The Posey County Council on Aging has been awarded a $65,000 grant from the Posey County Community Foundation’s Capital Improvement Project Grant program. This generous funding will enhance the center for local seniors, ensuring a better quality of life and increased accessibility. The Capital Improvement Project Grant was a targeted funding opportunity for non-profit organizations in the county with existing facilities. The Posey County Advisory Board identified 13 agencies eligible to apply, of which 8 submitted proposals by the deadline. After a thorough review process, five agencies were chosen as finalists. Committee members met with each finalist before presenting their recommendations to the entire Posey County Advisory Board, who then voted and made the final decision. This grant will fund improvements to the Council’s facilities, including upgrades to restrooms, installation of exterior security cameras, and the addition of automatic entrance doors. These enhancements aim to create a more welcoming environment that promotes community engagement and participation, particularly among Posey County’s aging population. “We are incredibly grateful to the Posey County Community Foundation for their support,” said Brooke Cohoon, Executive Director of the Posey County Council on Aging. “This grant will allow us to make vital improvements to our facility that will directly benefit our seniors.” Cohoon stated, “The Council is celebrating its 50 th Anniversary this year, so this was perfect timing for us to complete upgrades to the facility.” The Posey County Council on Aging is committed to addressing the needs of seniors in the community through various programs and services, including nutritional assistance, social activities, and educational workshops. It also provides transportation, Medicare Assistance, and homemaking services. “Investing in our senior community is essential,” said Amy Smith, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact, for the Posey County Community Foundation. “We believe this grant will make a significant impact on the quality of life for seniors in Posey County, and we are proud to support such a vital organization.” The Posey County Council on Aging looks forward to beginning the project and invites the community to stay tuned for updates on the progress and impact of these improvements. Learn more about the Posey County Council on Aging and its programs, please visit https://poseycoa.com/ . For more information about the Posey County Community Foundation activities, follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/poseycocommfoundation/ or visit www.poseycountycf.org .

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 a grant application no later than March 1, 2024. Applications will be considered from nonprofit organizations that are deemed tax-exempt under 501(c)(3) and 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). 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 monies if awarded, and to oversee the proposed project. The project or program must provide support in one of the following areas: · Community Development · Education · Environment · Health · Human Services · Youth Development The grant application process is being conducted online at https://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 Posey County Community Foundation. No lobbying or soliciting of the steering committee or board members will be permitted.

The Posey County Community Foundation is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2024 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Posey County – Lily Hagan of Mt. Vernon Senior High School. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are known for their community involvement, academic achievement, character, and leadership. “The nominating committee felt that Lily was the perfect choice as the recipient, not only is she a well-rounded student but also strives to be a role model to others, while her involvement in the community and volunteerism is outstanding”, said Amy Smith, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact for the Posey County Community Foundation. Lily is the daughter of Brian and Chelsea Hagan, of Evansville, Indiana, and plans to attend Indiana University or the University of Notre Dame to study Business Finance. In addition to excelling academically, she has been involved in a variety of school activities including the Student Council, National Honor Society, Business Professionals of America, Key Club, and FFA. Lily has received multiple honors and awards in music including being named Outstanding Musician and the Leonard Bernstein Musicianship Award. She performs with the MVHS Concert Band, Marching Band, and the Wolfgang Community Orchestra. Lily volunteers her time with Vanderburgh Humane Society, the Adopt-A-Highway program, and is the founder of Volunteer Bridge of Posey County, and Mentors for Music. She has held many leadership positions both in and out of school and has a strong work ethic. 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 Posey County’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholar nominee, consideration was given to academic achievement in completed course work, the difficulty of the high school curriculum, completion of college prep curriculum prior to graduation, community service, and volunteer activities 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. “This year we had 10 extremely talented students apply for the scholarship. Each student not only excelled academically but also participated in a wide range of extracurricular and community activities,” said Smith. She added, “The quality of the applications made the selection process difficult for the very dedicated committee, which thoroughly reviewed each application and scored fairly based on the set forth guidelines.” Scholarship award alternates were also announced. The first alternate, Rylee Schmuck will receive a scholarship from the Friends of Posey County Fund. Jackson Graff was named the second alternate. 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.

