Congratulations to recent grant recipients:
North Vermillion High School ($2,000), Vermillion Trails Alliance ($5,000), Covington High School After Prom ($3,950), Attica Parks Board ($10,000), Town of Perrysville  ($15,000), Covington Tree Committee ($10,000), North Vermillion Elementary School ($1,500), Fountain Central Jr/Sr High School ($2,500), Ernie Pyle Museum ($15,000), Covington Public Library ($10,000), Helt Fire & Rescue Department ($8,000), Veedersburg Public Library ($7,000), Fountain County Art Council ($10,000), North Vermillion High School After Prom ($500), Attica Main Street ($9,000), Covington Youth Softball ($5,000), Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry ($3,000), Eugene Station Farmer’s Market ($4,500), Community Action Program of Western Indiana ($10,000), Town of Fairview Park ($10,000), Hillsboro Volunteer Fire Department ($3,068), City of Clinton ($3,500), Veedersburg Revitalization Association ($4,500), Leadership Vermillion County ($1,000), Wabash River Career & Technical Education District ($15,000), North Vermillion School Corporation ($400), Covington Music Boosters ($10,000), Parke-Vermillion Humane Society ($1,000), Valley Oaks Health ($3,000), Covington Easter Egg Hunt ($1,000), Clinton Little League ($3,000), City of Attica – Shred Day ($500), and Vermillion County Disc Golf Club ($2,655). More →

The goal of the Friends of Ernie Pyle Endowment Fund is to keep Ernie Pyle’s legacy alive and in doing so honoring the memory of those who served.

Located in the west-central Indiana town of Dana, the site features Ernie Pyle’s birthplace and a museum highlighting the famous journalist’s life and writings as a correspondent during World War II.  The historic site is owned and operated by the Friends of Ernie Pyle, a nonprofit organization (federal tax ID number: 35-1866228) dedicated to the preservation and advancement of Pyle’s legacy in Dana, as well as throughout Indiana and the nation.

Pyle was born on August 3, 1900, to a tenant farm family just outside of Dana. He was an only child. He was educated in local schools and studied journalism at Indiana University-Bloomington before setting out on his newspaper career.  He maintained contact with his family and hometown throughout his life. He was on assignment as a war correspondent when he died on April 18, 1945, after being struck by a Japanese machine gunner’s bullet on Ie Shima, a small island near Okinawa in the South Pacific. He was 44 years old.

The house in which Pyle was born was rescued from demolition in the mid-1970s and restored by an upstart organization which became the Friends of Ernie Pyle. A local fundraising effort allowed the house to be moved from its original rural location into the town of Dana. It was dedicated as an Indiana state historic site in 1976.

The site in its expanded form was re-dedicated with a new museum in 1995 and operated by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources until December 2009, when it was closed due to state financial cutbacks. In September 2010, the Friends re-opened the site through special arrangement with the state. In fall 2011, the State of Indiana gave ownership of the site to the Friends of Ernie Pyle.  On Jan. 1, 2012, the site was renamed the Ernie Pyle World War II Museum.

One of the purposes of the Friends of Ernie Pyle Endowment Fund and the Ernie Pyle WWII Museum is to promote awareness and understanding of the legacy and times of WWII correspondent Ernie Pyle.  The museum also aims to provide a place where relevant educational programs can be provided.  In addition, the Friends of Ernie Pyle Endowment Fund may support programs and projects associated with Ernie Pyle and the Ernie Pyle World War II Museum such as, but not limited to: the regular operating support of the Museum, startup costs for new initiatives offered by the Friends of Ernie Pyle, and capital costs associated with the Ernie Pyle World War II Museum, including equipment, repair and/or remodeling of facilities, new facilities, etc.

Contributions to the Friends of Ernie Pyle Endowment Fund are tax deductible and can be made online at www.wicf-inc.org or mailed to: Vermillion County Community Foundation, ATTN: Friends of Ernie Pyle Endowment Fund, PO Box 532, Clinton, IN 47842.

Fountain and Vermillion County are home to many wonderful people who have made a deep impact in the community.

Are you looking for a way to memorialize a loved one or friend who is no longer with us?  Or perhaps you would like to honor a family member, friend, co-worker, or service provider who has a positive influence in your daily life?  MEMORIAL & HONOR GIFTS are great ways to honor those who are or have been significant in your life or the life of your community. Your gift will go to the fund you specify, in the name of the one you’re honoring.

