Heritage Fund : The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County

2007

Fourth Quarter 2007 

The Board of Directors of Heritage Fund - the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County recently approved over $95,000 in grants to not-for-profit organizations serving Bartholomew County.  Grants were awarded to the following organizations:

• Ecumenical Assembly of Bartholomew County Churches (Love Chapel) – A challenge grant of up to $60,000 towards the purchase and renovation of an additional facility at 292 Center Street. The 5,000 sq ft. building will enable Love Chapel to expand the Food Pantry and Assistance programs. Heritage Fund will provide a $2 match for each $1 raised by Love Chapel.  In 2006 Love Chapel provided service on more than 11,500 occasions to local residents.
• Quinco Behavioral Health Systems - $16,640 to support the Clubhouse Program at Weinland House. The Clubhouse provides recovery programming for Bartholomew County residents with persistent mental health issues. Clubhouse members are encouraged to develop personal skills which will enable them to take an active role in community life through employment or volunteer activities.
• Planned Parenthood of Indiana (PPIN) - $10,000 to support and expand the Bartholomew Area Sexuality Education (BASE) program. PPIN provides workshops and educational materials for adults and children. Programming promotes abstinence but provides additional safe sex information for individuals who choose to be sexually active. Parents are encouraged to act as their child’s primary sex educator.
• Peace Learning Center (PLC) - $7,500 to enable 60 Northside students to participate in a two day/overnight Peace Education program at Columbus Youth Camp. Students who have been selected as Peer Counselors will learn peace building and conflict resolution skills which will enable them to mediate conflicts at school involving other students. The program is an expansion of the Peace Education Program funded by Heritage Fund in Bartholomew County fourth and fifth grade classrooms.
• Bartholomew County Extension Office - $750 to provide scholarship assistance to ten Bartholomew County not-for-profit organizations. Agency staff members were able to participate in the two day Beginner’s Guide to Grantwriting workshop.
• Indiana Youth Institute (IYI) - $400 to provide scholarship assistance for 20 Bartholomew County youth workers to attend an IYI fundraising workshop at the Holiday Inn. 

Third Quarter 2007

In August Heritage Fund approved over $67,000 in grants to not-for-profit organizations serving Bartholomew County.  Grants were awarded to the following organizations:

Turning Point Domestic Violence Services - $20,000 to support the second year of the volunteer program. A previous grant from the foundation provide seed money for the program. The program enables community volunteers to provide supportive services at the shelter to assist adults and children who are victims of domestic violence.   

• Bartholomew County Literacy Task Force/BCSC - $7,825 to support the second year of the Book Buddies Volunteer Tutoring Program.  In its first year the program matched 200 struggling second grade students in 12 public Elementary schools with 368 trained volunteer tutors.  At the end of the school year 90% of students were reading on grade level.  
• Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) Program – $39,976. Heritage Fund offered a special opportunity to local not-for-profit organizations.  Organizations were invited to submit grant applications of up to $3,000 for programs, services or equipment designed to increase management efficiency or advance the concept of a Welcoming Community.  Grants ranging from $64 - $3,000 were awarded to twenty organizations (see TAG article).

 Second Quarter 2007

• Columbus Redevelopment Commission - $35,000 to conduct a feasibility study of the community space at The Commons/The Commons Mall. The market study and financial analysis will enable the Commission to design a facility that will activate downtown Columbus and enhance economic development opportunities.  A portion of the grant will be used to keep community leaders and residents updated regarding development plans.
• The Crump Theatre - $30,000 for operational support of the historic downtown theatre.
• Volunteer Action Center (VAC) - $25,000 to support the Volunteer Army.  VAC will recruit, train and support ten volunteer coordinators who will work approximately 8-10 hours a week at local not-for-profit organizations to manage volunteer programs.
• Su Casa - $20,182 to create the Hispanic Education and Literacy Program (HELP) in partnership with the Center for Teaching and Learning, McDowell Adult Education Center and the Mexican Ministry of Education. HELP will provide a seamless path for Spanish speaking residents to continue their education and work towards literacy in English.
• Community Center of Hope (CCH) - $11,300 to conduct a feasibility study of the West Wing.  CCH successfully completed Phase One of its Capital Renovation Program in 2005.  The feasibility study will enable the Center to develop plans for the second phase of the project which focuses on the West Wing.
• Indiana Youth Institute (IYI) - $300 to provide scholarship assistance for 15 Bartholomew County youth workers to attend an IYI Childhood Literacy workshop at the Holiday Inn. 

