2023 Annual Report

CONTENTS

Who We Are Message from Our President

Responding to Pressing Needs

Impact Stories

Financial Highlights

Grant Funds

2023 Grant Awards

2023 Scholarship Awards

MYPath Trail System

2023 Donors

Giving Back

Tributes & Memorials

Thank You for Your Service

OCCF Staff & Committees

2023 By the Numbers

2023 Board of Directors

WHO WE ARE

MISSION

To enhance the quality of life for all citizens of Owen County, now and for generations to come.

VISION

To be the trustworthy resource for philanthropy by building permanent endowment, addressing needs through grantmaking, and providing leadership resources to serve our community.

VALUES

RESPECT: We will honor the dignity and worth of all.

INTEGRITY: We will act ethically in every relationship.

EXCELLENCE: We will meet or exceed expectations in all we do.

STEWARDSHIP: We will support and preserve donor intent across generations.

PHILANTHROPY: We will promote community involvement and charitable spirit.

LEADERSHIP: We will act as a catalyst and collaborate with others to build a better tomorrow.

MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT

Dear Donors, Partners, and Friends -

The most important asset of the Owen County Community Foundation is you – our dedicated and steadfast community of donors whose generosity truly enriches the quality of lives in Owen County. The Foundation has been able to step up and continue to meet the ever-growing needs of our community, thanks to you. In 2023, your commitment helped us to fund more than $620,000 in projects, programs, and educational initiatives for Owen County.

In this report, you will meet some individuals behind the numbers and learn about the Foundation’s impact on our community. Our grantees and donors are all heroes doing meaningful work out in the community, and behind the scenes, we’ve been hard at work.

Imagine the Possibilities

In Fall 2023, just as the OCCF Board of Directors, committees, and staff were working on plans for 2024 around our impact areas: 1) early learning and youth programming; 2) access to accurate and timely local news and information; and 3) parks, trails, and recreational programming, Lilly Endowment Inc. released the GIFT VIII program, and 2024 instantly turned into a year of possibility.

For context, Lilly Endowment, one of the largest private foundations in the nation, continues to be a steadfast promoter and supporter of Indiana community foundations through its Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT) program. Past GIFT programs have had remarkable financial impact on the Owen County Community Foundation.

With great excitement, OCCF’s Board of Directors embraced the possibilities offered by the GIFT program and approved seeking a Matching Gift Program, a Board Engagement Grant option, and two Community Leadership Grants for special projects. One is a regional collaboration with nine other counties to improve housing and childcare within the Indiana Uplands region. The second is a local opportunity, the focus of which will be determined by feedback from our community solution sessions and survey. We will publish the results of our needs assessment in the next few weeks and will continue to provide updates on the status of our GIFT VIII projects. It is a very exciting time to be at the Foundation and embracing all that the new year has to offer. Janet Rummel

New Additions

2023 also brought changes to our office: Maria O’Connor, our Senior Director of Programs & Administration moved back to her beloved New Jersey; we welcomed Tony Craig as Data & Operations Manager; and Karah Bobeck and I each adopted a puppy. We welcome you to come see littermates Stella and Rupert as they romp around our office – they are sure to bring a smile!

Thank you, as always, for believing in our mission and for supporting Owen County.

Sincerely,

RESPONDING TO PRESSING NEEDS

On the evening of Friday, March 31, 2023, a rotating supercell thunderstorm tracked over the town of Spencer before spawning a violent EF3 tornado that first tracked through northeastern Owen County. The tornado touched down in the McCormick’s Creek State Park Campground Loop B, where EF2-intensity winds produced extensive tree damage. About 400 yards east, the tornado impacted campers at Campground Loop A, where 2 campers were killed, and 2 others injured.

About 1.25 miles to the east-northeast further EF2-intensity damage occurred at Concord Road, where large sections of a home’s roof were removed while cars were crushed, rolled, and thrown; here, along the circulation’s southern side, the roof was blown off a mobile home as it slid off its block piers. The tornado intensified to EF3 strength as it neared the Owen Monroe County line, with two barns 300-500 feet west of North County Line Road completely gone as their debris was lofted a quarter mile into Monroe County; a new farm combine weighing about 12 tons and other tractor implements were lofted and thrown 50 yards; debarking of trees also began new County Line Road, with only stubs of larges branches remaining, due to the tornado’s strongest winds of 153 mph. South of the path’s center near the county line, collapsed walls destroyed unanchored outbuildings, singlefamily homes experienced loss of roofing and broken glass, and the tornado maintained EF3 intensity while crossing into Monroe County. Property damage resulting from the Owen County portion of the storm is estimated to be $1,566,000. Including its track into Monroe County, the tornado traveled 4.01 miles, with a maximum width of 400 yards.

Within days of the disaster, the Community Foundation received its first disaster recovery donations through our online giving platform. Residents, nonprofits, and businesses collectively donated more than $32,000 to assist those impacted by the damage.

HOW IS FUNDING ALLOCATED FROM THE DISASTER RECOVERY FUND?

Residents of Owen County have volunteered their time to serve on Owen County’s Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD). COADs have a broad mission: to strengthen area-wide disaster coordination by sharing programs, polices, information, joint planning, and training. In coordination with the Owen County Emergency Management Agency, Owen County COAD is active in all phases of emergency management, including mitigation, prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery.

Relying upon guidance from the Indiana Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (INVOAD) and direction from the Internal Revenue Service on providing funding to individuals for disaster relief, volunteers work diligently through COAD’s case management system to determine each family’s unmet needs related to the disaster.

Once all direct monetary aid, building materials, and/or volunteer construction services have been applied to specific rebuilding projects, COAD’s leadership can tap into the Foundation’s Disaster Recovery Fund to complete the required assistance for the project.

Welcome to the Neighborhood Spencer Mural Project

The north side of Franklin Street in Spencer saw a remarkable transformation in the fall of 2023, thanks to the skillful hands of local artist, Israel Hogan. The genesis of this Spencer-themed mural was made possible by a generous grant from the Indiana Destination Development Corporation’s IN Indiana Public Art

Grant Adorning the World Arts building, this 46x16-foot masterpiece stands as a testament to Hogan’s artistic prowess. This collaborative project is a true reflection of our community spirit. As we celebrate this captivating addition to downtown Spencer, we eagerly anticipate more opportunities for unity and creativity within our community Welcome to the neighborhood!

Purdue Extension – Owen County: Insights from the Parents Forever Program

2023 Field of Interest Grant Recipient

Addressing the impacts of family structure transitions, especially in divorce or separation scenarios, is crucial for children’s well-being. Indiana lacks standardized co-parenting education, leaving children vulnerable. Initiatives like Parents Forever, offered by Purdue Extension, aim to equip parents with tools for navigating these challenges.

Parents Forever is an educational program for families experiencing divorce, separation of couples who share children, or change in custody that involves shared custody. Through both in-person and online courses, parents and other caregivers learn to prioritize their children’s well-being.

The program’s impact is evident: 82% of participants intend to assist their children based on their developmental needs; 80% are willing to adjust their parenting styles to better meet the needs of their children; and 81% aim to shield children from co-parent conflict. Additionally, 73% are inclined to create childfocused parenting plans.

Parents Forever enhances parental capacities by increasing participants’ knowledge and confidence levels. It equips parents with tools to aid children’s adjustment to divorce and to form a parenting partnership as coparents. By teaching parents to be responsive, responsible, and respectful to each other for the well-being of their children, the Parents Forever program is an invaluable resource to our Owen County families.

Financial Highlights

The Owen County Community Foundation (OCCF) is a 501(c)(3) public charity (Tax ID #35-1934464). Note: The 2022 information is an excerpt of audited financial statements prepared by Blue & Co., LLC. The 2023 information is currently under audit and is subject to change. Complete financial statements are available for inspection in our office at 60 E. Market St., Spencer, IN. OCCF also files an IRS Form 990 each year. A copy of our Form 990 is available on our website or by contacting the OCCF office or visiting guidestar.org.

Growth in Net Assets

2015 - 2023

COMMUNITY GRANT FUNDS

OCCF’s unrestricted and field of interest funds drive our competitive grant processes, allowing us to provide $171,901 in support to our local community in 2023 through Rapid Response Grants, Community Investment Grants, and Large Impact Grants.

Donors who make unrestricted gifts to the Community Foundation place their trust in the Foundation to direct their giving in ways that will create the greatest impact. Grants from unrestricted funds help launch transformative programs, provide meaningful support for local nonprofits, and help develop innovative solutions for our community’s most complex challenges.

