"Helping People Improve Their Communities"
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The Western Indiana Community Foundation is a public charity, founded in 1990, conceived by a group of citizens whose desire is to use donated monies for the betterment of their communities. The Foundation shares the same dream as its forefathers: prosperity, expansion, and enhancement for its citizens. The Foundation has four separate and distinct affiliate funds serving their geographical areas, which consist of:| ~ Attica ~ Community Foundation |
~ Southeast Fountain ~ Community Foundation |
| ~ Covington ~ Community Foundation |
~ Vermillion County ~ Community Foundation |
HIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
To our grantseeking friends: The Foundation is eager to help you grow your community. To assist you with our grantmaking process and to discuss the opportunities please give me a call, send me an email or stop in for a visit!
ECENT FOUNDATION NEWS:Fountain and Vermillion County are home to many wonderful people who have made a deep impact in the community.
Are you looking for a way to memorialize a loved one or friend who is no longer with us? Or perhaps you would like to honor a family member, friend, co-worker, or service provider who has a positive influence in your daily life? MEMORIAL & HONOR GIFTS are great ways to honor those who are or have been significant in your life or the life of your community. Your gift will go to the fund you specify, in the name of the one you’re honoring.
The following individuals have recently passed away and the families have designated that donations in their memory go to the Community Foundation. We honor the following individuals (click on the name for more details): Erwin (Ernie) Johannes, Art Clawson, Jeff Youngblood, Fred Paxton, Mary Bowles, Janet Clark, C. David Curts, Caleb Duncan, Patricia Head, Jack Macy, Edna Jordan, James Kochell, Neva Tillotson, Delores Hicks, Carl Hicks, Daniel McGrady, Max Keller, Freeman “Bugs” Lanum, Georgeanna Ford, Bill Deck, Helen F. Shelby, Elizabeth “Lib” Barnhart, Charline Allen, Jeffry Ingalsbe, John Woodrow, Carol Gooding, Richard “Dick” Shelby, Betty Shull, Marvel Dunham, Mary K. Young, Marcia Cooper, Carol V. Myers, James “Jim” McCormick, Rosemarie Haas, Marilyn Gebbink, Jean (Frances) Blickenstaff, Robert “Bob” Branam, Larry Carlson, John Cotten, Sr., Mirriam (Newmark) Fogel, Helen Freas, Heidi (Shambach) Johnson, Joan Rennick, Vicki (Collins) Stevens, and Arley White.
All memorial and honor gifts are acknowledged to the person or people you designate so that the loved one’s family, or the person you are honoring, is aware of the gift. Or you can make an anonymous gift if you desire to do so. The amount of the gift is, of course, confidential and only you will receive a gift acknowledgement for tax purposes. It’s very easy to give a memorial or honor gift – just CLICK HERE to get started.
We hope this post finds all of you well and safely navigating the rapidly evolving COVID-19 public health crisis.
At the Community Foundation, we are taking the situation very seriously. We care about our staff, our donors, our grantees, our scholars and community partners. While much about COVID-19 is still unknown, one message has been quite clear: Social distancing is the primary way to prevent the spread of the virus. It is our responsibility as community leaders to do our part to “flatten the curve” and slow the spread of the pandemic.
Our office is closed to the general public thru Monday, April 6. Also, the Foundation has postponed all in-person events until further notice.
Please feel free to call us, e-mail us or as always – you can make your charitable donations online.
Phil DeSutter, the husband of the late Christy DeSutter, has established the Christy DeSutter Cancer Fund for the benefit of worthy programs, projects and activities in Fountain County that promote the awareness, early detection and prevention of cancer.
Christy passed away prematurely in late 2019 following a courageous battle with cancer that began in 1995. She was the daughter of Kenneth and Evelyn (Cunningham) Krout. She married Phi DeSutter in 1981. Christy was the mother of Megan (Gery) Munson and Melissa (Derek) Dismore; grandmother of Audrey Munson, Jackson Munson and Gage Dismore; sister to Kenneth (Penny) Krout, Bradley (Terri) Krout and the late Tamela Lyons; and the aunt to several nieces and nephews.
