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The Community Foundation Scholarship Application is now LIVE!

This spring, we will award nearly $300,000 to Fountain & Vermillion County students.  Awards will range from $500 to full tuition and fees (a value of over $10,000).

Apply NOW at www.wicf-inc.org! Deadline is March 1.

To better serve our community and ensure a fair and efficient review of grant requests, the Foundation is transitioning its 2025 grant application and review process to a structured three-tiered grant cycle process. This will involve new grant applications and review processes.

*It is important to note that each affiliate within WICF has its own funds for grantmaking.

The new grant cycles will be:

RAPID RESPONSE GRANTS (Grants less than $2,500)

Applications are reviewed monthly.

Applications Due: 15th of each month

Review Period: Month following application deadline

Notification of Award: Same month as review

IMPACT GRANTS (Grants $2,500-$7,500)

Applications are reviewed quarterly.

Applications Due: January 15, April 15, July 15, October 15

Review Period: February, May, August, November

Notification of Award: March, June, September, December

*We recommend a conversation with staff to discuss your project before submitting your application if applying for a grant between $2,501-$7,500. 

LEGACY GRANTS (Grants $7,501+)

Applications are reviewed semi-annually. 

Submit a letter of intent by: February 15, August 15

Applications Due: April 15, October 15

Review Period: May, November

Notification of Award: June, December

*Submit a letter of intent. 

*A presentation to our board of directors and staff is required.

Check out the Fountain County & Vermillion County Fall Newsletters at: WICF – Publications (wicf-inc.org)

The Vermillion County Community Foundation is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Vermillion County – Carolyn Hamblen of South Vermillion High School. She is the daughter of Courtney Hamblen and Donnie Hamblen. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are known for their community involvement, academic achievement, character, and leadership.

“Carolyn intends to pursue a pharmacy career. She will graduate with a Core 40 with an Academic and Technical Honors diploma. She has a 3.97 GPA while taking AP and Honors courses,” said Nancy Reed, Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Coordinator for the Vermillion County Community Foundation.

Several school activities with leadership roles are on Carolyn’s resume. She serves as Secretary of the National Honor Society, is a member of Academic Excellence, and has been captain of the Academic Super Bowl team for two years. As Co-Founder and President of the Art Club, Carolyn has demonstrated her initiative and leadership. She is also a three-year varsity tennis player and recipient of the Wildcat Award, a one-year member of the basketball team, and served as the IHSAA student-athlete leadership conference representative.

Miss Hamblen works at the Clinton McDonalds and works 20-30 hours weekly as a Crew Trainer. She enjoys the leadership role and communication with staff and the public.

Carolyn values community involvement, demonstrated by her volunteer work at the Clinton Public Library, where she finds great joy in working with children, inspired by her childhood memories. Carolyn has completed commissioned art projects and contributed to a community mural project. Her artwork is proudly displayed on the side of the Clinton Community Building as part of a mural created by the Art Club.

Carolyn’s personal essay is a clear explanation of why and how she chose her career and intends to attain it. Her connection to the community, both as a child and a young adult, has played a significant role in shaping her goals. Her passion for math and science inspired her to pursue a career in pharmacy, viewing it as an opportunity to give back and serve her community after graduation. She is committed to becoming a pharmacist and has clear long-term goals for her future.

The 2025 Lilly Scholar had a very bright personality, was poised, and had a professional appearance during her second interview for the selection process. Carolyn spoke openly about her aspirations for personal growth and maximizing her potential. She plans to earn a pharmacy technician license and work while attending college to defray the cost of attendance. Throughout her interviews, she demonstrated confidence, preparation, and a passion for her goals and commitment to community service. Carolyn’s enthusiasm was evident as she discussed her love for art, working with children, her plans to obtain a pharmacy technician license, and her long-term goal of earning a doctorate in pharmacy.

Appraisal letters from the school counselor, staff, and employer were enthusiastic to support Carolyn as a Lilly Scholarship applicant. They described her as a top scholar, driven, mature, responsible, respectful, having a great work ethic, creative, versatile, a great role model, and genuinely kind.