OCCF is pleased to announce that we received a $750,000 Matching Fund Grant through the eighth phase of Lilly Endowment Inc.’s Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT VIII). OCCF will be able to use our Matching Fund Grant to further develop our unrestricted assets, which over time will provide financial resources that enable the Community Foundation to respond to both present and future community needs. Lilly Endowment will provide $2 for every $1 contributed to the Owen County Community Foundation’s unrestricted endowment funds during GIFT VIII’s matching period, October 1, 2023, through December 31, 2025.

TRIPLE YOUR IMPACT when you make a gift to an unrestricted endowment fund.

UNRESTRICTED ENDOWMENT FUNDS

Bob Babbs Community Fund

D M J Community Fund

DeCoursey Family Fund

Eugene S. Bowen and Robert D. Bowen Fund for Owen County

Friedel – Mahrdt Community Fund

Glenn T. Burns Fund

Hackworthy Family Community Fund

Harold & Lois Patterson Fund

Harry C. & D. Gladys Miller Fund

Jack Simmerman Community Fund

John T. Gillaspy Memorial Fund

Misty Chapman Memorial Fund

Morgan L. Drescher Family Fund

Nancy McKay and Richard Wayne Lorenz Family Fund

OCCF Community Fund

Ooley Family Fund

Paul & Ione Fulk Community Fund

Rogers – Pennington Fund

SCI REMC RoundUp Fund

Smithville Telephone Company Community Fund

Tom & Becky Wallace – We Believe in the OC Fund

Tucker Family Fund

Wells Family Fund

FIELD OF INTEREST ENDOWMENT FUNDS

Field of interest endowment funds are not eligible for the GIFT VIII Matching Fund Grant, but they do provide an important source of funding for our competitive grants.

Barbara Spinks Memorial Fund

Boston Scientific Childcare Fund

Cancer Support Fund of Owen County

Cataract – Jennings Township Fund

Child Abuse Prevention Fund

Coal City – Jefferson Township Fund

Community Medical Fund

Doug Dalton Memorial Fund

Fire & Emergency Fund

Freedom – Franklin Township Community Fund

Freeman Charitable Food Fund

Gosport Fund

John King Fund for Owen County

Law Enforcement Fund of Owen County

Mini Avocados Fund

OCCF Support Our Schools Fund

SCI REMC Disability Fund

Smithville Charitable Foundation Fund

Veterans of Owen County Fund

Hope Squad – Owen Valley High School

Owen Valley High School recently established a dynamic peer-to-peer support initiative known as Hope Squad. This program selects members based on peer nominations, identifying individuals deemed trustworthy by their fellow classmates. Under the guidance of advisors, these selected students undergo comprehensive training to equip them with the skills necessary to offer support to their peers during times of crisis and facilitate connections to the appropriate adult or resource. This student-led program received a generous grant of $33,500 from the OCCF to support the heartfelt initiative.

Crossroads Ranch, Inc.

2022 Large Impact Grant Recipient

This is Me! Program Final Report

“We have found that the target population served through this grant are individuals who would not be able to pay for services if there was not grant support. The OCCF grant has been the catalyst for growth at Crossroads. Because of the OCCF funding of the This is Me! program, 33 participants were able to grow their self confidence, assertiveness, empathy for others, communication skills and so much more.”

- Tamra Ranard, Co-Executive Director of Crossroads Ranch, Inc.

Parent Testimonial: “This ranch has been a life changer for my daughter! She gained so much confidence both with the horses and with the other girls.”

Post-Program Survey Data

• 100% of the participants showed improvements in the areas of taking responsibility for what they do and doing something nice for someone else.

• 89% showed improvement in talking about positive things in their daily life.

• 60% showed improvement in asking for help from adults and listening more to their parents and teachers.

The This is Me! Program is being continued through 2024, and there is already a waiting list.

Community Grant and Field of Interest Funds: $171,901

American Legion

Bingo Machine

$1,000

Centerstone of Indiana

Care Closet

$2,000

Cunot Food Pantry Inc.

Food Purchases

$800

Operating Support

$200

Disaster Recovery Grants

Tree Removal & Roof Repairs

$9,000

Garrard Chapel Food Pantry

Food Purchases

$5,200

Gosport Fire Department

Tanker Repair

$1,000

Gosport VFW Aux. Post 7850

Remodel Meeting Room

$5,000

Historic Tivoli Theatre

AP20 Part Replacement

$1,000

Mark of Discipleship Food Pantry

Food Purchases

$13,450

MYPath Trail System

Trail Development

$37,000

Old Cataract School House

Repair and Painting

$1,000

Owen County Fair Association

Paving Walkways

$30,000

Owen County Sheriff

Owen County Sheriff Crime Control Fund

$1,000

Owen Valley Fire Territory Protective Kelvar Vests

$5,000

Patricksburg Volunteer Fire Department

Radio Replacement

$5,050

Purdue Extension - Owen County Parents Forever Program

$318

Rescue Recovery Inc. Operating Support

$1,000

Riverside Cemetery Association

Restoring the Gates

$6,061

Spencer Main Street

Lights for Christmas at the Square

$75

Spencer-Owen Community Schools

McCormick’s Creek Elementary School Winter Wonderland Program

$968

Owen Valley High School Hope Squad Program

$30,979

Owen Valley High School OVTV

Live-stream Support

$1,000

Student Lunches with Superintendent

$750

Tandem Community Birth Center and Postpartum House, Inc.

Medical Outreach Launch

$5,000

VFW Post 1405 - Spencer Community Room Upgrade

$3,000

VFW Post 7850 - Gosport Post Remodel

$5,050

Donor-Advised, Designated, and Agency Funds: $344,431

Allison Family Fund

Mark of Discipleship Food Pantry

$941

Anonymous Charitable Gift Annuity

Owen County Humane Society

$1,237

Anonymous Donor-Advised Funds

Back to School Expo

$2,000

Gosport Town Park

$19,051

IU/Spencer-Owen Community Schools Tutoring Project

$25,058

Owen County Heritage & Culture Center

$500

Shop With a Cop

$10,000

Area 10 Agency on Aging Fund

Area 10 Agency on Aging

$327

Bennie J. & Joan R. Woodruff

Methodist Church Fund

Spencer United Methodist Church

$1,810

GRANTS

Bonness Family Fund

OCCF Operating Support

$3,086

Carolina Cemetery Fund

New Union Carolina Church & Cemetery

$621

CASA Office Fund

Owen County CASA

$3,952

Community Detention Alternative Initiative Fund

Owen County Government

$708

David Friedel - Ann Mahrdt DonorAdvised Fund

Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Indiana

$500

IU Foundation/WFIU

$100

Spencer Main Street

$200

Tivoli Theatre

$800

Economic Development Fund

Owen County Chamber of Commerce & EDC

$313

Fireworks Fund

2023 Fireworks Display

$10,450

Flona Everly Query Memorial Fund

Vandalia Community Preservation Association Inc.

$1,381

Gosport Family Tree Fund

Gosport Town Park

$10,480

Gosport History Museum Fund

Gosport Museum Society

$4,461

GRANTS

Gosport Playground Fund

Mulch for Gosport Playground

$1,760

Gosport VFD Fund

Gosport Fire Department

$2,801

Irene & Arthur Kelley

Patricksburg Lutheran Cemetery Fund

Beech Cemetery Association

$845

J. Welch Wampler Fund

No Grant Awarded

Jack R. and Marilyn K. DeFord

Library Fund

Owen County Public Library

$1,174

Jim Vance Owen County YMCA Fund

Owen County Family YMCA

$73,926

Joani & Ed Staubach DonorAdvised Fund

Ensemble Music Society of Indianapolis

$250

Indiana Forest Alliance, Inc.

$150

IU Foundation/WFIU

$240

Our Lil’ Bit of Heaven Animal Rescue & Sanctuary

$900

Owen County Chamber of Commerce & EDC

$550

Owen County S.O.U.N.D.S.

$400

Spencer Main Street

$150

Spencer Pride, Inc.

$300

Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra

$100

The Sanctuary at Browning Farms

$500

Vandalia Community Preservation Association Inc.

