$6.7 Million Grant to Build a Sanctuary for Veterans' Healing and Renewal
Eve Baughman • January 14, 2025
Community Foundation Alliance, in conjunction with Warrick County Community Foundation, has received a grant of $6,715,058 from Lilly Endowment Inc. through the competitive Community Leadership Implementation Grants component of the eighth phase of its Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT VIII) initiative. This is one of 30 implementation grants awarded through GIFT VIII, a statewide Lilly Endowment initiative designed to support the efforts of community foundations and their partners to strengthen the quality of life for the people in the towns, cities, counties, and regions they serve.
With the grant, Warrick County Community Foundation, in collaboration with Gibson, Posey, and Vanderburgh Community Foundations, affiliates of the Community Foundation Alliance, Inc., are partnering with Mission First, Inc. to develop Sanctuary on the Hill.
Through collaborative community partnerships, Sanctuary on the Hill will be a retreat nestled on a tranquil 90-acre parcel of land in northern Warrick County that will offer a refuge for healing, treatment, and renewal for military veterans in the region and their families.
The Sanctuary will be built in three construction phases and will include an activity center, main lodge, cabins, horse barn and arena, and recreational amenities. This grant will fund phases two and three of construction. Phase one, the construction of the activity center, has already begun. Phase two will begin in early 2025. The Sanctuary will finish construction of its facilities and open to serve veterans from multiple military branches in the four-county region initially, with a plan to work with all Indiana veterans south of I-70.
“We envision this incredible regional asset as much more than a physical location where services are provided but as a place where veterans can feel like they belong,” said Jill Carpenter, President and CEO of the Community Foundation Alliance. “It is a hub for holistic support and a continuum of care. This investment aims to help veterans know they are appreciated, supported, and embraced by their community.”
All buildings and spaces are being developed through a strategic, phased approach, focused on creating a veteran-centric environment. The design will address the unique mental health needs of veterans. Key features include open sightlines, acoustic treatments, calming aesthetics, and ample personal space to promote safety and comfort. This sets the Sanctuary apart as a truly supportive and healing environment for veterans.
In 1990, Lilly Endowment launched the Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT) initiative to help establish and further develop community foundations throughout Indiana. Lilly Endowment hoped that Indiana’s community foundations could enhance the quality of life in their communities by convening conversations among people of diverse ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, occupations, races, and cultural traditions about their communities’ most compelling needs and opportunities, as well as the best ways to address them.
The Vanderburgh and Warrick County Community Foundations are now accepting applications for their annual Community Good Grants Program. Community Good grants provide funding to charitable organizations for new or ongoing programs and projects that meet a broad range of local needs. The deadline to submit applications is Friday, February 21, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Community Good Grants are awarded to charitable organizations located in or directly serving Vanderburgh and/or Warrick Counties. Funding is available to support various local needs, with priority given to organizations that demonstrate: Evidence of realistic organizational planning and management Project methodology with a preventative approach to addressing issues and solving problems Clear, actionable plans for program/project evaluation A commitment to promoting collaboration among organizations or institutions to prevent duplication of services A focus on long-term planning, financial stability, and sustainability For full details on funding requirements and to access the grant application, visit vanderburghcf.org/community-good-grants-program or warrickcountycf.org/community-good-grants-program New prospective grant applicants are encouraged to attend the virtual Grant Application Orientation Session on Monday, January 27, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. To RSVP, please email Sidney Hardgrave at shardgrave@communityfoundationalliance.org
The Women’s Fund of Warrick County awarded more than $27,000 in grants to eight local service organizations. The 2024 grant recipients represent a variety of organizations serving the needs of women and children in Warrick County. Albion Fellows Bacon Center received $1,343.19 to replace kitchen furniture in the emergency shelter kitchen. Immigrant Welcome and Resource Center received $5,000 to provide supportive services for immigrants in southwest Indiana. Isaiah 117 House received $5,000 to provide supplies such as clothing, shoes, toiletries, and blankets for Warrick County children who are going into foster care. Lampion Center received $5,000 to support mental health counseling services for Warrick County clients with limited financial resources. Newburgh Senior Center received $1,000 to support daily exercise classes . The Isaiah 1:17 Project received $3,000 to provide support for fostering families in Warrick County. Warrick County Ecumenical Soup Kitchen received $2,000 to support the weekly meal program for individuals facing financial hardship in Warrick County. Youth First received $5,000 to support the Student Assistance Program in Warrick County schools. Established in 2008, the Women’s Fund of Warrick County’s mission is to improve the quality of life in Warrick County by collectively funding significant grants to support local programs that give opportunities, encouragement, knowledge, and hope to the Warrick County community. Since its inception, the fund has awarded more than $306,000 in grants to improve lives in Warrick County. View past grant recipients. The Warrick County Women’s Fund is looking for new members who share a passion for supporting efforts that serve the most vulnerable members of our community. For more information or to become a member, contact Sarah Wagner, Regional Development Director at 812.429.1191, ext. 105, or swagner@communityfoundationalliance.org .
