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Thank you for your support in 2022. Our work would not be possible without you!

Heritage Fund is seeking nominations for two new annual awards established by the estate of longtime Columbus residents Donald and Catherine Jurgemeyer to honor noteworthy heroes and projects in the community. The Donald W. & Catherine G. Jurgemeyer Community Hero Award recognizes and celebrates the contributions of everyday local heroes -- those who have performed life-saving measures, come to the aid of another or contributed to the safety, security and resiliency of our community. Nominees must be either a professional or volunteer serving in Bartholomew County as a law enforcement official, firefighter, first responder or in the medical or healthcare field. The nominee will have exhibited heroism in his or her response to an emergency, on- or off-duty, or is involved in an ongoing activity in which a commitment is made to the safety, security and resiliency of the community through acts of courage and unselfishness in response to an identified need. A $5,000 award will be presented. The Donald W. & Catherine G. Jurgemeyer Community Leadership Project of the Year Award promotes and recognizes an organization or project in the community that exemplifies the Columbus community leadership values, including high aspirations, Welcoming Community, public-private partnerships, best value, collaboration, the value of good design, forward-thinking, lifelong learning and service to others, while addressing a pressing need or opportunity to improve the quality of life in Bartholomew County. Nominees will be nonprofit organizations, volunteer groups, government entities, coalitions or businesses serving Bartholomew County. A $15,000 award will be presented to the charitable organization to further support the sustainability of the project, the sponsoring nonprofit or similar charitable initiative. The deadline for nominations is 5 p.m. March 20. Required nomination information (SEE BELOW) should be emailed to info@heritagefundbc.org or dropped off at Heritage Fund, 538 Franklin St., in Columbus. Award recipients will be notified in March with public announcement in April. Donald Jurgemeyer was senior vice president of the trust department of Irwin Union Bank for 12 years and practiced law in his Columbus firm for 29 years. He served as legal counsel for the community foundation in its early years. Catherine Jurgemeyer served as president of the Bartholomew Consolidated School Foundation and chaired the American Bar Auxiliary and the Indiana Lawyers Auxiliary. For more information, contact Kristin Munn, director of development, at 812-376-7772 or kmunn@heritagefundbc.org. Donald W. & Catherine G. Jurgemeyer Community Hero Award Person submitting application: 1. Name 2. Email 3. Phone 4. Relationship to Individual Nominee: 5. Name 6. Email 7. Phone 8. Job Title Documentation required: 9. Nomination letter describing the act of heroism or ongoing commitment to the safety, security, and resiliency of the community demonstrated by the nominee. Donald W. & Catherine G. Jurgemeyer Community Leadership Project of the Year Person submitting application: 1. Name 2. Email 3. Phone 4. Relationship/Role on the Project Nominee: 5. Project Title 6. Provide a description of the community project including the following: a. What community need has been addressed? b. What impact has this project had on the local community? c. How does this project and the individuals involved demonstrate adherence to the Community Leadership Values?

Congratulations to our 2023 Lilly Scholars, Columbus East seniors Hallie Randle and Ariana Simpson! Hallie & Ariana will receive full tuition to the Indiana school of their choice. A special thank you to Mark Newell and East for helping us pull off our special surprise presentation this morning and to Lilly Endowment and Independent Colleges of Indiana for making such an incredible opportunity possible!

We're excited to launch our 2022 Love Where You Live Campaign to benefit our Community Fund! Your support of our Community Fund enables us to continue making grants that support our local nonprofits and community initiatives both today and in the future. Stop by with a LWYL gift & receive a poster, decal and/or notebook featuring the 2022 LWYL design by Hope artist Amy Harden. Join us on social media (Facebook/Instagram @heritagefundbc) to share pictures and comments about why you Love Where You Live. ❤️ Donations can also be made by mail to our office at 538 Franklin St., Columbus, IN 47201 or here . .