First Quarter 2007

The Board of Directors of Heritage Fund - the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County recently approved over $84,000 in grants to not-for-profit organizations serving Bartholomew County.  Grants were awarded to the following organizations:

• Eastside Community Center - $44,000 to support the Independent Development Account (IDA) Plus Program.  The State of Indiana will provide a 4:1 match to money saved by program participants.  The program provides a long-term approach to asset development and financial self-sufficiency. Monies saved may only be used for education, to purchase a home or to start a business.
• Columbus Indiana Architectural Archives (CIAA) - $25,000 to provide initial operating support for CIAA.  A full time archivist will be hired to catalogue and preserve architectural drawings and documents.  Columbus in ranked sixth in nation for its innovative architectural.
• Columbus Indiana Philharmonic (CIP) - $10,000 to support the 2007 Adventure Concert, Ellis Island: Dream of America.  The concert on March 30th will provide a creative opportunity for Bartholomew County third, fourth and middle school students to learn about immigration and the value of diversity. 
• Volunteer Action Center (VAC) - $2,000 to support the fourth year of Get On Board.  The Community Service Expo will be held on Tuesday, April 17th at The Commons.  More than 60 organizations will provide information and ideas on how local residents may get involved in volunteer work and community activities. Leadership Bartholomew County is partnering with VAC to organize Get on Board.
• Human Services/Horizon House - $1,287 to assist with emergency heating repairs at the homeless shelter.
• The Crump Theatre – $1,120 for the purchase of a film projector
• Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce - $920 to provide 46 scholarships for members of the Columbus Young Professional and not-for-profit personnel to attend the Chamber’s Annual Meeting.  Economist, Dr. Richard Florida, author of The Rise of the Creative Class was the key note speaker at the lunch meeting.
• Bartholomew County High School Students - $500 to support the Eight Annual Dance Marathon to benefit Turning Point Domestic Violence Services.

2006

Fourth Quarter 2006

In November Heritage Fund approved $85,000 in grants to not-for-profit organizations serving Bartholomew County.  Grants were awarded to the following organizations:

• Family Service of Bartholomew County, Inc. $30,000 to establish the Resource Development Program.  Family Service's mission is to strengthen families through counseling, education and home services.  The Resource Development program will enable Family Service to strengthen and expand its funding sources.
• Heritage Fund Memorial Scholarship - $20,000 to create a new scholarship fund.  Individuals may be memorized by family and friends through gifts to the fund.
• Family School Partners (FSP)- $18,000 to support the program and offer services to one-year-old children.  FSP provides bi-monthly home visits to at-risk children between the ages of 1-5.  Program staff partner with parents to teach them how to be their child's first teacher.
• Clifty Creek Elementary School - $12,000 to support the third year of the English as a Second Language After School Program. Clifty Creek in collaboration with Su Casa, Foundation For Youth, The Center for Teaching and Learning, IUPUC Department of Education, Family School Partners and area volunteers provide tutoring and enrichment opportunities to students who speak a language other than English at home.  More than 60 students participated in the program during 2006.
• Columbus Youth Camp/Peace Learning Center – Up to $5,000 to enable all Bartholomew County fourth grade students to participate in the Peace Program at CYC during the 2007-2008 school year.  An earlier grant award enabled BCSC to incorporate the peace education program into the fourth grade curriculum and train 850 students in conflict resolution.

Third Quarter 2006

In August Heritage Fund approved over $186,000 in grants to not-for-profit organizations serving Bartholomew County.  Grants were awarded to the following organizations:

• Columbus East, Columbus North Joint Turf Project - $150,000 to complete the multi-purpose synthetic turf football fields at both Columbus high schools.  The grant award represented the final funds required to complete the $1.4 million project.  Representatives from both schools worked together to build both fields simultaneously.  Synthetic turf will enable extended use of the fields by sports teams, bands, physical education programs and other community organizations.
• Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation - $35,024 over three years to create the Peace Education Program.  All fourth grade students will visit the Peace Learning Center's program site at Columbus Youth Camp to learn conflict resolution skills.  The STEP problem solving process will be incorporated into the fourth grade curriculum. The program was developed with the support of Heritage Fund's Outreach Committee. 
• City of Columbus - $1,000 to support the Robert Garton Veterans Plaza

Second Quarter 2006

Heritage Fund in May awarded over $131,000 in grants from the Unrestricted Fund to not-for-profit organizations serving Bartholomew County.  Grants were awarded to the following organizations:

