The Wabash Valley Community Foundation has announced more than $4.6 million in grants to support projects designed to improve quality of life and quality of place across Clay, Sullivan and Vigo counties.
Through its Partners for Progress initiative, the Community Foundation is investing in projects ranging from child care and health care to trails, recreation, education, arts and culture, historic preservation and community facilities. This initiative was designed to help move important community projects forward, particularly projects that had stalled, been scaled back or faced funding gaps that made completion difficult.
“The goal was never simply to distribute funding,” said Summer Long, Board Chair of the Wabash Valley Community Foundation. “We wanted to look at projects that could make a meaningful difference in the lives of the residents of our communities. Our investments are designed to advance various projects. In some cases, these are projects that have been in development for some time. In others, the Community Foundation’s support helps close a funding gap and allows a project to reach completion.”
The grants represent a broad range of community priorities and reflect needs identified by local organizations and residents.
Across Vigo County, over $2.2 million will support the new playground at Chances And Services for Youth’s east-side child care center, continuing expansion of the trail system, a new kayak and canoe launch at the original Fort Harrison stockade, the Wabash Valley Crew boathouse, completion of the Sheldon Swope Art Museum renovations, addition of a new Deming Park Pool Slide and conditioning equipment for Vigo County middle schools.
These investments align with priorities identified through the “See You in Terre Haute” Community Plan, including Health, Wellness and Recreation; Education and Workforce Development; Community Pride and Identity; Public and Social Infrastructure; and Economic Development. The Community Foundation also approved a separate $1-for-$1 challenge grant of $500,000 to the Vigo County YMCA toward its capital campaign.
In Sullivan County, nearly $974,000 will support seven projects that address opportunities in health and human services, community development, recreation and historic preservation. The Humane Society of Sullivan County will receive support for its facility expansion; Ruth House will make exterior and accessibility improvements; and Merom Camp and Retreat Center will restore historic College Hall. Sullivan County Community Hospital will use its grant toward a permanent clinic in Dugger, Sullivan Sportplex will upgrade water utilities and add solar security lighting, and Brown Baggers will boost its food program. Finally, Sullivan County Park and Lake will address sediment buildup at its main boat ramp and dock.
“Community foundations have an opportunity to listen to what communities are saying and determine how philanthropy can be most useful,” explained Jennifer Lincoln, Chair of the Wabash Valley Community Foundation’s Sullivan County affiliate. “In Sullivan County, these grants are helping address a range of needs identified by local organizations and residents. They give organizations the resources to strengthen services, improve facilities and continue projects that contribute to the county’s future.”
In Clay County, $975,000 will support eight projects centered on Health, Wellness and Recreation. Investments include renovations at the Clay Youth Baseball League’s Forest Park facility, an inclusive playground in Brazil, pickleball and basketball courts at Goshorn Park in Clay City, improvements at the YMCA in Clay County, upgrades at Craig Park and improvements for several youth sports organizations.
“Health and recreation are priorities in the Clay County Community Plan, which we have supported since its inception,” said Dianna Knox, Chair of the Wabash Valley Community Foundation’s Clay County affiliate. “We are glad to further this plan by investing in opportunities that serve people of all ages throughout the entire county. Improving local recreational assets is key to our county’s health, but also to attracting new families to live and work here.”
Together, these investments represent a significant commitment to projects that will have a lasting presence in communities throughout the Wabash Valley.
“These are tangible investments in the places where people live, learn, work, play and gather,” said Beth Tevlin, President & CEO of the Wabash Valley Community Foundation. “Whether we’re talking about a child care playground, a health care clinic, a trail, a community park, a school or a cultural institution, each project represents something that people in these communities will be able to use and experience. We are grateful for the organizations doing this work and for the opportunity to be part of making these projects possible.”
Grant Recipients
Brown Baggers
$50,000 for program support to address childhood food insecurity in Sullivan County. Brown Baggers will also receive a separate $60,000 matching grant.
Chances and Services for Youth
$355,000 for a new playground at its east side Early Learning Center.
City of Brazil
$150,000 for new accessible playground equipment and ground covering at Forest Park.
City of Terre Haute
$500,000 to develop a trail along Thompson Ditch from Ohio Boulevard to Hulman Street as part of a north-south connector to the National Road Heritage Trail.
Clay City Youth League
$20,000 to repair and replace fencing at its field at Goshorn Park in Clay City.
Clay County Softball League
$70,000 toward the addition of a softball field and other facility improvements at Craig Park.
Clay Youth Baseball League
$200,000 for baseball facility renovations at Forest Park. The League will also receive a separate $300,000 $1-for-$1 challenge grant, representing a total of $500,000 in Community Foundation support for the project.
Clay Youth Football League
$37,500 for field improvements.
Harrison Township
$100,000 toward pickleball and basketball courts at Goshorn Park in Clay City.
Humane Society of Sullivan County
$85,000 for shelter expansion. The Humane Society will also receive a separate $35,000 matching grant. As the sole animal care facility in Sullivan County, the expansion will increase operational capacity by 1,250 square feet, creating dedicated cat roaming areas, expanded kennel space, a designated meet and greet room, and improved workspaces for staff.
Merom Camp and Retreat Center
$100,000 to renovate a historic entry feature to the second level of College Hall and restore its architecture. The Center will also receive a separate $40,000 matching grant.
Riverscape
$302,000 for a kayak launch at The Landing at Fort Harrison, advancing Blueway water access and capitalizing on the Blueway’s regional momentum.
Ruth House
$57,025 for a new parking area, ADA accessible ramp, backyard patio and other exterior improvements. Ruth House will also receive a separate $50,000 matching grant to support planned housing for program graduates.
Sheldon Swope Art Museum
$230,000 to complete its third-floor event and educational space, the final portion of its 14-year capital campaign to support building renovations.
Sullivan County Community Hospital
$200,000 to construct a permanent clinic in Dugger, providing accessible health care services in this rural health desert.
Sullivan County Park and Lake
$270,000 to continue lake dredging and enhance the lake’s use for recreational boating.
Sullivan Sportsplex
A $26,500 matching grant for utility water upgrades and solar security lighting, improving financial sustainability and supporting future expansion for its youth soccer, softball and football programs.
Terre Haute Parks Department
$420,000 for a water slide and water play unit as part of the renovation at the Deming Park Pool, the only outdoor public pool in Vigo County.
Vigo County School Corporation
$299,000 for mats and developmentally appropriate strength training and conditioning equipment for all sixth, seventh and eighth grade middle school physical education classes and athletic teams.
Wabash Valley Crew, through Riverscape
$100,000 for completion of the Crew Boathouse at Fairbanks Park.
YMCA of the Wabash Valley
$92,000 for improvements to its Clay County facility, including a gym divider curtain and weight room flooring. The YMCA will also receive a separate $500,000 challenge grant toward its capital campaign for its Vigo County facility.
