On December 23, 2020, the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County lost a dear friend. John D. “Jack ” Mulholland, age 93, was the first Executive Director of the Foundation and served on the board for many years after his tenure at the Foundation ended.
On December 23, 2020, the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County lost a dear friend. John D. “Jack ” Mulholland, age 93, was the first Executive Director of the Foundation and served on the board for many years after his tenure at the Foundation ended.
Thirty years ago, when the idea of starting the Community Foundation was first being considered, some skeptics thought Bloomington might not be ready, or large enough, to support such an organization and to see it thrive. There were also concerns that the Community Foundation might compete with other charitable organizations for philanthropic dollars.
Many founding members, such as Tomilea Allison, Charlotte Zietlow, Bill C. Brown, and John Fernandez, were undeterred. They knew that the Community Foundation could serve a broader purpose, to help address pressing needs, to support compelling opportunities, and to benefit many nonprofits and the community long into the future.
Tomilea Allison, who served as the Mayor of Bloomington from 1983 to 1995, reached out to then Indiana University Chancellor Herman B Wells for advice. Wells strongly supported the idea and actively recruited Jack Mulholland from Indiana University to serve as the Community Foundation’s first executive director. Jack eagerly jumped into the role, volunteering countless hours to steward the foundling organization. It wasn’t long before Jack was known around town as the Foundation’s “a-dollar-a-year man” because his salary as director was only $1.
Jack recognized the important role that the Foundation could play in supporting nonprofits and our community in perpetuity. He passionately advocated for others to support this new organization. Under his leadership and aided by a passionate volunteer board member named Ilknur Ralston, the Community Foundation began to thrive.
“The passing of Jack Mulholland is a sharp reminder of his signal role in the nurturance of our now magnificent community foundation,” said Allison. “And after those crucial early years, Jack and his wife, Pat, continued to support the foundation with generous gifts to support local nonprofits in perpetuity.”
Because of Jack’s dedication and leadership, the Foundation has continued to bring together people and resources to make a difference in Monroe County. In fact, it was Jack who advocated for broadening the scope and name of the Community Foundation to include Monroe County, not just the city of Bloomington. Since Jack’s time as executive director, the Community Foundation has grown its endowment to $33.5 million and granted $27 million to more than 400 nonprofit organizations.
We are indebted to Jack for positioning the Foundation for long-term success, and we are confident that Monroe County’s future is brighter thanks to him. On behalf of a grateful community, our thoughts are with all those that loved and cherished Jack, including his wife of 66 years, Pat, his three daughters Gail, Joyce, and Wendy, and their families, including seven grandchildren.
If you are interested in making a memorial contribution, the family has designated the John D. and Patricia W. Mulholland Fund at the Community Foundation to honor Jack Mulholland. Donate Now.
The Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe Country has announced Monroe County’s 2021 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship recipients.
The Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe Country has announced Monroe County’s 2021 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship recipients. High school seniors John Beggs and Lucia Walker will each receive a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to an Indiana public or private college of their choosing. In addition to the cost of tuition, they will receive a $900 annual stipend for books and other required materials.
“It is our pleasure to introduce John and Lucia as Monroe County’s 2021 Lilly Scholars, an honor they have each earned and deserve,” said Community Foundation President and CEO Tina Peterson. “Both of these exceptional young scholars have exhibited a commitment beyond their years to service and to community. If you are looking for affirmation that the future holds promise, I invite you to learn more about John and Lucia: inspirational leaders and admirable human beings.”
John Beggs is a senior at Bloomington High School South and the son of William and Sarah Beggs. He is a member of Bloomington High School South’s Student Council, Debate Team, Optimist School Newspaper, Sounds of South, and Men’s Tennis. John is also a volunteer tutor with Boys and Girls Clubs of Bloomington and a youth leader at Sherwood Oaks Christian Church.
In 2018, John created the Middle Ground Club in response to the school shooting in Parkland, Florida. The club began as a way for students with opposing views to have a respectful discussion on gun control in person rather than social media. The club fostered productive in-person conversations between students on issues in which they disagree and served as a model for teens to engage in thoughtful dialogue on many other topics.