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 am very happy I get to pursue my education without financial worries. I am so honored,” said Carolyn, Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship recipient.

16 Vermillion County students applied for this year’s Lilly Scholarship. In determining Vermillion County’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholar nominees, consideration was given to criterion of academic performance, school activities and/or work, volunteerism, personal statement of need, letters of recommendation, goal essay, and interviews by the Vermillion County’s 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.

“The high caliber applicants from North Vermillion and South Vermillion high schools are very impressive every year. These students are mature, goal-oriented, highly involved in their schools and communities, and strongly recommended by their counselors, teachers, and peers. Interviews reveal their character, personality, and factors that have led students to their career goals. The Vermillion County Community Foundation Nominating Committee is committed to their serious and compassionate decision-making task and aware of the impact of their decisions,” says Nancy Reed, Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Coordinator for the Vermillion County Community Foundation.

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.

Western Indiana Community Foundation, established in 1990, is a nonprofit, tax-exempt philanthropic organization that was founded as Western Indiana’s partner, resource, and steward in philanthropy.  The Foundation manages $43.5 million in charitable assets and administers over 350 charitable funds – each of which supports the unique charitable intent of the donor who established the fund.  Annually, the Foundation awards nearly 1.2 million dollars in grants and scholarships to support Fountain County communities and is a National Standards-certified community foundation.

Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. Although the gifts of stock remain a financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff, and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education, and religion. Although the Endowment funds programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion, it maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.

Since 1997, Independent Colleges of Indiana has administered the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program statewide with funding provided by Lilly Endowment. Founded in 1948, ICI serves as the collective voice for the state’s 29 private, nonprofit colleges and universities. ICI institutions employ over 22,000 Hoosiers and generate a total local economic impact of over $5 billion annually. Students at ICI colleges have Indiana’s highest four-year, on-time graduation rates, and ICI institutions produce 30 percent of Indiana’s bachelor’s degrees while enrolling 20 percent of its undergraduates.

 

Congratulations to recent grant recipients:
Vermillion County Reserves ($20,000), Community Action Program of Western Indiana ($3,400), Fountain County Old Guard VFW 2395 ($4,000), Hillsboro Christian Academy ($1,500), Attica Elementary School ($3,000), Covington Elementary School ($2,500), Southeast Fountain School Corporation ($3,000), South Vermillion High School ($1,000), North Vermillion High School ($1,000), Clinton Lions Club ($3,500), North Vermillion Back Pack Program ($9,000), South Vermillion High School ($2,847), Veedersburg Park Program ($2,750), ECO Shred ($500), Covington Park Program ($4,000), Marilyn’s Village ($35,000), Covington Apple Fest ($500), Covington Music Boosters ($1,014), Charles Forrest American Legion Post 288 ($2,154), Attica First United Methodist Church ($1,168), Attica Baseball-Softball Association ($2000), City of Covington ($1,500), Miss Fountain County 4H Queen Pageant ($500), Bundles of Blessings ($4500), Covington Youth Football ($12,500), Purdue Extension Fountain County ($6,500),  More →

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 donations in their memory go to the Community Foundation.  We honor the following individuals (click on the name for more details): John Fulton, Terry Badger, II, Doug Shelby, Melinda Shepherd, Alice Hathaway, Jill Kirkpatrick, Richard Rennick Sr, Irma Lee Crist, Vera Shew, Ethan Whyde, Mike Stump, Judy Ashton Ferrell,  John Ives, Dr. Donna (Summers) McGrady, Louise Houmes, Gregory Spragg, Brenda Phillips, Carlotta Auter, Harold VanDame, Marvin Potter, Rose Martin, Kenneth Scheurich, Stan Shew, Bill Smail, Richard Pattengale, Jeff Henry, Page Lane, Barbara White, Tim Thomas, Harold R. Long, Cameron Cheuvront, Darleen Swingle, Duaine Ramey, Wanda Clawson, Terry Holland, Marvin Shaw, Dr. Francis McGrady, Jr., Matt Milach, Joe Henderson, Ginger Orr, Raymond Bush, Carl Dismore, Richard Klage, David Rothrock, Ann Johannes, Ronald Smith, Charles McKinney,  Joe Hathaway, Edward C. Grubb, Sharon Sue Craft, Henry Meadows, Janice Vietti, Edward “Ed” George, and Carl Swinford.

