In partnership with the City of Shelbyville and Shelby County Council, Blue River Community Foundation (BRCF) has announced the 2023 Progress Grant recipients.

Since 2010, the City of Shelbyville and Shelby County Councils have offered a grant program that is funded through Racino income they each receive annually. They recognize that there are many organizations in Shelbyville and Shelby County that continually work to enhance the quality of life in our community and support this work by offering a competitive grant cycle through Blue River Community Foundation. To date, these grants have made contributions to 62 unique organizations totaling $1,679,760.
For the 2023 City & County Progress Grant cycle, $234,580 will be distributed to 15 organizations benefiting Shelby County. These organizations offer programs or will complete projects that promote and support arts & culture, community, education, health, social service, and youth.

? Boys & Girls Club of Shelby County – This organization was awarded $49,520 to support the installation of an Exergame system. Portions will be installed in all three club locations. Exergaming is a type of interactive fitness that combines video games with physical exercise. It uses gaming consoles, sensors, and controllers to simulate real-life physical activities like dancing, running, or playing sports.

Charles Major Manor – This organization was awarded $50,000 to support the modernization of the elevator in their building which houses 51 low-income older adults or persons with disabilities. This project will help keep residents safe, secure, and give them the peace of mind they deserve while accessing their homes.

Forest Hill Cemetery – A matching grant of $25,000 was awarded to this organization to replace pavement on a portion of the roads in the cemetery.

Girls Inc. of Shelbyville/Shelby County – This grant, in the amount of $2,550, will support "You Grow, Girl!", a program that will give participating girls a chance to develop their enthusiasm and skills in STEM projects, particularly in the science realm. Participants will get an introduction to agriculture and horticulture skills, and through hands-on activities they will explore, ask questions, persist, and problem-solve.

Gleaners Food Bank - $5,000 was granted to support the Produce Hope Initiative, a program that ensures that their partner agencies have access to fresh fruits and vegetables to distribute throughout Shelby County.

Mainstreet Shelbyville – An award of $7,500 was granted to install a Shelby County themed mural. Located on a historic building in Downtown Shelbyville, this will be a colorful display of all things Shelby County in the heart of our county.

Servants at Work, Inc. – An award of $5,000 was granted to support the installation of wheelchair ramps that provide freedom to people with permanent disabilities in low-income households. These ramps serve as their gateway to the world, re-opening connections with neighbors and the larger community while providing independence and accessibility.

Shelby Community Band – This $5,000 matching grant was awarded to support the purchase of a trailer to store and transport the new percussion equipment the band recently acquired through a Community Grant.

Shelby County Fair Association – This organization was awarded $46,148 to support the purchase of new pens in the livestock barns. Updating and replacing with new metal pens will be a safer option for both kids and livestock, serving over 100 Shelby County 4-H youth livestock participants each year.

Shelby County Pantry Pals Pantries – This organization was awarded $7,562 to acquire additional cold storage and shelving units to better provide nutritious food for hungry neighbors at 4 pantries - Hands of God Food Pantry at Trinity UMC, Salvation Army of Shelby Co., Beacon of Hope, and Westside Wesleyan Church Food Pantry.

Shelby County Players - $8,500 was granted to support year-round educational programming for youth under the direction of a full-time education director who will develop and implement children's theatre opportunities, not previously included in the programming of the Shelby County Players.

Shelby Senior Services – An award of $5,900 was granted to support their new program, “Oral Living Histories from the Seniors of Shelby County”. Through audio recordings and interviews, they will capture first-hand history from seniors. This information will be kept with Grover Museum to be archived for future use.

Shelby Supply Co. - $7,500 was granted to this organization to launch their pilot educational Community Classes which will make woodworking more accessible to the community. By offering these fee-based educational classes, they are also providing sustainability to our Job-Skills Training program.

The Ville Church – This grant, in the amount of $5,000, will help support their new after-school
meal program for families. After each meal, attendees will be given an opportunity for family enrichment activities provided by Firefly Children and Family Alliance.

We Ride Bikes - $4,400 was granted to support the Cycling Without Age program. This program offers free bike rides to the elderly and less-abled in our community. This program started three years ago and the demand has steadily increased. This grant will expand their capacity to serve the Shelby County community.

In addition to the grants listed above, BRCF supported a few of these grants through funds held at the Foundation.

Girls Inc. of Shelbyville/Shelby County - $8,450 – Supported through the W. E. (Bill)
Cunningham Trust, Women's Fund of Shelby County, and the Youth Educational Memorial Fund in Remembrance of Ann Hey Davis and Emily Hey Alvis.

Shelby County Pantry Pals Pantries - $2,710 – Supported through the Laura Sly-Pilk Empowerment Fund and the Help for Homeless in Shelby County Fund.

Shelby County Players - $2,500 – Supported through the Herbert B. and Lillian N. DePrez Opera Education Fund.

We Ride Bikes - $10,000 – Supported through the Mings Fund for Health Through Cycling.

More information about these grants and other funding opportunities through BRCF can be found online at blueriverfoundation.com/apply-for-grants.

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