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Blue River Community Foundation: BRCF 2025 July Newsletter
July 2025 
THANK YOU FOR BRINGING OUR COMMUNITY'S STORY TO LIFE
BRCF's Pride In Place Program: Match Campaign Success
Every community has a story to tell! Thanks to you, our generous donors, Shelby County’s story is being told in vibrant color and creative expression. Through the Pride in Place program, a creative placemaking initiative of BRCF, our community is coming alive with meaningful art and thoughtful design. Your contributions have made it possible to turn public spaces into places of beauty, pride, and connection; places that reflect who we are and what we value.
READ MORE DONORS PROJECT UPDATE
Sundial Sculpture Installed at Trailhead
In early 2024, asphalt art was installed at the Trailhead on the paved circular portion of the Blue River Trail. The design resembles a sun and now serves as the foundation for a functional sundial sculpture. This sculpture complements the planet installations that already exist along the trail system throughout Shelbyville.READ MORE GRANT HIGHLIGHT
Girls Inc. Launches First Maker Space to Empower STEAM Learning
BRCF is proud to spotlight the impact of a 2024 Community Grant awarded to Girls Inc. of Shelbyville/Shelby County. With this funding, Girls Inc. created a dedicated STEAM Maker Space at their Shelbyville Center, transforming an entire classroom into an immersive, hands-on learning lab.READ MORE SUMMER SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION CYCLE
July 1 - 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.APPLY NOW NONPROFIT INTERNSHIP GRANT PROGRAM
Meet The 2025 InternsIn the fall of 2023, BRCF announced a new nonprofit internship grant opportunity for local nonprofits. Last summer, the first grant was awarded to the Shelby County Boys & Girls Club. This initiative aims to strengthen our community by supporting local nonprofits while providing valuable learning opportunities for the next generation in our county. Due to the success of this effort, BRCF awarded two $5,000 grants this year. The 2025 grant recipients are Harnessing Hope and the Grover Center. 
Pictured are the 2025 interns.
top right: Aly Warfield (Harnessing Hope)
bottom (l-r): Brooke Dennis and Nolan Chaddon (Grover Center)READ MORE SCHOLARSHIP WORKSHOP REMINDER
Attention Class of 2026 - Last Chance To RegisterRising seniors from around Shelby County learned valuable information about BRCF's scholarship program at the June Scholarship Workshop. An additional workshop is slated for July 10th from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.... only a few seats are still open. Any high school student on track to graduate by June of 2026 is encouraged to register. If registration reaches capacity, an additional workshop will be offered. Deadline to register is July 8th. To learn more about this opportunity, please review this flyer or contact Julie Alvis at jalvis@blueriverfoundation. com or 317.392.7955 ext. 102 
Pictured are students and alumni scholars attending BRCF's June scholarship workshop.
front (l-r): Ava Mummert, Ashlynn Wadsworth, Haddi Johnson, Lauren Strehle, Mia Garthwaite, Sydney Brown, Abbigail Turner
back (l-r): Karina Calderon, Alexa Wettrick, Aiden Alton, Riley Everette, Emma Wheelhouse, Michael Ballinger, Owen Rinzel, Eli Sego, Nick Tormoehlen, and Donavon MartinREGISTER NOW SHELBY COUNTY CERTIFIED AS BIRD TOWN
First County in Indiana to Earn the Designation
Shelby County has made history as the first county in Indiana to be certified as a Bird Town Indiana community partner. The designation, awarded by Indiana Audubon, celebrates local efforts to protect birds, restore habitats, and engage the public in conservation. This recognition reflects years of collaboration among schools, local organizations, community leaders, and BRCF, which played a key role as a partner in this work.
LEARN MORE 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, 2025HOMETOWN 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. 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 
SHARE YOUR IDEAS HERE IN MEMORY OF OUR LOVED ONESAt the request of friends and family, BRCF is honored to accept memorial gifts to the following fund: 
Waldron Hometown Community Fund
Type: Field of Interest Fund
In memory of Roger Dee Laird
1957 - 2025DONATE 
In memory of Scott Spahr
1968 - 2025
Scott Spahr, CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Shelbyville, was a dedicated leader and tireless advocate for the children in our community. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Scott’s family, loved ones, and the entire Boys and Girls Club team. His legacy will continue to shape our community and the Club for years to come.2024 ANNUAL REPORT 
Explore the digital version of our 2024 annual report. If you did not receive a hard copy and would like one, please contact us.
e: ctomlinson@blueriverfoundation.com
p: 317.392.7955DATES & DEADLINES TO KNOW 
July 1 - Hometown Community Grant Interest Forms Deadline
July 1 - Summer Scholarship Application Cycle opens
(for students on track to graduate high school by June 2026)
July 1 - Scholarship Claim Forms due for 2025 recipients
July 3 & 4 - July 4th Holiday; BRCF Office Closed
July 10 - BRCF Scholarship Workshop 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.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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