RCCF hosts annual dinner to celebrate their impact

(BATESVILLE,  Ind.) – The Ripley County Community Foundation and guests recently met at an annual dinner to honor accomplishments and the leaders who make those accomplishments possible.

The evening commenced by recognizing the past year's progress. They granted the community $700,000 in 2024 to fund 760 projects and programs. Speakers representing the Jac-Cen-Del High School Dollars for Scholars program, Margaret Mary Health Foundation, and Wreaths Across Ripley County shared stories about how the Community Foundations involvement enriches quality of life in the community.

The evening continued by celebrating the 69 scholarship recipients of 2025. The Foundation was pleased to award hardworking students with a total of $160,551 in scholarships. During the dinner, Calley Kaiser was announced the recipient of two nursing scholarships, the Marysue Knisely Nursing Scholarship and the Riley Duerstock Nursing Scholarship. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars Elena Kuisel and Roman Hite also shared their plans and expressed gratitude for the award.

Grant recipients were also announced at the event. South Ripley Community Schools were awarded a sum of $8,621 through the Change Ripley County Grant to fund new band equipment, supporting student creativity and music education.

The Hillenbrand Partnership with Possibly Grant awarded a total of $27,500 to five innovative and forward-thinking projects in the Batesville community.  Recipients include the Batesville Memorial Public Library, for their new Arts & Innovation Hub; Genesis: Pathways to Success, for their Career Exploration Expo; the Kids Discovery Factory, to support Pop-Up Play Events; Oldenburg Academy, to assist students in transforming Maypole Heritage Park; and the Ripley County Historical Society, for educational programming and materials  Wreaths Across Ripley County.

The Ripley County Community Foundation also presented The Damm Theatre and The Gibson Theatre with the President’s Award for their partnership in the inaugural Ripley County Film Fest.

The evening was also used to announce Genesis: Pathways to Success was launched into its own non-profit organization in January 2025. This was part of the Community Foundation’s long-term plan to develop unique resources that will promote extra-curricular S.T.E.M. opportunities and entrepreneurial resources. 

Genesis will strengthen partnerships with employers, small businesses, educators, government, and local organizations to create programs that strengthen the regional economy.

The evening came to a close with a sincere thank you to the donors and community members who make this work possible.

This story was written by The 812's Valerie Weston.