$150

Lloyd H. & Rosalie E. Lucas

4-H & FFA Fund

Owen County 4-H Council

$301

Owen Valley FFA

$301

McCormick’s Creek State Park Fund

No Grant Awarded MYPath Fund

MYPath Trail System

$84,343

O’Connor Family Fund

Summerfield Health Care Center

$700

Owen County 4-H Livestock Fund

Owen County Fair Association

$434

Owen County CASA Fund

Owen County CASA

$128

Owen County Education Fund

Spencer-Owen Community Schools Teacher Mini-Grants

$6,191

Owen County Humane Society Fund

Owen County Humane Society

$6,613

Owen County Ministerial Fund

Owen County Christian Programs, Inc.

$5,562

Owen County Preservation Fund

No Grant Awarded

Owen Valley Alumni Association Fund

Owen Valley Alumni Association

$32

Owen Valley Band & Guard Boosters

Owen Valley Band and Guard

$150

Owen Valley Jr. ROTC

Owen Valley Air Force Jr. ROTC

$830

REALTOR Fund

Owen County 4-H Council

$1,000

Riverside Cemetery Fund

Riverside Cemetery Association

$4,126

Senior Friends of Owen County Fund

Senior Friends of Owen County

$181

St. Jude Catholic Church Fund

St. Jude Catholic Church

$484

Tivoli Theatre Endowment

Tivoli Theatre

$1,014

Visionary Fund

OCCF Operating Support

$45,545

William Donald & Maxine Wells - Fiscus Cemetery Fund

Fiscus Cemetery

$3,016

Willie & Pat White Fund

Owen County Family YMCA

$500

Winters & Shouse Cemeteries Fund

Shouse Cemetery

$166

Winters Cemetery

Want to Apply for a Grant?

The OCCF has grants ranging from $300 - $30,000 available to 501©3 organizations that serve Owen County.

Priority Areas

EDUCATION

HUMAN SERVICES

CIVIC AFFAIRS

PARKS, TRAILS & RECREATION

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Patricksburg Community Volunteer Fire Department

2023 Community Investment Grant Recipient

The Patricksburg Community Volunteer Fire Department (PCVFD) plays a crucial role in fire protection for Marion, Lafayette, and Morgan townships in Owen County, as well as providing mutual aid to neighboring fire departments in Owen and Clay Counties. In 2023, the Patricksburg VFD was awarded a $5,000 Community Investment Grant to enhance their emergency response capabilities through the acquisition of handheld radios. eqipmnt.

These radios are essential for alerting our dedicated volunteers and ensuring seamless communication with the Owen County dispatch center (911) and fellow firefighters. The department’s old radios, which were over 15 years old, far exceeded their lifespan and were in dire need of replacement, having caused communication breakdowns during critical situations.

To learn more about the different types of grants that the OCCF offers, or to apply, please visit the Nonprofits page on our website owencountycf.org/nonprofits.

The Patricksburg VFD has since been able to purchase upgraded radios, ultimately enhancing their ability to safeguard lives and property. Furthermore, the department used the OCCF’s crowdfunding software to raise additional funds online, which helped bring them closer to closing the gap for their fundraising goal.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Total Awarded = $130,950

Babbs Supermarket Scholarship

Maria Hartman

Babbs Supermarket Scholarship

In Memory of Charlie Hamilton

Lillie Hamm

Bennie J. & Joan R. Woodruff Scholarship

Jakota Fisher

Burns Family Scholarship

Veronica Clark

Charles T. Cooper Scholarship

Tyler McDaniel

Charles W. Edwards Scholarship

Nathan Mobley

Clinton & Louise Abrell Scholarship

Tyler McDaniel

Coyne Family Scholarship

Hannah Sheese

David Campbell Gray Scholarship

Lillie Hamm

Dick (Mr. Dyar) & Sue Dyar Scholarship

Norah Beeman

Emily Bray

Julianna Hartman

Reagan Martin

Cloe Sharpee

Elliott Hickam Scholarship

Jenna Harris

EPIC Scholarship

Marissa Taylor

Erika Wells Memorial Scholarship

Maria Hartman

Freedom Alumni Scholarship

Kolton Jackson

Gary McCarter Scholarship

Kailee Cooper

George & Nancy Thurston Artistic Scholarship

Lily Leitzman

Geraldine & Wilma Bucklew

Educational Scholarship

Allison Staples

Gosport Alumni Scholarship

Kailee Cooper

Gosport Lions Club Scholarship

Kailee Cooper

Ione W. Fulk Scholarship

Kenzington Brown

James P. Root Scholarship

Norah Beeman

Jefferson Township / Coal City Alumni Scholarship

Cynthia Slough

Jeffrey Wayne Johnson Scholarship

Grace Coryea

Jim & Wilma Fulford Scholarship

Drew Kristoff

John Moore Scholarship

Kearstin Ciresi

Josephine Brown Owens Scholarship

Kage Brown

Judy Hamilton Education Scholarship

Marissa Taylor

Lloyd H. & Rosalie E. Lucas Agri Science Scholarship - 4-H & FFA

Kailee Cooper

Loretta Heidrick Memorial Scholarship

Marissa Taylor

Lyle & Marion Brighton Scholarship

Lucy Elkins

MacMorran Family Scholarship

Lucas Hendershot

Marissa Taylor

Margaret Marley Pinkston Scholarship

Hannah Sheese

Mearl & LaVerne Brown Scholarship

Kailee Cooper

Melvin R. & Margaret A. Hall

Nursing Scholarship

Norah Beeman

Michael D. Magner Scholarship

No Scholarship Awarded

Michael Job Vocational Scholarship

Rebecca Brown

Mildred E. Harbison Scholarship

Hailey Manuel

Monroe, Long, & Butts Vocational Scholarship

Rebecca Brown

Morgan L. Drescher Family Scholarship

MaKenna Blankenship

Our Community Bank Scholarship

Hailey Manuel

Our Community Farm Bureau Scholarship

Kailee Cooper

Christian McDonald

Victoria Worland

Owen County IU Varsity Club Scholarship

Jenna Harris

Owen Valley FFA Scholarship

Holly Comte

Patricksburg Alumni Scholarship

Maria Hartman

PFC Brett Wood Memorial Scholarship

Elijah Weaver

Quincy Alumni Scholarship

Kaylynn Paris

Catherine Simpson

R ebecca and William Applegate Scholarship

Hannah Walden

Robert & Barbara Stanley Bonness Scholarship

Kailee Cooper

Roma Wilson Scholarship

Cloe Sharpee

Ronald E. & Carol L. Patterson Dillingham Scholarship

Klaudia Stahl

Veronica Clark

Sons of American Legion

Joe Carmichael & Gary Boruff Memorial Scholarship

Jonathan Wetzel

Madison Kay

Spencer Alumni Scholarship

Jonathan Wetzel

Tri Kappa Cochrane-Royer Scholarship

Chloe Harris

Tri Kappa Continuing Education Scholarship

Grace Coryea

Tri Kappa Lillian Dyar Music Scholarship

Tyler McDaniel

Tri Kappa Vocational Scholarship

In Honor of Jill Wagner McKay

Holly Comte

Vada Baker Scholarship

Catherine Simpson

West & Parrish & Pedigo Scholarship

Ashlyn Boltinghouse

William Truax Family Scholarship

Breanna Davis

Woody & Barry Franklin Scholarship

Kaylynn Paris

Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program

First offered in 1998 by Lilly Endowment Inc., the purpose of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program is to help raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana and to further leverage the ability of Indiana’s community foundations to enhance the quality of life for the state’s residents.

2023 Recipient for Owen County

Emma Paauwe

Full Tuition at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology + $900 annual stipend

2023 SCHOLARSHIPS

73 Applications

42 Recipients

60% of applicants received at least one scholarship

MYPath TRAIL SYSTEM

Kyle Hannon MYPath Project Manager

mypath@owencountycf.org

The Last Big Step Was Really Big

Community members and Owen County Community Foundation supporters have been following the development of the MYPath trail system for several years. You were there for the dream of a trail around 2016, to the new sidewalk on south Main Street, to the improvements and trail markers along the trail, to the development of the Riverfront Trail on the south side of the White River. And you were rooting for us as we submitted an application, our third attempt, for the Next Level Trails Program.

You were cheering for us as we announced that we were successful. We were awarded $640,000 from the Department of Natural Resources to make part of the Riverfront Trail an ADA accessible trail, including a bridge across Elliston Creek. That was a big step. mypathtrail

The really, really big step happened in late December when we broke ground on the trail! Many community members and leaders joined us for this momentous celebration. We have officially moved from drawings and technical documents to actual work on a trail project that you can witness.

