Your Impact Update

Cultivating resources to enhance life in Rush County.

Reducing blight in our smaller communities is a major component of our most recent $5M grant from Lilly Endowment’s GIFT VIII initiative. This serves two main purposes – revitalization of our towns and creation of new housing opportunities. We’re pleased to share the progress with you.

4 blighted properties have been acquired. READ MORE
Rush County received a $500,000 Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation (OOR) grant to assist homeowners from the State’s Office of Community & Rural Affairs (OCRA). READ MORE
RCCF provided $125,000 of GIFT VIII grant funds for the match required for the County’s OOR application, saving taxpayers the expense.
40 applications have been received for OOR assistance.

Love Community Center Grand Opening

Pride filled the building on March 22nd at 1850 N. Main Street in Rushville. So did people for the Grand Opening and ribbon cutting ceremony of the Love Community Center presented by Jay and Christie (Kile) Love. READ MORE

Several people spoke that day. But none as poignant as Christie Love.

Grants

2025 DESIGNATED & AGENCY FUNDS: $296,637

64 Rush County organizations received annual support.

2025 CYCLE I: $112,553

Rush Countians of all ages are in good hands thanks to your generosity. The latest cycle of Community Grants awarded $112,553 in grants this spring. Read more about these awards and why they matter to our community.

$18,476.15: Boys & Girls Club of Rush County will purchase and install 24 high-definition security cameras to improve safety for the children, staff, and guests.
$2,993: The Porch of Recovery is a new nonprofit that empowers individuals with substance abuse and mental health disorders through finding health, home, purpose, and community. They will provide safe, sober, recreational activities for those in recovery.
$6,000: Rush County Senior Center will purchase supplies to expand activities, including their popular Friday meal program, coffee bar, and the addition of evening programs while maintaining minimal cost for their participants.
$3,500: Whitewater Adult Education will provide specialized equipment and desktop computers to offer the GED exam, as well, and will cover fees for the students.
$4,000: Servants at Work (SAWs) will help provide at least two ramps for Rush County residents, dramatically improving their quality of life.
$5,000: Rush County Historical Society will educate Rush County 4th graders and purchase laptops to expand their mission.
$10,000: Girls Inc. will continue providing valuable and effective life skills lessons to both girls and boys in grades 5-8 during the school day. They cover topics like puberty, healthy relationships, cyber bullying, and vaping in a safe, interactive space.
$27,584.06: American Legion Post 150 will purchase and install a generator, transfer switch, and cement pad, keeping the facility powered during a potential disaster for anyone in need.
$35,000: First5 received annual support.

2025 CIRCLe FUND GRANT: $13,000

The members of the CIRCLe Fund met recently to award their $13,000 grant for 2025. Their support will help transform part of the Love Community Center (LCC) into an exciting new indoor space for families and caregivers of children ages 0-5. One room will become the Love to Play Haven – a safe, sensory-rich, inclusive playground where all children, regardless of ability, can interact, explore, and grow together. It will be designed so that parents can play, too. READ MORE

2025 FIELD OF INTEREST FUND GRANTS: $19,304.43 (to date)

When RCCF donors care about a certain cause or area of life, they might choose to start a field of interest fund to support it. Our 18 field of interest funds cover a diverse range of topics – from autism to food insecurity, and music to youth philanthropy. These funds offer specialized streams of support to nonprofits and schools and unique opportunities for donors like you to give to specific causes that are close to your heart.

BOB PRIDDY SPORTS PARTNER FUND: $1,410

16 youth received assistance with football registration and camp fees.

DAVE KEHL MEMORIAL FUND: $410

Kiwanis Club of Rush County received support for their Community of YOUnity Mental Health Summit.

HELEN AND JIM EWING FUND: $15,000

Rushville Psi Iota Xi will provide hearing aids for low-income Rush County seniors.

RUSH COUNTY PARKS FUND: $2,500.35

Rushville Parks & Recreation used their grant for the shelter house for Carol Jenkins Community Park.

SHANE YOUNG MEMORIAL SOCCER FUND: $344.05

Rushville Public Library receives the dollars from this fund when no applications are received or there is a remainder, per the donor.

New Fund

Rush County Nature Preservation Fund

Scholarships

Congratulations to the 2025 RCCF scholarship recipients! 119 awards from 71 funds totaling $266,535 were presented to 66 local students. Thank you for making this support possible! SEE THEM ALL.

Our Scholarship Celebration is always one of our favorite days of the year. We love watching donors and recipients connect. This is what generosity in action looks like. Smiles and laughter fill the room, as our community comes together to celebrate hard work with good deeds. SEE MORE.

Intern

Please join us in welcoming our summer intern, Katie Thoman!

Katie is a 2022 RCHS grad and will be a senior at Franklin College in the fall, studying public relations and English. She’s passionate about finding and capturing stories, and we can’t wait to hear what she shares! In her free time she enjoys photography, reading, and spending time with her family. We’re so excited to have her join Team RCCF!