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24 Jul

Posted at 22:21h in Community News, Featured Story
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MARION, Ind. - The Riverfront Canvas Commission is calling on artists to help tell Grant County's story through a new series of large-scale murals in Downtown Marion. Applications are now being accepted through August 14, 2026. The initiative invites artists of all backgrounds to lend their creative voice to the community's shared history, character, and future. Interested artists can submit an online application. The application is the first step of the selection process and simply lets organizers know an artist is interested in participating. The second step is when selected artists will be paired with one of the community stories or themes identified by the Riverfront Canvas Commission. Once matched, artists will receive additional background information and instructions for creating their artwork concept. Artists selected to move forward will be asked to submit an original artwork concept sized 8″ × 10″. Selected concepts will then serve as the basis for large-scale murals that will be professionally enlarged and installed as part of the Riverfront Canvas project. A $400 stipend will be provided for each selected piece of work. Design & Submission Period: July 25 – August 2, 2026. All mural-related questions must be submitted via email to Murals@GiveToGrant.org. For more information and to submit information...

24 Jun

Posted at 12:57h in Community News, Featured Story, Grantmaking Impact
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Grant County, Indiana — The Community Foundation of Grant County awarded $474,617 in scholarships to 104 students through its 2026 Universal Scholarship Program, helping local students take the next step toward their educational and career goals. A total of 196 scholarships were awarded to students enrolling in colleges, universities, and career training programs this fall. The scholarships were made possible through more than 100 donor-established scholarship funds created by individuals, families, businesses, and organizations committed to investing in the future of Grant County. This year's scholarship recipients represent students from across Grant County who plan to pursue a wide variety of academic and career pathways. The Community Foundation's Universal Scholarship Application allows students to complete a single application and be considered for dozens of scholarship opportunities, simplifying the process and increasing access to available funding. The 2026 scholarship program received 249 completed applications, resulting in the award of 196 scholarships to 104 students. The average scholarship award totaled approximately $4,500 per student, helping recipients offset the rising costs of higher education and career training. "Behind every scholarship is a donor who believed in the power of education and wanted to help the next generation succeed," said Dawn Brown, President and CEO of the Community...

08 May

Posted at 14:41h in Community News, Featured Story
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Marion, Ind. — The Community Foundation of Grant County is inviting the public to help shape the Riverfront Canvas Public Arts Initiative, a community-driven mural project that will transform the Grant County riverfront into a public art gallery celebrating local stories, people, and places. Centered in downtown Marion’s Arts District, the Riverfront Canvas will turn the Foundation’s historic 100 South Washington Street building into a vibrant visual narrative of Grant County’s identity. The initiative is guided by a five-member public art commission chaired by Marion Mayor Ronald Morrell Jr., with members Eric Marshall, Ron Mazellan, Courtney Middlesworth, and Keenan Davis. Since its formation earlier this spring, the Commission has convened to develop both a project brief (See attached for details) and a community application process, outlining the themes, values, and goals that will guide the murals. Together, these tools ensure that public participation is central to shaping each stage of the project, from concept to creation. “This project is about more than artwork on walls, it’s about telling the story of who we are as a community,” said Dawn Brown, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Grant County. “We want every resident, student, business owner, and neighbor to see themselves reflected...

05 Jan

Posted at 21:16h in Community News, Featured Story, Grantmaking Impact
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Grant County, IN — The Community Foundation of Grant County has received a grant of $1,500,000 from Lilly Endowment Inc. through the Community Support Grant component of the ninth phase of its Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT IX) initiative. This is one of 92 Community Support Grants being awarded through GIFT IX, a statewide Lilly Endowment initiative designed to support the efforts of community foundations to strengthen the quality of life in the communities they serve. The Community Support Grant is designed to provide the community foundation with flexible funding to enhance its grantmaking capacity to address compelling, near-term needs in its county. The community foundation will have up to three years to use its grant to address community-driven priorities. “This investment gives us the flexibility to listen deeply, respond thoughtfully, and act strategically on behalf of Grant County,” said Dawn Brown, President & CEO of the Community Foundation of Grant County. “GIFT IX strengthens our capacity to support meaningful solutions—whether that means addressing urgent needs or seizing emerging opportunities that can create lasting impact for our communities.” In the coming months, the Community Foundation will begin exploring how best to leverage this funding to support Grant County. While specific next steps...

17 Dec

Posted at 19:48h in Community News, Grantmaking Impact
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Grant County, IN — The Community Foundation of Grant County is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Grant County: Alexis Nuber of Oak Hill High School and Ciaran Moeschberger of Eastbrook High School. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are recognized for their community involvement, academic achievement, character, and leadership. Each Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship provides full tuition, required fees, and up to $900 per year for required books and equipment for four years of full-time undergraduate study leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university. Scholars also join the Lilly Scholars Network (LSN), which connects them with resources and opportunities to lead on campus and in their communities. Both the scholarship program and LSN are supported by grants from Lilly Endowment to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI). In nominating Grant County’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholars, the committee considered GPA, SAT/ACT scores, work history, community service, school activities, and interview performance. After narrowing the field of applicants, nominees were submitted to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI), the statewide administrator of the program, for final selection. “Each year, the Lilly Endowment Community Scholars give us great hope for the future of...

