Daviess County

Community Foundation


The Community Foundation is a charitable resource devoted to our local community. We help people make meaningful gifts that improve life in Daviess County, Indiana today and for generations to come.


The Community Foundation can help you...

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Greater Good Together

The Daviess County Community Foundation is an affiliate of the Community Foundation Alliance, a network of nine community foundations serving counties in southwestern Indiana. The Alliance provides management and administrative expertise to county-wide community foundations, empowering each to promote philanthropy, build endowment and improve wellbeing in our local communities. Learn more!

Make a Difference Where it Matters

The Community Foundation exists to help caring people like you give back to the causes and community you care about most. We make giving easy and effective. You can give cash, stocks, property, bequests and other assets. You may establish a charitable fund in your name or in the name of a loved one. You can focus your gift on the causes that move you: enrich education, safeguard health, improve neighborhoods, cultivate arts, protect environment, strengthen families.

Invest in the Future of the Community You Love

You can make a gift that lasts forever and establishes your legacy of giving. The Community Foundation offers the power of endowment, where a portion of your fund is invested so that it can grow over time. Earnings from this investment are used to make grants that benefit this community forever. Your gift creates a lasting stream of funding available for community good.

Create Greater Good Together

Powered by generous donors, local leaders, and steadfast partners, the Community Foundation builds on the collective strength of this county to make life better here. We multiply the impact of each individual gift by investing them together for maximum return and impact. We invite everyone to join us in building a strong community.

Make a Difference Where it Matters

The Community Foundation exists to help caring people like you give back to the causes and community you care about most. We make giving easy and effective. You can give cash, stocks, property, bequests and other assets. You may establish a charitable fund in your name or in the name of a loved one. You can focus your gift on the causes that move you: enrich education, safeguard health, improve neighborhoods, cultivate arts, protect environment, strengthen families.

Invest in the Future of the Community You Love

You can make a gift that lasts forever and establishes your legacy of giving. The Community Foundation offers the power of endowment, where a portion of your fund is invested so that it can grow over time. Earnings from this investment are used to make grants that benefit this community forever. Your gift creates a lasting stream of funding available for community good.

Create Greater Good Together

Powered by generous donors, local leaders, and steadfast partners, the Community Foundation builds on the collective strength of this county to make life better here. We multiply the impact of each individual gift by investing them together for maximum return and impact. We invite everyone to join us in building a strong community.

By the Numbers

Financially audited and compiled data from our most recent fiscal year.

For a full report, review our FY21 At A Glance.

Grants

$1.07M

Total grants awarded to nonprofits through our annual grant cycles and distribution

Scholarships

$337K

Total scholarships awarded to students through our annual scholarship programs

Gifts

$1.0M

Total gifts received from caring donors to support the causes and community they care about most

Assets

$17.1M

Total assets providing a sustainable charitable resource for our community

By the Numbers

Financially audited and compiled data from our most recent fiscal year.

For a full report, review our FY22 At A Glance.

Grants

$1.07M

Total grants awarded to nonprofits through our annual grant cycles and distribution

Scholarships

$337K

Total scholarships awarded to students through our annual scholarship programs

Gifts

$1.0M

Total gifts received from caring donors to support the causes and community they care about most

