The Corydon Democrat
Wednesday, March 14, 2001

Community Foundation Grants Top $368,200

The Harrison County Community Foundation has announced more than $368,200 in grants to the following agencies in the categories designated:

Education

South Central Junior-Senior High School, $2,500 for video editing equipment; Tindall School No. 3, $12,000 to support a hands-on history program; Lanesville Community School Corp., $10,000 for distance learning Indiana College Connection; Lanesville school library, $2,400 for promotional reading materials; Bellarmine University, $9,000 for scholarships for Harrison County residents; and St Joseph School, $10,000 for satellite dish for high-speed Internet access.

Youth
Junior Achievement, $3,000 to purchase program materials and supplies; Harrison County 4-H, $3,000 for trip to Washington, D.C.; Our Place, $4,261 for pregnancy prevention program in North Harrison schools; Boy Scout Troop 22, $3,800 to purchase equipment and supplies; Lanesville youth baseball/softball, $40,145 to renovate concession stand and restrooms; and DARE of Harrison County, $5,500 to purchase computer and help fund first fair in 2001.

Community

Leadership Harrison County, $5,000 for non-profit board training; The Nature Conservancy, $12,600 for conservation planning and mapping in Harrison County; Harrison County Agricultural Society, $22,500 for challenge grant for restroom renovation at fairgrounds; South Harrison Community Development Corp., $4,700 for computer and feasibility study; and Harrison County SOS (Sink or Swim), $8,750 for architectural rendering and community outreach.

Health, Human Services

Blue River Services Inc., $15,000 toward purchase of a transport vehicle; Harrison County Community Services, $30,000 for general operating budget; PACT (Prisoner and Community Together), $5,000 for violence prevention program; Green Thumb, $6,300 to support personnel and benefits; Harrison County Chaplains Association, $5,000 for assistance programs; LifeSpring, $11,700 for equipment, supplies and swimming lessons; LifeSpan, $6,998 for matching funds for two vehicles for Harrison County seniors; House of New Beginnings, $5,000 for assistance in securing land for a halfway house for recovering substance abusers; Harrison County Hospital, $10,350 toward purchase of colposcope; Habitat for Humanity, $1,000 contribution toward membership fee; Legal Services Organization of Indiana, $5,500; Elizabeth Volunteer Fire Dept, $50,000 to purchase property and new firehouse, and Harrison County Sheriff's Dept., $17,200.

Infrastructure

Town of Lanesville, $30,000 to purchase concrete for repair and construction of sidewalks; Milltown Municipal Water, $10,000 challenge grant for water main and fire hydrant.

Those agencies survived a highly competitive process this spring, said the Foundation's executive director, Steve Gilliland. Some 52 applicants requested more than $1.5 million for projects.

The Laconia sewer project's request for $96,000 was among those rejected.

Foundation board president J. Gordon Pendleton said the grant was rejected in part by the 21-member board because the grant sub-committee which assessed the application couldn't agree on the award.

"The whole board voted, and it was voted down," he said.

Including some $150,000 in scholarship funds awarded to Harrison County high schools in January, the Foundation has provided nearly $1.5 million to support non-profit projects and scholarships since October 1997.

An agreement made by the Harrison County Board of Commissioners created the Foundation with an initial contribution of $5 million from Caesars Indiana.

With additional contributions from Caesars, donations from the community and growth through investments, the Foundation now has a market value of about $12 million, Gilliland said.

Applications to be considered for the fall round of grants will be accepted after June 1 and must be postmarked by July 14. The applications are available on the Internet or by calling the Foundation office at 738-6668. All not-for-profit agencies serving Harrison County are invited to apply.