The Scott County Community Foundation (SCCF) has awarded more than $157,000 through its 2026 Community Grants Program to 14 local organizations serving Scott County, Grants Committee Chair Janie Alexander announced. The organizations were recognized during the Foundation’s annual grants brunch.
“The Scott County Community Foundation is proud to be able to give grants to these worthwhile projects,” said Alexander. “All of them benefit Scott County and improve the quality of life in our community. With the foresight of these fundholders, we are able to invest in the future of Scott County.”
The organizations receiving grants, along with the purpose of each award, include:
- CASA of Scott County: operational support to advocate for abused and neglected children, $20,000;
- CEASe of Scott County: Healthcare Equity and Access project providing exercise opportunities, healthy eating initiatives, and educational sessions to reduce cardiovascular disease, $3,811;
- CRADLE Family Resource Center: operating expenses to support its mission of providing essential items to pregnant women and young families, $21,650.50;
- Gleaners Food Bank: school-based pantry program at Austin and Scottsburg high schools, $8,000;
- Holding Space Recovery: part-time recovery coach providing transportation and recovery services, $10,000;
- Junior Achievement of Kentuckiana: financial literacy programs for students, $3,750;
- LifeSmart Youth: health education programming for students in both school districts, including human growth and development, teen pregnancy prevention, mental health, substance abuse prevention, and healthy relationships, $5,000;
- Lincoln Heritage Council/Scouting America: free scout registrations, $3,000;
- Preservation Alliance, Inc.: operational support for Scott County Heritage Center and Museum, $10,000;
- Scott County Family YMCA: scholarships for children attending summer and out-of-school camps, $3,000;
- Scott County Master Gardeners Association/Scott County Fair Association: fairgrounds beautification, $1,000;
- Scott County Partnership: staffing for Clearinghouse food pantry, $21,500;
- Scott County Partnership: matching support for Covering Kids and Families health insurance navigator program, $15,000;
- Still Water Individual and Family Therapy Services: therapy sessions for clients with financial need, $3,000;
The Donald R. and Elizabeth A. (Sue) Collins Sr. Family Fund provided funding for the grant to Preservation Alliance Inc. The Laurence and Myrtle Bridge Memorial Fund provided funding for the grant to Junior Achievement of Kentuckiana. The Dale and Rosemarie Hobbs Fund provided the funding for Scott County Master Gardeners/Scott County Fair Association. The L.L. and Juanita Lowry Unrestricted Fund provided funding to CRADLE Family Resource Center. Through these families’ memberships in the Forever Tree Society, earnings from the unrestricted funds are able to support specific charitable projects in the community.
The grants were also made possible from the Borden Family Community Granting Fund, the Boswell Family Fund, Patricia E. Bridge Community Fund, Cree-ating Community Fund, Phillip Dold Sr. Memorial Fund, Terry Fewell Memorial Unrestricted Fund, the Garten Foundation, Addie Mae Graham Memorial Fund, Lauren Graham Memorial Fund, Dustin and Derek Jones Memorial Fund, Kilburn-White Unrestricted Fund, Hazel and Lowell Lowry Sr. Memorial Fund, John and Janice Martin Unrestricted Fund, Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund, NWSB Community Fund, Dr. William and Diann Scott Unrestricted Fund, Dan and Mary Lou Slattery Fund, Devonnia Tscheulin Memorial Fund, Wesbanco Fund, William Frasier Wetzel Memorial Fund, Yellow Rose of Nancy R. Laird Memorial Fund, Scott County Immediate Response Fund, Scott County Memorial Fund and Community Enrichment Fund.
The Board of Directors also awarded $48,897 from the Scott County CAPE Educational Endowment Fund to the Scott County Partnership to continue educational initiatives through a Youth Resources Coordinator. The position supports LifeSkills and guidance activities at Austin and Scottsburg elementary and middle schools, while coordinating educational programs such as Reality Stores, and career fairs at both Austin and Scottsburg high schools.
“Sixteen years ago, we had eight unrestricted funds and awarded about $34,000 in grants to the community,” said Executive Director Jaime Toppe, “Today, thanks to the generosity of countless donors to these unrestricted funds, 28 unrestricted funds made these grants possible. The average grant size has more than tripled from $3,000 to over $9,000. Five of these community unrestricted funds awarded grants for the very first time this year.”
Toppe noted that the Foundation experienced a record-breaking year for grant requests.
“This growth matters because the need continues to grow,” shared Toppe. “This year, we received the largest amount of funding requests in the history of our Community Grants Program, yet we were only able to fund about half of the dollars requested. As many nonprofits face state and federal funding reductions, and charitable giving declines, it becomes even more important for the Foundation to meet our community’s greatest needs. Every contribution to an unrestricted fund helps make that possible.”
Since awarding its first community grants totaling $50,000 in 1997, the Scott County Community Foundation has awarded more than $7 million in scholarships and grants to support local students, nonprofits, and community initiatives. Through the generosity of Lilly Endowment Inc., nearly $14 million has also been invested in Scott County through Foundation initiatives.
For more information, contact the Scott County Community Foundation at 812-752-2057, email info@scottcountyfoundation.org, visit 60 N. Main St., Scottsburg, or learn more at www.scottcountyfoundation.org. To view all photos, check out our Facebook page: Facebook
