Field of Interest GrantS
You Have the Ideas. We Have the Money.
Each Field of Interest Fund has its own guidelines, which were set by the original donor. Timelines also vary.
Unless otherwise noted, applications for these grants are found in the grants management system.
If you need help or would like to discuss your ideas, please reach out to us. We’re happy to help!
Timelines
Most applications are in our online grants system and will be open at least 1 month in advance of the due date. Once you log in, you will see the applications currently available.
Guidelines
Here is a downloadable grants guide organized by type of applicant.
Applications accepted year-round, beginning 1/1. Please note that funds are limited.
- Bob Priddy Sports Partner Fund
- Established in 2017 by Deby Priddy and Christie Love to provide financial support to Rush County youth involved in team sports.
- Who can apply
- Rush County families with youth athletes to assist with team participation fees, camp tuition fees, and equipment.
- Download the application. (Not available through the grants system)
- Helen and Jim Ewing Fund to Help the Elderly and Feed the Hungry
- Established by Jim Ewing in memory of his wife, Helen to provide food for those in need and/or essentials for the elderly
- Who can apply
- Nonprofits serving Rush County residents
- Rush County Cancer Fund
- Established in 2005 by Mable and Eugene Smith while Eugene was struggling with cancer, in gratitude for all the support they received from their friends and family. “We hope to help others as we have been helped through encouragement and support… It is time for us to give to others, and this is a way we can do this.” Mable said. Their fund assists with the needs of others with cancer.
- Who can apply
- Local organizations (church, clinic, service provider, etc.) working with Rush County residents with cancer and acting as their sponsor
- Organizations that provide direct assistance to individuals with cancer in Rush County
- Download the application. (Not available through the grants system)
Applications due by 3/1
- Boy Scouts of America Fund
- Established in 2000 by Bill Herdrich to support Rush County Boy Scouts attending scout camp.
- Who can apply
- Rush County Boy Scout and Cub Scout Troop leaders
- Rush County Parks Fund
- Established in 1995 by the Rushville Parks and Recreation Director to support any Rush County park facility with projects or programs not ordinarily funded by local governments.
- Who can apply
- Nonprofits, local governments
- Shane Young Memorial Soccer Fund
- Established by Shane’s family as a tribute to his love of the sport and to promote soccer in Rush County.
- Who can apply
- Soccer coaches and programs
- Could be used to send an athlete to camp, improve soccer facilities, promote sportsmanship, train adult leaders, train athletes, or support youth soccer programs.
- Youth in Philanthropy Fund (YIP)
- Established to promote youth involvement and teach philanthropy to our next generation of community leaders, by supporting youth-led service projects organizations in Rush County.
- Who can apply
- Any youth involved with a Rush County nonprofit organization with a philanthropic project or service idea
Applications due by 3/15
- CIRCLe Fund
- A women’s giving group that combines members’ donations to provide a large, annual grant. Learn more about past grantees.
- Who can apply
- Any nonprofit serving Rush County residents.
- Preference will be given to organizations serving women and/or children.
Applications due by 8/15
- Robert and Gleela Baldwin Fund for Early Learning
- Established in 2021 to provide financial assistance for high-quality early learning opportunities.
- Who can apply
- Parents and caregivers of students accepted into and attending a Paths to Quality Level 3 or 4 preschool serving Rush County residents.
- Download the application. (Not available through the grants system)
Applications due by 9/1
- Alex Workman Memorial Fund
- Established in 2009 by Robert and Angela Workman in memory of their son Alex to support children with autism.
- Who can apply
- Rush County families who have children with autism may apply for costs for special services, summer camps, or home equipment used for therapy and not covered by insurance.
- Rush County teachers working directly with students with autism may apply for costs of additional schooling (including symposiums, conferences, seminars, continuing education, Master’s Degree) or necessary supplies for their students.
- Brashaber Teacher Enhancement Award
- Established in 2017 by Ken and Charlotte Brashaber to encourage curriculum development and enhance learning for Rushville Consolidated High School (RCHS) students.
- Who can apply
- Any RCHS teacher (including previous recipients) for costs of:
- A proposed activity or project within or outside of the classroom
- Additional schooling (including symposiums, conferences, seminars, continuing education, Master’s Degree)
- Priority for this grant will be given to a teacher proposing a creative or unconventional idea for the benefit of the educational process.
- Any RCHS teacher (including previous recipients) for costs of:
- Dave Kehl Memorial Fund
- Established to support suicide prevention awareness and mental health education and resources for Rush County residents.
