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Blue River Community Foundation: BRCF April 2025 Newsletter
April 2025 
BIRD TOWN DISTINCTION INITIATIVE
Shelby County Takes Flight
In Shelby County, the Bird Town Committee is actively working to submit the county’s application for Bird Town status with Indiana Audubon, joining seven other municipalities in the state. This initiative, a collaboration of various community organizations including BRCF, will raise awareness about the county's ecological resources and promote bird conservation through education and outreach.
LEARN MORE BRCF AWARDED GRANT FOR MT. FUJI-INSPIRED INSTALLATION
Honoring Our Sister City - Shizuoka, Japan, Through Art
BRCF has been awarded a $15,000 IDDC IN Indiana Placemaking Activation Grant through the Indiana Destination Development Corporation (IDDC) for an art installation that will honor the Sister City relationship between Shelbyville, IN and Shizuoka, Japan. Fabrication will begin on an art installation that will mimic Mt. Fuji in form and span the alleyway between the Grover Center: Museum & Historical Society and Fire Station No. 1. Architect Michael Runge and Ignition Arts, LLC are developing the projectREAD MORE DONATE INVESTING IN THE FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE
Southwestern Agriscience Program
Thanks to the generosity of the Wortman Family Foundation Fund administered by Blue River Community Foundation (BRCF), students at Southwestern Consolidated Schools of Shelby County are gaining experience with cutting-edge agricultural technology. Earlier this year, the fund supported the school with the purchase of an agricultural drone, enhancing hands-on learning opportunities in Mr. Shaw's Agriscience program at Southwestern Jr./Sr. High School.
READ MORE VIDEO CLIP INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION
Beau Kenkel Shares His Educational Journey with Local Students
Beau Kenkel, Shelby County’s 2023 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar and an active member of Blue River Community Foundation’s (BRCF) Scholar Alumni Alliance, recently spoke with 8th-grade students at Shelbyville Middle School about the opportunities available through BRCF’s Scholarship Program. During his visit, Beau shared his personal educational experiences and offered insights into the impact of receiving such a prestigious scholarship.
READ MORE NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEEK
Serving to Make a Difference
National Volunteer Week (April 20-26) is a time to celebrate and appreciate the incredible individuals who give their time and energy to support their communities. Their dedication strengthens organizations, creates positive change, and makes a lasting impact on those they serve. To learn how you can volunteer in Shelby County, please check out Serve Shelby's website which is a BRCF initiative.SERVE SHELBY BRCF SCHOLARSHIP RESOURCE GUIDE
Learn About BRCF's Scholarship Opportunities
Each spring, BRCF begins the promotion of their scholarship opportunities for the next cohort. One tool used to help spread the word is our Scholarship Resource Guide. Our intent with this piece is to not only provide valuable information about BRCF scholarship opportunities and procedures, but to also highlight the numerous scholarship funds made possible by the donors who have established these funds. READ MORE
VIEW THE GUIDE CHECK OUT THE LASTEST EDITION OF THE CORNERSTONE
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BRCF has expanded the Cornerstone to an 8-page publication. This newsletter will be distributed in the spring and fall. If you are not currently receiving this publication in your mailbox, and would like to receive a copy, please click on the button below to subscribe.
SUBSCRIBE 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!
During our conversations with one of the 2023 Spirit of the Community Award winners, Kay Koenig, she brought to our attention that the BRCF building was not completely accessible. Although we have an elevator to help visitors reach the second floor, our side entrance door into the building is quite heavy. For a user that has a cane, wheelchair, or stroller, the door is difficult to keep open without the help of another individual. With Kay's encouragement and help connecting us with a contractor, BRCF recently installed an automatic door to our entrance at the west side of the building.NOMINATE/LEARN MORE 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 NEW FUNDS ESTABLISHED
O'Connor Family Fund
Type: Community FundWe can think of no better way to give back to our community than to create the O’Connor Family Fund to enrich and better the community and the lives of the individuals and families who live and work here. Our family has been immensely blessed to call Shelby County our home and to serve the community in many capacities including; local government, law enforcement, public health, youth-service organizations, as well as through our parish, St. Joe. We are grateful to partner with BRCF to support and encourage the continued growth of individuals and families in Shelby County.
Zauss Family Scholarship Fund
Type: Scholarship FundThe Zauss Family Scholarship was established by Lawrence Kenneth and Gail E. Zauss to honor their daughters, Emily Zauss Colpi and Laura Zauss Bossingham. The scholarship is to help support a Shelby County student preparing for a career in either the field of education or nursing.
DATES & DEADLINES TO KNOW 
April 1 - Community Grant Cycle Applications Due
April 8 - Grant Writing Workshop at Hancock County Community Foundation
April 15 - State of Indiana's priority FAFSA deadline
April 18 - Good Friday, BRCF Office Closed
May 20 - Spirit of Community nominations deadlineBRCF 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. DONATE 
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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