Most of the late winter work included survey markings, moving the boundaries from drawings on paper to boundaries on the trail. This March you will be able see the clearing of trees, making the trail route even more visible. Once the trees are cleared, All-American Construction will be able to grade the trail and create an asphalt surface, suitable for walkers, cyclists, wheelchairs, and strollers.

A large group of supporters celebrated the MYPath groundbreaking, December 19, 2023.

The bridge across Elliston Creek will control the schedule for the rest of the project. Milestone Contractors will be placing the bridge abutments on either side of the creek in April. Due to cost constraints, we were unable to restore an old county bridge. Instead, Milestone is working with a company to custom-build a new bridge, just for MYPath. When the bridge is complete, Milestone will assemble it on site. We are very excited about that, but it is not scheduled to be complete until September.

The survey crew checks the trail alignment.

In the meantime, MYPath continues to generate community interest and use. To date, the project has generated nearly $1 million in outside grants. The support of the Owen County Community Foundation has enabled us to leverage this money. We are anticipating even more support and interest as the project is completed.

Stay tuned for news of a ribbon cutting celebration for the new MYPath trail section. This is a very big step for the community, even if it is not officially complete until late September.

THE IMPACT OF TRAILS

Health Benefits

Obesity rates increase 6% per hour spent in a car; Obesity rates decrease 4.6% for each kilometer walked.

Diabetes rates decrease as percentage of trips to work by bicycle or walking increases.

Transportation Benefits

66% Americans want more transportation options so they have the freedom to choose how to get where they need to go.

73% currently feel they have no choice but to drive as much as they do.

57% would like to spend less time in the car.

(According to the Future of Transportation Survey)

Economic Benefits

$12.2 billion in spending

242,000 jobs

$2.9 billion in tax revenue

Trails can be associated with higher property values, especially when a trail is designed to provide neighborhood access and maintain residents’ privacy.

Trail users reported spending an average of $3,564/year on trailrelated expenditures.

(2017 Indiana Trails Study The Epley Institute at the Indiana University School of Health)

When MYPath is completed, it will connect Spencer with the 800,000 annual visitors to McCormick’s Creek State Park.

Quality-of-Life Benefits

Around Indiana, residents and visitors, whether they are bicyclists or not, enjoy the expanded shops, restaurants, and activities that have sprung up around developed trails like the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, the Monon Trail, and others. Why not MYPath?

CAN’T HUG ALL THE TREES

The nature lovers who support MYPath and the Soil and Water Conservation District whose land is being used for MYPath might be sad to see us remove trees to make the trail. However, the Department of Natural Resources requirement is that we plant FIVE trees for every ONE, we remove. We will happily comply.

DONORS

Your OCCF thanks our 688 donors, and sends a special welcome to the 244 new donors who gave in 2023.

ATom & Jennifer Abrell

Carole Alford

George Allison

American Legion Call-Payton Post 285

Robert & Jamie Andree

Anonymous Donors

Bill & Rebecca Applegate

Madi Arnett

The Arthur Family

Randy & Vanessa Arthur

Tom, Brandy, & Dylan Ash

Kenny-Ray & Amber Augustus

Austin Powder Company

B

Babbs Supermarket

Kellan & Kenzie Babbs

Rob & Cassie Babbs

Fred & Kathy Balash

Jacob & Jonathan Balash

Charles & Carole Barker

Ed & Leanne Barnett

Jocelyn McKay Barone

Vicki Basman

BBP Water Corporation

Bedford Rotary Club

Belt Tech Industrial

Deonna Shane Bemish

The Bernstein Family

Jordan & Lauren Bland

Bloomington Board of Realtors

Matthew Boatman

Karah Bobeck

Steve & Dora Bobeck

Cory & Inger Boggess

Russell & Yvonne Booher

Peter & Kacinda Boros

Boston Scientific Corporation

Adam & Jenna Bowen

Roger & Barbara Bowen

Michael & Judith Boyd

Braysville Homemakers

Bill & Glenda Breeden

Craig & Margo Brighton

Ken & Maryanne Brighton

Dave & Barbara Brinson

George & Jessica Brinson

Randall Brinson

John & Carol Brown

Dean & Marcia Bruce

Bruner Design & Construction

Karen Bucklew Buck

Keith Bucklew

Kory Bucklew

Kris & Anna Bucklew

Martha, Larry, & Dan Buis

Aaron Bultman

Rick Burger

Shirley Burke

John & Jane Burks

The Busenburg Family

Sandra Butts

C

Jim & Chris Caddell

Tom Cadwell

California Schell Trust

Ann Calvin

The Calvin Family

Donald Campbell

Capital Cities, LLC

Erin Carpenter

Jeff & Helen Carpenter

Penny Carpenter

Holly Cazzell

Robert Giampietro & Susan Cernek

Chandler Funeral Homes

Duane & Elaine Cheney

John Ciresi

Civilian Brewing Corps

Mace & Ellen Clark

Nola Clark

Mike Clouse

Charles & Kay Cochran

Pat Cochran

Frank & Julie Coffin

Craig P. Coffman

Conner Rentals

Chris & Danielle Conner

Barbara Cooper

Kevin & Ann Cooper

James & Virginia Coppedge

Debbi Cottongim

Susan Coulter

Donna Cowan

Thomas Coyne

Steve & Peggy Cradick

Crane Credit Union

Croy’s Creek Church

Dalicia Cunningham

Ed & Diana Curry

Travis & Jill Curry

Cindy Curvin and Family

D

Glenn Dayhuff

Nancy Deal

Debbie Keith Busing, Inc.

Royce Deckard

Steven & Pamela Deckard

Wally & Kathy DeFord

Ava Denny

The DePoy Family

Tom & Ronda Derleth

Ron & Carol Dillingham

Beverly Dittemore

Vicki Dittemore

Michael & Julie Donham

Fred & Donna Dorsett

Martha Douglas

Judy Drescher

Travis Drescher

Jean M. Drinkut

Paul & Suzie Childress Dubois

Duke Energy

Tim & MaryAnn Dunfee

Gregory & Amy Dunham

Jennifer Dunning

Penny Dunning

John & Sylvia Dyar

Steve & Pamela Dyer

E

Frank Eberle

Eden Lodge 99

Patty Edwards

Kelly Elff

Elite Electric, LLC

David & Robin England

Ed & Teah Entrekin

Lucie Mathieu & Judi Epp

Tom & Kaye Erney

Charles & Ochmaa Escue

F

Sandy Featherston

Ethan Fields

Hunter Fields

Richard & Myrna Fields

Harriet Figg

Bruce & Karen Fisher

Steve & Mary Jo Fox

The Frank Family

Gary Franklin

Kent & Linda Franklin

Marsha Nickless Franklin

Steve & Debbie Freeman

David Friedel & Ann Mahrdt

Frye Towing & Recovery

John & Nancy Fuhs

Tom & Karen Fulk

GRandy & Melvinda Gates

General Drilling

The Giampietro Family

John & Lisa Gillaspy

Nick Gillaspy

Amanda Goetze

Kenneth & Mary Margaret Goldstein

Gosport Apartments, LLC

Gosport Business Association

Gosport Lions Club

Gosport Manufacturing Co., Inc.

Michael Goss

Joyce Graham

Grand Lodge of Indiana - Spencer 95

John Gray

Green Dental

Julie Grice

Stanley & Nancy Griffith

Robert & Barbara Gunder

HJohn & Cindy Hackworthy

Jason & Kimberly Hale

Bobby & Mary Joe Hall

The Halstead Family

Bruce & Mary Hamlin

Hammond’s Florist

Kyle Hannon

Jim, Vicki, & Sophie Hardy

Randy & Karen Harmon

Harriman Farms Greenhouse, LLC

Stephen & Kathleen Harriman

Jim Harrison

Marilyn A. Hart

David & Lois Hawkins

John & Deanna Heckman

Dr. Jennifer Heil

Joe & Judy Heinmiller

Helena Agri-Enterprises

Rex & Carla Henry

Michael Hensley

Scott & Heather Herrington

Lois Hester

Dr. R. E. Hickam

Ed & Peggy Hines

Robin Hines and Family

Dale & Amanda Hinthorn

Nicholas Hobbs

Mary Frances Hochstetler

Garnet E. Holsapple

Home Team Properties

Edward Howard

Tina Huff

Lee & Karen Huss

I

Indiana Farmers Insurance

Insurance Pros - Brinson Agency

Insurance Services, Inc.