“I am beyond grateful to have been chosen as one of this year’s Lilly Scholars,” said John Beggs. “Thank you to my teachers, coaches, Counselor Ms. Grant, and Principal Mr. Fletcher for your support throughout the past four years. Being a Lilly Scholar carries with it an incredible responsibility, and I promise I will do my best to live up to it.”
Lucia Walker is also a senior Bloomington High School South and the daughter of Maria Izzo Walker and Ron Walker Jr. She is president of Bloomington High School South Student Council, and a member of the National Honor Society, Panther Activity Council, Dance Marathon for Riley Hospital for Children, Leadership Opportunities Through Service, and Bloomington Pride Girls Lacrosse. An avid performer, Lucia has been in 10 musical theater productions with Cardinal Stage. She has also starred in shows with Sounds of South, sung the national anthem at numerous sporting events, and directed the youth Christmas pageant at St. Paul Catholic Center.
This year, Lucia helped to create Future Voters Bloomington, a student-run organization whose goal is to encourage and help young people register to vote. Serving as president, Lucia gathered student volunteers and organized a digital democracy drive. In three days, the group reached out to more than 500 students, confirmed 300 registrations, and helped more than 25 students to register to vote for the first time.
“Words cannot fully express how honored and grateful I am to receive the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship,” said Lucia Walker. “I would like to thank the Lilly Endowment and the Community Foundation for this amazing opportunity, as well as my wonderful family, friends, mentors, and all of my MCCSC teachers for their support over the years. I am excited to continue my education in the state of Indiana, and I look forward to using this scholarship to have a positive impact here in the future.”
The Community Foundation has also announced Monroe County’s eight other 2021 Lilly Scholarship finalists will each receive $1,000 scholarships to use at a college or university of their choosing:
Hannah Browning, Lighthouse Christian Academy
Ethan Cantrell, Bloomington High School North
Darby FitzSimmons, Bloomington High School South
Solveig Ksander Hicks, Bloomington High School North
Josephine Sparks, Bloomington High School South
Moya Stringer, Bloomington High School South
Kaitlyn Young, Bloomington High School North
Katherine Zinkan, Bloomington High School South
“In a challenging year for many of us, these amazing students have been a beacon of hope for the future,” said Jessika Hane, chair of the Community Foundation’s Scholarship Selection Committee. “This year’s Lilly Scholarship applicants are an inspiring group of young people doing amazing things in their schools and communities. I know I speak for the entire scholarship committee when I say that we are confident these students will lead successful careers and make a difference in Indiana and beyond.”
Monroe County’s Lilly Scholarship Application Process
Monroe County’s Lilly Scholarship recipients were selected from among 117 applications submitted by students from Monroe County high schools. Applications for the 2021 scholarship were blindly reviewed and independently scored by members of a scholarship committee at each Monroe County high school to identify 21 semifinalists. The number of semifinalists identified is reflective of each school’s senior class size. See complete list of semifinalists.
Each semifinalist was invited to submit an updated application, which included additional content and references from school and other community members, to be considered for the finalist round. The Community Foundation Scholarship Selection Committee then evaluated the completed semifinalist applications. This committee, which comprises community members and former Monroe County Lilly Scholars, blindly reviewed and scored applications from the semifinalists to select ten finalists. In selecting recipients for the Monroe County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship, consideration is given to student activities and achievements, community and civic service, academic performance, and leadership potential.
The finalists then participated in virtual interviews with the Foundation’s Scholarship Selection Committee, and their interview scores were combined with scoring from their written applications. The finalists’ rankings, along with the committee’s recommendations for scholarship nominees, were submitted to Independent Colleges of Indiana, Inc. for final selection of scholarship recipients for Monroe County.
About The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program:
Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are awarded four-year, full-tuition scholarships to pursue baccalaureate degrees at colleges or universities in Indiana. The scholarship also includes up to $900 annually for required textbooks and equipment.
