RCCF donors are known for their generosity. Since August 2024, eleven new funds have been created to support the community in various ways.

At community foundations, donations are managed through “funds.” Donors who make significant contributions that meet certain thresholds can establish a fund. They decide its charitable purpose—such as awarding a scholarship, supporting a specific organization, or addressing general community needs—and set any rules for awarding the money. They also get to name their fund.

Most RCCF funds are permanent, also known as endowments. These are invested to generate earnings, with a portion distributed each year as grants or scholarships. The original donation stays invested, ensuring ongoing support for the community.

Donors starting each of the new Community Funds took advantage of a $2:$1 through Lilly Endowment Inc.’s GIFT VIII initiative to maximize their impact. All donors started their funds to make a positive impact for their community.

New RCCF Funds

• Manilla Community Volunteer Fire Department Fund: This fund was started by an anonymous donor on 8/22/2024 to provide annual support to the Manilla Community Volunteer Fire Department.
• Harcourt Family Scholarship Fund: Started by Carl and Barbara Harcourt on 10/9/2024, honoring Russell and Betty B. Harcourt, Marilyn Hardwick Woods, Maurita Ball, Betty Spyrison and Sharalie Harcourt, this fund provides a scholarship award to residents of Orange or Anderson Township in Rush County for any schooling beyond high school.
• RHS Class of 1964 Community Fund: Anita Mohr and Chris Levi, alongside numerous classmates, started this unrestricted fund in honor of their graduating class on 9/24/2025.
• RCHS Class of 1975 Community Fund: Started by anonymous donors to honor the graduating class of 1975 to support the ever-changing needs and interests of the Rush County community with an unrestricted fund on 11/15/2024.
• Winkler-Smith Family Community Fund: Priscilla Winkler, Charles and Lurinda Smith, and Melissa Winkler combined their contributions to start this unrestricted fund on 11/18/2024.
• Jim Payne Family Community Fund: Bryan and Deb Garlock started this unrestricted fund on 11/26/2024 in honor of Deb’s dad, Jim, for his 90th birthday.
• J.B. and Shelly Gardner Family Community Fund: An unrestricted fund started by J.B. and Shelly Gardner on 11/27/2024.
• Doug and Lonnie May Family Community Fund: An unrestricted fund started by the May family on 12/16/2024.
• Grow Kindness Community Fund: An unrestricted fund started by anonymous donors on 12/23/2024.
• Holly Bess Community Fund: An unrestricted fund started in memory of Holly by her husband, Brian, and their family on 12/30/2024.
• RCHS Class of 1976 Community Fund: An unrestricted fund started by anonymous donors to honor the graduating class of 1976 on 1/3/2025.

Appreciated assets, like gifts of stock or QCDs (Qualified Charitable Distributions) from IRAs, are additional options for donations that may make better financial sense for you.

We are grateful to these donors for their generosity and investment in the Rush County community for generations to come!

If you would like to learn more or start your own fund, please get in touch with Chris May, Executive Director, at cmay@rushcountyfoundation.org or (765) 938-1177, ext. 1. Thank you!