This year, donors to the Posey County Community Foundation are once again making scholarship awards available through the Community Scholarship Program. Applications must be received by midnight on Friday, February 2, 2024. “Many Foundation donors have honored their loved ones, high schools, or professions by endowing scholarship opportunities through the Foundation,” says Amy Smith, the Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact. “We administer scholarships established by individuals, families, and organizations to assist local students in pursuit of advanced education. Together, these scholarships make up our Community Scholarship Program.” Students may apply for one or more scholarships, as long as they meet the particular eligibility requirements. Details about each scholarship and the application are posted on the website at poseycountycf.org/scholarships . Eligibility requirements and selection criteria are determined by donors and are posted on the website. 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 midnight on Friday, February 2, 2024.

The Posey County Community Foundation has awarded $164,774.78 in grants to 35 local nonprofit organizations through its 2023 Community Good Grants program. This year’s grants provide flexible funding for a variety of charitable projects and organizations serving Posey County. This year’s grant recipients were: · $9,710.78 to the Town of Cynthiana for the Community Center to make improvements to the restroom to accommodate families and meet ADA requirements; · $5,000 to Youth First, Inc. to provide school-based Social Workers and community programs to strengthen 2300 youth and families in Posey County, at no cost to families; · $8,510 to Mount Vernon-Black Township Parks and Recreation to build a new office for the Maintenance Division; · $5,000 to Happy Feet Equals Learning Feet, Inc. to purchase 250 pairs of athletic-type shoes for the most disadvantaged elementary students in North Posey Schools; · $2,500 to the Junior Achievement of Southwestern Indiana to facilitate 81 JA experiences in Posey Co, serving 1,782 students, focusing on Work Readiness, Entrepreneurship, and Financial Literacy; · $8,000 to Thrive to provide high-quality, holistic afterschool programming to Mt. Vernon youth in K - 8th grade from West Elementary and the Junior High School; · $7,000 to the River Bend Food Pantry for the Summer Kids Program; · $2,100 to Bread of Life Ministry Inc. to pay the freight for donated food and to purchase food items at discounted prices to distribute to low-income families in the Tri-State area; · $2,595 to Family Matters of Posey County Indiana, Inc. to equip adults with a bike, helmet, and lock to enable them to seek employment, get to appointments, and meet basic transportation needs; · $5,000 to Zion Lippe United Church of Christ to assist in the food needs of the Posey County Food Pantries and United Caring Services Inc.; · $5,000 to Holly’s House, Inc. to teach skills to keep kids safe from abuse by providing child abuse prevention programming to elementary students; · $10,000 to the United Way of Posey County Inc. to support in-home projects for the elderly, disabled, and financially strapped individuals who own their homes to stay in them safer and longer; · $5,000.00 to the Habitat for Humanity of Evansville to build two homes in its service area of Posey County; · $3,500 to Trades for Tomorrow to provide hands-on experience at local building trade schools to better help kids decide on a career when the time comes; · $9,000 to the New Harmony Ministry Association for rent and utility assistance to residents living in the northern part of Posey County; · $5,000 to NewLife Rescue & Adoption, Inc. to cover the costs of spaying/neutering surgeries for the cats and dogs in Posey County; · $2,456 to the Posey County Domestic Violence Taskforce (WillowTree of Posey County) to Provide support and assistance to safe house residents; · $15,000 to Mount Vernon Youth Baseball to purchase a new building for storage of equipment such as the lawnmower, 4-wheeler, and other related equipment; · $5,000 to the MSD of Mt. Vernon to support the annual summer musical for K-12 students of Mt. Vernon; · $3,000 to At the Cross Mission to purchase food for families, children, the homeless, and anyone desiring a meal; · $5,616 to the Children's Learning Center of Posey County to resurface the parking lot, replace parking bummers, and striping; · $1,000 to Hope Outdoors Southern Indiana to minister to individuals with special needs through outdoor experiences at no cost to the participant or their family; · $4,150 to the Posey County Fair Association to replace the flooring of the community center, and partially fund the LED light project; · $2,500 to Deaconess Hospital Foundation to provide support in delivering mammography screening services and education to Posey County women in need; · $1,100 to Albion Fellows Bacon Center, Inc. for new safe rubber material to be installed under and around our current playground; · $1,500 to Chemo Buddies to purchase wigs, hats, accessories, and cosmetics; · $6,000 to Posey County Council on Aging to update computers and technology; · $1,500 to The Isaiah 1:17 Project for the Bags of Hope Program; · $8,437 to St. Matthew Catholic School to create a STEM lab providing the building materials and activities to allow students to develop their own science ingenuity; · $4,000 to the Griffin Community Ruritan Club Foundation, Inc. to restore the brick exterior where water is entering the building; · $2,000 to St. Wendel Catholic School to purchase wireless microphones and lighting equipment for the drama and music programs; · $2,000 to the Working Men's Institute to create a children's area within its library that is dedicated to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math); · $2,500 to Trotter House Posey County to renovate a room within our facility to become a boutique so we can provide supplies for women and their families in need; · $2,000 to Wolfgang Orchestra and Chorus for maintenance on existing instruments, including cleaning, adjustments, and replacing pads, felts, or corks; · $2,100 to Buffalo Trace Council-Boy Scouts of America to provide registration and membership assistance to Scouts in Posey County; Funding for the program is provided by donors and organizations establishing and donating to Community Good (Unrestricted) and Field of Interest Funds held by the Community Foundation. Those funds are: · Atkins Family Fund · CountryMark Black Township Fund · Morris Family Fund · Posey County Youth Council Fund · Rosella and Doyle Oursler Fund · Charles and Frances Crawford and Beth Ann Mosier Fund – Posey · ConAgra Fund · CountryMark Posey County Fund · Ella and Stanley Maynor Memorial Fund · Friends of Posey County Fund · German American Bancorp Community Fund – Posey · Heritage Federal Community Good Fund of Posey County · Memorial Fund of Posey County · Posey County Community Foundation Founders & Futures Endowment Fund · Posey County Veterans of Foreign Wars Fund · Robert and Carole Rust Fund · Smithville Charitable Foundation Fund of Posey County · Smithville Targeting Lasting Change Fund · Tom and Nelda Hickey Fund