Since the Lilly Endowment Scholarship Program’s inception in 1998, over $424 million in scholarship tuition has been provided. Administered statewide by Independent Colleges of Indiana, Inc. with local support from Indiana community foundations, 4,912 Indiana high school students have been awarded the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship.
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.
Previous Lilly scholarship recipients from Monroe County:
2020
Nicholas Graef (Edgewood); declined – United States Air Force Academy
About Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County:
Created by individuals, families, and businesses who share a passion for Monroe County and a vision for its future, the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County has granted $30 million to more than 400 local nonprofit organizations since its incorporation in 1990. With a growing $33.5 million endowment, the Foundation makes a difference by connecting caring people, important causes, and community resources.
We’re celebrating 30 years of generosity and impact in Monroe County.! Take a virtual walk down memory lane with us.
We are so thankful for our Community Foundation friends and family! As part of our 30th birthday celebration, we asked some of our friends to share what drives their generosity to our community. Check out our Anniversary web page to see their stories and more stories of impact from our first 30 years.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and increased demand for mental health services, the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County has awarded eight grants totaling $150,000.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and increased demand for mental health services, the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County has awarded eight grants totaling $150,000.
Grant funding will be used to enhance or expand the capacity of health programs and services to provide mental, emotional, and behavioral health supports in Monroe County.
“The impact of this pandemic on people’s emotional well-being cannot be overstated,” said President and CEO Tina Peterson. “Fear, anxiety, isolation, and the uncertainty associated with this crisis have all contributed to an increased demand for mental health services. While our community’s nonprofits and schools are going above and beyond to provide care and services, we know that they need help to meet the acute demand for mental health programs and support. This grant opportunity will help improve the capacity and resiliency of these organizations to address the needs of individuals of every age and background in our community.”
The eight Resilient Community Mental Health Grants range from $5,000 to $25,000.
Bloomington Housing Authority to support the Mental Health Lending Library. This library will include 10 WiFi and Internet-enabled tablets with video conferencing capability for residents to check out for telehealth/mental health-related needs.
Boys and Girls Clubs of Bloomington to expand the Youth Mental Health Bridges pilot program. This collaborative program with Catholic Charities began as a pilot at the Ferguson Crestmont Club last year. This grant will expand the program to all three clubs with onsite training and materials to empower staff to better recognize and respond to youth members’ mental health and behavioral needs.
Catholic Charities to partially fund an additional mental health therapist. This therapist specializes in working with clients on the Autism spectrum and will allow the agency to treat more adults and teens on the agency’s waiting list.
Centerstone to partially fund a recovery coach for Kinser Flats residents. The Kinser Flats residential program will offer permanent housing and mental/behavioral health services for previously homeless individuals and families impacted by substance use disorders.
Harmony School to help fund an intern from the IU Master of Social Work program. Working with students demonstrating extreme anxiety and learning difficulties, this intern will apply therapeutic activities that identify areas where kids are struggling and help them modify behaviors and develop coping skills.
LifeDesigns to help fund a board-certified behavior analyst. This health care professional will support clients with challenging behaviors and provide ongoing training to staff on positive behavior modification techniques.
The Project School to fund a support services intern. This intern will grow the school’s capacity to provide both trauma-induced and ongoing mental health supports for students and families.
Richland Bean Blossom Community Schools to fund Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI) training for all employed adult staff. TBRI training focuses on building trust and safety as foundational components to addressing students’ social and emotional needs and behavioral and learning challenges.
“We are grateful for the attention Community Foundation has given to mental health needs in this community,” said O’Connell Case, clinical director at Catholic Charities in Bloomington. “Thanks to this grant funding, we are able to increase our capacity to provide mental health services to approximately 100 more individuals/families and 1,000 more sessions annually.”
“We are tremendously grateful for the visionary support of the Community Foundation for this generous grant to increase our capacity for wrap-around services for students and families,” added Amy Jackson, philanthropy & outreach director at the Project School. “This grant will allow us to train a new individual in the field, and expand our ability to support all students, so that they develop increased resilience and life success.”
About Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County:
Created by individuals, families, and businesses who share a passion for Monroe County and a vision for its future, the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County has granted $30 million to more than 400 local nonprofit organizations since its incorporation in 1990. With a growing $34 million endowment, the Foundation makes a difference by connecting caring people, important causes, and community resources.
