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Blue River Community Foundation: BRCF August 2025 Newsletter
August 2025 
2025 Recipients AnnouncedBlue River Community Foundation (BRCF) is honored to annually present the Spirit of Community Awards. Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination this year; we received 28 entries. Your participation helps celebrate the people and organizations making a difference in our community.INDIVIDUAL / FAMILY CATEGORY RECIPIENT
Lee Marks & John C. DePrez, Jr.
When the nomination for Lee Marks and John C. DePrez, Jr. was received for the 2025 award, there was an immediate consensus among our staff that the pair is beyond worthy of the recognition. Lee currently serves on the Board of Directors for BRCF and is a long-standing member of our Grants Committee.READ MORE NONPROFIT CATEGORY RECIPIENT
Harnessing Hope
Blue River Community Foundation (BRCF) is proud to honor Harnessing Hope with the 2025 Nonprofit Spirit of the Community Award. This award recognizes a nonprofit organization making a deep and lasting impact in Shelby County, and Harnessing Hope has done just that, bringing healing, connection, and hope to many individuals in its very first year.READ MORE CLASS OF 1960 WALDRON HIGH SCHOOL FUND
Sends Local Students to Youth Camp
Thanks to the Class of 1960 Waldron High School Fund, Waldron Elementary students, Max Leising and Deegan Smith (pictured l-r in photo), recently attended the Karl E. Kelley Memorial Youth Camp on scholarship. The camp introduces youth to outdoor life sports while cultivating respect for Indiana’s natural resources and the conservation officers who protect them.
READ MORE REMINDER: SUMMER SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION CYCLE
Deadline September 1
High school students on track to graduate by June 30, 2026 can now apply for scholarships during BRCF's summer scholarship application cycle. Students applying during this cycle are considered for both the
Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship &
BRCF administered scholarships.
The deadline to apply is September 1, 2025.For more information, contact Julie Alvis or view the Foundation's Scholarship Resource Guide.
*applicants must meet minimum eligibility requirements for Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship consideration.APPLY NOW GRANT HIGHLIGHT
Helping Cancer Patients Access Healthy Food Through Market Bucks
BRCF is proud to share an update from a 2024 Community Grant recipient: the Cancer Association of Shelby County. With funding support from BRCF, the Cancer Association expanded its Healthy Eating Program to include Market Bucks for the Shelby County Farmers Market, Spegal Meat Market vouchers, and continued Aldi food cards, reaching 89 clients battling cancer with access to fresh, nutritious food options.
READ MORE LILLY SCHOLARS AWARDED LEAD FORWARD GRANTS
Making A Difference In Shelby County
BRCF is excited to announce that the Lilly Scholars Network has awarded two Lead Forward Community Grants; one to BRCF and another to Hoosier Landmarks for Learning. We are grateful to Lilly Scholars Hope Fenton (2006 LECS recipient) and Rylee Kleine (2021 LECS recipient) who serve as the scholar partners with the local organizations for both of these grants.READ MORE DONOR ADVISED FUNDS
Rose McNeely Shares Why Their Family Established This Type of Fund
When considering establishing a new fund at BRCF to support the community and reach a donor’s philanthropic goals, a donor has the option of starting one of five different types of funds: designated, donor advised, field of interest, community, or scholarship. In the READ MORE section below, Rose McNeely shares how her family has utilized a donor advised fund at BRCF.
READ MORE NONPROFIT INTERNSHIP GRANTS 2026
Application For Nonprofits Available
Blue River Community Foundation (BRCF) is excited to announce the continuation of its nonprofit internship grant opportunity in 2026. This initiative is designed to strengthen our community by supporting local nonprofits while providing meaningful learning experiences for the next generation of leaders in Shelby County. Interested nonprofits must complete an application as part of a competitive selection process. Two organizations will be awarded up to $5,000 each to help cover the wages of an intern. READ MORE APPLY NOW NATIONAL NONPROFIT DAY
Celebrating Local Nonprofits
A special video series is being coordinated in August to shine a spotlight on the incredible work being done by our local nonprofits and volunteers. The videos will highlight different sectors of nonprofits in Shelby County, IN, sharing different organizations' missions, impact, and the people behind the scenes. These montages will be created by Jack Bassett, a recent IU grad, and released throughout the year. National Nonprofit Day is August 17 and we hope that you will take time this month to honor and support their vital efforts.
VISIT SERVE SHELBY TO LEARN MORE DOLLY PARTON IMAGINATION LIBRARY
Now Offering Bilingual Book Option
The Dolly Parton Imagination Library program provides a free book monthly for children ages 0-5. BRCF administers this opportunity in Shelby County thanks in part to the Shelby County Imagination Library Fund established by donors.
El programa Dolly Parton Imagination Library ofrece un libro gratis cada mes para niños de 0 a 5 años. BRCF coordina esta oportunidad en el condado de Shelby, gracias al apoyo de donantes que crearon el Fondo de la Biblioteca Imaginaria del Condado de Shelby.LEARN MORE REGISTER / REGISTRESE 10,537 Books Mailed. 1,277 Children Enrolled. 372 Young Graduates.YMCA SPECIAL ANNOUNCMENT
COMMUNITY HEALTH NEEDS SURVEY
Help Shape A Healthier Shelby County
Your input makes a difference! By taking a few minutes to share your experiences, you're helping guide services, programs, and funding decisions that directly impact our community.
English survey: myMHP.org/survey
Spanish survey: myMHP.org/spsurvey
Survey open through September 30, 2025CITY & COUNTY PROGRESS GRANT CYCLE
Grant Application DEADLINE - TODAY!
The City of Shelbyville and Shelby County Government continue to offer a grant program funded through racino income that they receive annually under state law. They recognize that many organizations are working continually to enhance the quality of life in our community and wish to support this work by offering grants awarded annually through a competitive selection process. Grant applications are due August 1. LEARN MORE or contact Jordan England. IN MEMORY OF OUR LOVED ONESAt the request of friends and family, BRCF is honored to accept memorial gifts to the following fund: 
Blue River Foundation Memorial Fund
Type: Community Fund
In memory of Alyssia Page Wildman
1977 - 2025DONATE 
Shelby County Pantry Pals Fund
Type: Field of Interest Fund
In memory of Marlin G. "Scouty" Everhart
1939 - 2025DONATE DATES & DEADLINES TO KNOW 
August 1 - City & County Progress Grant Application Deadline
August 17 - National Nonprofit Day
September 1 - Labor Day, BRCF Office Closed
September 1 - Summer Scholarship Application Cycle Deadline (for students on track to graduate high school by June 30, 2026)BRCF INITIATIVES 
The Dolly Parton Imagination Library program provides a free book monthly for children ages 0-5. BRCF administers this opportunity in Shelby County thanks in part to the Shelby County Imagination Library fund established by donors.
LEARN MORE and/or REGISTER
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Copyright © *|2025|* *|Blue River Community Foundation|*, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
Blue River Community Foundation
54 W. Broadway Street, Suite 1
Shelbyville, IN 46176
P: 317.392.7955
Hours: M-F, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
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