RCCF Invests $50K in Community Impact Through Sally Morris Grant Program

The first round of grants saw 11 organizations receive funding

Photo provided.

(Ripley County, Ind.) - The Ripley County Community Foundation is honored to announce the recipients of the first round of Sally Morris Impact Grants, awarding a total of $50,000 to eleven nonprofits whose projects will create meaningful and lasting impacts throughout Ripley County.

The Ripley County Community Foundation (RCCF) continues to invest in initiatives that strengthen local communities through strategic grantmaking opportunities. Funding for the Sally Morris Community Impact Grants is made possible through Lilly Endowment Inc.’s Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (G.I.F.T.) initiative. This grant program honors retired Executive Director, Sally Morris, whose seventeen years of leadership helped shape a culture of philanthropy, collaboration, and community engagement in Ripley County.

Investing in a Stronger Future

The purpose of the Sally Morris Community Impact Grant program extends far beyond funding individual projects. These grants are designed to encourage bold ideas, strengthen nonprofit capacity, and inspire transformative projects that create measurable improvements in the quality of life for Ripley County residents.

Through this investment, RCCF seeks to support projects that align with the Foundation's four community impact pillars: Arts & Culture, Education & Workforce Development, Health & Well-Being, and Environment & Natural Resources. Whether expanding educational opportunities, improving public safety, increasing access to community resources, preserving historic assets, or enhancing the well-being of local families, these grants help build vibrant communities where people can thrive.

The Board of Directors envisioned this program as an opportunity for local organizations to think beyond immediate needs and create projects that will generate lasting benefits for future generations. In many ways, the grant reflects Sally Morris’ belief that meaningful change occurs when community members come together around a shared vision and invest in opportunities that strengthen the entire county.

“Sally Morris dedicated her career to helping our community dream bigger and accomplish more together,” said Amy Streator, Executive Director of the Ripley County Community Foundation. “This grant program honors her legacy by empowering organizations to pursue projects that strengthen Ripley County and create opportunities for generations to come. These investments demonstrate what is possible when local leaders, donors, and nonprofits work together toward a common goal.”

2026 Sally Morris Community Impact Grants Recipients

• Batesville Fire and Rescue – $10,000 to support renovations to the training room.
• Lifetime Resources - $8,000 to provide the matching funds needed to secure an additional grant, which will be used to purchase a new Catch-A-Ride vehicle.
• Milan CARES - $8,000 to support the Milan CARES 2026 Summer Camp.
• National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association - $5,000 to support renovations to the historic Rand House.
• Safe Passage - $5,000 to support installation of a new universal door access system.
• Batesville United Methodist Church - $3,500 to support the Luke 4:18 free meal program.
• Tyson Library - $2,500 to purchase new computers for public access.
• Versailles American Legion - $2,500 to install a new electronic sign.
• Batesville American Legion - $2,500 to support renovations to the Legion Hall.
• People Assisting Animals In Need (PAAIN) - $1,500 purchase new cat enclosures.
• St. Nicholas Catholic Church - $1,500 to purchase a new security system for the school.

Together, these projects represent investments in public safety, transportation access, education, community services, historic preservation, technology, food security, and organizational capacity. Collectively, they advance RCCF’s mission of connecting people who care with causes that matter while addressing needs across multiple areas of community life.

Second Round of Funding Now Open

Applications for the second round of Sally Morris Community Impact Grant are currently being accepted. Eligible nonprofit organizations are encouraged to apply by August 7, 2026, for grants up to $10,000 to support programs or projects that will make a positive impact in Ripley County.

Support the Place you Call Home

Every grant awarded through the Ripley County Community Foundation begins with the generosity of individuals, families, businesses, and organizations who choose to invest in the future of Ripley County. Through the Lilly Endowment GIFT IX initiative, donors currently have an opportunity to potentially triple their impact through a $2-for-$1 matching opportunity supporting unrestricted endowment funds.

By growing these unrestricted community endowments today, donors help ensure that future funding will be available for programs such as the Sally Morris Community Impact Grants, Small Grants Program, Sponsorship Grants, scholarships, and emerging community needs that have yet to be imagined.

To support local initiatives or learn more about establishing a charitable fund, visit www.rccfonlie.org.