All donations to the Christy DeSutter Cancer Fund are invested and a portion of the earnings each year will be utilized to assist in: providing workshops, presentations, seminars and special events associated with the awareness, early detection and prevention of cancer; collaborations with health departments, hospitals and wellness clinics; publicity efforts such as promotional brochures, videos and activities associated with: Cancer Week, Immunization Drives, Eat Healthy & Get Active, Be Safe in the Sun, Stay Away from Tobacco, Family Medical History and Get Regular Cancer Screenings; provide support to non-profit organizations that can assist in providing services to cancer patients (transportation, hair products – wigs, turbans, scarfs, mastectomy products, etc.); and other awareness, early detection and prevention of cancer activities not mentioned above.
Donations to the Christy DeSutter Cancer Fund may be made online at: www.wicf-inc.org or mailed to: Southeast Fountain Community Foundation, ATTN: Christy DeSutter Cancer Fund, PO Box 95, Veedersburg, IN 47987.
Tickets and table sponsorships are going fast for Southeast Fountain Community Foundation’s 13th annual Wine & Appetizer Event at the Beef House Banquet Center on Sunday, February 23 from 1:30-4:00 pm (EST). The public is invited. This fundraising event is a one-of-a-kind since there is no program. This is a social event only (business casual)!
Attendees will enjoy complimentary portions of spirits from T. J. Haase Winery (Clinton, IN) and Old 55 Distillery (Newtown, IN) as well as an extensive selection of hors d’oeuvre from the Beef House Restaurant. A silent auction with nearly 100 unique items will also compliment the event.
This year’s event will help to raise monies for charitable organizations in the Southeast Foundation area and scholarships for Fountain Central High School graduates.
CALL 793-0702 TODAY to order your tickets! Individual tickets are $35 and table sponsorships (table of 8) are $250.
Thirteen (13) new endowment funds have recently been established to benefits area communities and high school students. For more details click on the link to learn more about each fund.
The new funds include: Christy DeSutter Cancer Fund, Kay Shoaf Scholarship Fund, Randall G. Shoaf Scholarship Fund, Robert & Lucreita (Verrill) Shoaf Scholarship Fund, Patricia Scherer Leath Education Scholarship Fund, William, Johanna & Mario Wilson Charitable Community Fund, Darrell & Edith Dennis Community Fund, Daniel & Renee McGrady Family Fund, CDH Scholarship Fund, Wallace-Minnette Community Fund, George Norman Family Fund, Mark & Cindy Mason Community Fund, and the Michael & Mary Margaret Rhees Community Fund.
To learn how you can establish a fund to benefit your community contact Dale at (765) 793-0702 or by email at dwhite@wicf-inc.org.
Congratulations to recent grant recipients:
Mellott Volunteer Fire Dept. ($9,000), South Vermillion High School ($500), Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Dept. ($3,000), Attica High School – Student Council ($1,000), North Vermillion High School ($500), Fountain Central High School ($2,500), Covington Christian School ($5,415), Attica Jr./Sr. High School ($4,800), North Vermillion High School Music Program ($1,000). More →
The Foundation’s online scholarship application process is now open for students attending Attica, Covington, Fountain Central, Seeger, North Vermillion and South Vermillion High School. The application deadline is March 1.
For details visit the scholarship section of our website.
The Western Indiana & Vermillion County Community Foundation is pleased to announce that it has met the $1M challenge goal offered by the Lilly Endowment Inc.
Dale White, CEO of the Community Foundation states, “It’s remarkable that only 15 months ago the Lilly Endowment challenged the Community Foundation to raise $500,000 in donations to be used for unrestricted purposes. Unrestricted donations are used for competitive grantmaking in our Fountain & Vermillion County communities. If we reached the $500,000 goal they would match it $2 for $1, or in other words, with an additional $1,000,000. Not only was the goal met in 15 short months, but it was completed one year earlier than expected.”
White goes on the say, “Every donated dollar makes a huge difference and stays right here in Fountain & Vermillion County. This $1,500,000 will allow the Community Foundation to award an additional $60,000 to $$75,000 per year, for perpetuity, which is vital to our efforts to strengthen Fountain and Vermillion County and fund opportunities which benefit our citizens. We appreciate the generosity of those who care about their county and gave to this campaign.”