IU Office of Enrollment Management

J

Rachel Jabaily

Arnold & Gerri Jackson

Don & Marilyn Jackson

Judy Jenkins

Shane & Connie Jennings

David B. Johnson

Buck & Nan Johnson

Marc & Brandy Johnson

Jeff & Ruth Jones

Robert T. Jones

Leslie & Deborah Jordan

K

Kappa Kappa Kappa, Inc. - Alpha Delta

Chapter

Kat’s Cuts & Beards

Kay’s Lawn Service & Landscaping

John S. Keeler

Jeff & Rachel Keith

Friends & Family of Evan Kelley

Brad & Robin King

Dr. Michel King

Joe & Brenda King

Vic, Shirley, & Jason Kinney

Anne Kirchgraber-McKee

The Klass Family

David & Kathleen Knight

Thomas & Kimberly Knox

Tiffany Kropack

L

Sarah, Aaron, and Sawyer LaGrange

Elaine Lamb

Karalyn Landgrebe

Jack & Cathy Lanham

Joshua Lanham & Meghan Meyer

Stephen & Alice Lee

Lois Leeberg

John & Sherri Lehmbeck

Nick & Carolyn Lenning

Stephanie Letman

Heather Light

Jennifer Light-Holets

David J. Livingston

John & Jennifer Livingston

Stephanie Lochbihler

Janet Long

Wayne Long

Richard & Nancy Lorenz

Angie Lucas

Bob & Terri Lyford

DONORS

M

Joyce Mackey

Terrie & Frances MacMorran

Mader Construction

Elizabeth Mahrdt

Danny P. Majors

Bill & Cheryl Maners

Jerry Maners

Grace & Bernie Mansi

Theresa Mansi

David Marley

Dianne & Ellis Martin

Darin & Kathy Matson

Trish Mauder

Robert & Alice McAuley

Bill S. McCarter

Sam McCarter

Scott McCarter

T.J. & Leslie McClure

McCollum Insurance Investments, LLC

Jane McCollum

McCormick’s Creek Elementary School

Terry & Deb McDaniel

John & Helen McHaley

Evan McKalip & Shelley Harriman

John & Sandra McKay

Dianne McKinley

Tyrone McKinley

Daniel & Kimberly McMains

The Mechenich Family

Don Meek

Jennifer Mehl

Jane Mellenthin

Phil & Jackie Merk

Bob & Penny Meyer

Jo & Dane Meyer

John & Arlene Meyer

Ann Michael

Mike & Barbara Spinks

Grant & Colleen Minnemeyer

Mark Minton

Marsha Minton

Joyce Mitchell

Wayne & Emily Mobley

Barbara Moen

Diane Monroe

Derek & Amy Morgan

Kyle & Tracy Motes

Joe & Anne Mueller

Mullin Equipment

Connie Murphy

Andrea Sawyers Murray

Greg & Anita Murray

N

Jo Ann Neal

Shanna Neely

Anton Neff

Tony & Victoria Neff

Robert & Linda Neibel

The Neumeyer Family

Patricia Query Newforth

Dale & Rachel Nicholson

Alvaro & Leslie Nieves

Richard & Lisa Norman

North Central High School Class of 1961

O

Ed O’Brien

Gail O’Connor

Maria O’Connor

Regan O’Connor

Michael O’Dea

Savannah F. Oliver

Kevin & Gloria Ooley

Owen County Chamber of Commerce & EDC

Owen County Family YMCA

Owen County Home Company

Owen County Public Library

Owen County Sheriff

Owen County State Bank

Owen Valley High School Class of 1971

Owen Valley Winery

Lynn Owen P

Bruce & Wendy Pallman

Steve & Alice Parrish

Patricksburg High School Class of 1966

Steve & Becky Pedigo

Pengin Cycle Werks

Lydia Perron

Personal Financial Services, LLC

Larry & Glenda Plummer

Danny Powell

Patti Powell

Ted & Jody Powell

Donald Purdue

Q

Donald & Peggy Query

Jerry Quick

Lori & Gary Quillen and Family

R

Thomas Ragonese

Laura Ramirez

Dick Ranard

Nancy Rankin

Melissa Ray

Richard P. Rechter

REMAX Select Associates

Emily Reuter

Mary Rice

Pamela Richards

Dixie Richardson

Ridgeline Veterinary Services

Olivia Riedling and Family

Mike & Vicki Riggs

William Rinnert

Riverside Cemetery Association

Jeffrey & Sandi Roberts

Regina Roberts

Marcus Robinson

Toby & Debra Rodney

The Rogers Family

Rogers Group, Inc.

Mark & Pennie Rogers

Alvaro Aquique Rojas

Rolling Meadows Golf Course

Richard Rubeck

Elizabeth Ruh

Janet Rummel

Jo Ellen Rust

Trudy Rust

S

Walter Sadler

Marty Schmidt

Lewis Scholl

Tawnya Schrank

Katelyn Schreiver

Peggy Schrougham

Linnell Schur

Sheila & Rick Schwartz

David & Doris Scully

Nicholas S. Sheese

Jack & Linda Simmerman

Becky Smith Styer

Mary Ellen C. Smith SMV Realty, LLC

Mark & Nancy Snapp

Sons of American Legion

Richard & Tana Sorrells

Moriah Sowders Special Ops Construction, LLC

Spencer Exchange Club

Spencer Fraternal Order of Police

Spencer Hardware and Lumber Co.

Spencer High School Class of 1958

Spencer High School Class of 1970

Spencer-Owen School Staff

Spencer Presbyterian Church

Spencer Pride, Inc.

Spencer Save-A-Lot

Don Lamm & Kathy Spinks

Judith Stanfield

Ed & Joani Staubach

John & Tina Stearley

Patricia Steele

Amy Stephenson

Carole Joan Stierwalt

Still Waters Roofing and Construction, LLC

Dan & Julie Stines

Troi Stith

Julie Stockwell

Hunter M. Stogsdill

Ronda Stogsdill & Family

Jeremiah Stwalley

Damon & Susan Summerlot

Summitt Towing & Recovery, LLC

Mike Swafford

Sweet Owen Convention & Visitors Bureau

T

Betty Taylor

Don & Rebecca Taylor

Curt & Benita Thacker

Charles & Mary Jo Thatcher

Fred Thatcher

The Connection Church

The Ladies Birthday Club

Bill & Mikki Stockwell

Bill & Darla Thomas

Linda, David, & Kristi Thomas

Al & Bonnie Tinsley

Jan M. Torgerson

Don & Gloria Townsend

Estate of William Trent

Truesdel Heating Cooling and Maintenance

Marilyn Truesdel

Mark Truesdel

Robert F. Truesdel

Al & Joan Tucker

Darin & Carol Tucker

Dirk & Sherry Tucker

Doug & Judy Tucker

Kelly Tucker

Kimberly Tucker

Margie Tucker

Phyllis Tucker

U

Terry Urban V Valley Optical

The Vano Family

Susan Vaughn

Tim & Susan Vest

Norma Vickrey

Michael Vogel

W

Alissa Wallace

Tom & Becky Wallace

Walton Funeral Services, Inc.

Kevin & Debbie Wampler

William & Lyvon Watt

Paul Watts

Jeannie Webster

John Wegner

Ben & Kristen Fuhs Wells

Gerald Wells

Gordon & Diane Wells

The Whaley Family

Darrell & Loretta White

Ed & Nancy White

Bob & Cindy White

Mary Jane Wilcox

Bill Willen

Andy & Susan Williams

Julia and Nick Williams

Shawn Williams

Becky Wilson

David E. Wilson

Tad Wilson

Kathy Wise

Steve & Cynthia Withem

Fred Wooley

World Arts, Inc.

Leonard & Joan Wray

Terry Wright, Jr.

Terry & Sally Wright

Dan & Cathy Wyatt

Y

Ronan & Ale Young

YMCA Board, Staff, and Friends

Z

Donna Zamber

Jane Zande

Todd & Deborah Zellers

Phillip & Suzanne Zook

Penny Zufall

Every effort is made to ensure your name is written as you wish. If your name is incorrect, or you wish to be listed differently, please contact the OCCF.

GIVING BACK

You Passion Gifts

An individual, family, business, or charitable organization makes a taxdeductible gift of cash, securities, real estate, or other property.

Your gift adds to a charitable fund to benefit causes now or in the long term. Human/ animal welfare, education, human services, the environment, church of your choice, or any cause of your choosing.

Create Distribution

Funds are invested prudently for long term growth and overseen by an investment committee of local professionals.

