10 organizations awarded BRCF grants

Blue River Community Foundation (BRCF) recently awarded $141,626 in grant funding to 10 local organizations.

These grants will support a wide range of initiatives focused on education, public safety, youth development, mental health, and community enrichment, furthering the Foundation’s mission to strengthen Shelby County for current and future generations. 

Funding for these grants is made possible through BRCF’s Community and Field of Interest Funds, established by generous donors who are committed to creating a lasting impact in Shelby County. 

The following organizations and projects will receive funding:

• Blue River Career Programs – Welding Technology Lab Expansion
  Award: $25,000
  With student enrollment on the rise, this funding will support the addition of new welding booths, allowing for the continued growth of the program and the hiring of an additional instructor.
   
• Flat Rock Volunteer Fire Department – Air Pack Upgrade
  Award: $25,000
  This grant will help replace aging Self-Contained Breathing Apparatuses to ensure the safety and effectiveness of firefighters serving Washington and Jackson Townships and neighboring areas.
   
• Girl Scouts of Central Indiana – Shelby County Cooking Club
  Award: $9,685
  A collaborative summer program with Girls Inc. that will teach girls essential cooking and nutrition skills while fostering confidence and healthy habits.
   
• Girls Inc. of Shelbyville/Shelby County – She Takes the Lead
  Award: $14,000
  Launching a new Women in Leadership program, this initiative will feature interactive learning stations and networking mixers to connect girls with inspiring female leaders.
   
• Harnessing Hope – Equine Therapy Equipment Needs
  Award: $10,000
  Funding will support essential equipment upgrades—including an arena groomer, adaptive saddle, and accessible restroom—to improve safety, accessibility, and efficiency for participants and volunteers in therapeutic equine programs.
   
• Joshua Center – Family Grief and Bereavement Retreats
  Award: $18,750
  Funding will launch quarterly retreats providing grief support to children and families in rural communities through storytelling, memorial activities, and counseling.
   
• Love INC of Shelby County – Launching Love INC
  Award: $5,941
  As a new nonprofit, Love INC will use this grant to fund startup needs such as communication systems, donor management software, and outreach materials to support its mission of connecting churches to community social service needs.
   
• Rotary Club of Shelbyville – Park Kaleidoscope
  Award: $3,250
  This creative project will bring a giant interactive kaleidoscope to Blue River Memorial Park, providing a memorable attraction and enriching the public space.
   
• Shelby County Youth Assistance Program – Youth Mentoring Program Support
  Award: $5,000
  Supporting the expansion of mentoring and tutoring services to reach more youth across the county, this grant will strengthen the program's positive impact on academic and social outcomes.
   
• Shelby Eastern Schools – Ag Lab Expansion Project
  Award: $25,000
  Equipping new agriculture labs at Morristown and Waldron Jr.-Sr. High Schools, this grant will support tools and materials for expanded hands-on learning and future FFA programming.

“These grants are making meaningful investments in the organizations that are driving progress and well-being across Shelby County,” said Jordan England, Grants & Nonprofit Relations Director at Blue River Community Foundation. “We’re proud to stand alongside these organizations as they create opportunities, improve quality of life, and strengthen our community.”