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.

Have you heard about our new Gift of Grain Program? This unique opportunity allows farmers to make a significant impact on our community while benefiting from a tax-efficient way to support local causes.

By donating a gift of grain, farmers can help fund important initiatives, whether it’s supporting local food pantries, community projects, or scholarships for students in Fountain and Vermillion Counties. Not only does the donation go directly to a cause of the farmer’s choice, but it also offers the farmer the advantage of a lower taxable income.

More than just a financial contribution, a gift of grain embodies the spirit of farming—nurturing growth, supporting the community, and leaving a lasting legacy of generosity.

If you’re a farmer interested in making a difference, contact Dale White at (765) 793-0702, ext. 4, or dwhite@wicf-inc.org for more information on how you can participate in the Gifts of Grain Program.

A tri-county partnership comprised of the Western Indiana Community Foundation (Fountain County), Vermillion County Community Foundation, and Warren County Community Foundation have received a $50,000 regional planning grant as part of the eighth phase of Lilly Endowment Inc.’s initiative, Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT VIII).  With the grant, the community foundations will engage with Indianapolis consulting firm Kimley-Horn to help create the Wabash River Blueway Plan.  Fountain, Vermillion, and Warren counties have over 60 miles of the Wabash River forming their borders.  The river has untapped potential for recreation, historic and scientific education, the arts, and attracting visitors. The next four months will be spent looking at some of the possibilities.

Western Indiana Community Foundation and Warren County Community Foundation are among the 92 community foundations and affiliate funds in Indiana receiving planning grants through GIFT VIII.  These grants are designed to help community foundations collaborate with local partners to engage broad and diverse stakeholders in their communities and deepen their understanding of their communities’ highest-priority challenges and opportunities.  In 2024, Western Indiana Community Foundation and Warren County Community Foundation will have the opportunity to request funding to implement strategic initiatives and activities developed during the planning period that address especially compelling needs in Fountain, Vermillion, and Warren Counties.

“The GIFT VIIII opportunity to apply for a regional planning grant gives us the unique opportunity to collaborate with our neighboring counties.  We look forward to working with experts in the formation of the Wabash River Blueway Master Plan,” said Dale White, Chief Executive Officer of the Western Indiana Community Foundation.

Residents should watch for an invitation to a public meeting for collaboration regarding the Wabash River through Fountain, Vermillion, and Warren counties.  This work will take place over the next four months.

Lilly Endowment created the GIFT initiative in 1990 to help local communities in Indiana develop the philanthropic capacity to identify local needs and challenges and work with other organizations to help their communities thrive.  Through GIFT VIII, Lilly Endowment has allocated up to $210 million to support Indiana’s community foundations in growing their financial resources and further strengthening their ability to address their community’s highest-priority challenges and opportunities.

Western Indiana Community Foundation, established in 1990, is a nonprofit, tax-exempt philanthropic organization that was founded as Western Indiana’s partner, resource, and steward in philanthropy.  The Foundation manages $34.3 million in charitable assets and administers over 315 charitable funds – each of which supports the unique charitable intent of the donor who established the fund.  Annually, the Foundation awards nearly 1.2 million dollars in grants and scholarships to support Fountain County communities and is a National Standards certified community foundation.

About Lilly Endowment Inc.

Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly, Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. Although the gifts of stock remain a financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion. The Endowment funds significant programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion. However, it maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.

Touch here to see the entire listing of scholarship recipients awarded by the Community Foundation at the following Senior Awards Programs:

South Vermillion High School
Covington High School
Fountain Central High School
North Vermillion High School
Attica High School