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Blue River Community Foundation: BRCF May 2025 Newsletter
May 2025 
DON'T MISS OUT! 1:1 MATCH OPPORTUNITY
Support Creative Placemaking
Interested in supporting more public art and placemaking projects like the ones shown above? Your donation can help bring even more meaningful efforts to life in Shelby County. Plus, thanks to Lilly Endowment Inc.’s GIFTVIII initiative, every contribution will be matched 1:1—doubling your impact! Let’s keep building a more beautiful and vibrant community together. LEARN MORE DONATE SCHOLARSHIP WORKSHOP
Attention Class of 2026
Since 2017, BRCF has offered a free scholarship workshop each summer for rising high school seniors in Shelby County. Interested students can choose one of the date and time slots below to attend:-
June 19: 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
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July 10: 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
To learn more about this opportunity, please review this FLYER or contact Julie Alvis at jalvis@blueriverfoundation.com or 317-392-7955 ext. 102. REGISTER NOW INDIANA OPERA VISITS SHELBYVILLE
Performances for Students & Silver Seniors
Shelbyville recently experienced a touch of musical magic as the Indianapolis Opera Resident Artists brought their talents to two special performances—one for local elementary students and another for area seniors—thanks to support from the Herbert B. and Lillian N. DePrez Opera Education Fund at Blue River Community Foundation. READ MORE TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK: May 5 - 9
Thank You Educators
As we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week (May 5–9), BRCF extends our gratitude to the teachers in Shelby County who make a difference in the lives of students every day. Thanks to our donors, we are proud to support local educators through grants that help bring new ideas, resources, and opportunities to their classrooms and to other youth educational programs.
READ MORE CELEBRATE. HONOR. REMEMBER.
Make A Meaningful Difference
May is a month filled with meaningful milestones—graduation ceremonies, Mother’s Day, and Memorial Day. Traditionally, we place money inside cards for graduates, purchase gifts for our mothers, and lay flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes.
But what if we reimagined the way we give?LEARN MORE NATIONAL NURSES WEEEK
Celebrating the Heartbeat of Healthcare
In recognition of National Nurses Week (May 6-12), BRCF proudly celebrates the nurses in our community. Every day, they make a difference in the lives of others by providing care and comfort when it’s needed most. Did you know that BRCF holds funds specifically to honor and support nurses? Through these opportunities, local nurses can be recognized for their service and receive resources to help them continue advancing in their profession. READ MORE MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS
BRCF's Commitment To Community Wellness
As May marks Mental Health Awareness Month, BRCF believes it is an important time to highlight the fact that overall wellness includes both physical and mental health. Historically, BRCF has helped improve the physical health of our community through grants awarded from unrestricted community funds and specialized field of interest funds. In more recent years, however, we have seen a significant rise in the need for mental health-related support. READ MORE HOMETOWN COMMUNITY GRANT CYCLE
DEADLINE - July 1: Apply Today!
The Hometown Community Funds held at BRCF were created in 2008 to support charitable projects or organizations that serve the residents of Shelby County's rural areas —our HOMETOWNS! Projects or programs within the boundaries of each of the 4 county school districts are eligible. Examples include schools, volunteer fire departments, historic restoration projects, town improvements, public beautification projects, youth programs, senior citizen programs, or community education programs. LEARN MORE/APPLY CITY & COUNTY PROGRESS GRANT CYCLE
Grant Interest Forms DEADLINE - July 1
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 interest forms are due July 1. LEARN MORE or contact Jordan England. GRANT INTEREST FORM REMINDER: 2025 SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY AWARDS
Nominations Now Accepted
Nominations for the 2025 Spirit of Community Awards are now being accepted. If you know an individual, family, company, or nonprofit making a lasting impact on Shelby County’s future through service and philanthropy, we encourage you to submit a nomination. Award recipients of both categories will receive $1,000 to donate to a Shelby County nonprofit of their choice. Submit your nomination or learn more below!
NOMINATE/LEARN MORE NEW FUNDS ESTABLISHED
Veteran Endowment Fund
Type: Field of Interest FundThe “Ramp it Up for Veterans” team from Leadership Shelby County proudly launched an initiative dedicated to supporting those who’ve served our nation. In partnership with BRCF, the team established a permanent Veteran Endowment Fund to provide long-term support to nonprofit organizations serving veterans in Shelby County. Inspired by personal connections to veterans and the challenges they face, this grassroots effort began in Fall 2024 with student-written letters and hands-on community service. The team successfully hosted a fundraiser to help grow the fund, and thanks to generous community support, they moved closer to creating a sustainable future of care and assistance for our local heroes. 
Leon V. & Ruth Phillipy Parish
Scholarship Fund
Type: Scholarship FundMrs. Ruth Phillipy Parish was born on July 22, 1904, in Morristown, Indiana, to William H. and Gertrude (Wrenick) Phillipy. She graduated from Morristown High School in 1922 and pursued higher education at Indiana University and Ball State University. Ruth began her career as a home economics teacher, spending nine years educating students in Henry and Wayne counties. She later transitioned to a role as an examiner with the Internal Revenue Service in Indianapolis, where she worked for 20 years. A dedicated community member, Ruth was involved with the Morristown United Methodist Church and the Morristown Chapter 316 of the Order of the Eastern Star. Her passion for education inspired her to establish the Leon and Ruth Parish Teaching Scholarship in 1986 to benefit Morristown High School graduates pursuing careers in teaching. Before her passing in 1995, Ruth ensured the scholarship’s longevity by creating a trust. In 2025, the trust was transferred to BRCF to continue supporting future generations of educators. DATES & DEADLINES TO KNOW 
May 8 - BRCF Scholarship Presentations at TCHS @ 7 p.m.
May 12 - BRCF Scholarship Presentations at SHS @ 6:30 p.m.
May 16 - BRCF Scholarship Presentations at MHS @ 9 a.m.
May 19 - BRCF Scholarship Presentations at WHS @ 9 a.m.
May 20 - Spirit of Community Nomination Deadline
May 21 - BRCF Scholarship Presentations at SWHS @ 8:30 a.m.
May 26 - Memorial Day; BRCF Office Closed
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
Serve Shelby is a centralized source for nonprofits to connect with the community and for volunteers to discover ways to share their time and talent. Sign up for the monthly newsletter. 
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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