Lastly, White says, “I welcome the opportunity to visit with Fountain & Vermillion County civic and service clubs, faith-based groups, non-profit organizations and others to share the good work that is being done through the Community Foundation.”
The Independent Colleges of Indiana has confirmed that Jordan VanArsdale is the 23nd Cohort of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for 2020. The scholarship award will cover the cost of full-tuition, required fees and special allocation of up to $900 per year for required materials, for four years of undergraduate study on a full-time basis, leading to a baccalaureate degree at any Indiana public or private college or university accredited by the High Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Jordan joins outstanding students throughout the state who have received the prestigious Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship since 1998.
Jordan is the son of Paul and Leah Welker of Clinton and Scott VanArsdale. He will graduate in May 2020 from South Vermillion High School with a Core 40 Academic and Technical Honors Diploma. Jordan has a 4.0 GPA and ranks first in his class of 123. He has taken several honors and AP classes as well as dual credit courses at Ivy Tech and Indiana State University. His rigorous coursework has prepared him well as he continues his education. Jordan is an intelligent, enthusiastic, ambitious and motivated young man as his application, interview, and peers exhibit.
Jordan’s education plan is to attend Rose Human Institute of Technology because it ranks number one for his major of choice. He will major in Biomedical Engineering and a potential minor in another engineering or science field to assist in his engineering career. Jordan sets long term goals also when he say, “My goal is to be able to develop technologies that will enhance, improve and even save the lives of people all over the world.”
“Thank you so much! I’m beyond excited to be honored with this scholarship, thank you!” was Jordan’s reaction when informed that he was this year’s scholarship recipient.
South Vermillion High School English teacher and theatre director, Ms. Cole, states in her letter of recommendation, “Jordan is a senior in Advanced Placement Literature and Composition. Within the first week of class, it became readily apparent that he is a student of very high caliber who has continued to challenge himself throughout his middle school and high school career. In short, he has grown into a confident and exceedingly competent student in the classroom.”
Jordan is a member of National Honor Society and honored as an Academic Excellence I and II awardee. He volunteers for Vicki’s School of Dance for technology and those at school and in the community who use the high school auditorium and operates the technology booth. He also participated at National Honor Society Halloween 5K run for Autism and Out of Darkness Walk for suicide prevention. Jordan’s passion is the theatre program and technology that consumes the majority of his time out of the classroom.
The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship process is lengthy with guidelines set by the Lilly Endowment. Thirty students in Vermillion County applied for the scholarship this year. The scholarship committee carefully reviews each application with respect to specific criteria established by the local committee. Five finalists were invited to interview to continue the selection process. After the Vermillion County Community Foundation scholarship committee narrowed the field to three, the names were submitted to the Independent Colleges of Indiana, Inc. for the final selection of the recipient.
One Fountain County student has been named recipient of a full tuition four-year scholarship as the Western Indiana Community Foundation 2020 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar – Fountain County.
Lawrence “Eli” Kirkpatrick will receive full tuition to the Indiana private college or public university of his choice and a $900 yearly stipend for required books and equipment.
Mr. Kirkpatrick, of Attica High School, has plans to obtain a bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Science with an agri-business focus, followed by Veterinarian School. At the beginning of his Senior year, Eli ranked #2 in his graduating class with a 3.9 GPA.
Eli is a four year member of the Future Farmers of America (“FFA”) and has participated for four years in football, baseball and basketball. Mr. Kirkpatrick has also found time to volunteer at Joy Camp, a weekend retreat at Hanging Rock Camp, for individuals with special needs and he has served as a 4-H camp counselor. In addition to his school and community activities he works part-time for Triple J Farms.
One of Eli’s references wrote, “As a student Eli is talented and conscientious. He is always prepared for class with homework completed and articulate questions about anything he is unsure of. His work is always of the highest quality. With Eli, academic excellence only tells part of the story. His demeanor in class is always a model of respect and a calming and centering influence on those around him.”
Mr. Kirkpatrick is the son of John and Gretchen Kirkpatrick of Veedersburg.
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