RCCF Awards $50,000 to Local Charities

The Ripley County Community Foundation hosted its’ 9th Annual Day of Giving on November 3.

(Ripley County, Ind.) - The Ripley County Community Foundation hosted its’ 9th Annual Day of Giving on November 3rd. Over $260,000 was donated during the event which will be used to support the future of Ripley County and to transform local communities for the better. In appreciation for the generous nature of the community, the Board of Directors matched donations which were placed into endowment funds, and thanks to Lilly Endowment Inc’s new initiative called Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow, donations into unrestricted endowment funds received a $2 match for every $1 donated.

“The purpose of our Day of Giving is to raise awareness of the power of collective giving while driving donations in support of causes and charitable organizations working to sustain and improve the quality of life available in Ripley County,” stated Amy Streator, RCCF Executive Director.

Day of Giving also provided an opportunity for the Community Foundation to give back to the community. Our event supported the Pregnancy Hotline by hosting a supply drive. Each community member that donated an item to the Pregnancy Hotline was entered into a drawing for a $500 grant. Anne Wilson was drawn as the winner of this grant and selected the Batesville Community Education Foundation to receive the grant.

Our Board of Directors showed their appreciation for local nonprofit organizations by awarding $50,000 in support of local projects. Large grant recipients’ projects align with one or more of our service areas: Arts & Culture, Business & Entrepreneurship, Environment & Natural Resources, and Health, Education & Well-Being. This year, large grants were distributed to 14 local nonprofits.

• Batesville Boy Scouts was awarded $5,000 to make structural improvements and to repair cracked concrete floors at Camp Mesty.
• Batesville Community Education Foundation received $1,500 to purchase STEM supplies for the Batesville Primary School Outdoor Learning Complex.
• Batesville Fire and EMS was granted $5,000 to purchase a Heads-Up CPR device that will provide the highest level of care to sudden cardiac arrest patients.
• CARES Central with Milan Community Schools was awarded $4,975 to support after school hands on learning programs which foster the development of social and soft skills.
• Crisis Pregnancy Hotline received $5,000 to help purchase new car seats for families that do not have the resources to purchase them for their children.
• Kids Discovery Factory was granted $3,390 to help purchase software and attend professional development in the STEM profession.
• Reward Riding Program was awarded $1,050 to replace old saddles.
• Ripley County Humane Society received $3,450 to build a perimeter fence at the shelter.
• Southeast Indiana Health Center was granted $5,000 to upgrade technology.
• Southeastern Indiana YMCA was awarded $2,075 to purchase curriculum in the YMCA Learning Center.
• Town of Osgood received $5,000 to paint the exterior surface of the fire department building.
• Tyson Community Advancement Foundation was granted $4,300 to replace and update equipment.
• Tyson Library was awarded $5,000 for exterior repairs.
• Youth to Yellowstone received $3,000 to purchase equipment needed to further their mission to develop local teenagers into citizens of the world.

The Ripley County Community Foundation is committed to Connecting People Who Care with Causes that Matter and is located at 13 E. George Street, Suite B, Batesville. To learn how you can invest in the future of Ripley County, or to leave your legacy, contact the Ripley County Community Foundation at (812) 933-1098 or visit www.rccfonline.org.