COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF MADISON & JEFFERSON CO. CELEBRATES SUCESSES AND GRANT AWARDS

Area Nonprofits Receive Funding for Projects Spanning Jefferson County

MADISON, IN –The Community Foundation of Madison and Jefferson County (CFMJC) celebrated new endowments and over 
$430,000 in grants awards with donors, volunteers, and nonprofit organizations on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at the Fairfield Inn 
and sponsored by German American Bank.

CFMJC President & CEO Bill Barnes began the evening’s program by sharing about the newest endowments created by donors in 
2024 and 2025 that will provide long-term support for a nonprofit organization or cause forever. CFMJC Board Chair Jenny Darnold 
recognized outgoing board members Beth Lichlyter and JD Webster for their 6 years of service, welcomed the newest board 
member, Hannah Taylor, and thanked past board members and current volunteers for their support of the Foundation. Former 
Board Chair and committee volunteer Don Phillips was recognized for his 25 years of service with the Community Foundation, the 
longest volunteer tenure to date. CFMJC Board Secretary Tanner Mahoney recapped the Foundation’s recent growth from donations 
and investment performance. He shared that the Foundation’s assets have now surpassed $49 million as of the most recent 
investment report. In 2024, the Community Foundation reinvested over $1.3 million back into Jefferson County through grants and 
scholarships. Kathy Crafton, chair of the Women’s Giving Circle, shared an overview of the program, recapped the grants awarded in 
April by the WGC, and encouraged donations to grow the Women’s Giving Circle Endowment in Memory of Bonnie Hare fund. 
Leadership Jefferson County Steering Committee Chair Rachel Sharpe encouraged attendees to consider applying for the upcoming
2026 course of the program and thanked her fellow steering committee members for their hard work.

The highlight of the evening was awarding $434,078 in grants to 22 nonprofit organizations through the CFMJC’s 2025 Competitive 
Grant Cycle. These awards are made possible by the generous donors who established and contribute to the Foundation’s Flexible 
Community Funds and Field of Interest Funds. Community Foundation Finance & Program Officer Kelly Miller first recognized the 
Foundation’s $100,000 multi-year grant commitment to support the Norton King’s Daughters’ Health EMS Transport Hub project. 
She then announced the remaining grant recipients, their award amount, and their project’s summary. The Competitive Grant Cycle 
awards include:

• Canaan Events and Enrichment Foundation, Inc. – $30,000 to restore and preserve the historic Canaan Indian Trails building
• Children’s Advocacy Center of Southeastern Indiana – $25,000 to improve Forensic Interview services in Jefferson County
• Christ Episcopal Church – $10,000 to support the SUCCESS Arts Scholarship program to provide arts-related lessons to low income students in the community
• Friends of the Jefferson County Animal Shelter – $3,700 to support the creation of their organization which will provide 
outreach and advocacy efforts on behalf of the animal shelter
• Hanover Township Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. – $10,000 to purchase an inflatable ice rescue deployment craft and ice 
rescue suits for water rescue emergencies
• Historic Madison, Inc. – $15,000 to provide ADA compliant accessibility to the historic Jeremiah Sullivan House
• Indian-Kentuck Baptist Church – $10,000 to purchase food for the church’s community food pantry
• Ivy Tech Foundation/Ivy Tech Community College – Madison – $20,000 to launch the Ivy ROOTS workforce development 
initiative to provide local internships between students and nonprofit organizations
• Jefferson County Historical Society – $4,298 to purchase a new copier/printer
• Jefferson County Youth Shelter – $3,500 to purchase a back-up power generator and carpet needs for the shelter facility
• Junior Achievement of Kentuckiana, Inc. – $5,000 to support the INspiring Futures: Comprehensive High School 
Programming for Madison Consolidated High School program
• Kent Volunteer Fire Company – $20,000 to purchase Grain Bin rescue equipment and firefighter turnout gear
• Lydia Middleton Elementary – $4,500 to create a Rooftop Sensory Garden to enhance the school’s rooftop patio and 
outdoor classroom experience.

• Madison Area Arts Alliance, Inc. – $4,500 to support the renovation of the SPOT Gallery to provide extra office space and a 
reception area during special events
• Madison Main Street Program – $2,780 to purchase registrations to the InTents: National Farmers Market Conference
• Madison Performing Arts Foundation – $1,800 to support the upcoming Horszowski Trio concert
• Madison Township Volunteer Fire Company – $34,000 to purchase new respirator equipment and masks for the company’s 
firefighters
• Recovery Café Madison – $40,000 to support operating costs and outreach efforts 
• River Valley Resources, Inc. – $20,000 to support the Jefferson County Adult Education program
• Saluda Township Trustee/Saluda Township Park – $35,000 to support improvements at Saluda Township Park
• Southwestern Preschool – $35,000 to purchase new playground equipment to include accessibility for all children

The evening concluded with closing remarks from Community Foundation Devon Sharpe, reiterating the Foundation’s appreciation 
of the community’s support. 

Established in 1991, the Community Foundation of Madison and Jefferson County fulfills the mission of building a strong, vibrant 
community by helping donors provide perpetual funding for the people, projects, and passions of Jefferson County. Since the 
Foundation’s creation, nearly 280 permanent funds have been established. For information about the Community Foundation, 
contact Bill Barnes at (812) 265-3327, email bill@cfmjc.org, or visit www.cfmjc.org.