16 Dec

Posted at 21:39h in Community News, Grantmaking Impact
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Grant County, IN — The Community Foundation of Grant County and Project Leadership announced their selection as recipients of a 2025 General Motors Marion Community Impact Grant. This generous award, made on behalf of GM Corporate Giving, provides critical support for the implementation of LaunchPoint: Career Readiness Program, a five-month experience designed to strengthen soft skills, workplace readiness, and long-term career success for local high school students. Through this $20,000 investment, General Motors is helping ensure that Grant County’s emerging workforce develops essential skills—communication, teamwork, problem-solving, reliability, and adaptability—that employers across STEAM and manufacturing sectors consistently identify as vital for success. LaunchPoint is delivered by Project Leadership, a local certified career-coaching organization formally trained and approved by the state to guide students through structured career exploration, skill development, and post–high school planning. Its certified Career Coaches work directly with youth, helping them understand their strengths, explore career pathways, build workforce readiness, and navigate the transition from high school into college, training programs, or employment. Each LaunchPoint cohort consists of approximately 40 juniors and seniors nominated by school staff for their readiness to engage in focused career preparation. During the five-month program, students participate in sessions that cover: - Foundations of Personal Identity: Who Am...

10 Nov

Posted at 19:08h in Community News, Featured Story
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The Community Foundation of Grant County is pleased to recognize six local high school seniors as Grant County finalists for the prestigious Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship. Two of the finalists will be selected as 2026 Lilly Endowment Community Scholars. The two scholars will each receive a full-tuition scholarship to pursue a baccalaureate degree at any accredited public or private Indiana college or university and an annual book and equipment stipend. The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program has provided approximately $6 million in tuition and book stipends to benefit 54 Grant County students since 1998. “These six remarkable students represent the very best of Grant County. Their drive, compassion, and commitment to excellence give us every confidence that the future is bright. Being named a Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship finalist is an extraordinary achievement, and we are honored to support them as they take the next step in their educational journeys,” said Dawn Brown, President/CEO of the Community Foundation. “These six seniors have shown what it looks like to lead with purpose, serve with heart, and dream big for their future. We couldn’t be prouder and hope everyone reading this will join us in celebrating their remarkable accomplishments.”  The finalists and respective schools...

06 Nov

Posted at 22:29h in Community News, Featured Story, Grantmaking Impact
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The Community Foundation of Grant County awarded $100,000 in proactive grants—$25,000 each—to four local organizations on the frontlines of fighting hunger in our community:  - Martin Community Center - Grant County Rescue Mission - The Salvation Army of Marion - Meals on Wheels of Grant County These grants come at a critical time for families and individuals across the county. Although federal officials have announced that SNAP benefits will resume this month, they will do so at a reduced rate, and payments are expected to be delayed. Additionally, the ongoing federal government shutdown means some residents are not receiving income as usual, leaving many households uncertain about when or how they will be able to put food on the table. Recognizing this urgent need, the Community Foundation took swift, proactive action to help sustain local food programs and ensure that no one in Grant County goes hungry. “When we heard that some of our neighbors might experience disruptions in accessing food, we wanted to help our direct service providers locally,” said Dawn Brown, President/CEO of the Community Foundation of Grant County. “Together, we can make sure every family has something to eat by supporting these amazing nonprofit organizations who serve Grant County families daily.”   Each of the four...

06 Nov

Posted at 17:48h in Community News, Featured Story
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Community Foundation of Grant County’s $7.5 Million Investment Driving Economic Vitality in Marion’s Downtown Riverfront District Renovations to Begin Soon; Estimated Completion Date Set for August 2026 Grant County, IN —A $7.5 million restoration and expansion project in the heart of Marion’s Riverfront District is set to begin this month as the Community Foundation of Grant County transforms a once vacant, historic building into a thriving, vibrant workspace for several nonprofit organizations. Located at 100 South Washington Street, the shared space builds on the Foundation’s vision of creating a collaborative environment that fosters cooperation, efficiency, and impact among the organizations serving Grant County. The Foundation Board of Directors and Team initiated an innovative idea more than a year ago, inviting local nonprofits to collaborate on bringing to life the vision of a shared space for visionaries and innovators to face challenges and create solutions together. The Foundation purchased the building in October 2024 and is the sole owner of the property. “This investment is about more than bricks and mortar. It’s about building capacity for the organizations that drive Grant County forward,” said Mark Atkinson, Board Chair of the Community Foundation of Grant County. “Our board is proud to play a part in restoring an...

05 Nov

Posted at 16:51h in Community News, Featured Story
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Grant County, IN — The Community Foundation of Grant County is pleased to recognize six local high school seniors as Grant County finalists for the prestigious Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship. Two of the finalists will be selected as 2026 Lilly Endowment Community Scholars. The two scholars will each receive a full-tuition scholarship to pursue a baccalaureate degree at any accredited public or private Indiana college or university and an annual book and equipment stipend. The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program has provided approximately $6 million in tuition and book stipends to benefit 54 Grant County students since 1998. “These six remarkable students represent the very best of Grant County. Their drive, compassion, and commitment to excellence give us every confidence that the future is bright. Being named a Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship finalist is an extraordinary achievement, and we are honored to support them as they take the next step in their educational journeys,” said Dawn Brown, President/CEO of the Community Foundation. “These six seniors have shown what it looks like to lead with purpose, serve with heart, and dream big for their future. We couldn’t be prouder and hope everyone reading this will join us in celebrating their remarkable accomplishments.”  The...