Wildcats Remembered Fund held by the Posey County Community Foundation recently awarded a grant to the Mt. Vernon High School (MVHS) for $17,322.23. The grant was presented to students of MVHS along with vice-principal Mr. Ungetheim to provide further learning opportunities for students. The Wildcats Remembered Fund has made and continues to make a significant positive impact on MVHS by supporting a wide range of educational and extracurricular activities that benefit the school and its students. MVHS principal, Mr. Kyle Jones, commented “We greatly appreciate the support and generosity of Wildcats Remembered”. Jones added, “Every year we utilize the funds to offset graduation costs, then look at purchases that would increase achievement or develop leadership. Two years ago, we were able to purchase graphing calculators for the math department. This year, we want to bring in guest speakers on several topics”. MVHS has utilized past grant funds to purchase small engines for use in Ag classes, gaming chairs for the eSports team, covered registration fees for a student leadership conference, made upgrades in the media center, and paid for meals at the Academic Honors night. The Wildcats Remembered Fund is a designated fund created by G. Donald and Cecelia J. Goerlitz to benefit MVHS. Designated funds with the Posey County Community Foundation allow donors to support specific organizations in perpetuity. Over the past 29 years, the Wildcats Remembered community has carried Mr. & Mrs. Goerlitz's dream to fruition. Yearly donations are making a significant difference in the academic success of the students currently attending Mt. Vernon Senior High School. If you wish to learn more about the Wildcats Remembered Alumni/Enhancement Program, contact Wildcats Remembered, PO Box 120, Mount Vernon, IN 47620, or Mary Key Buchanan '74 at buchananme@mvschool.org .

