The Montgomery County Community Foundation (MCCF) gathered Thursday afternoon to award grant checks to 13 grant recipients in the first grant cycle of 2026. Awards totaled $286,841. MCCF Chief Executive Officer, Kelly Taylor welcomed everyone and thanked the nonprofit leaders for the work they do in our community. Fund owners in at-tendance were recognized and thanked, for without fund owners, the grants would not be possible.
Listed by Area of Interest, the following grants were awarded:
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
- Crawfordsville Main Street, $40,710
- Downtowns are the heart of a community, and CMS works to strengthen it through beautification, economic development, quality-of-life initiatives, and community events. Funds will support programming and the purchase of a trailer for equipment storage and transport, tables, umbrellas, a camera, holiday décor, and planters. Planter maintenance is in partnership with the Flower Lovers Club.
- Montgomery County Soil & Water District, $12,660
- Soil and Water is partnering with the City Parks & Recreation Department to address invasive plant species in the 104-acre Brickyard Nature Park along Sugar Creek. A professional firm, along with volunteers will remove invasive, non-native plants to protect and enhance the park’s natural ecosystem while improving the visitor experience.
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
- New Hope Christian Preschool, $12,685
- Safety is the focus of this award. The funds will be used to improve various safety features at this Paths to Quality Level 3 program. Improvements will be made to better secure entry doors, classroom locks, a new perimeter fence and a shade structure for the playground, as well as iPads for a more secure and efficient parent check-in and check-out system.
- Rainbows & Rhymes Preschool, $25,039
- This project will transform an existing parking lot into a nature-based learning area that promotes exploration, creativity, and hands-on learning. Natural elements such as logs, plants, boulders, sand, and water features will provide opportunities for gross motor development, problem-solving, and social-emotional growth.
EDUCATION
- Crawfordsville Adult Resource Academy, $30,247
- The Accelerating Opportunity: Digital Pathways to Adult Student Success project will expand CARA’s ability to provide flexible, targeted instruction for adults pursuing a high school equivalency diploma. Funding will support classroom and testing laptops, monitors, headsets, software, professional development, and oversight to increase access, accelerate progress, and expand opportunity community-wide.
HISTORICAL
- Historical Society, $70,000
- Safeguarding and maintaining Lane Place means preserving the integrity of the historic structures and grounds. These funds will be used to ensure the structural stabilization and restoration of the historic two-story porch system on the north side of Lane Place, and will involve replacing the north balcony header beams and columns before the damage becomes more extensive.
HUMAN SERVICES
- Firefly Children & Family Alliance, $5,000
- Firefly strengthens communities through a continuum of comprehensive programs. These funds will allow them to be responsive to vulnerable families with essentials like rent, utilities and food. The program boasts a 97% success rate in keeping families out of the child welfare system.
- Fish Food Pantry, $24,000
- The FISH mission is to meet needs not otherwise met for persons living in the county. This grant will allow the pantry to provide hygiene products, international foods, and fresh fruits and vegetables for their neighbors. It will also sup-port their van which connects them to various food resources in Montgomery County as well as surrounding counties.
- Food Finders, $5,000
- Food insecurity is a growing challenge, affecting nearly 14.8% of county residents. With these funds, Food Finders will support its local partner agencies, including FISH, Grace & Mercy Ministries, Church Alive, New Richmond Christian Church, and Through the Gate, helping provide food and essential household items to individuals and families throughout the community.
- Kids Closet, $2,500
- Recognizing a growing need, Kids Closet provides children with clean, well-fitting, and age-appropriate clothing that promotes confidence, dignity, and a sense of belonging. The funds will provide high-demand essentials such as socks, undergarments, pajamas, shoes, and other clothing items as well as laundry services to ensure donated items are clean, ready, and available for children.
- Recovery Coalition, $3,500
- The Recovery Rec Center provides a welcoming space for fellowship, recreation, support meetings, and programs that strengthen families. Funds will support the Parent Café, where parents share experiences, build relationships, and learn from one another, as well as monthly free meals and haircuts that encourage connection and community.
- Through the Gate, $8,000
- Through the Gate provides Christ-centered recovery and transitional housing for women overcoming addiction and rebuilding their lives. Funding will support the replacement of 3 exterior doors at the transitional home, improving en-ergy efficiency, safety, and comfort of women working to better their lives.
YOUTH
- Boys & Girls Club, $47,500
- The Boys & Girls Club of Montgomery County empowers young people to reach their full potential through programs that promote academic success, healthy lifestyles, and strong character. Serving youth ages 5–17, the Club provides a safe and supportive environment with after-school, summer, and school break programming that encourages learn-ing, growth, and positive relationships. Funding will support staff training and program implementation, helping en-sure high-quality experiences and enriching opportunities for local youth.
The grants were made possible by the following MCCF Field of Interest Funds: Preston and Anne Bost Early Childhood Education Fund, Herman Dicks Fund, David and Sheridan Hadley Health and Wellness Fund, Darlene Harmon Early Childhood Education Fund, Paul and Irmingard McKinney Fund, Herbert, Genevieve, and Marian Morrison Fund, Women of Wisdom Fund, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, Wesley Thrift Shop Fund, John T. Taylor Charitable Fund, Women’s Legacy Fund, David and Sheridan Hadley Health and Wellness Fund, Richard and Nancy Inskeep Fund, and Crawfordsville Housing Fund.
And from these MCCF Unrestricted Funds: Bokhart Family Fund, Chase Bank Fund, Carl and Margaret Henthorn Fund, Amy McFerran Fund, Coach Rick and Deb Schavietello Fund, Bobbye and Claude Thompson Family Fund, Heather Ba-rajas Fund, Rusty and Kathy Carter Family Fund, Hank and Nancy Coyle Fund, Hoosier Heartland State Bank Fund, Hu-bert and Martha Massing Fund, Greg and Nancy Morrison Fund, Jack and Elinor Dolph Fund, Larry and Susan Griffith Fund, Jack and Joyce Grimble Fund, Lincoln Legacy Foundation Fund, Gloria and Marvin Oliver Fund, James G. and Su-san F. Smith Fund, Max K. Tannenbaum Trust Fund, Dr. William and Nancy Doemel Fund, James and Linda Cherry Fund, Dr. Fred and Elizabeth Daugherty Trust Fund, Directors Fund, Dennis and Dee Hohlbein Fund, Nucor Fund, Harold and Linda Carpenter Fund, A. F. Ramsey Trust Fund, Anita Rupar Fund, Leonard and Louise Winchell Fund, Community Fund, Larry D. Servies and Wanda R. Hopkins Fund, William and Amy Roth Fund, Florence Schultz Trust Fund, Commu-nity Fund, Scott and Wendy Feller Fund, Steve and Diane McLaughlin Fund, Stewart-Sweek Family Fund, John and Roberta Hudson Fund, Tom and Cynda Mellish Fund, Kathy and John Steele Fund, Mag and Lil Fund, Marty Pool Fund, John and Sandy Tidd Fund in Memory of Ernest and Anna Tidd, and Joan and John Spray, Beverley J. Turner Fund in memory of John C. White, the Damon C. and Bernice Seaman Wray Fund, and Jarrod and Crystal Zachary Fund.
MCCF manages over 290 endowed funds, each established by donors with the desire to make Montgomery County a better place to live. Since 1991, over $33 million in grants and scholarships has been awarded to agencies and students right here in Montgomery County.
Click here to learn more about MCCF Grantmaking, review eligibility guidelines, and the application process. For questions, contact Jenny Campbell, Grants & Community Relations Director, at 765-362-1267 or jenny@mccf-in.org.