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As part of Heritage Fund’s funds promise committed to in August of 2020 to "spend the next 24 months studying and reflecting on the issues of racial equality and equity and determining how HFBC can make a positive impact on the community", our board recently approved the following Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement. This statement will serve as a guidepost to our organization as we continue doing the necessary and important work around racial equity in our community. The Heritage Fund commits to establishing a community that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe our differences are a source of strength and that understanding, appreciating, and celebrating our differences will ensure a stronger and healthier community. Heritage Fund invites our donors, community partners, and stakeholders to invest in creating a forward-thinking community that is welcoming, respectful, and actively engaged in racial and cultural equity. Follow the link below to access and utilize racial equity resources made available on the Heritage Fund website: https://www.heritagefundbc.org/racial-equity

We invite you to check out our 2021 Annual Report. This report illustrates the impact of your community foundation - none of which would be possible without your very generous donations! We couldn't do it without your support. Thank you. Click here to see the Annual Report.

Creating an Equitable Community: How local groups are advancing diversity, equity and inclusion tells the story of how Bartholomew County is responding to the call for a more equitable community. Over 30 local partners contributed to the publication, including: Bartholomew County Justice System Bartholomew County School Corporation City of Columbus Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce Columbus Interfaith Columbus Regional Health Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus Ivy Tech NAACP of Bartholomew County Purdue Polytechnic The Republic Su Casa Columbus United Way of Bartholomew County Click the link below to read the publication and learn more about the good work happening throughout Bartholomew County. LINK TO PUBLICATION ON HFBC WEBSITE

In an effort to give back to the local communities where they do business, the owners at Voelz, Reed, & Mount, LLC law firm have partnered with Heritage Fund to launch a foundation that will provide support for aging adults and their families. Business co-owners Lora Mount and Blake Reed shared their thoughts about the new foundation. “We have been very fortunate to build a successful business in a community like Columbus. As business owners who have benefited from this community, we felt a strong desire to find a way to give back. Like many business owners, one of our struggles has been finding the time that it takes to properly establish a private foundation. Establishing a private foundation can be complicated and time-consuming. Partnering with Heritage Fund gave us exactly what we were looking for. We are so excited to be able to support seniors and individuals with special needs through the Voelz, Reed, & Mount Foundation. We also hope to inspire other business owners to do the same,” Mount said. According to Reed, “In our practice, we have seen an increased need for support for our senior and special needs population and were looking for a way to support these growing populations. We are fortunate and delighted to have the opportunity to give back to the community we serve, side by side with Heritage Fund.” A personal foundation is a philanthropic vehicle that provides flexibility in donor-directed grantmaking. Heritage Fund began focusing on personal foundations, including business foundations, in 2021 as part of its “Your Philanthropy. Your Way.” initiative. “Heritage Fund is excited to partner with Voelz, Reed, & Mount, LLC and support their thoughtful approach to philanthropy. Part of our mission as a community foundation is to help individuals, families and businesses carry out their philanthropic wishes. It is why we say: ‘Your Philanthropy, Your Way.’ Partnering with Heritage Fund on a personal foundation allows all the benefits of a private foundation at a fraction of the cost and without the administrative burden,” Heritage Fund President and CEO Tracy Souza said. “Congratulations to partners Lora Mount and Blake Reed for being thoughtful, creative and smart about how they want to give back to the community that has created their success.” The Voelz, Reed, & Mount Foundation will accept grant applications from nonprofit organizations in Bartholomew, Jackson, Jennings and Decatur counties that serve aging adults. Applications will be accepted from April 1-April 29, 2022. Grant awards will average $500-$1,000 each. For more information about the Voelz, Reed, & Mount Foundation or for details on how to apply for a grant at this link .