• Columbus Redevelopment Commission - $49,000 to enable the commission to hire an Executive Director to manage the Vision 20/20 Downtown Development initiative.  The grant will also support the development of schematics for a parking garage.
• Bartholomew County Literacy Task Force/BCSC - $47,170 to create the Book Buddies Volunteer Tutoring Program.  The program designed to raise the reading level of struggling second grade students will be offered at all Bartholomew County public schools.  Four hundred volunteers will be recruited to spend one hour each week helping students improve their reading skills. 
• Planned Parenthood of Indiana (PPIN) - $6,030 to support the creation of a part-time community educator position.  PPIN will offer educational programming for individuals and local not-for-profit organizations in our community.
• Technical Assistance Grant Program – $29,586. Heritage Fund offered a special opportunity to local not-for-profit organizations.  Organizations were invited to submit grant applications of up to $3,000 for programs, services or equipment designed to increase management efficiency.  Applications were received from 18 prospective grantees.  Thirteen grants ranging from $1,000 - $3,000 were awarded during Heritage Fund's Annual Report to the Community on May 18th.  The follow organizations received grant checks:   Bartholomew County Historical Society, Children Inc., Columbus Museum of Art and Design, Community Center of Hope, Dancers Studio, Family School Partners, Family Service, Just Friends, Legal Aid, Love Chapel, Pregnancy Care Center, Volunteer Action Center and Young Mothers' Educational Development (Y-MED).

First Quarter 2006

Heritage Fund in February awarded over $103,000 in grants from the Unrestricted Fund to not-for-profit organizations serving Bartholomew County.  Grants were awarded to the following organizations:

• United Way of Bartholomew County - $40,000 over two years to expand the community anti-violence initiative.  Heritage Fund and the Columbus Regional Hospital Foundation have joined the United Way in providing seed money for two new staff positions that will strengthen the community's response to domestic violence issues.
• Columbus Area Visitors Center - $25,000 to assist with the development of a brand identity for Columbus.  The development of a Columbus Brand was one of the recommendations of the Heritage Fund's Welcoming Community Project. The Visitors Center along with partners, the City of Columbus, the Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Board have retained a consultancy firm that will lead our community through a process that will showcase Columbus as the destination for commerce, education, culture and tourism.
• Lincoln Central Neighborhood Family Center - $21,995 to support technology needs at Yes Cinema.
• Columbus Young Professionals (CYP) - $10,500 to develop a website and marketing materials.  CYP's programs and membership have grown considerably since its launch in December 2005.  The website will provide an essential means of communication for local Gen Xer's.
• Volunteer Action Center – $4,000 to sponsor the third annual Get on Board which will be held on Tuesday, April 18th at The Commons.  Over 80 not-for-profit organizations and service clubs will provide information on how local residents can get involved in volunteer work and community activities.
• First Call for Help - $1,700 for the development and publication of a Service Club Directory.
• Bartholomew County High School Students - $500 to support the 2006 Dance Marathon to benefit Turning Point Domestic Violence Shelter.

2005

Fourth Quarter 2005

In November Heritage Fund approved $29,512 in grants to not-for-profit organizations serving Bartholomew County.  Grants were awarded to the following organizations:

• BCSC – Clifty Creek Elementary School - $22,000 to support the second year of the English as a Second Language After School Program. Clifty Creek in collaboration with Su Casa, Foundation For Youth, The Center for Teaching and

Learning, IUPUC Department of Education, Family School Partners and area volunteers provide tutoring and enrichment opportunities to students who speak a language other than English at home.  More than 80 students participate in the program.

• Senior Center Services - $5,122 towards the purchase of a handicapped accessible 14-seat passenger van.  The grant will provide the matching funds to enable the Senior Center to receive a van from the Department of Transportation.
• Columbus Young Professionals - $2,000 to sponsor CYP's kick-off event.  The organization will provide social networking, professional development, and community advocacy to area young professionals.
• Store of Dreams - $390 for costs associated with opening a store at the FairOaks Mall.  Nineteen local not-for-profit organizations with volunteer help stocked the store with creative Holiday merchandise. Revenue generated from the store will provide operating support during 2006. 

Third Quarter 2005

At its August meeting, the Board of Directors of the Heritage Fund - the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County approved $212,747 in grants to not-for-profit organizations serving Bartholomew County.  Grants were awarded to the following organizations:

