Perry County
Community Foundation
The Community Foundation is a charitable resource devoted to our local community. We help people make meaningful gifts that improve life in Perry County, Indiana today and for generations to come.
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Greater Good Together
The Perry County Community Foundation is an affiliate of the Community Foundation Alliance, a network of nine community foundations serving counties in southwestern Indiana. The Alliance provides management and administrative expertise to county-wide community foundations, empowering each to promote philanthropy, build endowment and improve wellbeing in our local communities. Learn more!
Recent News
A broad spectrum of diverse demand for a wide variety of professionals and professional services exists in southern Indiana, representing an array of actionable growth opportunities and potential market development. These opportunities were recently strategically documented in a comprehensive report funded by the Community Foundation Alliance and the Harrison County Community Foundation. The planning report, conducted in partnership with the Indiana First READI region, profiles and pinpoints specific growth opportunities for entrepreneurs in several categories, according to Jill Carpenter, President and CEO of the Community Foundation Alliance here. “Based on direct primary research conducted across multiple counties, the Indiana First Quality of Life Economic Impact Analysis report reveals market potential and entrepreneurial gaps on a county-by-county basis, demonstrating areas of real demand,” said Carpenter. “A careful review of key areas can yield some significant potential market growth for the right companies, professionals, and entrepreneurs.” The economic development executives in the First Indiana region noted that they intend to mine the report to determine opportunities for scalable market growth and talent attraction. The report offers an analysis of the potential economic impact for addressing and improving defined issues throughout the region. “This report can be a workbook for professionals looking to expand, relocate, or start up a business in multiple categories,” said Chris Pfaff, CEO of Knox County Indiana Economic Development. “It provides actionable data on what services and capacity presently exist within our counties and region, and what services residents travel outside of the county or region to buy or obtain.” “Those gaps represent a definable opportunity to be evaluated and captured,” he added. “It can serve as a talent attractor and entrepreneurial opportunity of the first order for our region.” The information is expected to help the region enhance its state and local investments from the READI program and other private investment opportunities. “In order to get feedback from each county, key stakeholders were invited to participate in community conversations regarding essential services in their county in addition to a public survey facilitated by consultants,” said Julie Moorman, President and CEO of the Harrison County Community Foundation. “We are appreciative of the input from community stakeholders in helping identify gaps in essential services and sharing their input of quality-of-life amenities in their communities.” The 191-page report, assembled by TPMA (Thomas P. Miller and Associates), includes significant data analysis and identified specific opportunities to enhance the quality of life in five southern Indiana counties, sketching out gaps that can be filled through initiative planning and growth, infrastructure investments, and elevation of talent opportunities. Actionable potential engagement highlights for growth range from healthcare and essential services to entertainment and dining, as well as professional and technical services. "The report confirms what we’ve heard anecdotally for years—many Perry County residents travel outside the county for veterinary services," said Erin Emerson, President and CEO of the Perry County Development Corporation. "Now, by pairing local insight with concrete data, we can make an even stronger case that additional veterinary services could thrive here - this is just one of many opportunities highlighted in the analysis that align with the needs of our community." The full report, which analyzes needs, assets, and potential advantages of Harrison, Knox, Perry, Pike, and Spencer counties, is available on the Southwest Indiana Development Council website in the Indiana First section: https://swidc.org/indiana-first/ The full report profiles current inventory of essential services and quality of life amenities for each county and includes recommendations for addressing growth needs. The research and planning report and related activities were funded by the Community Foundation Alliance and the Harrison County Community Foundation. Community Foundations in Pike, Perry, Knox, Spencer and Harrison counties served as partners for the planning and development of the comprehensive report. About the Community Foundation Alliance Community Foundation Alliance is comprised of affiliate Community Foundations serving nine counties throughout southwestern Indiana in Daviess, Gibson, Knox, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburgh, and Warrick counties. Through the establishment of endowed funds created by caring donors to benefit community causes, the Alliance works to improve the quality of life in affiliate counties by providing annual grants to nonprofit organizations and scholarships to local students. For more information, please visit https://www.communityfoundationalliance.org/ About the Harrison County Community Foundation Harrison County Community Foundation was founded in 1996 by the Harrison County Commissioners, with an initial donation from Caesars Southern Indiana. HCCF’s mission is to inspire and assist everyone in experiencing philanthropy, producing positive and sustainable growth in Harrison County. To date, HCCF has awarded over $133 million in grants, scholarships, and other support to Harrison County nonprofits, entities, and award recipients. The Foundation serves in a community leadership role to help grow Harrison County into the best place to live, work, and raise a family. For more information, please visit https://hccfindiana.org/ About Indiana First Representing the Indiana counties of: Harrison, Knox, Pike, Perry, and Spencer, the region was awarded $15 million from the state’s READI program, intended to accelerate projects that will enhance the area’s quality of life, and increase competitiveness for economic growth. For more information, please visit https://swidc.org/indiana-first/
The Perry County Community Foundation is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Perry County – Maggie Taylor, Perry Central Jr./Sr. High School . Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are known for their community involvement, academic achievement, character, and leadership. Scholarship award alternates were also announced. The first alternate is Julia Walsh, Perry Central Jr./ Sr. High School, and Addison Huber; Tell City Jr./ Sr. High School, was named the second alternate. “The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship is a life-changing opportunity for students,” said Emily Alvey, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact. “The Community Foundation was thoroughly pleased with the quality of the applications submitted and the involvement of the applicants. Perry County is fortunate to be the home of many talented youth.” Each Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship provides for full tuition, required fees, and a special allocation of up to $900 per year for required books and required equipment for four years. The scholarship is for full-time undergraduate students leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars may also participate in the Lilly Scholars Network (LSN), which connects both current scholars and alumni with resources and opportunities to be active leaders on their campuses and in their communities. Both the scholarship program and LSN are supported by grants from Lilly Endowment to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) and Indiana Humanities. Maggie Taylor, 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar said, “I am so honored to be awarded this prestigious scholarship, and I am excited to serve my community in the future!” In determining Perry County’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholar nominees, consideration was given to academic performance, school and community activities, essay, special circumstances, and finalist interview by the LECSP Nominating Committee. After the field of applicants was narrowed down, nominees were submitted to ICI, the statewide administrator of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program, which approves the final selection of scholarship recipients. Lilly Endowment created the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program for the 1997-98 school year. Since then, grant funding in excess of $490 million has supported more than 5,300 Indiana students who have received scholarships through the program. The primary purposes of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program are: 1) to help raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana; 2) to increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations can play in their communities; and 3) to encourage and support the efforts of current and past Lilly Endowment Community Scholars to engage with each other and with Indiana business, governmental, educational, nonprofit and civic leaders to improve the quality of life in Indiana generally and in local communities throughout the state.
