Rush County Community Foundation Awards More than $64,000 in Fall Grants and Nearly $1.1 Million Overall in 2024

This fall the Rush County Community Foundation (RCCF) has made 17 grants totaling $64,638.75 in support of local organizations and schools.
Unrestricted Community Grants provide dollars to nonprofits where they’re needed most. Applicants make the case for their project or program. The grants committee weighs the applications against the needs and interests of the community, stewarding donors’ gifts with integrity and offering their recommendations. The board of directors has final approval. Once this process is complete, your gifts get to work empowering nonprofits to lift up the community!

Recipients of 2024 Cycle II Community Grants awards:

• Firefly Children and Family Alliance received a $10,000 grant to help stock From the Bottom Up diaper pantry and offer classes on Safe Sleep and car seat safety for up to 100 families. 
• Gleaners Food Bank received a $15,000 grant to help stock the school-based pantries at Milroy Elementary and Rushville Consolidated High School (RCHS) for students and their families. They will distribute 125,000 lbs. of food, including 45,000 lbs. of fresh produce.
• The Giving Krue received a $5,000 grant to help with operating costs to further their mission of supporting local families with items donated from the community including food, personal care items, clothing, furniture, and more.
• The Rush County 4-H Horse and Pony Club received a grant of $7,988.75 to add a set of bleachers to the arena at their park.

Including the Cycle I grants awarded in the spring and annual support for First5 Rush County’s Early Learning Coalition, 2024 Community Grants total $132,488.75.

There’s an easy way to make an even bigger impact with your donations. Take advantage of a 2:1 match on gifts made to any of RCCF’s 26 Community Grants Funds through Lilly Endowment’s GIFT VIII program, tripling the good you can do. Mail or drop off a check to RCCF, 117 N. Main Street, Rushville, IN 46713. Or donate online at rushcountyfoundation.org. When RCCF donors start funds to support a specific cause, these are known as Field of Interest Funds. RCCF’s Field of Interest Funds focus on several areas including: autism, education, agriculture, music, sports, and well-being. Many of these grants are a great resource for educators facing tight budgets. 

Recipients of $24,650 in 2024 Field of Interest Fund awards:

Alex Workman Memorial Fund: $954.51

• Rushville Elementary School received a grant of $681.77 to purchase switch adapted cause and effect toys to support students on the Autism Spectrum, during free time and recess.
• RCHS’ Life Skills Class received a grant of $272.74 to purchase musical instruments for use by their students who have severe to moderate mental and physical disabilities. 

Bob Priddy Sports Partner Fund: $240

• Three youth received assistance with football camp registration fees.

Helen and Jim Ewing Fund: $10,000

• Rush County Community Assistance Food Pantry (RCCA) will provide two gallons of milk per month to each household they serve with this grant.  Additionally, they will purchase 550 boxes of shelf-stable milk to add to the backsacks they fill and distribute to all Rush County elementary and middle school students in need each weekend.

Molly Spaeth Fund for Transformation and Well-Being: $2,005.77

• Rush County Victims Assistance Phoenix House received the first grant from this fund to help with transportation needs for clients and supplies for their crisis shelter.

Music for Rush County Fund: $2,479.72

• Rush County Chorale received a grant of $1,729.72 to sustain its operations and provide quality choral music to entertain, inspire, and educate the community.  
• Rushville Elementary received a grant of $750 to purchase instruments, sheet music, and other equipment to enhance students’ overall experiences.

Rita Yager Memorial Ag Fund: $1,830

• RCCA received a grant of $1,500 to offer healthy cooking classes, Food is Medicine program, at their forthcoming space at the Love Community Center. 
• Rush County Farm Bureau received a grant of $330 to purchase 165 copies of the Dr. Seuss book, Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You?, to give to each 1st grader in school in Rush County. 

Robert & Gleela Baldwin Fund for Early Learning: $2,500

• The families of 3 Rush County students received support to help offset the cost of attending a Paths to Quality Level 3 or 4 preschool.

Rush County Education Fund: $4,640

• Milroy Elementary School received a grant of $750 to purchase new physical education equipment and transition their P.E. classes to a more fitness-focused program. 
• The RCHS Color Guard received a grant of $820 to purchase additional flags and poles for use during their performances at athletic events and parades.
• RCHS received a grant of $1,622.50 to purchase cameras for a new dual credit course, “Principles of Digital Design.” 
• RCHS received a grant of $1,447.50 to replace and update cameras used by the yearbook staff. 

Including scholarships, annual designated payouts to agencies with their own funds, and special projects, RCCF has awarded nearly $1.1million in grants for 2024. The generosity of the Rush County Community coupled with the power of permanent funds makes this all possible – thank you!