The Ohio County Community Foundation awarded thirteen Community Grants during the first grant cycle of 2015. The grants were awarded to local non-profit organizations whose projects and programs benefit Ohio County. Grants are awarded in the areas of Community Development, Education, Scholarships, Health, Human Services and Cultural Affairs. Each applicant may request up to $5,000.
The grants for Grant Cycle I were funded from distributions of the unrestricted endowment funds of the Ohio County Today & Tomorrow Endowment Fund, the Amado Mauricio, MD Memorial Fund, the Galbreath Vineyard Endowment Fund, the Dr. Art Jay Community Endowment Fund,the Ynez Taylor Community Endowment Fund and the Eunice Kittle Performing Arts Endowment Fund. The funds were established by donors wishing to provide lasting, charitable grants that benefit the residents of Ohio County. A total of $51,146 in Community Grants was awarded during Grant Cycle I.
The following non-profit organizations were awarded a Community Grant:
Blue Jeans, Incorporated was awarded $5,000 to present the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra in concert on the riverfront in late summer or early fall. The grant was funded from distributions from the Ohio County Today & Tomorrow Endowment Fund and the Eunice Kittle Performing Arts Endowment Fund.
Rising Sun Ohio County Community School Corporation was awarded $5,000 to present an Anti-Bullying program for grades 3rd -12th and to purchase CPR Learning Equipment and materials for CPR classes for high school students and the staff. The grant was funded from distributions from the Ohio County Today & Tomorrow Endowment Fund and the Amado Mauricio, MD Memorial Endowment Fund.
Voices of Indiana, Limited was awarded $1,250 for scholarships for Ohio County youth wishing to participate in the Young Voices Program. The grant was funded from distributions from the Ohio County Today and Tomorrow Endowment Fund.
City of Rising Sun was awarded $2,516 toward the purchase of wall cabinets for the Clerk Treasurer’s office to meet the need for expanded file storage. The grant was funded from distributions from the Ohio County Today & Tomorrow Endowment Fund and the Gene Siekman Memorial Endowment Fund.
Rising Sun Cemetery Association was awarded $5, 000 to purchase five animal proof trash receptacles for the cemetery. The grant was funded from distributions from the Ohio County Today & Tomorrow Endowment Fund.
Rising Sun Volunteer Fire Department was awarded $5,000 to purchase an industrial size dryer to dry fire equipment. The grant was funded from distributions from the Ohio County Today & Tomorrow Endowment Fund.
LifeTime Resources was awarded $5,000 toward the purchase of a new Catch-A-Ride vehicle. The grant was funded from distributions from the Ohio County Today & Tomorrow Endowment Fund.
Ohio County Commissioners were awarded $5,000 for a black top project at the Denver Siekman Park. The grant was funded from distributions from the Ohio County Today & Tomorrow Endowment Fund.
Ohio County Elementary Middle School PTO was awarded $5,000 to purchase items for two new classrooms, to support the school Literacy Program and the Kindergarten Ident-A-Kid Program and to purchase snacks for classrooms. The grant was funded from distributions from the Ohio County Today & Tomorrow Endowment Fund and the Galbreath Vineyard Endowment Fund.
Rising Sun United Methodist Church was awarded $900 to purchase supplies for the Navy Bean Festival 5K Run/Walk and Spook Fest which are community events implemented by volunteers of the church. The grant was funded from distributions from the Ohio County Today & Tomorrow Endowment Fund.
Rising Sun Main Street was awarded $4,980 to hold Mobile Workshops for local businesses and would be business owners through the Indiana Small Business Development Center and to allow a local artist to create a mural at the intersection of Main & Front Streets. The grant was funded from distributions from the Ohio County Today & Tomorrow Endowment Fund, the Dr. Art Jay Community Fund and the Ynez Taylor Community Fund.
The City of Rising Sun for the Rising Sun Ohio County Parks & Recreational was awarded $1,500 to purchase playground mulch for the Riverfront Park, Roy Turner Park and Shiner Community Park. The grant was funded from distributions from the Ohio County Today & Tomorrow Endowment Fund.
Ohio County Convention Tourism & Visitors Commission was awarded $5,000 toward the implementation of the 2015 Rising Sun Regatta. The grant was funded from distributions from theOhio County Today & Tomorrow Endowment Fund.
The mission of the Ohio County Community Foundation (OCCF) is to build, manage and distribute a lasting source of charitable funds for Ohio County. OCCF fulfills this mission by assisting donors to establish endowments that provide charitable funds for Ohio County. Only the interests from the funds are distributed in the form of grants. This allows the funds to grow indefinitely to increase the capacity for the funds to further impact the community through future grant distributions.
Anyone can make a contribution to any endowment fund established within the Foundation by submitting their donation to the: Ohio County Community Foundation, 330 Industrial Access Drive, PO Box 170, Rising Sun, IN 47040. Gifts may be made in memory or in honor of a friend or loved one. Donations to OCCF-administered funds are tax deductible in most cases. To receive information concerning Endowment Funds or the Grants Program administered by the Ohio County Community Foundation, please call Stephanie Scott, Program Coordinator 812-438-9401 or visit the Foundation website at occfrisingsun.com.