Assets

$17.1M

Total assets providing a sustainable charitable resource for our community

13 Dec, 2023
The Daviess County Community Foundation is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2024 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Daviess County – Katie Elizabeth Raber of Barr-Reeve High School. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are known for their community involvement, academic achievement, character, and leadership. “Not only is Katie at the top of her class academically, but her dedication to her school and community was also apparent in her application and interview. The nominating committee was honored to have the opportunity to meet Katie and recommend her for this life-changing scholarship opportunity,” said Laura Hazelman, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact for the Daviess County Community Foundation. Katie is the daughter of Christopher and Rose Raber. Following graduation, she plans to pursue a major in Psychology and eventually become a Psychologist. Katie plans to attend either Taylor University or Indiana Wesleyan. In addition to excelling academically, she is active in a variety of school activities including Daviess County CEO, Indiana Senior Beta Club, SADD, Spell Bowl, FCA and FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America). Katie is also active in Track and Field and Cross Country, earning six varsity letters. She has been named Team Captain for Cross Country. Katie is very active in her church youth group, teaching Vacation Bible School, counselor at Bible Memory Ministries and has attended Mission trips to Guatemala, Mexico and Columbus, Ohio. Each Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship provides for full tuition, required fees and a special allocation of up to $900 per year for required books and required equipment for four years. The scholarship is for full-time undergraduate students leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars may also participate in the Lilly Scholars Network (LSN), which connects both current scholars and alumni with resources and opportunities to be active leaders on their campuses and in their communities. Both the scholarship program and LSN are supported by grants from Lilly Endowment to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) and Indiana Humanities. In determining Daviess County’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholar nominee, consideration was given to academic performance; community service and volunteer activities; personal statement of goals and essay; school activities, sports, and work experience; those advancing to phase two were scored on an impromptu essay; civic pride and interest; and an in-person interview by the LECSP Nominating Committee. After the field of applicants was narrowed down, nominees were submitted to ICI, the statewide administrator of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program, which approves the final selection of scholarship recipients. “The Community Foundation was thoroughly impressed with the quality of applicants and their level of involvement, Daviess County has many outstanding young adults full of talent and drive,” said Hazelman. Scholarship award alternates were also announced, Mariah Brunson of Barr-Reeve High School was named the first alternate, and Adeline Jarrett of Barr-Reeve High School was named the second alternate. Lilly Endowment created the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program for the 1998-99 school year and has supported the program every year since with grants totaling in excess of $505 million. More than 5,200 Indiana students have received the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship since the program’s inception. The primary purposes of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program are: 1) to help raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana; 2) to increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations can play in their communities; and 3) to encourage and support the efforts of current and past Lilly Endowment Community Scholars to engage with each other and with Indiana business, governmental, educational, nonprofit and civic leaders to improve the quality of life in Indiana generally and in local communities throughout the state.
11 Dec, 2023