The Perry County Community Foundation awarded more than $121,000 in grants to 22 nonprofits through its 2024 Community Good Grants program. These nonprofits are committed to supporting the needs of Perry County. Congratulations to this year’s grant recipients! $9,999 to Perry County, Indiana Habitat for Humanity to purchase building supplies for the construction of a Habitat for Humanity home $7,500 to Youth First, Inc for Youth First Social Workers to provide mental health support to students in Perry County partner schools $3,000 to Deaconess Hospital Foundation to provide transportation to low-income Perry County patients for cancer-related medical appointments $6,112.81 to Isaiah 117 House Spencer/Perry to purchase materials for installing a privacy fence at the Isaiah 117 House in Chrisney, Indiana $6,000 to Junior Achievement of West Kentucky, Inc for Essential Skills & Financial Literacy programs for high school students in Perry County $3,500 to Junior Achievement of West Kentucky, Inc for Work Readiness & Financial Empowerment programs for 8th grade students in Perry County $3,000 to Tri-State Food Bank to provide supplemental food for 150 households at risk of hunger in partnership with Cannelton Food Pantry $15,000 to Cannelton Food Pantry for improvements to the facility, including bathroom renovations and new refrigeration units $6,169.80 to Tell City Jr-Sr High School to purchase updated maps and charts for the Social Studies classrooms $6,000 to Perry County Sheriff's Office to purchase body armor vests for law enforcement officers $9,500 to Perry County Public Library to purchase “calming space” chairs and multi-purpose tables to create a calming environment for library patrons $2,100 to Bread of Life Ministry Inc to cover the cost of freight for donated food and purchase food items for distribution to low-income families in the Tri-State area $2,500 to Lincoln Hills Development Corporation to provide free, local health insurance enrollment assistance in Perry County $5,500 to Perry County 4-H Council to provide financial assistance to youth attending 4-H trips $2,000 to Widow’s Barrel Food Pantry to purchase dairy products for Perry County families in need $12,000 to Southern Indiana Resource Solutions, Inc to renovate public restrooms to be ADA-compliant and family-friendly at the SIRS Industries Troy Plant $1,000 to Tell City Regional Arts Association to cover the cost of clay, glazes, and instructors for community art classes $7,400 to Perry County Probation Department to cover the cost of conference training and provide incentives and care packages for youth and clients $1,500 to Perry County Museum, Inc to purchase equipment to digitize and preserve historical documents, books, and media $3,000 to Memorial Hospital Foundation to cover medical needs for residents of Perry County $4,000 to Rome Community Center to restore the doorway of the 1818 Rome Courthouse $4,800 to Perry County Council on Aging to purchase cloud-based client management software Funding for the Community Good Grants program wouldn’t be possible without the donors and organizations who donate to Community Good (Unrestricted) and Field of Interest Funds held by the Community Foundation. Thank you for your generosity and support of Perry County. Arnold Mulzer Fund for the Community Good Boerste-Efinger-Hayden Fund Cardinal-Smith-Etienne Fund For Good, Forever Advisory Board Fund Friends of Perry County Fund German American Bancorp Community Fund- Perry Hoosier Hills Credit Union Better for Our Communities Endowment Fund- Perry Jo Ann Lutgring Fund Matt and Karry Labhart Fund N&N Mulzer Unrestricted Fund TCB Bank/ Fifth Third Bank Perry County Fund The Don and Harriet Neill Lasting Difference Fund Joseph L and Alene M Dauby Endowment Fund Mary Jane Malone Endowment Fund Perry County Arts Council Promoting the Arts Fund Perry County Power of Youth Endowment Fund Sergeant Heather J Glenn Memorial Fund for Perry County First Responders For more information, please contact Rachael Goldsberry, Regional Director of Development at 812.547.3176 or rgoldsberry@communityfoundationallianceorg
