The Women’s Fund of Posey County, a fund with the Posey County Community Foundation, is now accepting applications for projects or programs supporting Posey County. Nonprofit organizations are encouraged to apply by completing the grant application no later than March 3, 2025. The Community Foundation welcomes funding requests from nonprofit organizations that are deemed tax-exempt under sections 501(c)(3) and 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code and from governmental agencies serving the county. Applications submitted by an entity under the auspices of another agency must include a written statement signed by the agency’s board president on behalf of the board of directors agreeing to act as the entity’s fiscal sponsor, to receive grant funds if awarded, and to oversee the proposed project. The project or program must provide support in one of the following areas: · Arts and Culture · Community Development · Education · Environment · Health · Human Services · Youth Development Eligible nonprofit organizations can learn more and apply at www.poseycountycf.org/womens-fund-grants-program . The Women’s Fund Steering Committee will review funding requests and contact grant applicants for an interview. Once interviews have concluded, the steering committee will make its recommendations on funding to the Community Foundation Alliance Board of Directors. No lobbying or soliciting of the steering committee or board members will be permitted.  To learn more, contact Amy Smith, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact at asmith@communityfoundationalliance.org.

The Posey County Community Foundation is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Posey County – Lora Commens, North Posey High School. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are known for their community involvement, academic achievement, character, and leadership. Scholarship award alternates were also announced. The first alternate, Maggie McCutchan, will receive a scholarship from the Friends of Posey County Fund. Shelby Lang was named the second alternate. “The nominating committee unanimously agreed that Lora was the ideal choice for this honor. She is not only a well-rounded student but also strives to be a role model for others,” said Amy Smith, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact for the Posey County Community Foundation. Smith continued, “This year, 17 exceptionally talented students applied for the scholarship. Each one excelled academically and actively participated in a wide variety of extracurricular and community activities. The quality of the applications made the selection process challenging for the dedicated committee, who carefully reviewed and fairly scored each submission according to the established guidelines.” 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 so grateful for this amazing opportunity and appreciate the support (Lilly Endowment Inc.) will provide me as I continue my academic journey through college,” said Lora Commens, 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar. In determining Posey County’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholar nominees, consideration was given to GPA, curriculum, community service and volunteer activities, essay, personal statement, work experience, honors and awards, school activities, financial need, and finalist 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. 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.