Your Impact Update

We are thrilled to share with you that we’ve received a new $5M grant from Lilly Endowment through their GIFT VIII initiative!

By the time you’re reading this, work will have already begun on the Rush County Rural Revitalization plan. What does this mean? We’re glad you asked.

It will enhance life and improve opportunities in our small towns and unincorporated areas by:

Expanding broadband access into the County by laying 45 miles of fiber infrastructure in tandem with other projects
Purchasing and demolishing blighted properties to allow for new infill housing and offering owner-occupied rehabilitation grants
Enhancing recreational opportunities through parks, playgrounds, and river access points

This funding has the potential to change the trajectory of Rush County. Please join us in thanking Lilly Endowment for their continued investment in our future! READ MORE

GIFT VIII UPDATE

Your amazing generosity has completed the GIFT VIII match opportunity and added $1,237,500 to RCCF’s assets! Thank you!

GRANTS

The latest cycle of Community Grants awarded $39,989 in grants this fall, thanks to your generosity. Read more about these awards and why they matter to our community.

2024 CYCLE II: $39,989

$10,000: Firefly Children & Family Alliance purchased diapers for First5’s From the Bottom Up Diaper Pantry and are offering Safe Sleep classes and car seat education to approximately 60 families.
$15,000: Gleaners Food Bank stocked school-based pantries at Milroy Elementary and RCHS for students and their families with 145,000 pounds of food.
$5,000: The Giving Krue received operating support to carry out their mission of distributing no longer need, donated items to those who can use them.
$7,988.75: Rush County 4-H Horse and Pony Club added a set of bleachers to their arena.

2024 FIELD OF INTEREST FUND GRANTS: $24,650

When RCCF donors care about a certain cause or area of life, they might choose to start a field of interest fund to support it. Our 18 field of interest funds cover a diverse range of topics – from autism to food insecurity, and music to youth philanthropy. These funds offer specialized streams of support to nonprofits and schools and unique opportunities for donors like you to give to specific causes that are close to your heart.

ALEX WORKMAN MEMORIAL FUND: $954.51

$681.77: Rushville Elementary purchased toys support students on the Autism Spectrum.
$272.74: RCHS Life Skills Class purchased musical instruments and supplies to support students with severe to moderate mental and physical disabilities.

BOB PRIDDY SPORTS PARTNER FUND: $240

Three youth received assistance with football camp registration fees.

HELEN AND JIM EWING FUND: $10,000

Rush County Community Assistance Food Pantry purchased fresh and shelf-stable milk for their clients.

MOLLY SPAETH FUND FOR TRANSFORMATION AND WELL-BEING: $2,005.77

Rush County Victims Assistance: Phoenix House purchased “fuel only” gift cards for clients and supplies for the shelter. This is the first grant awarded from this fund.

MUSIC FOR RUSH COUNTY FUND: $2,479.72

$1,729.72: Rush County Chorale received operating support.
$750: Rushville Elementary purchased instruments, sheet music, and recording supplies.

RITA YAGER MEMORIAL AG FUND: $1,830

$1,500: Rush County Community Assistance Food Pantry purchased supplies for the Food is Medicine Program, healthy cooking classes they will offer at the Love Community Center.
$330: Rush County Farm Bureau purchased copies of the Dr. Seuss book Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You? for all Rush County first graders.

ROBERT & GLEELA BALDSIN FUND FOR EARLY LEARNING: $2,500

The families of 3 Rush County students received a total of $2,500 to help offset the cost of attending a Paths to Quality Level 3 or 4 preschool.

RUSH COUNTY EDUCATION FUND: $4,640

$750: Milroy Elementary purchased new physical education equipment.
$820: RCHS Color Guard purchased additional flags and poles.
$1,622.50: RCHS dual credit course, “Principles of Digital Design” purchased additional cameras.
$1,447.50: RCHS’ yearbook, The Holcad purchased additional cameras.

NEW FUNDS

Our donors are known for their generosity. Since September, eleven new funds have been created to support the community in various ways. Donors for each of the new community funds took advantage of the match to triple their impact. We’re touched by the stories and grateful for the generous hearts of our donors!

Doug and Lonnie May Family Community Fund: Started by the May Family.
Grow Kindness Community Fund: Started by anonymous donors.
Harcourt Family Scholarship Fund: Started by Carl and Barbara Harcourt, honoring Russell and Betty B. Harcourt, Marilyn Hardwick Woods, Maurita Ball, Betty Spyrison and Sharalie Harcourt, this fund provides a scholarship to residents of Orange or Anderson Township in Rush County for any schooling beyond high school.
Holly Bess Community Fund: Started in memory of Holly by her husband, Brian, and their family.
J.B. and Shelly Gardner Family Community Fund: Started by J.B. and Shelly Gardner to support the ever-changing needs and interests of the Rush County community with an unrestricted community fund.
Jim Payne Family Community Fund: Bryan and Deb Garlock started this unrestricted fund in honor of Deb’s dad, Jim, for his 90th birthday.
Manilla Community Volunteer Fire Department Fund: This fund was started by an anonymous donor to provide annual support to the Manilla Community Volunteer Fire Department.
RCHS Class of 1975 Community Fund: Started by anonymous donors to honor the graduating class of 1975 with an unrestricted fund.
RCHS Class of 1976 Community Fund: Started by anonymous donors to honor the graduating class of 1976.
RHS Class of 1964 Community Fund: Anita Mohr and Chris Levi, alongside numerous classmates, started this unrestricted fund in honor of their graduating class.
Winkler – Smith Family Community Fund: Priscilla Winkler, Charles and Lurinda Smith, and Melissa Winkler combined their contributions to start this unrestricted fund.

JENNA LAWLER: 2025 LILLY ENDOWMENT COMMUNITY SCHOLAR

Please join us in congratulating the 2025 Rush County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Recipient, Jenna Lawler! She is the daughter of Nancy Starke and Brad Lawler and lives in Center Township. Jenna plans to attend Purdue University and major in Food Science with a focus on policy. Boiler up! READ MORE

Rush County Community Foundation