalism and success skills training for apprentices in the Inclusive Talent program;
$3,000 to Tri-State Food Bank to support mobile food distribution in Gibson County as they partner with Patoka United Methodist Family Life Center to provide food for 150 households at risk of hunger;
$3,600 to Tulip Tree Health Services of Gibson County, Inc. to purchase IPads for behavioral health providers which will allow secure telehealth appointments with patients whose only electronic connection option is a cell phone;
$5,000 to Emmy, Corp. d/b/a Gibson County Animal Services to support the “Senior Paws Program” which improves the quality of life for low-income seniors/disabled by assisting them in being able to keep and care for their companion animals;
$15,000 to Youth First to support the Youth First Social Work Program which will provide free access to expert mental health support in 16 Gibson County schools to K-12 students;
$4,000 to Princeton Area Dollars for Scholars to award four $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors of Princeton Community High School;
$2,500 to Oakland City Columbia Township Public Library to support the Senior Lunch & Learn project which serves to provide senior citizens in Oakland City an opportunity to come together over food for fellowship and learning opportunities;
$2,520 to Junior Achievement of Southwestern Indiana to provide support to facilitate, 21 programs in Gibson County, focusing on Work Readiness, Entrepreneurship, and Financial Literacy;
$8,000 to Holly’s House to support the “Think First & Stay Safe” child abuse prevention program targeting elementary students that teaches skills to keep kids safe from abuse;
$2,000 to Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra to enable students from Gibson County to attend the March 2022 Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra Helen M. McKinney Young People’s Concerts;
$5,000 to Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ohio Valley to purchase individually portioned meals and to stock pantries with individually packaged food items for Ronald McDonald House families;
$7,100 to Habitat for Humanity of Gibson County to acquire land for a future build;
$5,098 to The Isaiah 1:17 Project to support and encourage fostering families by helping them to give to the children in their care at Christmas;
$10,050 to Gibson County Youth Theatre to purchase the rights, royalties, materials, and orchestration for the 2021-2022 Season; and
$4,200 to Bread of Life Ministry to pay freight for donated food and to purchase food items at discounted prices to distribute to low income families in Gibson County.

Funding for the Community Good Grants program is provided by donors and organizations establishing and donating to community good and field of interest funds held by the Foundation. Those funds are:

Toyota Fund
Ann, John and William Eugene Dunn Fund
Bonaparte Family Unrestricted Fund
Brown Family Fund
David and Janet Oldham Family Fund
Gibson Board of Trustees Fund
Jack and Sue Freudenberg Family Fund
Melvin Oing Memorial Fund
Phillip and Sharen Buyher Fund
Troy and Virginia Land Unrestricted Fund
Ray J. (Jerry) Watson and Ruth L. Watson Memorial Fund
German American Bancorp Community Fund-Gibson
Smithville Charitable Foundation Fund of Gibson County
Friends of Gibson County Fund

Gibson County Community Foundation Announces 2022 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Recipient

Fri, 17 Dec 2021 17:08:49 GMT

The Gibson County Community Foundation is pleased to announce that Madalynn Steckler is the 2022 recipient of the Gibson County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are known for their community involvement, academic achievement, character and leadership.

“Madalynn exemplifies all of the qualities of a Lilly Scholar, she has not only excelled academically and athletically, but her volunteerism and community involvement is extraordinary. Her dedication to her family, community and peers, along with her positive attitude is truly impressive,” said Amy Smith, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact for the Gibson County Community Foundation.

Each Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship provides for full tuition, required fees and a special allocation of up to $900 per year for required books and required equipment for four years of undergraduate study on a full-time basis leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university.

Madalynn Steckler is the daughter of Phillip and Jessica Steckler, of Haubstadt. She is a senior at Gibson Southern High School and plans to attend University of Notre Dame or Purdue University, studying Physics, Biology or Biomedical Engineering. In addition to exceling academically, Steckler has been involved in a variety of school activities including Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Peer Tutoring/Life Skills, Interdisciplinary Academic Decathlon Team, along with the English and History Academic Decathlon Team. She has obtained numerous accolades athletically, including PAC Honorable Mention her junior year in soccer and served as the Team Captain her senior year. Steckler received the Mental Toughness Award in swimming her sophomore and junior years, and participates in track and field for the Gibson Southern Titans She also plays lacrosse – achieving the ranking as 7th Best Goalie in Indiana her junior year. Outside of school, Steckler is extremely active with the Owensville Boys and Girls 4-H Club and volunteers with many community organizations, including St. Maria Goretti Youth Group, The House of Bread and Peace Women’s Shelter, Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, and the Ronald McDonald House. She has a passion for volunteerism and has led multiple fundraisers for homeless shelters. During the pandemic, Steckler started “Madalynn’s Take and Bake Kitchen” business from her family’s kitchen. She also spends multiple hours assisting her grandmother with her baking business.

In nominating Gibson County’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholar(s), consideration was given to academic achievement, school activities, and work experience. After the field of applicants was narrowed down by the Gibson County Community Foundation’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program (LECSP) Committee, nominees were submitted to the statewide administrator of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program, Independent Colleges of Indiana, for final review and approval of the scholarship

Scholarship award alternates were also announced. Maura Kluesner was named as first alternate and will receive a scholarship from the Friends of Gibson County Fund. Karis Blacklock was named the second alternate.

