RCCF Grants $12K to Support Osgood

The grants support community initiatives in the Town of Osgood.

Photo provided.

(Osgood, Ind.) - The Ripley County Community Foundation is pleased to announce that it has awarded $12,277 in grants to support community initiatives in the Town of Osgood. These grants are made possible through the generosity of two enduring funds: the Frank Tarter Community Trust Fund and the Ray E. Herman & Louise (Herman) Crum Memorial Endowment Fund.

Frank Tarter Community Trust Fund

Established in 1994 following the passing of Frank Tarter, the Frank Tarter Community Trust Fund honors the legacy of a lifelong Osgood resident who generously dedicated his entire estate to the betterment of the town he loved. Mr. Tarter envisioned his gift as “a means by which the town and community could be a better place in which to live and raise a family,” hoping to inspire others to give back and help make shared dreams a reality.

Ray E. Herman & Louise (Herman) Crum Memorial Endowment Fund

The Ray E. Herman & Louise (Herman) Crum Memorial Endowment Fund, established in 2002, is dedicated to enhancing the quality and enjoyment of life for the residents of Osgood and its surrounding rural community. Through their self-less giving, the Herman-Crum family has created a legacy that continues to uplift and enrich lives year after year.

Each year, a committee of Osgood residents review grant applications and select projects that demonstrate a clear need and will have a significant impact on the Osgood community.

“In small communities like ours, acts of charity like those from Mr. Tarter and Mr. Herman & Mrs. Herman-Crum are not just generous—they’re transformative. Their legacy reminds us that

investing in our neighbors is the most powerful way to build a better future,” stated, Jill Tunny, Member of the Board of Directors of the Ripley County Community Foundation. “Their enduring impact shows that anyone can leave a legacy of hope, growth, and community pride. We welcome others to follow in the footsteps of generosity and make a gift in support of their community.”

2025 Frank Tarter Community Trust Fund Grant Recipients:

$900 – Osgood Lions Club - funding will support the Osgood Lions mini-park.

$1,400 - Fishes and Loaves Food Pantry - Funds will be used to purchase 300 pounds of ground beef (85/15) from Aldi, providing 2 pounds of meat to 150 families. The pantry continues to face rising demand and costs, making this support essential.

$2,200 - Youth to Yellowstone - Youth to Yellowstone of Ripley County, Inc. will take 14 local high school students—many from economically and socially distressed backgrounds—on a hiking and camping trip to Yellowstone National Park. Funding will cover outfitting (jackets, boots, hiking sticks, cots, kitchen supplies) and entry fees.

$2,500 - Osgood Lions Foundation (Wreaths Across Ripley County) - This grant will fund wreath kits for students at Jac-Cen-Del to assemble as part of an educational workshop honoring veterans. Wreaths will be placed on all known veterans’ graves in Jackson, Center, and Delaware township cemeteries.

$2,000 - Town of Osgood - Funding will help purchase a water tower mixer to address chlorine stratification during warm months. This solution will improve water quality, reduce chemical costs, and enhance public safety for approximately 2,371 residents.

Ray E. Herman & Louise (Herman) Crum Memorial Endowment Fund Grant Recipients:

$1,677 - Ripley County Parks & Recreation - Funds will be used to update lighting in the rabbit barn at the fairgrounds, including code-compliant conduit wiring and LED fixtures. Approximately 3,000 people will benefit from this upgrade.

$1,600 - Osgood Lions Foundation - Additional funding will support insurance and maintenance of the Osgood Lions mini-park, as well as to purchase flags, tent rental, and food equipment for the fair.

Strengthen Osgood’s Future – Match Available on Day of Giving

The success of the Frank Tarter Community Trust Fund and the Ray E. Herman & Louise (Herman) Crum Memorial Endowment Fund is a testament to the power of community-led philanthropy. If you are inspired by these efforts, you can support the future of Osgood by donating to these funds. November 7, 2025—Day of Giving—is the perfect time to make a gift, as donations made to endowment funds on this day are eligible to receive a $0.50 match for every $1 contributed. Or, if you wish to create a lasting impact in your own community, we encourage you to contact the Ripley County Community Foundation to learn how you can establish a fund.

To learn more or to make a gift, please visit https://rccfonline.org, call us at (812) 933-1098, or email us at office@rccfonline.org.