The support your fund provides to nonprofit projects, organizations, and student scholarships strengthens our community whle creating your lasting legacy of giving.

Gifts such as cash, securities, real assets, retirement funds, insurance, and bequests. No gift is too small!

OCCF TEAM

Meet with donors to find a fund right for them. We help with giving gifts, growing funds, offer expertise on community needs, preserve donors wishes in perpetuity, and provide regular statements on funds.

ALL FUNDS are governed by an agreement between OCCF and the donor. Unrestricted Donor Advised Designated Agency Field of Interest Scholarships

HOW TO GIVE

SCAN TO GIVE!

Open your smartphone camera and aim it at the code like you’re taking a picture. Then click on

Visit Our Website: owencountycf.org

Mail your donation to: OCCF, P.O. Box 503 Spencer, IN 47460

WHY WE GIVE

We Believe in the OC

-OCCF Board Chair Tom Wallace

As one reaches the “Fall Season” of this journey the loose ends to tie up prevail. I believe the life one leads can be and should be a ministry to others.

In this ministry, it is not only what impacts the one taking the lead role but what one absorbs. But also, the spouse and children are each impacted and can play a role in that ministry. In my ministry of teaching agriculture and being the FFA Advisor, my wife, Becky played a significant role in serving the youth of Owen County.

The discussion surfaced how can we honor Becky and I for the work we accomplished in serving the youth of the community? The initial agreement between the two of us was to start a donor-advised fund at the Owen County Community Foundation (OCCF) for $5,000. The discussion expanded to the offspring. My daughters, Amanda and Alissa initiated the idea of a scholarship in our honor would be a better fit for the work Becky and I had completed. The amount for a scholarship to be started is significantly higher than a donor-advised fund. That amount to implement a scholarship is $25,000. How does a couple in retirement tackle such an amount?

The conduit we decided upon is a Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA). The benefit of a CGA is that it allows us to place the $25,000 into a CGA fund based on our age and allows us to receive a fixed interest to aid in paying retirement living expenses until the passing of us both. At the time of death, the $25,000 of the CGA will be directed into the Tom and Becky Wallace Scholarship Fund.

A second opportunity arose with Lilly Endowment’s Gift VIII. For each $1.00 one donates, Lilly will match with a $2.00 gift. An additional $1.00 was provided by a generous anonymous donor. The math was simple as we decided to provide $1,500 of our funds to be matched with an additional $4,500 for a total of $6,000 to start an additional fund. Our initial thought was to start a donor-advised fund but with the caveat of Gift VIII the fund type must be an unrestricted fund.

The intent of an unrestricted fund type allows the OCCF to address the community’s most pressing needs at any given time. We do not know what the community will need 10 years from now, much less in 100 years. The OCCF strives for a diverse group of directors that represents several different townships throughout Owen County. With the ever-changing needs of Owen County, Becky and I decided upon the Tom and Becky Wallace, “We Believe in the OC” unrestricted discretionary fund.

Returning to our roots in 2002, we have been happy to see the resurgence of the community. The collaborative efforts of the government agencies, the Owen County Chamber of Commerce and EDC, the OCCF, and other partnerships have aligned the community with current and future growth and opportunity.

The OCCF provided Becky and me with a conduit to provide financial assistance to the community that has so richly given to us in our youth and adult lives. The OCCF is a professional organization governed by the legal system and national standards. Professionals manage financial investments. The Foundation’s purpose and our personal goal is to exist in perpetuity. Becky and I wanted our funds to last forever rather than be an in-the-door and out-the-door donation that would not make a long-term impact.

Establishing the funds is a remarkably simple task of coordinating the applications at the OCCF with our local financial advisor. The local financial advisor prevented any tax ramifications for both funds and timed the unrestricted fund with our annual minimum distribution requirement.

As the seasons change and our lives are fulfilled, Becky and I are both humbled to be able to give back a little of what has been generously given to the two of us.

TRIBUTES

2023 S-OCS Retirees

Mark Rogers

Colonel Allen

Rob & Cassie Babbs

Tad Wilson

George Allison

Amber & Kenny-Ray Augustus

Rob & Cassie Babbs

Michael & Julie Donham

Jennifer Dunning

Rob & Cassie Babbs

Ronda Stogsdill and Family

Babbs Market

Babbs Supermarket

John “Bob” Bain

Rob & Cassie Babbs

Craig Brighton

Shirley Burke

Penny Carpenter

Erin Carpenter

Mr. & Mrs. Charles Crum

Tad Wilson

Wally & Kathy DeFord

Ronda Stogsdill and Family

Clinton & Louise Abrell

Babbs Supermarket

Don Abrell

Dave & Doris Scully

Fred & Mary Jo Thatcher

Kimberly Tucker

Lori & Gary Quillen

Mary Ackerman

Jim & Chris Caddell

Phyllis Allen

Wally & Kathy DeFord

Jetta Allison

Barbara Cooper

Jennifer Dunning

John & Cindy Hackworthy

Bob Babbs

Spencer Save-A-Lot

Mike & Julie Donham

Amber & Kenny-Ray Augustus

Fred & Donna Dorsett

Rob & Cassie Babbs

Marty Figg

Sandy Featherson

Kelly Tucker

Margie Tucker

Phyllis Tucker

John & Nancy Fuhs

Ben & Kristen Fuhs Wells

John Gillaspy

Buck & Nan Johnson

Julie Grice

Steve & Alice Parrish

John & Cindy Hackworthy

Amy Paul

Todd & Deborah Zellers

Susan Babbs Hall

Rob & Cassie Babbs

Kyle Hannon

Joyce Mitchell

Judy Heinmiller

Maria O’Connor

Jake & The Owen Valley

Band Anonymous

Brandy Johnson

John & Lisa Gillaspy

Marc Johnson

John & Lisa Gillaspy

Ann Mahrdt

Cory & Inger Boggess

Lynn Nelson

John & Lisa Gillaspy

OCCF Staff

John & Sylvia Dyar

Alice Parrish

Erin Carpenter

Penny Carpenter

Shawn Parrish

Steve & Alice Parrish

Steve Parrish

Alice Parrish

Dr. Tom Ryan

Shirley Burke

Riverside Cemetery Staff

David Livingston

MEMORIAL GIFTS

Eugene & Robert Bowen

Roger & Barbara Bowen

Raymond “Bos” & Randy Buis

Martha, Larry, & Dan Buis

Larry Burger

Patricksburg High School Class of 1966

Tristan Calvin

Tom & Jennifer Abrell

Anonymous

The Arthur Family

Vanessa & Randy Arthur

Tom, Brandy, & Dylan Ash

Austin Powder Company

Bedford Rotary Club

Matthew Boatman

Tom Cadwell

Ann Calvin

The Calvin Family

Debbi Cottongim

Dalicia Cunningham

The DePoy Family

Ed & Teresa Entrekin

General Drilling

John & Nancy Fuhs

Grand Lodge of Indiana

- Spencer 95

Robert & Barbara Gunder

David & Lois Hawkins

Dr. Jennifer Heil

Michael Hensley

Julia Sieradzan

Steve & Alice Parrish

Jack Simmerman

Tad Wilson

Larry D. Snodgrass

Mark & Vicki Riggs

Sophie the MYPath Trail

Dog

Jim & Vicki Hardy

The Spinks Family

Linnell Schur

Ed & Joani Staubach

Janet Rummel

Lori Thatcher Quillen

Sandy Featherston

Kelly Tucker

Margie Tucker

Phyllis Tucker

Tom Wallace

Tad Wilson

Rex Wilson

Erin Carpenter

Tad Wilson

Erin Carpente

Phillip Zook

Rob & Cassie Babbs

Robin Hines

Shane & Connie Jennings

Aaron, Sarah, & Sawyer

LaGrange

Karalyn Landgrebe

Dianne & Ellis Martin

Joshua Lanham & Meghan Meyer

Bob & Terri Lyford

McCormick’s Creek Elementary

Jo & Dane Meyer

Shanna Neely

Dale & Rachel Nicholson

Maria O’Connor

Michael O’Dea

Danny Powell

Emily Reuter and Family

Rogers Group Family

Betty Taylor

The Whaley Family

Andy & Susan Williams

Terry Wright Jr.

