Vanderburgh

Community Foundation

The Community Foundation is a charitable resource devoted to our local community. We help people make meaningful gifts that improve life in Vanderburgh County, Indiana today and for generations to come.


The Community Foundation can help you...

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Greater Good Together

The Vanderburgh Community Foundation is an affiliate of the Community Foundation Alliance, a network of nine community foundations serving counties in southwestern Indiana. The Alliance provides management and administrative expertise to county-wide community foundations, empowering each to promote philanthropy, build endowment and improve wellbeing in our local communities. Learn more!

Make a Difference Where it Matters

The Community Foundation exists to help caring people like you give back to the causes and community you care about most. We make giving easy and effective. You can give cash, stocks, property, bequests and other assets. You may establish a charitable fund in your name or in the name of a loved one. You can focus your gift on the causes that move you: enrich education, safeguard health, improve neighborhoods, cultivate arts, protect environment, strengthen families.

Invest in the Future of the Community You Love

You can make a gift that lasts forever and establishes your legacy of giving. The Community Foundation offers the power of endowment, where a portion of your fund is invested so that it can grow over time. Earnings from this investment are used to make grants that benefit this community forever. Your gift creates a lasting stream of funding available for community good.

Create Greater Good Together

Powered by generous donors, local leaders, and steadfast partners, the Community Foundation builds on the collective strength of this county to make life better here. We multiply the impact of each individual gift by investing them together for maximum return and impact. We invite everyone to join us in building a strong community.

Make a Difference Where it Matters

The Community Foundation exists to help caring people like you give back to the causes and community you care about most. We make giving easy and effective. You can give cash, stocks, property, bequests and other assets. You may establish a charitable fund in your name or in the name of a loved one. You can focus your gift on the causes that move you: enrich education, safeguard health, improve neighborhoods, cultivate arts, protect environment, strengthen families.

Invest in the Future of the Community You Love

You can make a gift that lasts forever and establishes your legacy of giving. The Community Foundation offers the power of endowment, where a portion of your fund is invested so that it can grow over time. Earnings from this investment are used to make grants that benefit this community forever. Your gift creates a lasting stream of funding available for community good.

Create Greater Good Together

Powered by generous donors, local leaders, and steadfast partners, the Community Foundation builds on the collective strength of this county to make life better here. We multiply the impact of each individual gift by investing them together for maximum return and impact. We invite everyone to join us in building a strong community.

By the Numbers

Financially audited and compiled data from our most recent fiscal year.

For a full report, review our FY21 At A Glance.

Grants

$1.6M

Total grants awarded to nonprofits through our annual grant cycles and distribution

Scholarships

$604K

Total scholarships awarded to students through our annual scholarship programs

Gifts

$1.5M

Total gifts received from caring donors to support the causes and community they care about most

Assets

$31.5M

Total assets providing a sustainable charitable resource for our community

By the Numbers

Financially audited and compiled data from our most recent fiscal year.

For a full report, review our FY22 At A Glance.

Grants

$1.6M

Total grants awarded to nonprofits through our annual grant cycles and distribution

Scholarships

$604K

Total scholarships awarded to students through our annual scholarship programs

Gifts

$1.5M

Total gifts received from caring donors to support the causes and community they care about most

