Twenty-five local organizations are getting funding boosts through the Brown County Community Foundation’s 2017 Competitive Grants cycle.
A total of $84,918.35 was awarded to representatives of those organizations during the BCCF’s annual meeting June 15. The money comes from unrestricted grant funds, given by local people to benefit local people.
Recipients were chosen by a local committee consisting of Tim Burke, Jenny Johnson, Judy East, Phil McKown, Jim Schultz, Don Stuart, Dawn Snider and Carol Bell. Each applicant submitted a written application and underwent an interview with the committee.
This round of grant funding was only a small part of the BCCF’s grant-making for 2016, which totaled $450,142 and supported such causes as the YMCA Capital Campaign for building maintenance, scholarships, and the work of local artists and art organizations through the Indiana Arts Commission’s Region 8.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]Competitive grant recipients were:
The Preschool Education Scholarship: $10,000 to enable more low-income Brown County children to attend preschool in Brown County public schools. This fund is held at the Brown County Community Foundation.
BETA: $10,000 (matching grant) to construct the Kids on Wheels Skate Park at a yet-to-be-chosen location in Brown County.
Brown County Humane Society Inc.’s Serving Pets Outreach Team: $8,500 to buy a full-sized cargo van to deliver pet food, housing supplies and bedding to pet owners in need.
Brown County Habitat for Humanity: $6,280 to install a heating, air-conditioning and ventilation system in the 2017 Habitat home.
Brown County 4-H Council: $5,000 to support 4-H trips and camp scholarships. These pograms teach leadership, life skills, teamwork, career exploration, STEM activities, community service and healthy living.
South Central Indiana Communications Support Group Inc.: $5,000 to upgrade and expand the amateur radio infrastructure of Brown County. The grant will help buy modern amateur radio repeaters and associated equipment for installation in the Nashville and Spearsville areas.
Keep Brown County Beautiful: $5,000 to the Picture Perfect Brown County Roadside Litter Cleanup program to clean local roads and inspire residents to follow suit.
Brown County Emergency Management: $4,632.50 to help buy automated external defibrillator units to be placed where large crowds gather.
Brown County Solid Waste Management District: $4,500 toward the purchase of a 22-foot closed recycling container. This will enable the Recycle Center to replace full containers out in the field, eliminating the problem of full containers that have to sit for several days.
Nashville Farmers Market: $4,000 to help provide access to locally grown produce and farm products. This is the market’s first season.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Brown County: $3,500 to provide school supplies for local children.
Peaceful Valley Heritage Society: $3,000 to restore of Henry Cross-carved tombstones throughout Brown County.
Indiana Raptor Center Inc.: $2,500 to buy a mini barn for raptor housing. The center has seen an increase in patient intake of birds of prey.
SEED Brown County: $2,150 to provide educational workshops on local and sustainable food models.
TRIAD: $2,066.08 to buy a storage shed for medical equipment needed for ongoing projects for their clients.
Brown County YMCA: $2,057 to build a Wetland Meadow Environmental Education Trail at the Salt Creek Trail to increase knowledge of the environment and natural habitat in the area.
Brown County Literacy Coalition: $1,800 to promote literacy through Little Free Libraries, a tutoring program, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and local events and produce promotion materials.
Centerstone of Indiana: $1,771.24 for educational resources (mobile therapeutic kits) to be used in Brown County schools. Centerstone provides behavioral health and addiction services for children, families and individuals in Brown County.
Brown County Playhouse: $1,500 for the musical theater summer camp Rising Stars, which allows students to learn from professionals who have taught music, drama and dancing for years.
Women’s Resource Center: $1,440.46 to help make basement renovations.
Mother’s Cupboard Community Kitchen: $1,150 to buy an energy-efficient cooler for “grab-and-go” items.
Clarity of South Central Indiana: $1,000 to update the reception area to provide a welcoming atmosphere to clients.
Project Play: $1,000 to provide developmentally appropriate toys to children in Brown County.
St. David’s Episcopal: $1,000 toward the Bean Blossom Music Series, featuring uplifting and inspiring music.
BETA: $530 to buy a printer for use in two new programs in the fall — “youth entrepreneur crafts” and an “emerging poets and writers” group.
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In addition to the big award for volunteerism, the John D. Rudd Award — which went to Rita Simon this year — several other local people were recognized for their work in leadership and support of community organizations.
Bill and Ann Walters — Brown County Inspirational Leadership Award. The couple was recognized for “the many hats they wear and organizations they are a part of.” Among those causes are government food commodities to serve the hungry, the We Care Gang, Habitat for Humanity and Mother’s Cupboard.
The Brown County Community Foundation Advancement Committee — Chairman’s Award. This committee, chaired by Pam Raider, focuses on philanthropy. Its causes include Stuff a Stocking, the care and promotion of the Howard Hughes Community Room, planned giving seminars, Giving Dinners and other events. The committee also includes Robert Andrew, Mike Laros, Kirstie Tiernan, Erin Engelking and Donna Ormiston.
Volunteers of the Year
Pam Boer, Brown County Enrichment for Teens Association (BETA). Boer “has brought many wonderful enrichment programs to BETA by introducing knitting, cooking, crafts, arts and more, including an amazing fried chicken cooking class when no dish-washing facilities were available at the BETA site,” her nomination letter said. “As BETA Grandma — her nickname — she stands out as the best role model for what grassroots volunteers can accomplish through constant, consistent, and humble service and work.”
Gloria Berryman, Brown County Weekend Backpacks Program. Berryman buys food and picks it up weekly to fill backpacks for students in need, helps pack them, has worked as distribution chairman and as treasurer, and serves many other roles with other organizations including the Lions Club, Mother’s Cupboard, Guardian ad Litem and the Brown County Literacy Coalition.
Peg Lindenlaub, Brown County Native Woodlands Project. Lindenlaub “is the volunteer every organization hopes to recruit — someone who’s dedicated, creative and dependable,” her nomination letter said. She has developed brochures and a website for the organization and puts together materials to give to Nature Daze participants, board members and landowners.
Julie Winn, League of Women Voters of Brown County. “As president of the League of Women Voters Brown County, Julie Winn is the embodiment of diplomacy and nonpartisanship,” her nomination letter said. “Her leadership ensures that the League focuses on issues and policies, never on political parties or political leaders. She is a role model for citizen participation and community work.”
Jonathan Bolte, Brown County Literacy Coalition, Brown County Studio Tour and Society of St. Vincent de Paul. All three organizations nominated him. He tutors two students twice weekly and serves as vice president and acting treasurer for the literacy coalition, also running the office by himself “without complaint or compensation,” his nomination reads. He serves as president of the studio tour, expanding sponsors, forging partnerships, redoing the brochure and tour signage and maintaining the website. At St. Vincent, he’s been helping to bring water to the warehouse from nearby Camp Rancho Framasa and has been helping fix maintenance issues with equipment. “Jonathan Bolte is someone who gets things done,” the nomination letter said.
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