The Daviess County Community Foundation is now accepting applications for available scholarships through the Community Scholarship Program. The deadline to apply is 12:00 noon on Friday, January 19, 2024. “Donors have honored their loved ones, high schools, or professions by creating endowment funds through the Daviess County Community Foundation,” says Laura Hazelman, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact. “Individuals, families, and organizations have created community scholarship funds that provide scholarships to assist local students in pursuit of advanced education. Together, these scholarships make up our Community Scholarship Program.” Students may apply for one or more scholarships, as long as they meet the particular eligibility requirements. Details about each scholarship and the application are posted at www.daviesscountycf.org/community-scholarship-program . Eligibility requirements and selection criteria are determined by donors and are posted on the website. Each scholarship is unique and supports students with a variety of backgrounds, educational goals, and economic statuses. Awards are made without regard to race, creed, color, sex, religion, or national origin and are based on a competitive process that may consider academic achievement, extracurricular activities, personal aspirations, educational goals, and financial need. Applications will be accepted until 12:00 noon on Friday, January 19, 2024.
13 Nov, 2023
The Daviess County Community Foundation distributed $206,092 in grants to fourteen local nonprofit organizations through the 2024 Community Good Grants Program. Grants awarded are: · $9,333 to Odon Volunteer Fire Department to purchase stabilization struts and vehicle cribbing to be placed on the Rescue Truck; · $4,200 to Bread of Life Ministry Inc. to assist with the cost of bringing two semi-loads of donated food products to Daviess County to be distributed among the food pantries and partner agencies;  · $2,400 to Chemo Buddies to provide first-day chemo comfort kit bags (chapstick, hand sanitizer, port pillow, neck rest, handmade warm blanket, tissues, game books, candy, chocolate, journal, pen, etc.), wigs, hats and accessories, and periodic transportation for chemo patients; · $25,000 to Youth First, Inc. to support the Youth First School-Based Social Work Program that provides free access to expert mental health support to students in seven K-12 Daviess County schools; · $5,000 to Washington Carnegie Public Library to support the Explore, Engage & Empower community program focusing on diverse arts and culture while fostering creativity and inclusivity; · $30,000 to Daviess County Family YMCA to assist with the cost of the new HRU pool system, new ductwork, and repairs in the pool area; · $5,000 to Travis Burkhart Foundation to support families with unexpected expenses due to a medical crisis (food, gas for traveling to appointments, airfare, hotel stays, and medical equipment, etc); · $6,000 to Senior and Family Services, Inc. to purchase a new commercial stove/oven and cost to remove cabinets to make room for a larger unit; · $15,000 to First Choice Solutions to purchase material necessities for at-risk children and a one-year renewal of the Bright Course Educational; · $6,559.88 to Daviess County Pickleball, Inc. to purchase a new water fountain/water bottle filler that is ADA-compliant; · $3,200 to Senior and Family Services, Inc. to purchase an overhead, braced awning with a drainage system, including installation for the back entrance; · $10,000 to Daviess County Historical Society to assist with the paving of the back parking lot and connecting it to the back door concrete pad for wheelchair access to the Museum; · $26,600 to the Town of Elnora to assist with the purchase of inclusive playground equipment for the park; · $11,000 to Borrowed Hearts Daviess County to purchase supplies for children in foster care (kids rolling suitcase, diapers, wipes, bug-resistant twin bed covers, pillow covers, gas cards, bagged socks, hygiene products, hangers, backpacks, duffle bags, totes, baby cribs, strollers, infant car seats, convertible car seats, high back booster car seats, sports fees and equipment, pillows, and blankets); and · $50,000 to Martin County Solid Waste Management District to assist with the purchase of a rebuilt cardboard baler. Community Good Grants are made possible by the Community Good Unrestricted Funds and Field of Interest Funds with the Daviess County Community Foundation. Those funds are: Field of Interest · Daviess County Community Foundation Youth Council Endowed Fund · Smithville Charitable Foundation Youth of Daviess County Fund Unrestricted · Black Beauty Daviess County Community Fund · Jay E. Myers Unrestricted Fund · Boyd Grain Farms/Tom and Marsha Boyd Fund · Jim and Kathy Havill Family Fund · Callahan Family Fund · Joan Daily Elliott Fund · Charlie “Chuck” Vaught Fund · Joe and Gladys Traylor Family Fund · Cherry Tree Plaza Community Fund · Jones and Sons Concrete Fund · Daviess County Memorial Fund · Memering Family Fund · Dr. Horace and Mary Norton Family Fund · Midwest Natural Gas Corporation Unrestricted Fund · Dudenhoeffer Family Fund for Daviess County · Old National Fund for Daviess County · Edward Jones Achievement Fund · Perdue Farms, Inc. Unrestricted Fund · First Federal Savings Bank of Washington Fund · Senator Homer and Irma Capehart Fund · Friends of Daviess County Fund · Singleton Family Fund · German American Bancorp Community Fund-Daviess · Swartzentruber Family Fund · Home Building Savings Bank, FSB Unrestricted Fund · The Former Washington Moose Lodge 1080 Endowment Fund · Jane Scudder Turnley Fund · Women’s Fund of Daviess County