Assets

$31.5M

Total assets providing a sustainable charitable resource for our community

08 Jan, 2024
The Vanderburgh Community Foundation is now accepting online applications for the Community Good Grants Program. In recognition of the ongoing challenges of local nonprofit agencies, this year’s grant cycle is accepting applications for both one-year and multi-year programs/projects. The deadline to submit applications is Friday, February 9, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. The Community Foundation awards Community Good Grants to charitable partners located in or directly serving Vanderburgh County. Funding opportunities are available to support a broad range of local needs. Consideration will be given to organizations that demonstrate: · Evidence of realistic organizational planning and management; · Project methodology utilizing a preventative approach to addressing the issues and solving problems; · Solid, realistic plans for program/project evaluation; · Desire to promote collaboration among organizations or institutions to prevent duplication of services; and · Commitment to long-range planning, financial stability, and sustainability. Charitable entities can view the full details related to funding requirements and access the grant application via the Foundation’s website at https://www.vanderburghcf.org/community-good-grants-program . A virtual orientation session will be hosted for interested applicants on Friday, January 12 th at 9:00 am. Interested individuals should submit an RSVP to Sidney Hardgrave at shardgrave@communityfoundationalliance.org.
13 Dec, 2023
The Vanderburgh Community Foundation is pleased to announce the three recipients of the 2024 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Vanderburgh County – Amishi Gandhi and Jeremy Li from Signature School and Luke Woodyard from Reitz Memorial High School. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are known for their community involvement, academic achievement, character, and leadership. “This year’s recipients impressed the committee with their accomplishments, leadership skills, and maturity,” said Sidney Hardgrave, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact for the Vanderburgh Community Foundation. Amishi Gandhi is the daughter of Kaushai and Shimoli Gandhi. She is interested in becoming an attorney. Amishi served on the Teen Advisory Board for the Newburgh-Chandler Public Library and the Vanderburgh County Teen Court. She also volunteers with Youth Resources, Tri-State Food Bank and the Browning Funeral Home Genealogy Project. Amishi participates in numerous activities at school including the Mock Trial team, Math Club, Model UN, French Club, and Rotary Interact Club. Jeremy Li is the son of David Li and June Pan. He is interested in a career as a cardiothoracic surgeon. During high school, Jeremy founded a STEM tutoring program. He has also been active with Indiana Youth and Government and Tri-State Food Bank. He participated in the Youth Conference on National Affairs. At school, Jeremy has been involved with the USA Biology Olympiad, Mock Trial team, Student Council, and Model UN. Luke Woodyard is the son of James and Laura Woodyard. He is interested in studying industrial engineering. Luke has volunteered with Incognito Instructors, Boys and Girls Club, and been an active member of Scouts BSA, where he achieved recognition as an Eagle Scout. During high school, he participated in tennis, cross country, and track along with being a member of the Academic Team and International Club. 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. In determining Vanderburgh County’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholar nominees, consideration was given to academic achievement, involvement in the community, extracurricular activities, two essays, and an 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. “Our community has many students who excel both academically and in service to others. The selection process is never easy,” said Hardgrave. 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. 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.
13 Dec, 2023
The Vanderburgh Community Foundation and the Warrick County Community Foundation are excited to announce the opening of the annual Community Scholarship Program for 2024. “Generous donors have honored their loved ones, high schools, or professions by endowing scholarship opportunities through the Community Foundations,” says Sidney Hardgrave, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact. “We administer many 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 Programs.” Eligibility requirements and selection criteria for each scholarship are determined by the scholarship founder. Each scholarship is unique and supports students with a variety of backgrounds and educational goals. Students may apply for one or more scholarships, provided they meet the specific eligibility requirements. Details about each scholarship and the application requirements are posted online. The Vanderburgh Community Foundation offers 26 endowed scholarships providing over $70,000 in support each year. Community scholarship applications are due by 11:45 pm on Wednesday, January 31, 2024. Please visit https://www.vanderburghcf.org/community-scholarship-program for details and to begin the online application. The Warrick County Community Foundation has 20 endowed scholarships providing over $35,000 in support. Scholarship applications are due by 11:45 pm on Friday, February 2, 2024. Please visit https://www.warrickcountycf.org/community-scholarship-program for details and to begin the online application.

