The Greene County Foundation has been chosen to receive one of the Lead Forward Community Grants (LFCG).
According to a press release from Lilly Scholars Network, recipients for the LFCG are chosen by Independent Colleges of Indiana, Inc. and the Lilly Scholars Network, and there were 20 organizations from around the state selected for the spring 2021 round.
The recipients were:
• Beats for Bristol, Inc. from Johnson Co.
• Westminster Neighborhood Services from Marion Co.
• University Lutheran Church, Monroe Co.
• Freewheelin’ Community Bikes, Marion Co.
• Wabash Valley Youth for Christ, Vigo Co.
• Greene County Foundation, Greene Co.
• Centerstone, Monroe Co.
• Sullivan High School, Sullivan Co.
• The Cooper House, Incorporated, Hamilton Co.
• J. Kenneth Self Boys & Girls Club of Shelby County, Shelby Co.
• Fayette County Community Voices, Fayette Co.
• United Cerebral Palsy Association of Greater Indiana, Statewide
• Youth Resources of Southwestern Indiana, Inc., Vanderburgh Co.
• Wayne Township Fire Department, Marion Co.
• Washington County Community Foundation, Washington Co.
• Historic Eleutherian College, Inc., Jefferson Co.
• Town of Williamsport, Warren Co.
• Blue River Youth Choir, Shelby Co.
• Southeastern Indiana YMCA, Ripley Co.
• Benton Community Foundation, Benton Co.
Greene County’s project, which earned a grant of $2,226.00, was the Jasonville Interactive Musical Mural. According to the release, “This beautification project in downtown Jasonville aims to attract positive attention to the community and county at large by creating a more permanent interactive art installation to foster community pride.”
The Lilly Scholar partners involved in this project were Morgan (May) Sparks and Micajah (Green) Grassick. Both are past winners of the Lilly Endowment Scholarship, with Sparks winning in 2001 and Grassick in 2009.
The press release states that more than 4,900 Indiana students have been given the scholarship, and students are chosen each year as Greene County Lilly Endowment Community Scholars. The scholarship provides the winner(s) a four-year, full-tuition scholarship.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to bring this project to life. I remember how much positive impact the painted piano had on our little community – local kids still love pointing out which square they painted,” said Sparks. “I believe it’s so important to create opportunities for community members, and especially our youth, to contribute in a positive way to our small town because that’s one way to help it thrive.”
According to the Lilly Scholars Network site, “The Lilly Scholars Network is pleased to offer the Lead Forward Community Grants Program for projects involving current and alumni Lilly Endowment Community Scholars.”
View article on Greene County Daily World website. (Subscription required.)