The Community Foundation Alliance would like to congratulate staff member Amy Smith on her recent anniversary of employment. Smith selected Happy Feet Equals Learning Feet supporting Posey County schools to receive a $500 grant through the Generosity at Work Grant Program to recognize her work anniversary with the Alliance. The recently introduced Generosity at Work Grant Program enables Alliance staff members to contribute to the communities they serve by recommending a $500 grant to the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization of their preference through the Ronald L. Bauer Regional Fund on their work anniversary. Smith recently celebrated her second work anniversary as the Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact for Gibson and Posey counties – part of the nine-county footprint of Alliance affiliates. She identifies the needs of the community by working with community leaders through the grants and scholarships committees. Her work directly improves the well-being of residents in Gibson and Posey counties. Along with her community-impacting career, Smith serves on various nonprofit boards to further her passion for helping her community. Her $500 grant recommendation was to Happy Feet Equals Learning Feet for providing new shoes to students in Posey County. “I am passionate about the work of this organization. I have seen first-hand how students in need who are given a new pair of shoes turn into happy classroom contributors,” explained Smith. “2022 was the inaugural year of Happy Feet Equals Learning Feet in Posey County, during this time the organization was able to distribute over 330 pairs of new shoes and 900 pairs of new socks to students that met the eligibility criteria in the three elementary schools in the MSD of Mt. Vernon.” Smith discussed how after the first shoe distribution, she knew this program needed to be implemented throughout Posey County. She assisted with initial plans to expand to the MSD of North Posey. Smith added, “This year we will be able to reach students at all MSD of Mt. Vernon schools along with the two elementary schools in North Posey. My hope is that next year we will be in every school. This work is done strictly through donations received from sponsors and community members.” Happy Feet Equals Learning Feet was established in 2009 as an organization that provides a new pair of shoes to every student identified by the Family Resource Youth Service Center coordinator at each of the schools they serve. This program was developed to help remove one of the stumbling blocks to optimum school performance – a happy student becomes a better learner. Learn more at happyfeetequalslearningfeet.com . These grants are made possible by the Ronald L. Bauer Regional Fund, a community good fund established through his charitable remainder trust to benefit the Community Foundation Alliance’s regional grantmaking.

The Posey County Community Foundation welcomes one new advisory board member: Jim Alsop. Alsop joins the other dedicated business and community leaders volunteering their time and talents to grow our impact within the community. This fiscal year’s advisory board also includes Hans Schmitz (president), Dr. Kathryn Lee-Kalsch (vice president), Ashley Dorsam (secretary), Maureen Barton, Michael Harshbarger, Kathy Kanowsky, Jane Koch, Jake McGennis, Joy Millay, Tony Noelle, Josh Orem, Jody Pfister, Shelley Powell, and Weston Stewart. Volunteer members of the advisory board play a vital role in the success of the Community Foundation. They focus on local asset development, learning about the community’s greatest needs and nonprofits that support those needs, and recommending grants and scholarships. "The active participation of community members on our advisory board is essential to the achievements of our mission. Through their dedicated volunteering, they tirelessly contribute their time to ensure that the contributions from donors consistently create a positive influence on the well-being of individuals in Posey County," said advisory board president, Hans Schmitz. While the Posey County Community Foundation is an affiliate of the Community Foundation Alliance, at least one county advisory board member serves as a county representative on the Alliance Board. This fiscal year's representatives are Jodi Giles and Hans Schmitz. For more information about the Posey County Community Foundation activities, follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/poseycocommfoundation or visit www.poseycountycf.org .

The 2024 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship (LECSP) application is now available in Posey County through the Posey County Community Foundation. The LECSP will provide 147 scholarships statewide and one scholarship in Posey County. LECSP scholarships may be used for otherwise unreimbursed full tuition, required fees, and a special allocation of up to $900 per year. The special allocation may cover the costs for required books and required equipment for four years of undergraduate study on a full-time basis leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university. The program, administered statewide by Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) and locally in Posey County through the Posey County Community Foundation, is open to all Indiana residents who: • graduate from an accredited Indiana high school by 2024 and receive their diploma no later than June 30, 2024; • intend to pursue a full-time baccalaureate course of study at an eligible college or university in Indiana; and • meet the criteria specific to their local Community Foundation. Students can learn more about the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship in Posey County and apply for this scholarship by visiting https://www.poseycountycf.org/lilly-endowment-community-scholarship-program . Applications must be completed and submitted by Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at 12:00 pm (noon) to be considered. Applications will be evaluated on, but not limited to, the following criteria: GPA, curriculum, community service, volunteer activities, essay, personal statement/unusual circumstances, work experience, honors and awards, school activities, financial need, or special hardships, and interview. Three finalists will be nominated by the Posey County Community Foundation, and their names will be submitted to ICI for final selection of the recipients. Scholarship recipients will be notified in December. Lilly Endowment created LECSP for the 1997-98 school year and has supported the program every year since with tuition grants totaling more than $486 million. More than 5,000 Indiana students have received Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships since the program’s inception. The primary purposes of the LECSP 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. Community Foundation name is again pleased to offer LECSP for its 27th year in Posey County. “The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship is a great opportunity for Posey County high school seniors and I am excited to be a part of the process that will recognize students’ achievements and goals. This scholarship will enormously impact the recipient’s life, and help them excel in their educational endeavors and beyond,” said Amy Smith, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact for the Posey County Community Foundation.