Ten high school seniors have been selected as finalists for the 2021 Monroe County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program. We hope you will join us in congratulating these phenomenal students!
Ten high school seniors have been selected as finalists for the 2021 Monroe County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program. We hope you will join us in congratulating these phenomenal students:
Monroe County’s 2021 Lilly Scholarship finalists include:
John Beggs, Bloomington High School South
Hannah Browning, Lighthouse Christian Academy
Ethan Cantrell, Bloomington High School North
Darby FitzSimmons, Bloomington High School South
Solveig Ksander Hicks, Bloomington High School North
Josephine Sparks, Bloomington High School South
Moya Stringer, Bloomington High School South
Lucia Walker, Bloomington High School South
Kaitlyn Young, Bloomington High School North
Katherine Zinkan, Bloomington High School South
“This year’s Lilly Scholarship finalists represent a dynamic group of individuals who have achieved as students while also giving back to their communities in remarkable ways,” said Tina Peterson, Community Foundation’s president and CEO.
Among their many accomplishments, this year’s Monroe County Lilly Scholarship finalists have led more than 25 school organizations, displayed their talents in art, music, dance, theater, writing, and poetry, and excelled as athletes in soccer, cross country, volleyball, track, lacrosse, and swimming.
These civic-minded students have led efforts to engage young people in community government and encouraged their peers to register to vote. They have advocated for a greener environment through new local efforts and global initiatives. As selfless members of the community, they have also volunteered for 30 local organizations, including St. Vincent de Paul, Habitat for Humanity, Hoosier Hills Food Bank, WonderLab, Salvation Army, City of Bloomington Parks and Rec, Community Kitchen, Best Buddies, Meals on Wheels, Boys and Girls Clubs of Bloomington, and many others.
“While we always regret that only two of these amazing finalists will ultimately receive the Lilly Scholarship, each one inspires great confidence in this generation of young people,” added Peterson. “It would be our hope that many of our finalists ultimately elect to stay in Indiana for school and begin their careers as Hoosiers.”
Monroe County’s Lilly Scholarship Application Process
Monroe County’s Lilly Scholarship finalists were selected from among 21 semifinalists and 117 applications submitted by students from Monroe County high schools.
Applications for the 2021 scholarship were blindly reviewed and independently scored by members of a scholarship committee at each Monroe County high school to identify 21 semifinalists. The number of semifinalists identified is reflective of each school’s senior class size. See complete list of semifinalists.
Each semifinalist was invited to submit an updated application, which included additional content and references from school and other community members, to be considered for the finalist round. The Community Foundation Scholarship Selection Committee then evaluated the completed semifinalist applications. This committee, which comprises members of the community and former Monroe County Lilly Scholars, blindly reviewed and scored applications from the semifinalists to select ten finalists. In selecting recipients for the Monroe County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship, consideration is given to student activities and achievements, community and civic service, academic performance, and leadership potential.
The finalists will participate in interviews this week, and their interview scores will be combined with scoring from the written application. The finalists’ rankings, along with the committee’s recommendations for scholarship nominees, will be submitted to Independent Colleges of Indiana, Inc. for final selection of scholarship recipients for Monroe County. The two 2021 Lilly Endowment Community Scholars for Monroe County will be named in December 2020.
About The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program:
Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are awarded four-year, full-tuition scholarships to pursue baccalaureate degrees at colleges or universities in Indiana. The scholarship also includes up to $900 annually for required textbooks and equipment.
Since the Lilly Endowment Scholarship Program’s inception in 1998, over $404 million in scholarship tuition has been provided. Including scholars from the 23rd cohort, which started their college careers this fall, 4,769 students have received full-tuition Lilly scholarships. The Lilly Scholarship program is administered by Independent Colleges of Indiana and community foundations in each of Indiana’s 92 counties.
About Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County:
Created by individuals, families, and businesses who share a passion for Monroe County and a vision for its future, the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County has granted $30 million to more than 400 local nonprofit organizations since its incorporation in 1990. With a growing $33.5 million endowment, the Foundation makes a difference by connecting caring people, important causes, and community resources.
