Hamilton County Community Foundation, an affiliate of CICF, approved grants and investments for Hamilton County not-for-profits, projects and initiatives totaling $146,000.
Hamilton County Community Foundation’s board of directors has approved grants and investments for Hamilton County not-for-profits, projects and initiatives totaling $123,000. In addition to these grants, the LINK Youth Advisory Council awarded $23,000 to Hamilton County organizations.
Hamilton County Community Foundation, an affiliate of Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF), awarded $123,000 to increase capacity, expansion, projects, and initiatives in Hamilton County that serve within at least one of the three community leadership pillars of the foundation. These pillars include mental health, family and youth empowerment, and inclusive economic growth. Additionally, the central mission —to mobilize people, ideas and investment to make this a community where every individual has an equitable opportunity to reach their full potential—no matter their place, race or identity—plays a significant role in how each pillar functions.
“These grants have made the work so significant as they are representative of our county’s needs,” said Anita Gonzalez Rogers, grants officer. “The number of change-making organizations that applied for funding let us connect to the programs and services in each request. Working with our board of directors, grants committee, and youth council made this grant round applicable to Hamilton County’s present and future vision. We couldn’t be prouder of our community, service leaders, and impact together.”
The LINK Youth Advisory Council was created in 2002 by Hamilton County Community Foundation. The council is comprised of high school students, who work alongside foundation staff and its board of directors to award grants to Hamilton County organizations. The LINK Youth Advisory Council independently focused on youth mental health when grant-making to coincide with the foundation’s pillars of mental health and family and youth empowerment.
Some of the organizations receiving support from Hamilton County Community Foundation include:
Agape Therapeutic Riding Resources ($25,000) – Agape cultivates personal growth by strengthening the mind, body, and spirit through unique horse-assisted experiences. Celebrating its 35th anniversary, Agape remains committed to serving all ages via emotional, cognitive, social, and physical growth through interactive and engaging activities with horses. Partnering with other community leaders, they serve those in Cicero and Noblesville to Carmel and Westfield, notably by youth programming. With this award, they will welcome a new licensed mental health counselor to lead the Beyond the Barn initiative, offer 10-week classes for 20 Hamilton County youth, and sustain their commitment to updated industry practices.
Indiana Peony Festival ($5,000) – Indiana Peony Festival’s mission includes state flower inspiration and celebration, enhancing the well-being of Hamilton County residents and visitors through beautification, gardening, education, and promoting the prominence of the peony to make Hamilton County a desiring destination during its May bloom and regional festivities, such as the Indianapolis 500 activities. With established local partnerships via organizations such as Noblesville Main Street and Nickel Plate Arts, they build awareness all year-round that culminates at the festival to build pride and horticultural knowledge of peonies and other plants. This award will aid in bringing visitors to Noblesville and Hamilton County during peak bloom, bring attention to the newly renovated Seminary Park in Noblesville, and provide the community with the excitement of local growth with natural environmental highlights.
Sheridan Youth Assistance Inc. ($15,000) – Formed in 2015 to strengthen community involvement with youth and families throughout all of Hamilton County, Sheridan Youth Assistance is led by local volunteers who develop and provide access to programs and services that promote positive growth experiences and enhance home and community relationships. They have partnered with Sheridan Community Schools, the Town of Sheridan, and the Hamilton County Superior Court to enhance their impact. They serve elementary, middle, and high school youth by increasing community participation and improving school grades. This award will directly support and expand after-school tutoring for the 2022-2023 school year to onboard teachers and provide meals and transportation to programming opportunities, such as Agape, that will heighten the educational outcomes of the youth participants.