Pamela Campbell

Anonymous

Rob & Cassie Babbs

Charles & Carole Barker

BBP Water Corporation

Shirley Burke

The Busenburg Family

Donnie Campbell

Charles & Kay Cochran

Jim & Ginny Coppedge

Glenn Dayhuff

Royce Deckard

Wally & Kathy DeFord

Frank J. Eberle

Ed & Teresa Entrekin

Charles & Ochmaa Escue

Steve & Debbie Freeman

David Friedel & Ann Mahrdt

Bruce & Mary Hamlin

Lois A. Hawkins

Robin Hines and Family

Tina Huff

IU Office of Enrollment Management

David Johnson

Anne Kester

David & Kathleen Knight

Jack & Cathy Lanham

Joshua Lanham & Meghan Meyer

Lois Leeberg

Nick & Carolyn Lenning

Stephanie Letman

Darin & Kathy Matson

Jane Mellenthin

Maria O’Connor

Kevin & Gloria Ooley

Steve & Becky Pedigo

Ted & Jody Powell

Patti Powell

Richard P. Rechter

The Riedling Family

William Rinnert

Rogers Group, Inc.

Tana & Richard Sorrells

Dan & Julie Stines

Ronda Stogsdill and Family

Curt & Benita Thacker

Tom & Becky Wallace

Paul Watts

Max Carpenter

Penny Carpenter

Keith Casebeer

Barbara Cooper

John & Cindy Hackworthy

Virginia Childress

Becky Wilson

Al Childs

Barbara Cooper

John & Cindy Hackworthy

Bob Christenberry

Michael & Judith Boyd

Cindy Curvin and Family

Tom & Karen Fulk

John & Deanna Heckman

Don Lamm & Kathy Spinks

Jane Mellenthin

The Neumeyer Family

Mary Rice

Curt & Benita Thacker

Tad Wilson

Charles T. Cooper

John & Cindy Hackworthy

Susan Coulter Anonymous

Rob & Cassie Babbs

Deonna Shane Bemish

Mace & Ellen Clark

Nola Clark

Jim & Ginny Coppedge

Nancy Deal

Wally & Kathy DeFord

Gregory & Amy Dunham

David Friedel & Ann Mahrdt

John & Nancy Fuhs

The Giampietro Family

Robert Giampietro & Susan Cernek

Marilyn A. Hart

Rachel Jabaily

Vic & Shirley Kinney

Grace & Bernie Mansi

Theresa Mansi

Trish Mauder

John & Sandra McKay

Patricia Newforth

Maria O’Connor

OCCF Board & Staff

Larry & Glenda Plummer

Donald & Peggy Query

Mary Rice

Regina Roberts

Janet Rummel

Marty Schmidt

Peggy Schrougham

Mark & Nancy Snapp

Ed & Joani Staubach

Ronda Stogsdill

Bill & Darla Thomas

Kimberly Tucker

The Vano Family

Tom & Becky Wallace

Bill & Betty Daniels

Dan & Cathy Ann Wyatt

Michael Dean

Daniel & Kimberly McMains

Jack R. DeFord

John & Cindy Hackworthy

Marilyn K. DeFord

Fred & Donna Dorsett

John & Cindy Hackworthy

Jack & Linda Simmerman

Steve & Cynthia Withem

Terry Downey

Rob & Cassie Babbs

Don & Gloria Townsend

David Drescher

Judy Drescher

H.O. & Beulah Dunning

Penny Dunning

Kextal & Judy Dunning

Penny Dunning

Richard “Dick” Dyar

John & Sylvia Dyar

Greg & Anita Murray

Phillip & Suzanne Zook

Rhonda Truax Farmer

Spencer High School Class of 1970

Mary L. Fox

Steve, Carol, & Fred Flagle

Steve & Mary Jo Fox

MEMORIAL GIFTS

Connie Flory

John & Cindy Hackworthy

Bonnie Frank

John & Nancy Fuhs

Joe & Judy Heinmiller

Ernest “Bill” Franklin

Gary Franklin

Morris & Betty Franklin

Kent & Linda Franklin

Karen Sheese Freeman

Elizabeth Bernstein and Family

Ellen Clark

Scott & Heather Herrington

Kevin & Ann Cooper

Dianne McKinley

Owen Valley High School Class of 1971

Melissa Ray

Mary Rice

Bobby & Hope Whaley

Jane Zande

Susie Freeman

Nicholas Sheese

Jim & Wilma Fulford

John & Cindy Hackworthy

Leota Fulk

OCCF Board & Staff

Jack & Linda Simmerman

Margie Tucker

Ginger Galloway

Spencer High School Class of 111970

John & Meme Gillaspy

John & Cindy Hackworthy

Meme Gillaspy

Barbara Cooper

Vera Withem Greenwood

Buck & Nan Johnson

Spencer High School Class of 111958

Aaron & Helen Griffith

Stanley & Nancy Griffith

Melvin Hall

Kevin & Debbie Wampler

Charlie Hamilton

Babbs Supermarket

Steve & Peggy Cradick

Ed & Diana Curry

Jean M. Drinkut

John & Sylvia Dyar

Patty Edwards

Larry & Bonnie Frank

Scott & Heather Herrington

Robert T. Jones

Vic, Shirley, & Jason Kinney

Thomas & Kimberly Knox

Bob & Penny Meyer

John & Arlene Meyer

Barbara Moen

Maria O’Connor

Toby & Debra Rodney

Rick & Sheila Schwartz

Dave & Doris Scully

Becky Smith Styer

Mark & Nancy Snapp

Spencer Save-A-Lot

Ronda, Mackenzie, & Hunter

11Stogsdill

Damon & Susan Summerlot

Donald & Rebecca Taylor

Curt & Benita Thacker

Don & Gloria Townsend

Kevin & Debbie Wampler

Becky Wilson

David E.Wilson

Opal Hardesty

Insurances Services Inc.