Funding will be used to enhance or expand the capacity of local health programs, services, or organizations to provide mental, emotional, and behavioral health supports in Monroe County
Resilient Community Mental Health Grant requests due on Oct 12 and will be awarded on Oct 23
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and increased demand for mental health services, the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County has announced a new grant opportunity for nonprofits, schools, government entities, and other exempt organizations. The Resilient Community Mental Health Grants initiative will award grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 to nonprofits that serve residents in Monroe County. A total of $150,000 in grant funds is available.
“The impact that this pandemic has had on people’s emotional well-being has been overwhelming,” said President and CEO Tina Peterson. “Fear, anxiety, isolation, loss of income, and stay-at-home measures have all contributed to an increased demand for mental health services. While our community’s nonprofits are doing incredible work to provide care and services, we know that they need help to meet the acute demand for mental health programs and support. They also need funding to deliver services in new and different ways, such as telehealth or phone-based services. This grant opportunity will help improve capacity and the resiliency of our community’s nonprofits and our residents.”
Local 501(c)(3) organizations and other organizations exempt from filing for 501(c)(3) status may apply for a Resilient Community Mental Health Grants. Funding will be used to enhance or expand the capacity of local health programs, services, or organizations to provide mental, emotional, and behavioral health supports in Monroe County. Eligible expenses may include technology, staffing, training, equipment, therapeutic services and programs, and operational costs related to enhancing or adding capacity to health organizations, programs, or services to support individuals facing mental health challenges resulting from or exacerbated by COVID-19.
To be considered for funding, applicants must submit their requests on the Community Foundation’s grant portal by 11:59 p.m. on October 12. Awarded grants will be announced on October 23. For more information on eligibility and application procedures, contact CFBMC Program Director Marcus Whited at (812) 333-9016 or [email protected].
About Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County:
Created by individuals, families, and businesses who share a passion for Monroe County and a vision for its future, the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County has granted $30 million to more than 400 local nonprofit organizations since its incorporation in 1990. With a growing $34 million endowment, the Foundation makes a difference by connecting caring people, important causes, and community resources.
21 high school seniors have been selected as semifinalists for the 2021 Monroe County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program
The Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County (CFBMC) has announced that 21 high school seniors have been selected as semifinalists for the 2021 Monroe County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program. Congratulations to these exceptional students:
Lena Abdelkader, Bloomington High School North
John Beggs, Bloomington High School South
Ousman Berndt, Harmony School
Savannah Bledsoe, Edgewood High School
Andrew Blessinger, Edgewood High School
Hannah Browning, Lighthouse Christian Academy
Ethan Cantrell, Bloomington High School North
Caroline Doyon, Bloomington High School North
Darby FitzSimmons, Bloomington High School South
Nicholas Goh, Bloomington High School South
Solveig Ksander Hicks, Bloomington High School North
Cooper Macy, Bloomington High School North
Ohm Shah, Bloomington High School South
Madeleine Shaw, Bloomington High School North
Tyler Smith, Edgewood High School
Josephine Sparks, Bloomington High School South
Moya Stringer, Bloomington High School South
Lucia Walker, Bloomington High School South
Blake Waskow, Edgewood High School
Kaitlyn Young, Bloomington High School North
Katherine Zinkan, Bloomington High School South
Monroe County’s semifinalists were selected from among 117 applications submitted by students from Monroe County high schools. Applications for the 2021 scholarship were blindly reviewed and independently scored by members of a scholarship committee at each high school to identify semifinalists. The number of semifinalists identified is reflective of each school’s senior class size.
Each semifinalist has been invited to submit an updated application, which includes additional content and references from school and other members of the community, to be considered for the finalist round. The Community Foundation Scholarship Selection Committee will then evaluate the completed semifinalist applications. This committee, which is made up of members of the community and former Monroe County Lilly Scholars, blindly reviews and scores applications from the semifinalists to select ten finalists. In selecting recipients for the Monroe County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship, consideration is given to student activities and achievements, community and civic service, academic performance, and leadership potential.
