By Eve Baughman
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December 11, 2025
The Knox County Community Foundation announced that more than $110,000 has been awarded to 23 local nonprofits through its Community Good Grants Program. These grants support projects that strengthen the Knox County community and improve the quality of life for local residents. “At its heart, the Community Foundation is here to build a stronger future for Knox County,” said Laura Hazelman, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact. “When our donors invest through the Foundation, they’re helping local organizations tackle real issues and create lasting impact.” 2025 Community Good Grant Recipients $3,000 to Backpacks of Love for VCSC for purchasing food to send home with children on the weekends $15,000 to Blue Jeans Community Center, Inc. for assisting with the cost of replacing the roof over the gymnasium to ensure the availability of a safe, functional space for recreation, wellness, education, and community gatherings $5,000 to Buffalo Trace Council-Boy Scouts of America for assisting with the cost of the KCARC Scout Reach program by covering membership fees for Scouts and Leaders, and supplies $2,200 to Children’s Center for Dance Education for assisting with the cost to bring the ballet “Aladdin” to Knox County in the spring and assisting local dancers with the cost of costumes and ballet shoes $1,717 to Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra for assisting with the cost to bring a musician to Knox County to provide group lessons and retirement home concerts $10,000 to First City Sunrise for assisting with the cost of case management, operational costs, staff training, and program development for the homeless population $1,000 to Generations, Division of Vincennes University’s Statewide Service for assisting with invitations, lunch for attendees, materials, and packets for the Dementia Friendly Knox County Community Development program $8,624 to Heart to Heart, Inc. A Women’s Resource Center for purchasing essential items such as diapers, wipes, medicine, clothing, car seats, cribs, crib mattresses, and pack-and-plays for emergency assistance, families in crisis, and walk-in clients $2,230 to Indiana Military Museum for assisting with the cost of printing and applying the new billboard on the corner of Sixth and Willow Streets $5,000 to Isaiah 117 House Knox County, IN for purchasing items to stock the giving room with clothing and hygiene items and to have funds available for special sizes or items needed for the children $2,750 to Irreverent Warriors – Vincennes Chapter for assisting with the cost of the Vincennes Silkies Hike and Mental Health First Aid for local veterans $4,500 to Life After Meth, Inc. for assisting with the cost of electrical upgrades required by insurance to be a Level 3 recovery residence $3,000 to North Knox Social Ministries for assisting with the cost of utility and rent assistance and the purchase of diapers and hygiene items $5,000 to Old Town Players Community Theater for assisting with the cost of painting the exterior of the theater building $7,500 to Red Skelton Museum Foundation, Inc. for assisting with the cost of bringing nationally recognized speakers to the Hometown Humor Takeover, which promotes healthy humor to improve health and wellness $5,000 to the Knox County Drug Court Foundation for assisting with requests for rent assistance, utility payments, utility reconnections, and other emergency situations communicated through case managers $3,000 to Holly’s House, Inc. for providing support for the direct costs of program materials for the Brave Boundaries prevention program in Knox County Elementary Schools $929 to Vincennes Community Food Pantry for purchasing a freezer to store food donations $2,000 to Vincennes Community School Corporation for assisting with the cost of installing safety film on internal classroom windows in Clark Middle School to decrease visibility during emergencies and reduce distractions during the day $2,000 to Vincennes Community School Corporation for assisting with the purchase of personal hygiene products and clothing for the Caring Cabinet at Lincoln High School $15,000 to Vincennes University Foundation for assisting with the cost of course certification exam fees, clinical site costs/insurance requirements, textbooks, and materials for students enrolled in the CNA program $5,000 to Youth First, Inc. for assisting with the cost of having a Mental Health Professional in Rivet Elementary and Rivet Middle/High School to provide students with access to prevention education and mental health support at no cost $1,000 to Word of Life Church for assisting with the cost of swimming lessons at the Vincennes YMCA for local youth The Community Good Grants Program is just one of the powerful ways the Foundation connects local generosity to real community needs. Grants are funded through endowments established by donors who are deeply committed to the future of Knox County. Why This Matters The Knox County Community Foundation is more than a grantmaker. It’s a trusted local partner, connecting people who want to make a difference with the causes and organizations that make our community thrive. Each gift is invested for long-term growth, creating a permanent resource for local needs both now and for generations to come. To learn more about how you can give back or create your own fund, contact Savannah Linenburg at slinenburg@communityfoundationalliance.org or 812.886.0093.