WINCHESTER, INDIANA – The Community Foundation of Randolph County presented checks totaling more than $80,000 to fourteen (14) non-profit organizations supporting Randolph County at its grants reception on Thursday, May 7th, at Vision Corner Learning Center in Union City with a live-stream of the event provided by KISS Communications. The Foundation stewards its unrestricted dollars to assist non-profits in competitive grant cycles each spring and fall.
“We are proud to be the stewards of community resources that can continue to make Randolph County a better place to live, work and play,” Executive Director Lisa Jennings said. “These grants will inspire good and are milestones for improving our community.”
The Foundation’s Board of Directors approved the recommendations made by the Foundation’s Grants Committee, having reviewed applications based on established criteria and scoring. The following organizations received support through the Spring 2026 Grant Cycle:
- Art Association of Randolph County, $7,500
- To support the Maybe Something Beautiful: Community Mural and Engagement Initiative.
- City of Winchester, $5,000
- To support the Beautification of Improved Streets project with tree plantings.
- Farmland Friends Church, $5,000
- To support the electric installation project for Red Cross Disaster Shelter compliance requirements.
- Fountain Park Cemetery Association, $5,000
- To support paving near cemetery sections 18 and 19.
- Gracie’s Gift, $4,500
- To support the Randolph County Feline Spay/Neuter Assistance program.
- Open Arms House of Worship, $7,000
- To support Project Noah: the Camp Trinity Pond Installation.
- Randolph County 4-H Club, $10,000
- To support the Septic System Protective Measures project at Fairgrounds.
- Randolph County Area Community Theatre, $7,500
- To support the “Wizard of Oz” production in Fall 2026.
- Randolph County YMCA, $5,000
- To support this year’s YMCA Summer Camp.
- Red-tail Land Conservancy, $4,000
- To support the Trail Guide Update and Distribution project.
- Start with Art Ltd., $7,000
- To support expanding access to creative mental health and arts programming for youth.
- State Line Heritage Days, $7,500
- To support this year’s festival entertainment, including New Heritage Sounds programming.
- Winchester Area Churches and Community Food Pantry, $3,300
- To support the Unbroken Eggs project.
- Young Women’s Christian Association, $2,500
- To support Steps to HER Success comprehensive housing continuum.
Grants were made possible from the generous support of the Foundation’s Community Enrichment Fund; the Union City Community Fund; the EDP Renewables Charitable Fund; the City of Winchester Welcoming Indiana’s Next Generation (WINGS) Fund; the Chris & Doreen Culy Family Charitable Fund; the Rural Randolph Cares Agricultural Endowment Fund; the David & Lisa Jennings Charitable Fund; the Randolph County Heroes Fund; the Joel & Jane Flesher Family Endowment Fund; the Starr Family Fund; the Thomas L. and Janice A. Powers Family Charitable Fund; and the Whitacre Family Charitable Fund, In Honor of Lowell and Kathryn Whitacre.
As part of the current GIFT IX initiative supported by Lilly Endowment Inc., donations to the above-listed funds (except the Union City Community Fund and the City of Winchester Welcoming Indiana’s Next Generation Fund) will be matched $2 for each $1 donated through June 30, 2028, or until matching funds are exhausted.
The next competitive grant cycle is scheduled for this fall with applications due by Wednesday, September 30th.
Community Foundation of Randolph County partners with donors to leverage their philanthropy in ways that transform lives. Since 1993, the Community Foundation has helped generous donors to meet community needs, provide scholarship opportunities to local students, and made grants to nonprofit organizations working to improve Randolph County. The Community Foundation strives to be a local entity known for inspiring good and impacting success by bringing people and resources together. To learn more, go to www.randolphcountyfoundation.org.