Susie Parrish Harris

Steve & Alice Parrish

Carol Herrington

Barbara Cooper

John & Cindy Hackworthy

Anita Highshore

Mary C. Ellen Smith

Jason Hinkle

Richard & Myrna Fields

Joe Hutcherson

George & Nancy White

Mike Hyer

Maria O’Connor

Jarrod Jackson

Spencer High School Class of 111970

Julie James Owen County Public Library

11Staff

Leon Johnson

Steve & Alice Parrish

Loretta Johnson

Buck & Nan Johnson

Elizabeth Jones

Robert T. Jones

Margie Jones

Steve & Becky Pedigo

Michael Jones

Lori & Gary Quillen and 11Family

Evan Kelley

John & Jane Burks

Friends & Family of Evan 11Kelley

Randy & Karen Harmon

William “Doug” Kenfield

John & Nancy Fuhs

OCCF Board & Staff

Robert Knapp

Jack & Linda Simmerman

Coach Bob Knight

Al & Joan Tucker

Dr. Mark Lambert

Kevin & Debbie Wampler

Lloyd Lucas

Jack & Linda Simmerman

Gary McCarter

Scott McCarter

TJ & Leslie McClure

Kenneth McCollum

Lisa Bassett and Family

Kimberley Frazier and Family

Jane McCollum

Mark McCollum and Family

Jerry McHaley

John & Lisa Gillaspy

Buck & Nan Johnson

John & Helen McHaley

Harley Melton

Jack & Linda Simmerman

Lois Jean Miller

George & Nancy White

Charlie Minnick

Al & Joan Tucker

Daniel Moon

Sandra Butts

Andrew “Drew” O’Connor

Gail O’Connor

Raymond Parks

Babbs Supermarket

Arthur & Ella Mae Parrish

Barbara Cooper

John & Cindy Hackworthy

Steve & Alice Parrish

Jack Parsons

Marc & Brandy Johnson

Mark Pendleton

Spencer High School Class of 111970

Julie Thacker Romas

Owen Valley High School Class of 1971

Curt & Benita Thacker

Bart Richardson

Barbara Cooper

John & Cindy Hackworthy

Don Rudzinski

Erin Carpenter

Penny Carpenter

Julie Grice

Steve & Alice Parrish

Tad Wilson

Patty Sadler

Walter Sadler

Sam Schur

Barbara Cooper

John & Cindy Hackworthy

Herbert & Wilma Skinner

Jane Mellenthin and Family

Barbara Spinks

Rob & Cassie Babbs

Jocelyn McKay Barone

Yvonne & Russell Booher

Dean & Marcia Bruce

Mace & Ellen Clark

Charles & Kay Cochran

Chris & Danielle Conner

Barbara Cooper

Jim & Ginny Coppedge

Steve & Peggy Cradick

Steven & Pamela Deckard

Wally & Kathy DeFord

John & Sylvia Dyar

David & Robin England

John & Lisa Gillaspy

John & Cindy Hackworthy

Jason & Kimberly Hale

Bobby & Mary Jo Hall

Bruce & Mary Hamlin

Marilyn A. Hart

John & Deanna Heckman

Joe & Judy Heinmiller

Lois Hester

Don & Marilyn Jackson

Buck & Nan Johnson

Joe & Brenda King

Jason Kinney

Vic & Shirley Kinney

Gloria Klass & Kimberly Rogers

Stephen & Alice Lee

Richard & Nancy Lorenz

Jane McCollum

John & Sandra McKay

Jane Mellenthin

North Central High School Class of 1961

Steve & Alice Parrish

Steve & Becky Pedigo

Lori & Gary Quillen and Family

Nancy Rankin

Mary Rice

Mark & Pennie Rogers

Linnell Schur

Mike Spinks

Ronda Stogsdill

Mr. & Mrs. Charles Thatcher

Linda, David, & Kristi Thomas

Don & Gloria Townsend

Darin & Carol Tucker

Dirk & Sherry Tucker

Phyllis Tucker

Tom & Becky Wallace

Tad Wilson

YMCA Board, Staff, and Friends

Frank & Betty Stewart

Jane Mellenthin and Family

Kirby Stogsdill

Michael & Judith Boyd

Indiana Farmers Insurance

Anne Kester

Reuben Lidster

David Johnson

Hunter Stogsdill

Ronda Stogsdill

Don & Gloria Townsend

Steve & Cynthia Withem

Barbara Taylor

Barbara Cooper

John & Cindy Hackworthy

Maureen Taylor

Barbara Cooper

John & Cindy Hackworthy

Betty Thacker

Spencer High School Class of 1970

Richard Allen Thacker

Curt & Benita Thacker

Richard W. Thacker

Curt & Benita Thacker

David L. Thatcher

Gerald Wells

Eugene Truax

Travis & Jill Curry

Marjorie M. Truax

Travis & Jill Curry

Gib Tucker

Darin & Carol Tucker

Dirk & Sherry Tucker

Phyllis Tucker

Leonard Tucker

Jack & Linda Simmerman

Darin & Carol Tucker

Dirk & Sherry Tucker

Zach Tucker

John & Cindy Hackworthy

Darin & Carol Tucker

Dirk & Sherry Tucker

Phyllis Tucker

Jim Vance

John & Cindy Hackworthy

Delores Vaughn

Susan Vaughn

Jack Vaughn

Susan Vaughn

Wayne & Norma Warner

Judith Stanfield

Gordon & Diane Wells

Janet “Sue” Watkins

Joyce Graham

Erika Wells

Bob & Jamie Andree

Jim & Ginny Coppedge

Bob & Cindy White

Nelda K. Wells

Gerald Wells

Alice Louise Whaley

Joyce Graham

Joe & June Whitaker

Jan Torgerson

Denny White

Anonymous

Jerry Wilson

Erin Carpenter

Stanley & Nancy Griffith

Steve & Alice Parrish

Don & Gloria Townsend

Roma Wilson

Penny Carpenter

John & Cindy Hackworthy

Steve & Alice Parrish

Shirley Wilson

Penny Carpenter

Steve & Alice Parrish

Rosie Winders

Barbara Cooper

John & Cindy Hackworthy

Jack L. Woodruff

Babbs Supermarket

REMEMBERING A FORMER DIRECTOR

Susan Coulter 1948 – 2023

In loving memory of Susan Coulter, a multifaceted soul

known for her creativity, generosity, and unwavering love for animals. Born in 1948 in Indianapolis, she dedicated her life to nurturing creativity in others, teaching art for over two decades at Spencer Elementary School after completing her art education at Indiana University. Susan’s artistic talents extended to her gift for pastel artistry, which she generously shared with her loved ones. Her true happiness was found on her farm, surrounded by her cherished animals, woods, and gardens, where she embarked on countless woodland adventures with her furry companions.

“I really enjoy helping make Owen County a special place, and it’s nice to have the Foundation’s support” remarked Susan during an interview with OCCF in the summer of 2023.

Susan’s enduring optimism and dedication radiated through her involvement with the Freedom Community Center and the OCCF, where she served on the Board of Directors for several years. Her legacy continues through her planned gift, which was left to the OCCF’s Community Fund through her estate. Susan’s memory lives on in the countless lives she ouched, her commitment to embracing life’s simple joys, and her steadfast willingness to lend a helping hand to those in need. We will miss Susan’s smile and infectious enthusiasm in all she did.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE

Myrna Fields - Former Chairperson

As I reflect on my seven-year tenure on the Owen County Community Foundation Board of Directors, there are so many positive things that come to mind many more than would fit in this paragraph! Some of the changes that rise to the top of my list are the following. At the very top of my list and I feel the most impactful was securing our own office on the square. This gave us more of a visible presence in the community and allowed us greater flexibility for gathering the group and meeting with donors. Financially we have continued to grow reaching and surpassing the ten million dollar mark for our assets. Our residents have been generous in contributing to our funds–allowing us to give back to the community. As Scholarship Chair for a number of years, I was greatly impacted by our switch from mountains of paper applications to a digital format. I’m sure we saved a lot of trees by making this switch and it simplified the application and scoring process. It was always so heartwarming for me when we awarded those scholarships to our local students at our celebration in the spring. When I think about what had the most impact on me, though, in my term on this board, it is working with wonderful people both staff and board members. I have been able to connect with people of different backgrounds and interests from all areas of the county. What they have in common is a commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all citizens of Owen County, now and for generations to come. If you have the opportunity to serve with this organization in some capacity, I hope you seize it. You can make a positive change in your community.

Marilyn Hart - Former Board Member

On behalf of the Owen County Community Foundation, the Board and staff extend heartfelt thanks for Marilyn Hart’s exceptional dedication and service as both a former Administrative Director and Board of Directors member. Marilyn’s visionary leadership, extensive knowledge of nonprofit management, and unwavering commitment have left an indelible mark on our organization and community. Marilyn’s years of contributions will always be treasured and will continue to inspire the Board and staff alike as we carry out our mission with integrity, compassion, and purpose.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Myrna Fields, Chair

Tom Wallace, Vice-Chair

Kaye Erney, Treasurer

Amber Mullin, Secretery

David Friedel, Past Chair

Ronda Stogsdill, At Large

FINANCE COMMITTEE

Danielle Conner

Kaye Erney

David Friedel

Mike Sudol

Ale Young

GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

Marilyn Hart

Heather Light

Ronda Stogsdill

Tom Wallace

LILLY SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE

Susan Elkins

Myrna Fields

Shelley Harriman

Audra Hopf

Amber Mullin

Jeanna Srinivasan

Ronda Stogsdill

INTERNS

Matthew Crum

OCCF STAFF

Janet Rummel

President & CEO

2023 COMMITTEES

SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE

Dave Allen

Bailee DeFord

Susan Elkins

Kaye Erney

Myrna Fields

Audra Hopf

Amy Morgan

Tamra Ranard

Pennie Rogers

Ed Staubach

Ronda Stogsdill

Tim Vest

HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE

Michelle DeFord

David Friedel

Bowie Johnson

Amber Mullin

Tom Wallace

SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE

Myrna Fields

David Friedel

Nancy Lorenz

Tom Wallace

Grace Pendleton

Karah Bobeck

Director of Programs & Communications

GRANTS COMMITTEE

Cassie Abrell

Jessica Brinson

Ashley Fleetwood

Sarah Glass

Donna McElroy

Leslie Nieves

Sonya Seymour

Brittany VanHook

Tom Wallace

MYPATH ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Grant Minnemeyer

COAD COMMITTEE

Susan Elkins

Abby Warthan

Tony Craig Data & Operations Manager

Myrna Fields

Chairperson Tom Wallace Vice Chairperson

Kaye Erney Treasurer

Amber Mullin Secretary Jessica Brinson

Danielle Conner

Facts of Giving

52% Grants Awarded Scholarships Awarded

Of donations are $100 or less

$486,000

Helping 62 nonprofits to improve our community

$130,950

Helping 42 students pursue their dreams

$11.9 million total gifts since 1994

$10.6 million granted since 1994

$3 million pre-k - adult education funding since 1994

$745,000 total grants to MYPath Since 1994

100% dedication to Owen County

Ronda Stogsdill

Susan Coulter Marilyn Hart Ale Young Mike Sudol Grant Minnemeyer Ed Staubach