The following individuals have recently passed away and the families have designated donations in their memory go to the Community Foundation.  We honor the following individuals (click on the name for more details): Carlotta Auter, Harold VanDame, Marvin Potter, Rose Martin, Kenneth Scheurich, Stan Shew, Bill Smail, Richard Pattengale, Jeff Henry, Page Lane, Barbara White, Tim Thomas, Harold R. Long, Cameron Cheuvront, Darleen Swingle, Duaine Ramey, Wanda Clawson, Terry Holland, Marvin Shaw, Dr. Francis McGrady, Jr., Matt Milach, Joe Henderson, Ginger Orr, Raymond Bush, Carl Dismore, Richard Klage, David Rothrock, Ann Johannes, Ronald Smith, Charles McKinney,  Joe Hathaway, Edward C. Grubb, Sharon Sue Craft, Henry Meadows, Janice Vietti, Edward “Ed” George, Carl Swinford, Lola Simmerman, Charles ‘Dale’ Clawson, Helen Hoffman,  Martha Drake, Sandy Tuggle, Paul Kent, Harry Hoagland, Ron Howard, Charles Swingle,  Barbara Clark,  Steven C. Dice, Florence B. Fultz, Max N. Hoffman,  Lulu Belle (Trott) Woodrow, JoAnn Murray,  Erwin (Ernie) Johannes, Art Clawson, Jeff Youngblood, Fred Paxton, Mary Bowles, Janet Clark, C. David Curts,  Caleb Duncan,  Patricia Head, Jack Macy, Edna Jordan,  James Kochell, Neva Tillotson, Delores Hicks, Carl Hicks, Daniel McGrady,  Max Keller,  Freeman “Bugs” Lanum, Georgeanna Ford, Bill Deck,  Helen F. Shelby, Elizabeth “Lib” Barnhart, Charline Allen, Jeffry Ingalsbe, John Woodrow, Carol Gooding,  Richard “Dick” Shelby, Betty Shull, Marvel Dunham, Mary K. Young, Marcia Cooper, Carol V. Myers, James “Jim” McCormick, Rosemarie Haas, Marilyn Gebbink, Jean (Frances) Blickenstaff, Robert “Bob” Branam, Larry Carlson, John Cotten, Sr., Mirriam (Newmark) Fogel, Helen Freas, Heidi (Shambach) Johnson, Joan Rennick, Vicki (Collins) Stevens, and Arley White.

All memorial and honor gifts are acknowledged to the person or people you designate so that the loved one’s family, or the person you are honoring, is aware of the gift.  Or you can make an anonymous gift if you desire to do so.  The amount of the gift is, of course, confidential and only you will receive a gift acknowledgement for tax purposes.  It’s very easy to give a memorial or honor gift – just CLICK HERE to get started.

The Pay It Forward Scholarship Fund has been established for the benefit of worthy student(s) who graduate from Covington, Attica, or Fountain Central High School.

The donor family values integrity and hard work.  They hope this scholarship not only helps the recipient in further education, but also prepares him or her for serving others.

The applicant(s) must be pursuing a field of study or career in the trades and technical education pathway.  Trade schools come in a wide variety of forms – some may be a part of an associate degree program, and some are totally autonomous.  A major thought behind the scholarship is that trade schools and technical education programs provide specialized education for trade-based careers that focus specifically on job-related skills and does not typically require an advanced degree (bachelor and/or associate degrees).

Applicants for The Pay It Forward Scholarship must be pursuing a career trade such as aviation, machining, dental, electrical, welding, medical, plumbing, robotics, construction, and the like.  This is not an exhaustive list; however, one of the key intentions of the scholarship is to provide an award to a student who is pursuing a career that is reflective of trade work.

The scholarship award is in the amount of $10,000.  Fifty percent ($5,000) will be awarded for a student in their first year of trade or technical school.  An additional $5,000 will be provided for their second year.

Donations to The Pay It Forward Scholarship may be made online at www.wicf-inc.org or mailed to: Western Indiana Community Foundation, Attn: The Pay It Forward Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 175, Covington, IN 47932.

Thirty-five (35) new endowment funds have recently been established to benefits area communities and high school students.  For more details click on the link to learn more about each fund.

The new funds include: Friends of Ernie Pyle Endowment Fund, Pay It Forward Scholarship Fund, Cameron Cheuvront Memorial Scholarship Fund, William, Johanna, and Mark Wilson Scholarship Fund, Vermillion County Community Improvement Fund, Nancy Bourne Benevolent Fund, Retha Dean (Coffing) Martin Scholarship Fund, The Strawser Family & Jim & Wanda Clawson Scholarship Fund, Joseph D. Henderson Family Fund, Clinton High School Memorial Monument Fund, Rick Randles Art & Music Appreciation Fund,  Scott Stanton Scholarship Fund, Mandy Stanton Cancer Fund, Dr. Robert E. & Marceline A. Dicks Indiana State Medical School Scholarship, LIVINGenerously Donor-Advised Fund, Harold & Jean Rieches Scholarship Fund, Lee & Thelma T. Clingan Fund, Anna & Les Zimmerman Fund,  Charles Todd Wagoner Scholarship Fund,  Mariah (Martin) Zabriskie & Sean Zabriskie Scholarship Fund,  William & Nellie Hendrix Scholarship Fund, Carl Swinford Memorial Scholarship Fund, Ellis Family Scholarship Fund, Dr. Robert & Sue Ewbank Scholarship Fund, Yale & Orthanna Yager Scholarship Fund, Carol Shew Nursing Scholarship Fund,  Christy DeSutter Cancer Fund,  Kay Shoaf Scholarship Fund, Randall G. Shoaf Scholarship Fund, Robert & Lucreita (Verrill) Shoaf Scholarship Fund,  Patricia Scherer Leath Education Scholarship Fund, William, Johanna & Mario Wilson Charitable Community Fund,  Darrell & Edith Dennis Community Fund, Daniel & Renee McGrady Family Fund,  CDH Scholarship Fund, Wallace-Minnette Community Fund, George Norman Family Fund, Mark & Cindy Mason Community Fund, and the Michael & Mary Margaret Rhees Community Fund.