Recent News

08 Jan, 2024
The Vanderburgh Community Foundation is now accepting online applications for the Community Good Grants Program. In recognition of the ongoing challenges of local nonprofit agencies, this year’s grant cycle is accepting applications for both one-year and multi-year programs/projects. The deadline to submit applications is Friday, February 9, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. The Community Foundation awards Community Good Grants to charitable partners located in or directly serving Vanderburgh County. Funding opportunities are available to support a broad range of local needs. Consideration will be given to organizations that demonstrate: · Evidence of realistic organizational planning and management; · Project methodology utilizing a preventative approach to addressing the issues and solving problems; · Solid, realistic plans for program/project evaluation; · Desire to promote collaboration among organizations or institutions to prevent duplication of services; and · Commitment to long-range planning, financial stability, and sustainability. Charitable entities can view the full details related to funding requirements and access the grant application via the Foundation’s website at https://www.vanderburghcf.org/community-good-grants-program . A virtual orientation session will be hosted for interested applicants on Friday, January 12 th at 9:00 am. Interested individuals should submit an RSVP to Sidney Hardgrave at shardgrave@communityfoundationalliance.org.
13 Dec, 2023
The Vanderburgh Community Foundation is pleased to announce the three recipients of the 2024 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Vanderburgh County – Amishi Gandhi and Jeremy Li from Signature School and Luke Woodyard from Reitz Memorial High School. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are known for their community involvement, academic achievement, character, and leadership. “This year’s recipients impressed the committee with their accomplishments, leadership skills, and maturity,” said Sidney Hardgrave, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact for the Vanderburgh Community Foundation. Amishi Gandhi is the daughter of Kaushai and Shimoli Gandhi. She is interested in becoming an attorney. Amishi served on the Teen Advisory Board for the Newburgh-Chandler Public Library and the Vanderburgh County Teen Court. She also volunteers with Youth Resources, Tri-State Food Bank and the Browning Funeral Home Genealogy Project. Amishi participates in numerous activities at school including the Mock Trial team, Math Club, Model UN, French Club, and Rotary Interact Club. Jeremy Li is the son of David Li and June Pan. He is interested in a career as a cardiothoracic surgeon. During high school, Jeremy founded a STEM tutoring program. He has also been active with Indiana Youth and Government and Tri-State Food Bank. He participated in the Youth Conference on National Affairs. At school, Jeremy has been involved with the USA Biology Olympiad, Mock Trial team, Student Council, and Model UN. Luke Woodyard is the son of James and Laura Woodyard. He is interested in studying industrial engineering. Luke has volunteered with Incognito Instructors, Boys and Girls Club, and been an active member of Scouts BSA, where he achieved recognition as an Eagle Scout. During high school, he participated in tennis, cross country, and track along with being a member of the Academic Team and International Club. 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. In determining Vanderburgh County’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholar nominees, consideration was given to academic achievement, involvement in the community, extracurricular activities, two essays, and an 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. “Our community has many students who excel both academically and in service to others. The selection process is never easy,” said Hardgrave. 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. 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.
13 Dec, 2023
The Vanderburgh Community Foundation and the Warrick County Community Foundation are excited to announce the opening of the annual Community Scholarship Program for 2024. “Generous donors have honored their loved ones, high schools, or professions by endowing scholarship opportunities through the Community Foundations,” says Sidney Hardgrave, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact. “We administer many 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 Programs.” Eligibility requirements and selection criteria for each scholarship are determined by the scholarship founder. Each scholarship is unique and supports students with a variety of backgrounds and educational goals. Students may apply for one or more scholarships, provided they meet the specific eligibility requirements. Details about each scholarship and the application requirements are posted online. The Vanderburgh Community Foundation offers 26 endowed scholarships providing over $70,000 in support each year. Community scholarship applications are due by 11:45 pm on Wednesday, January 31, 2024. Please visit https://www.vanderburghcf.org/community-scholarship-program for details and to begin the online application. The Warrick County Community Foundation has 20 endowed scholarships providing over $35,000 in support. Scholarship applications are due by 11:45 pm on Friday, February 2, 2024. Please visit https://www.warrickcountycf.org/community-scholarship-program for details and to begin the online application.
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