SEE BELOW FOR A FULL LIST OF INITIATIVES AND GRANTS FUNDED
During this grant round, the endowment fund for Hamilton County directed $78,570 to grants for nine different organizations. These grants align with the foundation’s three community leadership initiatives for Hamilton County: mental health, family and youth empowerment, and inclusive economic growth. Additionally, field-of-interest funds with Hamilton County Community Foundation contributed $44,430 to 10 organizations. These field-of-interest funds are created by donors who wish to support a specific organization, cause or area beyond their lifetime. Hamilton County Community Foundation stewards them in fulfilling donor intent. During this round of funding, the City of Noblesville Fund, Dale Snelling Blue Ribbon Foundation, Jack Arnold Russell Charitable Fund, Northern Hamilton County Fund, and Westfield Endowment Fund support regional, county-wide, and area-specific served communities.
| ORGANIZATION | PROJECT | COMMUNITY PILLAR | FUNDED BY | AMOUNT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camptown, Inc. | Pathfinders youth program | Family and Youth Empowerment | Community Endowment, Northern Hamilton County Fund, and Jack Arnold Russell Charitable Fund | $5,000 |
| Girls on the Run Central Indiana | Girls on the Run-Hamilton County program | Family and Youth Empowerment | Community Endowment, City of Noblesville Fund, Jack Arnold Russell Charitable Fund, Westfield Endowment Fund, Dale Snelling Blue Ribbon Foundation | $5,000 |
| Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, Inc. | Hamilton County Mobile Pantry program in Sheridan | Family and Youth Empowerment | Community Endowment and Northern Hamilton County Fund | $20,000 |
| Mama's Cupboard, Inc. | Back to school program | Family and Youth Empowerment | Community Endowment, Northern Hamilton County Fund, and Jack Arnold Russell Charitable Fund | $7,000 |
| Milk Bank, Inc. | Generating Infant Health program | Family and Youth Empowerment | Community Endowment | $10,000 |
| Second Helpings | Hunger relief meals in Hamilton County | Family and Youth Empowerment | Community Endowment, City of Noblesville Fund, Dale Snelling Blue Ribbon Foundation | $11,000 |
| Sheridan Youth Assistance Inc. | Educational programming and tutoring youth at Sheridan Community Schools | Family and Youth Empowerment | Community Endowment, Northern Hamilton County Fund, and Jack Arnold Russell Charitable Fund | $15,000 |
| Agape Therapeutic Riding Resources | Beyond the Barn: Addressing mental health through horsemanship | Mental Health | Community Endowment, City of Noblesville Fund, Northern Hamilton County Fund, and Westfield Endowment Fund | $25,000 |
| Youth Mentoring Initiative | School-based mentoring in Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) schools | Mental Health | Community Endowment | $20,000 |
| Indiana Peony Festival | Indiana Peony Festival organizing and implementation | Inclusive Economic Growth | City of Noblesville Fund | $5,000 |
| Agape Therapeutic Riding Resources | Professional mental health development, prevention programming, and Mental Health First Aid | Mental Health, Family and Youth Empowerment | LINK Youth Advisory Council | $1,540 |
| Carmel Youth Assistance Program | Youth mental health support and education | Mental Health, Family and Youth Empowerment | LINK Youth Advisory Council | $2,560 |
| Hamilton Southeastern Education Foundation | HSE Foundation supports contributing to the Project Hope and Successful School Return programs | Mental Health, Family and Youth Empowerment | LINK Youth Advisory Council | $5,000 |
| Indiana Center for Prevention of Youth Abuse & Suicide | Support to maintain the at-no-cost training for Stewards of Children and QPR Gatekeeper | Mental Health, Family and Youth Empowerment | LINK Youth Advisory Council | $3,000 |
| Prevail, Inc. | Support youth victim advocacy services that provide workshops and materials for groups of youth | Mental Health, Family and Youth Empowerment | LINK Youth Advisory Council | $3,400 |
| The Peyton Riekhof Foundation | Expand the HSE program, Project Hope, so families who lack financial means to pay for their students’ services. | Mental Health, Family and Youth Empowerment | LINK Youth Advisory Council | $2,500 |
| Youth Mentoring Initiative | Support ongoing mentoring programs for the 100+ recommended students | Mental Health, Family and Youth Empowerment | LINK Youth Advisory Council | $5,000 |
| TOTAL | $146,000 |
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