Recent News

13 Dec, 2023
The Daviess County Community Foundation is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2024 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Daviess County – Katie Elizabeth Raber of Barr-Reeve High School. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are known for their community involvement, academic achievement, character, and leadership. “Not only is Katie at the top of her class academically, but her dedication to her school and community was also apparent in her application and interview. The nominating committee was honored to have the opportunity to meet Katie and recommend her for this life-changing scholarship opportunity,” said Laura Hazelman, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact for the Daviess County Community Foundation. Katie is the daughter of Christopher and Rose Raber. Following graduation, she plans to pursue a major in Psychology and eventually become a Psychologist. Katie plans to attend either Taylor University or Indiana Wesleyan. In addition to excelling academically, she is active in a variety of school activities including Daviess County CEO, Indiana Senior Beta Club, SADD, Spell Bowl, FCA and FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America). Katie is also active in Track and Field and Cross Country, earning six varsity letters. She has been named Team Captain for Cross Country. Katie is very active in her church youth group, teaching Vacation Bible School, counselor at Bible Memory Ministries and has attended Mission trips to Guatemala, Mexico and Columbus, Ohio. Each Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship provides for full tuition, required fees and a special allocation of up to $900 per year for required books and required equipment for four years. The scholarship is for full-time undergraduate students leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars may also participate in the Lilly Scholars Network (LSN), which connects both current scholars and alumni with resources and opportunities to be active leaders on their campuses and in their communities. Both the scholarship program and LSN are supported by grants from Lilly Endowment to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) and Indiana Humanities. In determining Daviess County’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholar nominee, consideration was given to academic performance; community service and volunteer activities; personal statement of goals and essay; school activities, sports, and work experience; those advancing to phase two were scored on an impromptu essay; civic pride and interest; and an in-person interview by the LECSP Nominating Committee. After the field of applicants was narrowed down, nominees were submitted to ICI, the statewide administrator of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program, which approves the final selection of scholarship recipients. “The Community Foundation was thoroughly impressed with the quality of applicants and their level of involvement, Daviess County has many outstanding young adults full of talent and drive,” said Hazelman. Scholarship award alternates were also announced, Mariah Brunson of Barr-Reeve High School was named the first alternate, and Adeline Jarrett of Barr-Reeve High School was named the second alternate. Lilly Endowment created the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program for the 1998-99 school year and has supported the program every year since with grants totaling in excess of $505 million. More than 5,200 Indiana students have received the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship since the program’s inception. The primary purposes of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program are: 1) to help raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana; 2) to increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations can play in their communities; and 3) to encourage and support the efforts of current and past Lilly Endowment Community Scholars to engage with each other and with Indiana business, governmental, educational, nonprofit and civic leaders to improve the quality of life in Indiana generally and in local communities throughout the state.
11 Dec, 2023
The Daviess County Community Foundation is now accepting applications for available scholarships through the Community Scholarship Program. The deadline to apply is 12:00 noon on Friday, January 19, 2024. “Donors have honored their loved ones, high schools, or professions by creating endowment funds through the Daviess County Community Foundation,” says Laura Hazelman, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact. “Individuals, families, and organizations have created community scholarship funds that provide scholarships to assist local students in pursuit of advanced education. Together, these scholarships make up our Community Scholarship Program.” Students may apply for one or more scholarships, as long as they meet the particular eligibility requirements. Details about each scholarship and the application are posted at www.daviesscountycf.org/community-scholarship-program . Eligibility requirements and selection criteria are determined by donors and are posted on the website. Each scholarship is unique and supports students with a variety of backgrounds, educational goals, and economic statuses. Awards are made without regard to race, creed, color, sex, religion, or national origin and are based on a competitive process that may consider academic achievement, extracurricular activities, personal aspirations, educational goals, and financial need. Applications will be accepted until 12:00 noon on Friday, January 19, 2024.
13 Nov, 2023
The Daviess County Community Foundation distributed $206,092 in grants to fourteen local nonprofit organizations through the 2024 Community Good Grants Program. Grants awarded are: · $9,333 to Odon Volunteer Fire Department to purchase stabilization struts and vehicle cribbing to be placed on the Rescue Truck; · $4,200 to Bread of Life Ministry Inc. to assist with the cost of bringing two semi-loads of donated food products to Daviess County to be distributed among the food pantries and partner agencies;  · $2,400 to Chemo Buddies to provide first-day chemo comfort kit bags (chapstick, hand sanitizer, port pillow, neck rest, handmade warm blanket, tissues, game books, candy, chocolate, journal, pen, etc.), wigs, hats and accessories, and periodic transportation for chemo patients; · $25,000 to Youth First, Inc. to support the Youth First School-Based Social Work Program that provides free access to expert mental health support to students in seven K-12 Daviess County schools; · $5,000 to Washington Carnegie Public Library to support the Explore, Engage & Empower community program focusing on diverse arts and culture while fostering creativity and inclusivity; · $30,000 to Daviess County Family YMCA to assist with the cost of the new HRU pool system, new ductwork, and repairs in the pool area; · $5,000 to Travis Burkhart Foundation to support families with unexpected expenses due to a medical crisis (food, gas for traveling to appointments, airfare, hotel stays, and medical equipment, etc); · $6,000 to Senior and Family Services, Inc. to purchase a new commercial stove/oven and cost to remove cabinets to make room for a larger unit; · $15,000 to First Choice Solutions to purchase material necessities for at-risk children and a one-year renewal of the Bright Course Educational; · $6,559.88 to Daviess County Pickleball, Inc. to purchase a new water fountain/water bottle filler that is ADA-compliant; · $3,200 to Senior and Family Services, Inc. to purchase an overhead, braced awning with a drainage system, including installation for the back entrance; · $10,000 to Daviess County Historical Society to assist with the paving of the back parking lot and connecting it to the back door concrete pad for wheelchair access to the Museum; · $26,600 to the Town of Elnora to assist with the purchase of inclusive playground equipment for the park; · $11,000 to Borrowed Hearts Daviess County to purchase supplies for children in foster care (kids rolling suitcase, diapers, wipes, bug-resistant twin bed covers, pillow covers, gas cards, bagged socks, hygiene products, hangers, backpacks, duffle bags, totes, baby cribs, strollers, infant car seats, convertible car seats, high back booster car seats, sports fees and equipment, pillows, and blankets); and · $50,000 to Martin County Solid Waste Management District to assist with the purchase of a rebuilt cardboard baler. Community Good Grants are made possible by the Community Good Unrestricted Funds and Field of Interest Funds with the Daviess County Community Foundation. Those funds are: Field of Interest · Daviess County Community Foundation Youth Council Endowed Fund · Smithville Charitable Foundation Youth of Daviess County Fund Unrestricted · Black Beauty Daviess County Community Fund · Jay E. Myers Unrestricted Fund · Boyd Grain Farms/Tom and Marsha Boyd Fund · Jim and Kathy Havill Family Fund · Callahan Family Fund · Joan Daily Elliott Fund · Charlie “Chuck” Vaught Fund · Joe and Gladys Traylor Family Fund · Cherry Tree Plaza Community Fund · Jones and Sons Concrete Fund · Daviess County Memorial Fund · Memering Family Fund · Dr. Horace and Mary Norton Family Fund · Midwest Natural Gas Corporation Unrestricted Fund · Dudenhoeffer Family Fund for Daviess County · Old National Fund for Daviess County · Edward Jones Achievement Fund · Perdue Farms, Inc. Unrestricted Fund · First Federal Savings Bank of Washington Fund · Senator Homer and Irma Capehart Fund · Friends of Daviess County Fund · Singleton Family Fund · German American Bancorp Community Fund-Daviess · Swartzentruber Family Fund · Home Building Savings Bank, FSB Unrestricted Fund · The Former Washington Moose Lodge 1080 Endowment Fund · Jane Scudder Turnley Fund · Women’s Fund of Daviess County
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