BRCF puts GIFT IX funding into action to address community health priorities

Blue River Community Foundation (BRCF) is putting its GIFT IX Community Support Grant funding into action through two investments aimed at improving the health and well-being of Shelby County residents.

Guided in part by priorities identified through the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), BRCF will support the Shelby County YMCA in launching an evidence-based program addressing childhood obesity and invest in The Salvation Army Shelbyville Corps & Community Center to strengthen its capacity to focus on its core mission of serving individuals and families in need.

Together, the grants demonstrate how flexible funding can support both new solutions to emerging challenges and stronger capacity within organizations already meeting critical community needs.

Blue River Community Foundation has awarded a grant to the Shelby County YMCA, part of the Decatur Shelby County YMCA, to pilot the YMCA of the USA’s “Healthy Weight and Your Child” program, an evidence-based, family-centered initiative designed to address childhood obesity.

BRCF’s decision to support the YMCA program was strongly influenced by Shelby County’s recent Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). The CHIP identifies Child and Adolescent Obesity as one of three priority health areas and reports that 25.2% of Shelby County children ages 2-19 are obese — the highest rate in Central Indiana.

“Reviewing the CHIP alongside MHP and other local partners has given us stronger local data and a clearer understanding of some of the challenges facing Shelby County families,” said Jennifer Jones, BRCF Executive Director. “This program is a great example of how the flexibility of the GIFT IX funding allows us to take what we are learning and invest in a tangible response to an identified community need.”

The six-month YMCA pilot will serve 10 children ages 7-13 and their families through 25 sessions combining nutrition education, physical activity, behavior-change strategies and family engagement. Each child will participate alongside an adult caregiver, helping families establish healthy habits together.

Participating families will receive complimentary YMCA memberships for the duration of the program, and those who qualify will receive continued membership assistance for an additional six months.

The YMCA will train four staff members to deliver the program and recruit participating families through referrals from physicians, school nurses, behavioral health providers and community partners. The pilot is intended not only to support the initial 10 families, but also to establish the trained staff, infrastructure and partnerships necessary to potentially expand the program in the future.

“The Blue River Community Foundation’s support allows us to bring families together in an encouraging environment where they can develop healthy habits that extend well beyond the program itself,” said Mackenzie Pickerrell, CEO of the Decatur Shelby County YMCA. “This pilot gives us an opportunity to build the local partnerships and capacity needed to support even more Shelby County families in the future.”

BRCF will also use GIFT IX funding to support The Salvation Army Shelbyville Corps & Community Center, helping the organization strengthen its capacity to focus on its core mission of serving individuals and families in need. This investment aligns with the CHIP’s Removing Barriers to Health focus area, recognizing the impact that food insecurity, financial instability, housing, transportation and other basic needs can have on overall health and well-being.

Demand for assistance continues to grow. The Salvation Army’s community meal program increased from approximately 2,000 meals in January 2026 to 3,500 meals in June, in addition to its food pantry, case management and other social services. Adding to the need, Human Services Inc. recently closed their office in Shelby County, sending more families in need to agencies like The Salvation Army. As demand has increased, the Corps Officer has taken on a growing number of day-to-day administrative and operational responsibilities in addition to leading the organization.

The GIFT IX investment will provide additional staff capacity, allowing the Corps Officer to spend more time on the work central to The Salvation Army’s mission of strengthening programs, building community partnerships, developing resources, engaging volunteers and identifying and responding to unmet needs. The added capacity is expected to help the organization serve an additional 100 to 150 individuals, or 50 to 75 families, each year, while also strengthening its long-term sustainability.

“We are deeply grateful for the generous support of our community with these grants, which will help us continue strengthening The Salvation Army’s ministry and services in Shelby County. Our goal is to make our Community Center the very best resource it can be for local individuals and families. Because of partners who believe in our mission and invest in this work, we are able to move forward, expand our impact, and accomplish even greater things in the year ahead. We are truly thankful for this investment in our community and in the people we are privileged to serve,” shared Major Lynn S. Lopez, Corps Officer, The Salvation Army Shelbyville Corps & Community Center.