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2024 Annual Report
Table of Contents:
- Letter From the President and Board Chair
- Accessible Parks Eliminate Barriers in Public Spaces
- CFSI Boosts New Recovery Complex
- Regional Trails Master Plan to Connect Southeastern Indiana
- Students Award $11,000 in Grants to Support Local Youth
- Class of 2024 Awarded Nearly $860K in Scholarships
- Legacy Spotlight: Bob and Diane Krall – “From Blind Dates to Big Dreams”
- Advisor Spotlight: Turney P. Berry – “A Legacy of Expertise, Philanthropy, and Community Impact”
- $56K Planning Grant Funds Local Affordable Housing Study
- Community Foundations Offers $2-for-$1 Match through 2025
- 2024 Financial Highlights
- Board of Directors
A Letter From the President and Board Chair:
Community foundations are more than financial institutions; they are where generosity meets action and dreams meet possibility. At the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana, we see ourselves as bridges linking generous hearts with urgent needs, visionary ideas with practical solutions, and diverse voices with shared purpose.
Our strength lies in our understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within our region. We don’t just observe; we listen, learn, and engage. By aligning grant funding with community priorities, we ensure that resources are directed where they can make the most profound impact – addressing today’s challenges while building a stronger foundation for the future.
As your partner, resource, and steward for local philanthropy, collaboration is at the core of what we do. By partnering with nonprofits, local leaders, businesses, and individuals, we amplify our collective ability to create positive change throughout our community. Each partnership represents a shared commitment to making Southern Indiana a place where generosity will improve our community for generations.
Your support fuels this vision. When you choose to invest in your community through the Community Foundation, you join like-minded neighbors who are dedicated to transforming lives and creating lasting legacies. Together, we address pressing issues, empower innovative solutions, and inspire hope for generations to come.
This annual report is a testament to the power of local giving. It reflects the impact we’ve achieved together and the promise of what’s still to come. Thank you for your continued belief in the life-changing potential of our community foundation.
$6.9 million in grants
416 total grants awarded
$154.5 million in assets
$5.25 million awarded from Community Impact Fund since 1991
285 donor funds managed
$2.38 million in leveraged funs for Quality of Place grants
$860,000 in total scholarships
53 years of experience from CFSI staff
Accessible Parks Eliminate Barriers in Public Spaces
The Community Foundation of Southern Indiana celebrated the opening of two unique playground projects in Clark County, awarding a pair of $150,000 Quality of Place grants that focus on making public spaces more accessible and inclusive for all abilities.
In Charlestown, the “Greenway Glow-Up” project brought new life to Greenway Park – the city’s central and most-used park – turning it into a modern, fully accessible gathering space with new playground features, solar lighting, and other safety enhancements. The project also sparked a movement, as the City of Charlestown established a Disability Advisory Council to advise on accessibility issues in public spaces. Mayor Treva Hodges celebrated the milestone, stating, “This playground reflects our commitment to creating a community where everyone feels welcome. We’re grateful to the parents, caregivers, and the Community Foundation for making this vision a reality.”
In Borden, their project added an ADA-compliant playground and sensory walk to Community Park, providing a welcoming space for children of all abilities, including the 189 special needs students from local schools. It has quickly become a regional draw, attracting an estimated 10,000 visitors annually. Borden Community Coordinator Kathy Weatherford praised the updates as a “big win for our community and visitors.”
“Our parks and public spaces must serve everyone,” said Linda Speed, CFSI President and CEO. “Accessibility enhances not just parks, but the lives of those who visit them, ensuring our region is more inclusive and welcoming to all.”
CFSI Boosts New Recovery Complex
A new substance abuse recovery complex in Clarksville is poised to transform lives, thanks to a generous $75,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana. This funding will help complete Serenity House’s 10,000-square-foot Recovery Complex, a vital new resource for men and women battling addiction in Southern Indiana.
Doug Scott, board member of Serenity House, said, “This investment strengthens recovery resources in our community, offering a brighter future for those in need.”
The Recovery Complex is a key expansion of Serenity House’s mission to provide transitional support for individuals on their recovery journey. The new center will offer a variety of essential services, including three large meeting rooms for 12-step programs, a gymnasium for recreational and recovery activities, and a commercial kitchen with a lounge for sober social gatherings.
“This recovery services venue is so important to our region,” said Linda Speed, CFSI President and CEO. “It will connect men and women to the essential support and resources needed to be successful in their recovery.”
The Recovery Complex is expected to provide lasting recovery support and hope for individuals and families as they rebuild their lives.