To learn how you can establish a fund to benefit your community contact Dale at (765) 793-0702 or by email at dwhite@wicf-inc.org.

The family of late Cameron Cheuvront has established the Cameron Cheuvront Memorial Scholarship Fund to benefit area seniors from North Vermillion High School, Westville High School, or other senior students who attend a Wabash River Conference high school.  Cameron passed away on May 11, 2022, at the age of 16, due to injuries sustained from an auto accident.

At the time of his passing, Cameron was a Sophomore at North Vermillion High School and playing baseball.  He loved many sports and participated in basketball and wrestling as well. Cameron also loved to be outside whether it be working with his best friend in the business they had started, riding his dirt bike, fishing, or just playing with animals. Cameron was a member of the Cornerstone Christian Church in Danville, Illinois and he was also active in his schools FFA chapter. Cameron was always smiling and cracking jokes, he was a very friendly kid with a heart of gold and always had a hug for anyone he met! Cameron made everyone he met feel like they were his best friend.

The applicant(s) for the scholarship must be accepted as a part- or full- time (minimum of 6 hours) student at a two-year or four-year public or private college or university.  Students pursuing a field of study or career in the trades and technical career pathway are strongly encouraged to apply.   

Trade schools come in a wide variety of forms – some may be a part of an associate degree program, and some are totally autonomous.  A major thought behind the scholarship is that trade schools and technical education programs provide specialized education for trade-based careers that focus specifically on job-related skills and does not typically require an advanced degree (bachelor’s and/or master’s degree).

Trade and technical education career pathways may include such fields of study such as; machining, dental, electrical, welding, medical, aviation, plumbing, robotics, construction, and the like.  This is not an exhaustive list; but rather a listing to highlight the broad scope of the scholarship.

A variety of criteria will be used to determine the recipients.  Some of the selection factors include financial need, school and/or work activities, community volunteer service and letters of reference.  The first scholarships will be awarded in the Spring of 2023.

Contributions in memory of Cameron are tax deductible and can be made online at www.wicf-inc.org or mailed to: Vermillion County Community Foundation, ATTN: Cameron Cheuvront Memorial  Scholarship Fund, PO Box 532, Clinton, IN 47842.

The Vermillion County Community Foundation is pleased to announce the establishment of the William, Johanna, and Mark Wilson Family Scholarship Fund at the Community Foundation.

According to Mark Wilson, the son of the late William and Johanna Wilson, “My parents were strong supporters of a variety of organizations, activities, and students in the Vermillion County area and they instilled these values in me. That’s the reason I am so involved in organizations like the Community Foundation, Riley’s Children’s Hospital, Optimist International and others.  It’s a pleasure for me to give back to Vermillion County in memory of my parents.

In addition, I had the pleasure of being raised in Clinton and attended Clinton area schools for my first eleven years; then I was a graduate of the first class from North Vermillion High School, therefore both South Vermillion and North Vermillion High Schools are important to me.  I attended Indiana State University and Danville Area Community College.  I majored in accounting and minored in business and economics.”

Any South Vermillion or North Vermillion High School senior is eligible to apply for the scholarship.  The applicant(s) must be accepted as a full- time (minimum of 12 hours) student at a two-year or four-year public or private college or university or vocational trade school, with preference to an institution located in Indiana.

Two scholarships will be awarded annually and they are renewable; however, recipients must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and provide the community foundation with supporting documentation each semester (transcripts and proof of enrollment – a tuition invoice or similar). In the first year of the scholarship program the initial two recipients will be named. In four years, eight recipients will be receiving awards through the William, Johanna & Mario Wilson Family Scholarship Fund.

Several criteria are to be taking into consideration when selecting recipients.  Some of the factors include; financial need, school and/or work activities, community volunteer service, letters of reference, and academics.

The 1^st scholarships will be awarded in the Spring of 2023.

Contributions to the scholarship are tax deductible and can be made online at www.wicf-inc.org or mailed to: Vermillion County Community Foundation, ATTN: William, Johanna and Mark Wilson Family Scholarship Fund, PO Box 532, Clinton, IN 47842.

Check out the Fountain County & Vermillion County Summer Newsletters at: WICF – Publications (wicf-inc.org)