Finalists will be identified and interviewed in October, and finalist interview scores will be combined with scoring from the written application. The finalists’ rankings, along with the committee’s recommendations for scholarship nominees, will be submitted to Independent Colleges of Indiana, Inc. for final selection of scholarship recipients for Monroe County. The two 2021 Lilly Endowment Community Scholars for Monroe County will be named in December 2020.
Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are awarded four-year, full-tuition scholarships to pursue baccalaureate degrees at colleges or universities in Indiana. The scholarship also includes up to $900 annually for required textbooks and equipment.
“Despite the many uncertainties students face today, a record number of young people in Monroe County applied for the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship this year,” said Community Foundation President and CEO Tina Peterson. “We couldn’t be more pleased that all these exceptional students are interested in pursuing their post-secondary education at one of Indiana’s world-class higher education institutions. While only two Monroe County students will ultimately receive a Lilly Scholarship, we hope many of our applicants will elect to not only stay in Indiana for school but will also choose to make Indiana home after graduation.”
Since the Lilly Endowment Scholarship Program’s inception in 1998, over $424 million in scholarship tuition has been provided. Including scholars from the 23rd cohort, which started their college careers this fall, 4,769 students have received full-tuition Lilly scholarships. The Lilly Scholarship program is administered by Independent Colleges of Indiana and community foundations in each of Indiana’s 92 counties.
About Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County:
Created by individuals, families, and businesses who share a passion for Monroe County and a vision for its future, the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County has granted $30 million to more than 400 local nonprofit organizations since its incorporation in 1990. With a growing $33.5 million endowment, the Foundation makes a difference by connecting caring people, important causes, and community resources.
The Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County has created a new funding initiative to address child care costs and the need for virtual learning resources.
IU Health Foundation provides lead gift, first grant from new LEARN Fund to subsidize affordable child care through Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington
The Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County has created a new funding initiative to address child care costs and the need for virtual learning resources. The Learning Equity and Resource Needs for Children and Families (LEARN) Fund will help ensure Monroe County children and families have the resources needed for children to learn effectively despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With lead funding from IU Health Foundation and the IU Health South Central Region through a grant under the IU Health Community Impact Investment Fund, and additional funding support from the United Way of Monroe County and the Community Foundation, the LEARN Fund is launching with $150,000 that will immediately be available to support children and families.
The LEARN Fund will be used for child care costs for low-income families or families facing extraordinary circumstances. Funds may also be used to support e-learning related expenses, technology, education services, or other resources children may need to learn effectively while in-person schooling is limited or not possible. Grants from the LEARN Fund will be distributed through child care providers, schools, and nonprofit organizations that work directly with children and families who need assistance.
“COVID-19 has brought unprecedented change to our lives,” said IU Health South Central Region President Brian Shockney. “The LEARN Fund is just one way IU Health is working with our local community to help those who could use some assistance. Children are our future, and this fund will help ensure that more youth in our area receive the child care and education they need during this next normal. Increased child care will also result in more parents and guardians being able to return to the workforce.”
The first proactive grant from this fund is a $30,000 grant to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington (BGCB) to immediately subsidize child care costs for school-aged children. In addition to its current programs, BGCB will expand its ability to provide affordable child care during the traditional school day for students who cannot be in school buildings full-time due to COVID-19 restrictions.
BGCB expects to be able to serve between 300 and 450 children with a pod-based child care model. The program will support as many as 30 youth child care pods, each serving 10-15 children in compliance with CDC and local health guidelines. The pods will be located in all three BGCB sites and in other off-site community locations. Thanks to grant support to subsidize this program from the Community Foundation’s new LEARN Fund, costs to families for the BGCB child care program will be $20 per week per child.
Since mid-March, the Community Foundation has been working with a coalition of local leaders, educators, and providers to address emergency and essential child care needs in Bloomington and Monroe County. This taskforce has regularly collected information to help understand the need for child care, the barriers to providing care, and strategies to provide care in environments defined by the implications of COVID-19.