• Columbus Service League (CSL) - $75,000 to support Freedom Field, an all-inclusive playground which will be constructed at Blackwell Park. The playground has been specially designed to enable all children, whether disabled or able-bodied to play along side each other. CSL plans to break ground on the playground in May 2006.
• Council for Youth Development - $50,000 to support the work of the council. The grant will enable the Council to access a $220,000 challenge grant awarded by the Indiana Association of United Ways. The Council which consists of government, business, and community leaders, school administrators and not-for-profit organizations utilized a research based approach to identify issues affecting the healthy development of children in Bartholomew County.  The Council will utilize grant funds to develop collaborative programming to address issues such as the needs of at-risk children and their families, transportation and child care.
• Advocates for Children (CASA) - $27,776 over two years to establish a development program designed to sustain recent program expansion. Changes in state law mandate that an advocate is appointed for every abused and neglected child in the court system. The program expects to serve an additional 131 children in the upcoming year and needs to recruit and train 69 new volunteers.
• Turning Point Domestic Violence Services - $25,000 as seed money to establish a volunteer program. The program will enable community volunteers to provide supportive services at the shelter to assist adults and children who are victims of domestic violence.  The program will offer a variety of opportunities for area residents to volunteer at the shelter.
• Columbus Area Arts Council - $18,112 to support MidWest World Fest a global education and outreach performing arts program.  During the next two years, four musical ensembles from Mexico, Israel, Japan and Somali will conduct week-long residencies in the community.  The ensembles will share their traditions and cultures during community presentations and school workshops. The Mexican ensemble, Chuchumbe will perform at Ethnic Expo.
• Housing Partnerships, Inc. – $15,000 to establish a Capital Replacement Program. The grant will enable HPI to replace roofs and furnaces in homes in the rental program.
• City of Columbus - $1,000 to assist with costs of a reception for delegates from Miyoshi, Columbus' sister city at the AICHI Expo in Japan.
• Moms off Meth - $650 to support the development of a support group to help mothers break their methamphetamine addiction.Human Services/Horizon House - $209 to assist with client needs.  

Second Quarter 2005

In May the Board of Directors of Heritage Fund awarded $59,962 in grants from the Unrestricted Fund to seven not-for-profit organizations serving Bartholomew County. Grants were awarded to the following organizations:

• Flat Rock-Hawcreek School Corporation – $36,862 for the purchase of a 14 seat special purpose bus. The bus will replace the passenger which does not fit new safety regulations. The bus will be used for work study, field trips and extra-curricular activities. The Community Center of Hope will also have use of the bus.
• Columbus Enrichment Program - $12,000 as seed money for a tutoring program designed to boost the academic achievement of African American students. Students and tutors meet on Saturday mornings at Second Baptist Church. The program will initially serve students in Kindergarten through sixth grade but will expand to serve middle and high school students.
• Foundation for Youth - $5,000 for further development of a Business Services Venture initiative. The venture will offer services designed to meet the needs of not-for-profit organizations. Services will include accounting, IT and financial management. 
• Columbus Area Arts Council - $3,000 to support Rebecca Ryan's visit to Columbus. Ryan, a nationally renown futurist and economist was the keynote speaker at the Columbus Area Arts Council's Annual Meeting. At the Heritage Fund's request Ryan made a second presentation to the community on the subject of The Next Generation and the E-Quotient.
• Bartholomew County Historical Society - $2,000 to retain a consultant to assist with the development of an organizational case statement and grant proposal to the Indiana Arts Commission
• Columbus Entertainment and Events Network (CEEN) - $1,000 to assist with the costs of three members of CEEN's Young Professional group attending the YP National Conference to be held in August in Milwaukee
• Su Casa - $100 in honor of Amanda Olivo. Amanda won the door prize at Get on Board. She requested that Su Casa should receive the award.

First Quarter 2005

The Board of Directors of the Heritage Fund - the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County, recently awarded $45,675 in grants from the Unrestricted Fund to five not-for-profit organizations serving Bartholomew County.  Grants were awarded to the following organizations:

• Hope Area Chamber of Commerce - $15,500 to enable the Chamber, with support from the Town of Hope, to hire a consultant to identify community assets and assist in the development of a strategic plan for economic development in the Hope area.
• Columbus Learning Center Management Corporation - $10,000 towards the construction of a Sun Dial Tower at the Columbus Learning Center.  The 30,000 sq. ft. facility is close to completion.   The Center for Teaching and Learning, IUPUC, Ivy Tech and WorkOne will move into the new center in May.
• Human Services - $4,175 for the purchase and installation of a new phone system at Horizon House.  Horizon House serves as the first point of contact for homeless families and individuals in Bartholomew County.  Approximately 30 families live at the shelter each year while learning self-sufficiency skills.
• American Red Cross - $1,000 to support Tsunami Relief efforts. The grant was awarded in response to President Bush's request for all Americans to support Tsunami relief.
• Heritage Fund Grants Committee - $5,000 to develop the 2005 Not-for-Profit Training Series.  The training series created by the Grants Committee will be continued through 2005.  Get on Board a volunteer recruitment fair will be held in April.