The LECSP is administered locally by the Community Foundation, with the support of local high schools, and the administrative oversight by the Independent Colleges of Indiana, Inc. (ICI). Lilly Endowment created the LECSP for the 1998-1999 school year and has supported the program every year since with tuition grants totaling in excess of $439 million. More than 5,000 Indiana students have received the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship since the program’s inception.

Gibson County Community Foundation Awards $120,384 to 24 Nonprofit Partners

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 17:14:14 GMT

The Gibson County Community Foundation is distributing $120,384.00 in grants to 24 local nonprofit organizations through their 2021 Community Good Grants program.

This year’s grants provide flexible funding for a variety of charitable projects and organizations serving Gibson County.

The grants awarded are:

$5,000 to Chemo Buddies to provide support to chemotherapy patients in Gibson County;
$1,500 to YMCA of Southwestern Indiana to build a greenhouse to teach campers the value of planting, growing, and harvesting, while at YMCA Camp Carson;
$825 to Sts. Peter and Paul School to support the “ Secret Stories Phonics, DreamScapes, and Vocabulary A-Z: Infusing Reading Science with Brain Science” programs which utilize a multisensory approach that help students grow in their phonics and reading skills in half the time;
$4,000 to Gibson Southern Scholarships, Inc. to provide four $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors of Gibson Southern High School;
$5,060 to St. Joseph Catholic School to support the “Adding Art to Schools” project which would allow the school to create a reoccurring art program to enrich the lives and add a creative outlet for about 90 students;
$7,157 to Addiction Solutions Corporation for installation of a security system to ensure the safety and accountability of the participants of the Princeton Recovery House;
$4,000 to East Gibson Dollars for Scholars to provide financial support to continue the education of graduating seniors of Wood Memorial High School;
$6,824 to Lyles Station Historic Preservation Corporation to support the expansion of their children’s outdoor recreation area to include a specifically designed area for teenagers;
$4,950 to The Arc of Southwest Indiana to support the Inclusive Talent Apprenticeship Professionalism & Success Skills Course in Gibson County which provides professionalism and success skills training for apprentices in the Inclusive Talent program;
$3,000 to Tri-State Food Bank to support mobile food distribution in Gibson County, as they partner with Patoka United Methodist Family Life Center to provide food for 150 households at risk of hunger;
$3,600 to Tulip Tree Health Services of Gibson County, Inc . to purchase IPads for behavioral health providers which will allow secure telehealth appointments with patients whose only electronic connection option is a cell phone;
$5,000 to Emmy, Corp. d/b/a Gibson County Animal Services to support the “Senior Paws Program” which improves the quality of life for low-income Seniors/disabled by assisting them in being able to keep and care for their companion animals;
$15,000 to Youth First to support the Youth First Social Work Program which will provide free access to expert mental health support in 16 Gibson County schools to over 5,000 K-12 students;
$4,000 to Princeton Area Dollars for Scholars to award four $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors of Princeton Community High School;
$2,500 to Oakland City Columbia Township Public Library to support the Senior Lunch & Learn project which serves to provide senior citizens in Oakland City an opportunity to come together over food for fellowship and learning opportunities;
$2,520 to Junior Achievement of Southwestern Indiana to provide support to facilitate, 21 programs in Gibson County, serving 472 students, focusing on Work Readiness, Entrepreneurship, and/or Financial Literacy;
$4,000 reserved for the First Alternate to the 2022 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship in Gibson County to provide four $1,000 scholarships over their four-years in college;
$8,000 to Holly's House, Inc. to support the “Think First & Stay Safe” child abuse prevention program targeting elementary students that teaches skills to keep kids safe from abuse;
$2,000 to Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra to enable students from Gibson County to attend the March 2022, Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra Helen M. McKinney Young People's Concerts;
$5,000 to Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ohio Valley to purchase individually portioned meals and to stock pantries with individually packaged food items for Ronald McDonald House families;
$7,100 to Habitat for Humanity of Gibson County to acquire land for a future build;
$5,098 to The Isaiah 1:17 Project to support & encourage fostering families by extending their ability to love through giving to the children in their care at Christmas;
$10,050 to Gibson County Youth Theatre to purchase the rights, royalties, materials and orchestration for the 2021-2022 Season;
$4,200 to Bread of Life Ministry, Inc. to pay freight for donated food and to purchase food items at discounted prices to distribute to low income families in Gibson County;

Funding for the program is provided by donors and organizations establishing and donating to community good and field of interest funds held by the Foundation. Those funds are:

Toyota Fund
Ann, John and William Eugene Dunn Fund
Bonaparte Family Unrestricted Fund
Brown Family Fund
David and Janet Oldham Family Fund
Gibson Board of Trustees Fund
Jack and Sue Freudenberg Family Fund
Melvin Oing Memorial Fund
Phillip and Sharen Buyher Fund
Troy and Virginia Land Unrestricted Fund
Ray J. (Jerry) Watson and Ruth L. Watson Memorial Fund
German American Bancorp Community Fund-Gibson
Smithville Charitable Foundation Fund of Gibson County
Friends of Gibson County Fund