In addition to the LEARN Fund, this Monroe County Child Care Task Force has proactively worked with the Community Foundation’s Monroe Smart Start program to:
help essential workers identify and find available child care spots in Monroe County;
“The Community Foundation welcomes donations to the LEARN Fund,” stated Tina Peterson, President and CEO of the Community Foundation. “Nothing is more important to the resiliency of our community than the care and education of our children. Resources from LEARN Fund will ensure that care is available to families that need it, children have a safe place to learn while their parents work, and that families have the technology they need to support learning.”
For more information on the LEARN Fund, please contact:
About Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County:
Created by individuals, families, and businesses who share a passion for Monroe County and a vision for its future, the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County has granted $30 million to more than 400 local nonprofit organizations since its incorporation in 1990. With a growing $34 million endowment, the Foundation makes a difference by connecting caring people, important causes, and community resources.
About Indiana University Health
A private, nonprofit organization, Indiana University Health is Indiana’s largest comprehensive health system and is comprised of hospitals, physicians and allied services dedicated to providing preeminent care throughout Indiana and beyond. Our unique partnership with Indiana University School of Medicine gives our highly skilled physicians access to innovative treatments using the latest research and technology. More information is available at www.iuhealth.org.
The Community Foundation has opened its application for the 2021 Monroe County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program.
Deadline to apply for eligible high school seniors is August 13, 2020
The Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County (CFBMC) has opened its application for the 2021 Monroe County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program. Interested high school seniors have until Thursday, August 13 to submit applications to be considered for the scholarship program.
Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are awarded four-year, full tuition scholarships to pursue baccalaureate degrees at colleges or universities in Indiana. The scholarship also includes up to $900 annually for required textbooks and equipment. In selecting recipients for the Monroe County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship, consideration is given to student activities and achievements, community and civic service, academic performance, and leadership potential.
“Although we’ve moved the deadline up a bit this year, we feel that we have updated the application to allow for a more efficient and streamlined process for all involved,” said Program Director Marcus Whited.
Semifinalists for the scholarship will be identified in September, and will be invited to submit updated applications for the finalist round by Thursday, September 24. Finalists will be identified and interviewed in October, and the two 2021 Lilly Endowment Community Scholars for Monroe County will be named in December 2020.
Eligibility Requirements:
Applicant must be a resident of Monroe County.
Applicant must attend an accredited Monroe County high school and/or the Indiana Academy for at least three consecutive years.
Applicant must graduate by June of 2021 from one of these eligible schools: Bloomington High School North, Bloomington High School South, Edgewood High School, Seven Oaks Classical School, Academy of Science and Entrepreneurship, Indiana Academy for Science, Mathematics & Humanities, Bloomington Graduation School, and Lighthouse Christian Academy.
Applicant must have a cumulative GPA of 3.70 or above (on a weighted four-point scale) through the end of their junior year.
Applicant plans to pursue a full-time baccalaureate course of study at an Indiana college or university beginning in the Fall of 2021.
Evaluation Process:
Applications are blindly reviewed and independently scored by members of a Lilly Scholarship committee at each Monroe County high school to identify semifinalists. The number of semifinalists identified is reflective of each school’s senior class size.
Next, semifinalists submit a full application, which includes additional content and references from school and other members of the community. The Community Foundation Scholarship Selection Committee will then evaluate the semifinalists applications. This committee, which is made up of members of the community and former Monroe County Lilly Scholars, blindly reviews and scores applications from the semifinalists to select ten finalists. In October, each finalist will be interviewed, and their interview scores will be combined with scoring from the written application. The finalists’ rankings, along with the committee’s recommendations for scholarship nominees, will be submitted to Independent Colleges of Indiana, Inc. for final selection of scholarship recipients for Monroe County prior to announcement in December.
“Monroe County and the Indiana Uplands region is home to exceptional students and exciting career opportunities,” said Community Foundation President and CEO Tina Peterson. “We are grateful that the Lilly Endowment in collaboration with Independent Colleges of Indiana for this incredible opportunity to incent young people to pursue their post-secondary education at Indiana’s world-class higher education institutions. Our hope is that these students not only stay here for school but also pursue thriving careers here and raise families in our communities.”