Heritage Fund announces high school seniors Matthew Liu and Andrei Minut as the winners of the 2022 Brown Music Competition hosted virtually Saturday from Columbus Indiana Philharmonic’s Helen Haddad Hall. Liu, a student of Columbus North and piano instructor Irina Ter-Grigoryan, won the Betty F. Brown Awards for Instrumental Excellence, performing “Moonlight Sonata, 3rd Movement, Presto Agitato” by Beethoven. Minut, a home-schooled baritone student of Camilla Gehring, won the Anna Newell Brown Awards for Vocal Excellence, singing “Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal” by Quilter and “Widmung” by Schumann. Both students will receive a $3,500 scholarship award. Other senior award winners were: • Saylor Lancaster, piano, $2,000 • Tiffany Fu, violin, $1,000 • Clara Halsey, piano, $500 • Sofia Martinez, mezzo, $1250 • Lillie Tickel, mezzo, $1250 • Anna Jackson, mezzo, $500 • Olivia Pittman, soprano, $500 Underclass award winners were: • Sreepadaarchana Munjuluri, violin, $2,000 • Aislinn Tian, marimba, $600 • Darren Li, violin, $400 • Molly Hotek, soprano, $2,000 Judges for the event were: Ms. Susan Chan, violist, New Century String Quartet and Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, adjunct faculty, University of Indianapolis; Dr. Ray Kilburn, associate professor of music, piano, Ball State University; Ms. Lissa F. May, associate dean for instruction, professor of music education, Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University; Ms. Mary Ann Hart, retired professor of voice, Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University; Dr. Kerry Jennings, director of opera studies, California State University, Fullerton; and Mr. Thomas Studebaker, lecturer of voice, Central Michigan University. The Betty F. Brown Awards for Instrumental Excellence was established by Mr. Brown in 1992 in memory of his wife, Betty. Mrs. Brown was a well-known and highly respected advocate and patron of the arts, both locally and statewide. The Anna Newell Brown Awards for Vocal Excellence were established through the Heritage Fund in 1985 by Robert and Betty Brown to honor Mr. Brown's mother, Anna Newell Brown. She was a distinguished vocalist and contributed greatly to the cultural life of the Bartholomew County Community. Robert N. Brown was the longtime chairman of Home News Enterprises, The Republic’s parent company. He also served as chairman of the Heritage Fund Board from 1980 to 1983, during which the foundation awarded its first grant – a $500 award for the Art in Public Places Program. Both competitions are administered annually by Heritage Fund – The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County.

After the tragic and sudden loss of Nala in October 2020, The Nala Fund was established by her family in appreciation of the gift that her life made to them. Nala was the May family’s first dog and the AEI company dog. She went to work every day and brought smiles to many with her unique personality. She is greatly missed. In honor of Nala's life, the Nala Fund invites individuals in need to apply for grant funding on behalf of their dogs so that their families can avoid the pain of loss. Applications can be made directly to the Bartholomew County Humane Society. Please feel free to download and share this flyer with fellow dog lovers!

Heritage Fund announces its 2021 “Love Where You Live” Campaign to grow assets of its Community Fund and increase grantmaking capacity. The campaign seeks to raise $150,000 to be invested for the long-term benefit of the community. Individuals as well as local businesses are encouraged to “Love Where You Live” with a donation to the campaign that supports community initiatives. Each year, thanks to community generosity and a sound investment policy, Heritage Fund makes more than $600,000 in grants from the Community Fund to address various community needs as they arise. Community Fund grants allowed the community foundation to support local nonprofits and the residents they serve in a variety of ways this year. Some examples of grants include: • $9,000 to Servants at Work to build accessibility ramps at homes of those with mobility issues • $22,000 to Love Chapel to support strategic planning that will help serve more individuals in need • $25,000 to Columbus Area Arts Council to create a community gathering space via the 6th Street Arts Alley project • $15,343 to Gleaners Food Bank to develop a mobile food pantry for seniors requiring meal assistance • $2,340 to Just Friends Adult Daycare to pilot a music therapy program for its clients Heritage Fund unveiled the 2021 design by local artist Kevin Zeigler on Monday (see attached). The new design features a handful of individuals who served as inspiration for the annual “Love Where You Live” theme. “This year's campaign focuses on people and the important role people play in making our community a special place,” said Tracy Souza, president and CEO of Heritage Fund. “The ‘Love Where You Live’ Campaign celebrates Bartholomew County and encourages all of us to consider giving back to ensure the next generation has resources to address their challenges.” Zeigler describes his artistic style as “... a ‘90s cartoon feel with comic book page energy.” “Community and art go hand-in-hand, which is important in creating a good place to live. Columbus’ rich history proves that making a deep investment in design and people can continue to pay off far into the future,” Zeigler said. Community members who make a donation to the campaign can receive a poster and/or a tote bag featuring the 2021 LWYL design and are encouraged to join Heritage Fund on social media (Facebook/Instagram @heritagefundbc) to share pictures and comments about the special people who help them “Love Where They Live” using the tags #2021LWYL and @heritagefundbc. Donations can be made by mail to Heritage Fund at 538 Franklin St., Columbus, IN 47201 or online at heritagefundbc.org. For more information, contact Kristin Munn, HFBC director of development, at 812-376-7772 or kmunn@heritagefundbc.org.