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!
Warrick County Community Foundation Now Accepting Applications for the 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program
WOMEN’S FUND OF WARRICK COUNTY ANNUAL GRANT CYCLE NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS
The Warrick County Community Foundation is now accepting online applications for their Community Good Grants Program. In recognition of the Warrick County Community Foundation’s 25 th Anniversary, grant requests will be considered for up to $25,000. The deadline to submit applications is Monday, February 12, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. The Community Foundation awards Community Good Grants to charitable partners located in or directly serving Warrick 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.warrickcountycf.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.
The Warrick County Community Foundation is pleased to announce the two recipients of the 2024 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Warrick County are Nathan Keller from Tecumseh High School and Owen Phillips from Boonville High School. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are known for their community involvement, academic achievement, character, and leadership. “Through this scholarship process, the nominating committee strives to identify students who excel academically and are active in both high school and community activities,” said Sidney Hardgrave, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact for the Warrick County Community Foundation. Nathan Keller is the son of Heather Siegfried. He is interested in becoming a lawyer. Nathan has participated in the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership program and enjoys volunteering with youth baseball and football camps and tutoring. At school, he is a member of the football, basketball, baseball, and track teams. Nathan is also a member of the Student Council and Academic Team. Owen Phillips is the son of Kasey and Tina Phillips. He is planning a career as a lawyer. Owen has served as an ambassador, volunteer, and mentor for the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership program. He also volunteers with Hope Central. Owen’s school activities include Student Government, Swim and Dive Team, the Boonville High School Newspaper, serving as a Pioneer Kick-Off Mentor, and participation in the Warrick County School Corporation Student Think Tank. 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 Warrick County’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholars nominees, consideration was given to academic achievement, school and community involvement, two essays, and an interview by the Scholarship 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. “Warrick County has many excellent students who are committed to their schools and communities. It is never easy for our committee to determine the recipients for the scholarship,” 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.
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.
On September 26, the Women’s Fund of Warrick County celebrated fourteen years of service to the community at their Wine & Women event and announced this year’s grant recipients totaling $32,440. Kate Moore, co-chair of the Women’s Fund announced the following 2023 grant recipients: Habitat for Humanity of Warrick County for the 2024 Habitat House; Holly’s House to support the child abuse prevention program offered in collaboration with Warrick County elementary schools; Lampion Center to support building a strong foundation for Warrick County families through high-quality mental health counseling services; Newburgh Senior Center to purchase a freezer; Tri-State Food Bank for the weekend backpack program serving Warrick County students; and Youth First for school-based prevention resources related to mental health concerns and substance abuse prevention in collaboration with the Warrick County School Corporation. As described by Stephanie Gerhardt, Co-Chair, “The Women’s Fund of Warrick County provides an opportunity for women to work together on projects and programs that improve our community, enhancing the places where we live, work, and play.” The event, held at the Friedman Park Event Center, included wine pairing and education by Pam Reimann with Wine-Oh! Tours and Events. A silent auction included original art from students attending Castle South Middle School, Evansville Christian School, and Tecumseh High School. Prime Time Pub and Grill catered for the event and Nick Smith provided musical entertainment. Event sponsors included Old Orchard Farms, ERA First Advantage Realty, and Dr. Rupal Juran. The Women’s Fund in Warrick County was established in 2009. Since then, the organization has granted $279,460 to local nonprofit organizations dedicated to serving the needs of our neighbors and striving to make Warrick County thrive. The Women’s Fund is welcoming new members who are passionate about improving the quality of life in Warrick County. More information is available on our website at www.warrickcountycf.org/womens-fund .
