RCCF Shares Highlights from 2024

Contributions from the community helped empower vital work throughout Ripley County.

(Ripley County, Ind.) - The Ripley County Community Foundation is proud to announce a year of incredible impact in 2024.

Contributions from the community helped empower vital work throughout Ripley County. Below are a few highlights of what was accomplished last year. 

Investing in Local Nonprofits: Over $700,000 in grants were awarded to local nonprofits in 2024. These grants supported a wide range of organizations, from those providing essential services to those enriching the lives of Ripley County residents through arts and culture programs.

Empowering the Next Generation: 56 scholarships were distributed to deserving students this year, totaling $124,550. These scholarships helped alleviate financial burdens and make educational dreams a reality for Ripley County students.

Women Making a Difference: The Women's Giving Circle continued to thrive in 2024, with 195 women participating in collective philanthropy and awarding a total of $12,000 in grants to support positive change in our community.

Ripley Youth Outreach Brings Joy: Ripley Youth Outreach (RYO) is an initiative of the Ripley County Community Foundation focused on promoting education in all aspects of philanthropy in local youth. Comprised of teens from area high schools, RYO empowers youth to become leaders in their communities. Through their efforts, 185 Birthday Boxes, filled with treats and essentials, were delivered to local food pantries this year. These boxes brought joy to families in need and helped ensure that children experiencing food insecurity could still celebrate their birthdays.

High School Athletes join together to Turnover Hunger: 25 local elementary students received support through the Turnover Hunger program, which provides weekend meals to children facing food insecurity.

Celebrating Community Art: Four art installations were funded in 2024, showcasing the talents of local artists. These included murals at the Daren Baker Park in Milan, an interchangeable mural in Versailles, and a welcome sign in Osgood. The Ripley County Endowment for the Arts supported local art organizations creating opportunities for residents to participate in the arts.

Honoring Our Veterans: In a moving ceremony, 4,322 wreaths were laid on local veterans' graves to honor their service and sacrifice. A special highlight of the 2024 Wreaths Across Ripley County program was when the junior high students from Batesville Middle School, Jac Cen Del Junior High School, Milan Junior High School, St. Louis Catholic School, and St. Nicholas Catholic School made more than 350 wreaths and placed them on veterans’ graves.

Fostering a Love of Reading: The Dolly Parton's Imagination Library program continues to grow, with 721 students currently enrolled and receiving high-quality books each month. Thanks to local partners Southeast Indiana YMCA, Batesville Memorial Public Library, Osgood Milan Public Library and Tyson Library the love of reading will grow in 2025.

You can contribute to pool resources to create a larger impact in 2025 by donating through the Ripley County Community Foundation’s website at https://rccfonline.org/. Every contribution is an investment for a perpetual gift to the community.