- Who can apply
- Rush County nonprofits, teachers
- Rush County Education Fund (Thank-A-Teacher)
- Established in 1994 to support education-related projects not provided for in the Rush County School’s budget.
- Who can apply
- Rush County teachers, students, administrators, and volunteer parents.
- Molly Spaeth Fund for Transformation and Well-Being Fund
- Established in memory of Molly Spaeth to improve the social and/or mental well-being and betterment of individuals in Rush County.
- Who can apply
- Nonprofits serving Rush County residents, schools
- Music for Rush County Fund
- Established in 1995 by Faith Davis Ellison in memory of her husband E. Floyd Ellison to encourage music participation and enjoyment for the community, especially encouraging adult appreciation.
- Who can apply
- Nonprofits serving Rush County residents, RCS elementary and middle school teachers (Grants will not be made to high school programs or to high school students.)
- Could be used to help bring a concert to Rush County, to support local music groups, to pay for a RCS music teacher to attend a music education workshop, or to bring a music related program to a Rush County Schools elementary or middle school.
- Rita Yager Memorial Ag Grant Fund
- Established in 1999 in memory of Rita Yager, who was instrumental in establishing the Agricultural Careers and Education (ACE) organization in Rush County, to support agriculture-related projects, specifically dealing with education, safety, and improvement.
- Who can apply
- Non-profit agencies serving Rush County residents, schools
- Rush County Youth Athletic Fund
- Established in 1993 by James Robert Billman to support amateur athletes and coaches in Rush County.
- Eligible requests include the costs of development and training of amateur athletes and coaches, amateur competitions, higher educational opportunities for youth through athletic excellence, and programs that include underprivileged youth
- Who can apply
- Rush County amateur athletes, coaches, and programs
Applications due by 10/15
- Youth in Philanthropy Fund (YIP)
- Established to promote youth involvement and teach philanthropy to our next generation of community leaders, by supporting youth-led service projects organizations in Rush County.
- Who can apply
- Any youth involved with a Rush County nonprofit organization with a philanthropic project or service idea
Funds with forthcoming applications
- Rush County Ag Fund (due date TBD)
- Supports agricultural programming for educational training, youth farm programs and preserving the history of agriculture in Rush County.
- Who can apply
- Nonprofits, schools
- Rush County Nature Preservation Fund (due 3/1)
- Established in 2025 by Julie Osting Connolly to honor the Hinchman, McGraw, and Osting families by preserving natural resources within Rush County.
- Priority will be given to the repopulation of natural wildlife resources. Examples may include, but are not exclusive to, freshwater river fish, freshwater mussels and other native wildlife. All species in a release must be native to the Rush County territory and due diligence must be provided that no invasive species will be introduced as part of the project. Non-repopulation purposes of this fund may include, but are not limited to, sounds/video recordings or other technology, feeding stations, release of natural habitats, and planting of plants and trees to encourage and sustain populations (with emphasis on bees, butterflies and birds).
- Who can apply
- Nonprofits with preference given to small and mid-sized institutions that may include, but not exclusively, schools, libraries, clubs and other similar sized organizations.
The Rush County Community Foundation does not make grants to organizations that discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, race, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, economic circumstance, physical/mental abilities and characteristics, marital status, or membership in another legally protected group, all in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.
Application Process
Most Field of Interest grant applications are submitted through our grants system. If you need assistance or have questions at any step during the application process, please reach out to us. We’re happy to help!
STEP 1: Application
A Letter of Intent is not needed. Applications are submitted electronically through our grants system and will open at least 1 month prior to the due date, unless otherwise noted.
STEP 2: Review Process
You will be notified of your application’s results.
STEP 3: Awards
If your application receives an award, you will receive your payment shortly.
We ask that you:
- Promptly sign/return your agreement and cash your check.
- Document your grant covered expenses.
- Share photos and stories with us that help show the impact of your grant.
- Acknowledge your award through one or more:
- Display a grantee sign or sticker – These are available at our office.
- Social media – Please tag us so we can share your posts!
STEP 4: Wrap-Up
Once you’ve completed your program or project OR within 6 months of receiving your grant, you will be required to submit a final report through our grants system. Here’s your chance to tell your organization’s story! You will need to submit receipts for expenses, a review of your objectives, stories of impact, and photos.
*Please note: You cannot apply for additional grants if you have a grant in progress or if you have not submitted a final report for a completed grant.
