Blue River Community Foundation (BRCF) has received a matching fund grant totaling $750,000 as part of the eighth phase of Lilly Endowment Inc.’s initiative, Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT VIII).

BRCF will use the funding to $587,500 for unrestricted endowment building and $155,000 for community placemaking projects. 

Qualifying matching funds raised to support the community foundation’s unrestricted endowment will be eligible for a $2(grantor)-to-$1(grantee) match from Lilly Endowment while qualifying matching funds raised for community placemaking activities will be eligible for a $1-to-$1 match.

“Lilly Endowment Inc. is truly the foundation of all community foundations in the state of Indiana.  Before GIFT VIII, Lilly Endowment had already provided Blue River Community Foundation with over $6.3M in funding, mostly to our unrestricted, community funds. This most recent GIFT phase will enable BRCF and our donors to grow our unrestricted funding by over $880,000. Additionally, the match will provide $310,000 for placemaking projects throughout Shelby County, helping to build our community pride and tell the story of our county’s history, “ said Jennifer Jones, BRCF Executive Director. 

Through GIFT VIII, Lilly Endowment has awarded matching fund grants totaling $133.8 million to community foundations serving all 92 of Indiana’s counties. Eligible community foundations submitted proposals requesting grants ranging from $100,000 to $15,000,000 based on the population of the counties they serve.

In 2023, Lilly Endowment launched GIFT VIII to help community foundations strengthen the towns, cities and counties they serve. Matching fund grants are one several funding opportunities designed to help community foundations promote long-term viability; further strengthen their abilities to lead; encourage board engagement; and support and develop strategic efforts to enhance quality of life in their communities.

Blue River Community Foundation (BRCF) was born from the ideas and efforts of the 1988 Leadership Shelby County cohort. BRCF awards grant dollars to nonprofit and charitable organizations that support our community in the areas of healthcare, education, art and culture, recreation, civic areas, and social services.  Since providing their first grant in 1994, BRCF has supported Shelby County with over $31,000,000 in grants and scholarships.  Their unrestricted, community funds gives their organization the flexibility to serve almost any charitable need in the community, today and forever. 

About Lilly Endowment Inc.

Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly, Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. Although the gifts of stock remain a financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion. The Endowment funds significant programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion. However, it maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.