Regional Trails Master Plan to Connect Southeastern Indiana
A groundbreaking Regional Trails Master Plan for southeastern Indiana is now available, thanks to Align Southern Indiana.
Behind funding from the state’s Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI), as well as support from the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana and other regional partners, the ambitious plan outlines a vision for a connected regional trail system spanning six Indiana counties: Clark, Floyd, Harrison, Jefferson, Scott, and Washington. The system will link 22 communities to key destinations, including parks, cultural landmarks, and neighboring regions, promoting active, healthy living across the area.
The plan prioritizes long-distance regional connections that span multiple communities and link to popular sites, aiming to enhance safety, connectivity, and trail awareness across the entire system. Ultimately, success will be measured by the number of trail miles constructed as funding becomes available.
The Community Foundation has been a steadfast supporter of Align Southern Indiana’s mission since its beginning in 2015, providing over $600,000 in grants and in-kind assistance. This ongoing support has been crucial in bringing projects like the Regional Trails Master Plan to fruition, enabling the region to create a trail network that enhances quality of life for residents while fostering economic growth and tourism.
“The success of this trails master plan depends on strong local leadership and continued collaboration,” said Linda Speed, CFSI President and CEO. “We’re proud to play a role in helping advance this transformative project for our communities.”
Students Award $11,000 in Grants to Support Local Youth
A group of 19 dedicated students from eight Southern Indiana high schools awarded $11,000 in grants to local nonprofits supporting youth programming. The grants are the result of the Youth Philanthropy Council (YPC), a program of the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana designed to encourage young people to engage in philanthropy and service within their communities.
Students from Clark and Floyd counties have worked alongside CFSI staff and volunteer community leaders to learn how to be responsible stewards of philanthropic funds. The program culminates each year in a competitive grant cycle where YPC members evaluate submitted grant applications and award up to $1,000 each to selected nonprofit organizations benefiting local youth.
In 2024, 11 organizations received grants to support projects expected to impact nearly 3,000 children. The recipients were honored at a ceremony at the Prosser Career Education Center, where they received their grants from the students who reviewed their applications.
“The event is a wonderful opportunity for council members to meet these very deserving nonprofit recipients and hear first-hand how the funding will be used to benefit youth in the community,” said Crystal Melcher, Vice President of Community Philanthropy at CFSI.
Organizations receiving grants include Floyd County Blessings in a Backpack, Junior Achievement of Kentuckiana, and the City of Charlestown, among others. Since its founding in 2000, the YPC has awarded over $160,000 to local organizations, helping shape the next generation of community leaders.
Class of 2024 Awarded Nearly $860K in Scholarships
Supported by the generosity of donors who establish scholarship funds, the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana’s Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to help students in Southern Indiana ease the financial burden of higher education while empowering them to achieve their academic goals.
In 2024, CFSI awarded 155 scholarships totaling $859,445, helping to pave the way for local high school and college students to achieve their educational goals.
Among these scholarships, four graduating seniors from Clark and Floyd County high schools were named the 2024 Lilly Endowment Community Scholars. These students, two residing in each county, received a scholarship for full tuition, required fees, and a book stipend to pursue undergraduate study at any accredited college or university in Indiana.
The Class of 2024’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship recipients are:
- Carter Gammons (New Albany High School)
- Deep Patel (Clarksville High School)
- Gabby Higdon (New Albany High School)
- Oliver Trueblood (New Albany High School)
“The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship has allowed me to focus on my academic and career goals without the burden of the cost of college,” said Oliver Trueblood. “The scholarship has shown me that my community believes in me and truly wants to help me pursue my goals. I have met so many amazing people through this program, and I feel so grateful to be supported by the Lilly Endowment and the Community Foundation.”
From Blind Dates to Big Dreams (Legacy Spotlight: Bob and Diane Krall)
Bob and Diane Krall’s story began with a blind date at Indiana University, leading to an enduring partnership filled with humor, education, and a deep commitment to giving back.
As lifelong educators, the couple dedicated their careers to shaping young minds — Diane in elementary education and Bob as a principal and administrator. Their passion for learning and creating opportunities didn’t end in the classroom—it evolved into a lifelong commitment to philanthropy, ensuring future generations have access to the same transformative power of education.
Their journey into giving started with the Jeffersonville Optimist Youth Foundation, where Bob realized the need for sustainable funding. Partnering with the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana, they helped transform the Youth Foundation’s scholarship program, ensuring long-term impact for future generations. Inspired by this experience, the Kralls saw that philanthropy isn’t just for the wealthy — it’s for anyone wanting to make a difference.
