The Montgomery County Community Foundation awarded $218,234 to 11 nonprofit organizations Wednesday in its final grant cycle of the year and distributed an additional $243,000 from established funds to nearly 40 organizations.
This year’s competitive grants supported projects in community development, education, health and youth services. The Animal Welfare League received $18,145 to upgrade outdoor areas at its shelter by rebuilding the cat cattery and adding more dog runs to give animals a safer and more enriching space.
The Montgomery County Leadership Academy was awarded $15,000 to benefit its Signature Program in 2026. The academy prepares residents for community leadership through a six month series of daylong training sessions that focus on strengths, local issues and hands-on projects. Applications for the program will be open in January for the March session.
Waveland Strong received $2,075 to install new mulch at the town park playground to improve safety. The group leads beautification work and community events throughout the town. The Master Gardeners of Montgomery County were awarded $5,000 to create a public pollinator garden at the county fairgrounds, which will open in spring 2026 with native plants and educational signs.
In education, the Montgomery County Educational Foundation received $40,000 to support teacher grants that encourage creative classroom ideas in the county’s public schools.
Three school districts also received funding for student health needs. Crawfordsville Community Schools was awarded $10,000 to help cover medical, dental, vision and mental health expenses for students who cannot afford care. North Montgomery received $11,514 to assist families facing rising healthcare challenges, and South Montgomery was awarded $10,000 to expand its student support fund for basic health needs.
Two local nonprofits serving families and residents received additional support. Abilities Services was awarded $27,000 to purchase a pre-owned SUV that will help transport clients with developmental disabilities to appointments, jobs and community activities. The Women’s Resource Center received $14,500 to buy medical supplies and baby items for the free services it provides to expectant mothers.
The Youth Service Bureau received the largest award of the cycle at $65,000. The agency works with more than 4,000 at-risk youth each year through programs that include CASA advocacy, safety education and an alternative high school classroom. The grant will help the organization expand its youth support programs and plan for future staffing needs.
MCCF leaders thanked local organizations for their work and said this round of grants continues the foundation’s mission to strengthen services throughout the county.
And from these MCCF Unrestricted Funds:
Missie Bickle No Hill for a Climber Fund, Phil and Farzaneh Boots Fund, Samuel L. and Eva Fern Boots Fund, Community Fund, Tony and Cindy Cosenza Fund, Tom and Dolores Crews Fund, John and Betty Culley Fund, Irwin Lee Detchon Fund, Ron and Trudy Dickerson Fund, Dr. William and Nancy Doemel Fund, Ron Eden Fund, Leland and Dolores Epperson & Family Fund, Bob and Bill Fell Fund, Larry and Susan Griffith Fund, M. Gaildene and Stan Hamilton Fund, Thomas and Mary Beth Harmon Fund, Hoosier Heartland State Bank Fund, Roger and Judy Hildebrand Fund, Dennis and Dee Hohlbein Fund, Larry D. Servies and Wanda R. Hopkins Fund, John and Roberta Hudson Fund, Max W. Johnson Fund to honor Mary Francis “Fran” Johnson, Lincoln Legacy Foundation Fund, Pearl and Don Livingston Fund, Mag and Lil Fund, Steve and Diane McLaughlin Fund, Tom and Cynda Mellish Fund, Phil and Judy Michal Fund, Mike and Rhonda Mitchell Family Fund, Nucor Fund, Morris and Barbara Odle Family Fund, Gloria and Marvin Oliver Fund, Michael L. and Karen A. Patton Fund, Marty Pool Fund, Torey and Bethany Rauch Fund, William and Amy Roth Fund, Coach Rick and Deb Schavietello Fund, Kathy and John Steele Fund, Stewart-Sweek Family Fund, Max K. Tannenbaum Trust Fund, John T. Taylor Charitable Fund, Tom Warren Fund, Roland Brooks and Helen Johnson Wynne Fund, and the Jarrod and Crystal Zachary Fund.
MCCF manages more than 250 endowed funds, each established by donors with the desire to make Montgomery County a better place to live. Since 1991, over $31.5 million in grants and scholarships has been awarded to agencies and students right here in Montgomery County.
To learn more about MCCF Grantmaking visit https://www.mccf-in.org/unrestricted-grant-cycle to review the eligibility guidelines and learn about the application process. Direct questions to Cheryl Keim, Grants & Community Relations Director at 765-362-1267 or cheryl@mccf-in.org.
