Donors establish Field of Interest Funds to support a particular cause or area of life that they care about. It’s a way to create permanent funding for what matters most to them.

Round 1 of the Field of Interest Grants totaled $16,274.51. Round 2 has been approved by our board of directors. Included are four grants from the Rush County Education Fund in the amount of $4,640, which was just 48% of the total dollars requested. The Molly Spaeth Fund for Transformation and Well-Being paid out its first ever grant this year. The Music for Rush County Fund made a second grant.

We are pleased to announce that grants for round 2 totaled $8,375.49, bringing the grand total to $24,650.

Rush County Education Fund: $4,640

• Milroy Elementary School was is need of new physical education equipment. A grant of $750 will help them purchase it and transition their physical education classes to a more fitness-focused program. 

  Students will be evaluated using the following fitness metrics: skill development, mobility, stability, strength capacity, aerobic capacity, anaerobic capacity, and overall fitness. They’ll also be evaluated on their understanding of these metrics, their participation, and attendance.

Why this grant matters: Recent studies show that obesity, inactivity, depression, and anxiety are at an all-time high, putting students’ health and wellness at risk more than ever before. Plus, schools post-Covid are facing new and challenging behavioral issues. Student academic performance overall is on the decline. Exercise and physical education activities have been universally proven to positively counteract all these issues and is considered one of the best solutions to solve these problems.

• The RCHS Color Guard performs at football and basketball games as well as community parades. With old equipment badly in need of repairs and an increase in students participating, they simply don’t have what they need to perform. This grant of $820 will help them purchase additional flags and poles giving them a more vibrant appearance and add arcs, which are spinning props that develop a different set of skills.

Why this grant matters: The Guard anticipates a better match between their music and their program. Several Guard members have expressed interest in continuing participation at the college level. The new arcs will allow these students to develop new skills to make them more competitive when trying out for collegiate teams.

• RCHS is offering a new dual credit course, “Principles of Digital Design.” Students learn photography basics, color theory, typography, print design, problem solving, and Photoshop. They will earn college credit, too.

  With 28 students and only 5 cameras available, this grant of $1,622.50 will purchase additional cameras. This will allow students more time to focus on making photos and being creative instead of worrying about time constraints and sharing equipment.

Why this grant matters: Students will gain experience in applying design theory, ideas and creative problem solving, critical peer evaluation, and presentation skills. They will also earn college credits for successful completion of this course, saving them both time and money.

• RCHS’ yearbook, The Holcad, is produced entirely by students. The cameras currently in use are outdated and many are broken. The cameras affect the quality of the finished product.

  With a grant of $1,447.50  they will purchase new cameras that will produce clearer photos, perform better in low light, and offer advanced features. Yearbook staff will be able to capture key events and memories to create the best possible finished yearbook for the entire student body to enjoy.

  Why this grant matters: Students will improve organizational and project management skills. They will learn how to plan photo shoots, manage time effectively, and organize their workflow to meet deadlines. Working together on photo shoots and layout design will foster teamwork and collaboration.

Molly Spaeth Fund for Transformation and Well-Being: $2,005.77

• Half of this grant will purchase fuel only gift cards for clients of Rush County Victims Assistance: Phoenix House to help with transportation needs. Cards will be purchased locally.

  The remaining half will purchase supplies for their crisis shelter such as personal care items, paper products, cleaning supplies, and diapers/baby products.

  Why this grant matters: Survivors of domestic abuse experience trauma from being controlled by their abusers. RCVA empowers their clients by providing safe shelter and supportive services so they and their families can start new lives free from abuse. By helping them with transportation and basic needs, they can focus on healing and living productive lives.

Music for Rush County Fund: $1,729.72

• The mission of Rush County Chorale is to provide quality choral music to entertain, inspire, and educate the community.  It also provides an opportunity for singers to learn how to sing and perform quality choral music.

This grant will sustain the operations of the Chorale.

Why this grant matters: Whether someone is on stage performing or in the audience listening, live music provides social connection, reduces stress, improves mood. and increases happiness.