Now, through a bequest gift to CFSI, the couple is cementing their legacy by establishing scholarships for Greater Clark County School graduates who show potential but might otherwise be overlooked. “Education has given us so much,” Bob shared. “It feels right to give back in a way that helps others find their path.”
For Diane, working with CFSI has been seamless. “They listen, they care, and they make sure our gift will have a real impact,” she said.
Through their generosity, the Kralls are creating a ripple effect of opportunity, proving that giving isn’t about wealth — it’s about heart
A Legacy of Expertise, Philanthropy, and Community Impact (Advisor Spotlight: Turney P. Berry)
Turney Berry, a leading estate planner and partner at Wyatt Tarrant & Combs, has built his career combining legal expertise with a deep commitment to philanthropy. Though he originally considered medical school, his path shifted in 1986 when a seminar sparked a passion for estate planning – a field he has championed ever since.
Philanthropy has been central to Berry’s professional journey, particularly through his work with community foundations. Early in his career, he was entrusted with leading his firm’s charitable efforts, sparking a lifelong dedication to fostering generosity.
While working with the Community Foundation of Louisville, Berry reconnected with his former Vanderbilt Law School colleague, Linda Speed. Eventually, Speed would become CFSI’s president and CEO, and in 2014, engaged Berry as the Foundation’s legal counsel. Over the years, Berry’s admiration of the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana has continued to grow thanks to its innovative approach to grantmaking, and its sound stewardship of donor funds.
“The Community Foundation of Southern Indiana provides superior service and expertise,” he said. “They guide donors away from ideas that may not achieve their goals and toward solutions that align with the donor’s personal values. They’ve also been courageous in tackling important community issues that others might shy away from. That’s a testament to their commitment to the community.”
Berry’s experience has also influenced his own approach to philanthropy.
“Community foundations are an invaluable source of philanthropy,” Berry said. “They engage the local community and highlight the importance of giving back.”
$56K Planning Grant Funds Local Affordable Housing Study
The Community Foundation of Southern Indiana was awarded a $56,000 planning grant through Lilly Endowment Inc.’s GIFT VIII initiative – an effort designed to empower Indiana community foundations to identify and address their region’s most pressing needs.
This grant allowed CFSI to spearhead a collaborative community cross-sector effort to better understand the affordable housing challenges in Clark and Floyd counties and strategize solutions. The grant resulted in the release of a comprehensive Affordable Housing Study.
Working in partnership with CFSI, the Applied Research and Education Center (AREC) at Indiana University Southeast was commissioned to produce a public report that explores the structural dynamics of income and the housing market in Clark and Floyd counties – with a goal to identify leverage points to produce better outcomes for the large portion of Clark and Floyd County residents who struggle with housing cost burden.
The study also emphasizes how existing economic and public policy structures contribute to rising housing costs that outpace incomes. This imbalance disproportionately affects lower-income households, particularly Black, Hispanic/Latine, and female-headed single-parent households, exacerbating precarious housing situations and long-term inequality.
“This study is a call to action for our community,” said Linda Speed, CFSI President and CEO. “By coming together – local governments, nonprofits, developers, and financial institutions – we can create sustainable solutions that ensure everyone in our region has access to safe, affordable housing.”
Community Foundation Offers $2-for-$1 Match through 2025
Thanks to a generous opportunity from the Lilly Endowment, the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana has been awarded $3,750,000 in funding to match contributions to its unrestricted Community Impact Fund as part of the Endowment’s Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow, Phase VIII (GIFT VIII) initiative. This funding opportunity will be added to CFSI’s unrestricted Community Impact Fund, ensuring support for Clark and Floyd counties’ most pressing needs today and in the years to come.
For every $1 contributed to CFSI’s Community Impact Fund, Lilly Endowment, Inc. will match it with $2 – making this grant a powerful incentive for donors to maximize their impact on our community. The Community Impact Fund provides the Foundation with the funding to address evolving community priorities, from immediate challenges to unforeseen opportunities that arise in the future.
“This matching grant allows us to strengthen the Foundation’s ability to respond to our community’s ever-changing needs over time,” said Linda Speed, CFSI President and CEO. “It’s an investment not only in today’s priorities, but also in the long-term well-being of our region.”
The $2-for-$1 match period ends on Dec. 31, 2025. While this is an ambitious goal, we believe in the ongoing vision and generosity of our residents to help us meet it, carrying on the purpose and foresight of the Foundation’s early leaders and supporters since 1991.
Together, we have the power to address pressing challenges, identify potential solutions, and nurture the seeds of growth and prosperity for future generations.