Since the Lilly Endowment Scholarship Program’s inception in 1998, over $424 million in scholarship tuition has been provided. Including the 23rd cohort, which begins college classes this fall, 4,769 full-tuition Lilly scholarships have been awarded. The Lilly Scholarship program is administered by Independent Colleges of Indiana and community foundations in each of Indiana’s 92 counties.
About Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County:
Created by individuals, families, and businesses who share a passion for Monroe County and a vision for its future, the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County has granted $30 million to more than 400 local nonprofit organizations since its incorporation in 1990. With a growing $33.5 million endowment, the Foundation makes a difference by connecting caring people, important causes, and community resources.
Thanks to the generosity of Community Foundation donors wanting to support local nonprofits during the pandemic and the Lilly Endowment through the United Way of Monroe County’s COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund, the Foundation was able to open another funding round of COVID-19 Rapid Response Grants this past week.
In the third phase, the Foundation awarded 24 grants through a streamlined evaluation process. This grant opportunity supports Monroe County nonprofits with grants of up to $2,500.
Phase III Rapid Response Grant recipients:
Amethyst House
Bloomington Developmental Learning Center
Buskirk-Chumley Theater Management
Catholic Charities
Center for Sustainable Living – Bloomington Community Bike Project
Community Justice & Mediation Center
Courage to Change Sober Living
Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County
LifeDesigns
Lotus Education & Arts Foundation
Monroe County United Ministries
My Sister’s Closet
New Hope for Families
New Leaf New Life
Pantry 279
Reimagining Opera for Kids
Shalom Community Center
Society of St. Vincent De Paul
WFHB
WildCare Inc.
Windfall Dancers
WonderLab
YMCA of Monroe County
Youth First, Inc.
Grant funds will be used immediately for supplies, equipment, remote-work technology, staffing, and to enable our local nonprofits to sustain capacity to serve our community. All nonprofit organizations serving Monroe County were eligible to apply regardless of whether they were awarded a grant in a previous Rapid Response Grant round.
“Monroe County’s nonprofits have responded to this crisis in incredible and innovative ways,” said President and CEO Tina Peterson. “We are encouraged by the creativity, compassion, and commitment exhibited by these organizations during this challenging time. We are proud of the work they are doing despite trying circumstances. Working together, thoughtfully, and collaboratively, we can make a difference for those who call Monroe County home.”
The Community Foundation received 90 Rapid Response grant requests in the three rounds of funding. Fifty-six COVID-19 Rapid Response grants have been awarded for a total of $116,322.34 across the three funding rounds.
Phase II Rapid Response Grant recipients (announced April 10):
Amethyst House
Area 10 Agency on Aging
Artisan Alley
Bloomington Meals on Wheels
Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington
Ivy Tech Foundation
Midway Music Speaks
Monroe County Humane Association
Stages Bloomington
Susie’s Place
Phase I Rapid Response Grant recipients(announced in two groups, March 31 & April 2):
All-Options Pregnancy Resource Center
American Red Cross Southeast Indiana Chapter
Bloomington Playwrights Project
Bloomington Symphony Orchestra
Buskirk-Chumley Theater Management
Catholic Charities
Community Kitchen of Monroe County
Courage to Change Sober Living
Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County
Healthnet
Hoosier Hills Food Bank
Middle Way House
Monroe County History Center
Monroe County United Ministries
Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard
New Leaf New Life
People and Animal Learning Services
Pets Alive
WFHB
Wheeler Mission Ministries
Women Writing for a Change
WonderLab
At this time, Rapid Response Grant applications are currently closed. Should additional funding become available, we will announce funding opportunities on www.CFBMC.org. If you have questions, please contact Program Director Marcus Whited at [email protected].
About Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County:
Created by individuals, families, and businesses who share a passion for Monroe County and a vision for its future, the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County has granted $30 million to more than 400 local nonprofit organizations since its incorporation in 1990. With a growing $33.5 million endowment, the Foundation makes a difference by connecting caring people, important causes, and community resources.
