Blue River Community Foundation

10/21/2026

October 19-25 is National Estate Planning Awareness Week

The BRCF Pillar Society recognizes individuals who have named the Foundation as a beneficiary of any planned or deferred gift and have chosen to be listed as members in Foundation publications.

Membership in the Pillar Society is self-reported.

Donors are not required to disclose the amount of their planned gift. While we encourage discussions with the Foundation to ensure arrangements align with donors’ wishes, this is entirely optional.

There is no minimum gift amount required for membership.

Pillar Society members may specify how distributions from their future gifts are used or leave that decision to the discretion of the Foundation’s board of directors. Gifts may establish a new named fund (subject to minimum requirements*) or be added to an existing Foundation fund.

Members are acknowledged in the Foundation’s Annual Report, website, and other publications, with the hope that their example inspires others to plan for the future and create a legacy for future generations.

10/19/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us at For the Birds! 🐦🎨🌿 From the morning bird walk at the SHS Ecology Lab to art, music, and discovery at the Wortman Family Civic Theatre, it was a wonderful day celebrating art, nature, and community.

A special highlight was the unveiling of artist Carl Leck of CBL Imagery’s bird mural, recognized as part of the National Audubon Mural Project! Spanning three walls on the Wortman Family Civic Theatre, it l features 24 endangered bird species.

Part of our Pride in Place Initiative, the mural connects public art with nature and complements Shelby County’s designation as a Bird Town County by the Indiana Audubon Society. The mural was made possible through Lilly Endowment’s GIFT VIII initiative, generous support from MIBOR, Knauf North America, Shelby County Tourism & Visitor's Bureau, several private donors, and the partnership of Shelby County Players.

Visitors enjoyed meeting Carl, learning about his work, creating bird mosaics, contributing to our community bird activity, and exploring the natural world through presentations and educational booths.

We extend a special thank you to the BRCF Creative Committee: Becky Allen, Brandy Coomes, Deanna Hensley, Jes Miller, Rachel Ackley, Sara Richardt, Craig Olson, Jenna Martin, John C. DePrez Jr., and the late Lee Marks. Their guidance helped us select our muralist, and their creativity helped shape the celebration.

Thank you to our event partners and participants:
• Shelby County Players
• Shelby Art Guild Association
• Local Stems
• Shelby County, Indiana BirdTown
• Shelby County Tourism and Visitor Bureau
• Bird Alliance of Central Indiana
• Indiana Audubon Society
• SHS High School & teacher Jack Schoaf
• Indiana DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife
• Shelby County Soil and Water Conservation District/B.R.A.N.C.H.
• Indiana Raptor Center
• Musician Leah Long
• IU Center for Rural Engagement
• Porter Coffee
• Kuhn Event Management

Our outdoor vendors added a special touch, offering handmade goods and food that fit perfectly with our celebration of art and nature. Thank you to Earth & Sky Gardens, Levain to Loaves, Cupcakes by Kim, The Snack Hub, and Willow and Whisk for joining us!

Enjoy these photos from the day—and share your favorite moment in the comments! 📸

10/17/2026

Come out and see us at the event today! We’d love to see you here!

10/16/2026

****TODAY****
Join us at For the Birds on Saturday, October 17, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at the SCP Wortman Family Civic Theatre!

🎨 Create bird-inspired art with SAGA
🌿 Explore local nature groups and outdoor vendors
🎶 Enjoy live music by Leah Long
🖼️ Join a walk and talk with artist CBL Imagery - Carl Leck
🦉 Enjoy a live bird demonstration from the Indiana Raptor Center at 1 p.m.
✨ Catch “Birds Are Quantum” by IU Center for Rural Engagement at 12:30 p.m.

Start your morning early with an 8:30 a.m. bird walk at the SHS Ecology Lab, followed by coffee and pastries from Porter Coffee at the theater at 9:30 a.m.

Bring a friend and discover the beauty of art and nature in Shelby County!

Supported by Blue River Community Foundation.

Partners:
IU Center for Rural Engagement
Local Stems Farm
Porter Coffee
Bird Alliance of Central Indiana
Shelby County Tourism & Visitor's Bureau
Shelby County, Indiana BirdTown
Indiana DNR Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology
Indiana Raptor Center
Shelby County Soil and Water Conservation District
Shelby Art Guild Association

10/07/2026

🦉 Shelby County, this one is FOR THE BIRDS! 🐦🌿

We’ve packed a LOT into one day — live birds from the Indiana Raptor Center, live music, art, nature, a brand-new mural, activities for all ages, and a chance to meet the artist!

📅 Saturday, October 17
⏰ 10 AM–2 PM
📍 Shelby County Players Wortman Family Civic Theatre

https://facebook.com/events/s/for-the-birds-celebration-of-a/1341740107770319/

Come for an hour or spend the day exploring! And if you’re an early bird 😉, join us for a Bird Walk at 8:30 AM at the SHS Ecology Lab. Space for the walk is limited, so reserve your spot at [email protected].

This is going to be such a fun celebration of art, nature, and our Shelby County community and we’d love to see you there. 💚

👇 Who are you bringing? Tag them below and share this Reel to help us spread the word!

10/06/2026

This was a good read! Check it out!
Proud to support Central Indiana Land Trust and connect them with a longtime local business, Kasco Manufacturing Co Inc.

10/06/2026

💙💚 🏥 Wortman Family Foundation Fund 📚 💚💙

Grant Interest Forms Due: November 1st
Grant Interest Form Link: https://tinyurl.com/Wortman-Grant
More Information: www.blueriverfoundation.com/wortman-family-foundation

The Wortman Family Foundation Fund for Shelby and Hancock Counties was created by Bob Wortman out of a desire to give back to the communities that have supported his family and his businesses. Bob and his wife, Sue, created their first community fund with Blue River Community Foundation in 2003 and have since generously given to numerous Shelby and Hancock County organizations.

Grants from the Wortman Family Foundation Fund will focus on the community needs of Shelby and Hancock counties. Activities that improve these communities and address their current needs will be considered, with a preference for initiatives in education and health, and geographic areas served by Fountaintown Gas.

10/05/2026

****Shelby County Nonprofits****
Don't miss out! We'd love to see you on October 15th!

Strong partnerships can expand an organization’s impact!

Join us for an interactive Collaboration & Partnership Development Workshop led by Hedges . Participants will explore common collaboration models, learn what effective partnerships look like in practice, and discover how to identify the right partnership opportunities.

📅 Thursday, October 15, 2026
🥐 Breakfast: 8:30 a.m.
🕘 Workshop: 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
📍 Echo Effect, 102 E. Washington St., Shelbyville

Breakfast will be provided. Registration required.
Register here: https://tinyurl.com/BRCFPartner

Questions? Contact Jordan England at [email protected].

10/02/2026

For the first time in BRCF scholarship history, a mother and daughter received scholarships in the same year. 💙

Krista and Morgan Justus may be at different points in their educational journeys, but they share a common goal: both are pursuing careers that will make a difference in the lives of students.

Their story is just one of the stories we're sharing in our October e-newsletter- including the announcement of the 2027 Shelby County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Finalists who are interviewing for this prestigious scholarship today!

You'll also find updates on people and projects making a difference across Shelby County, from new investments in our nonprofits and community spaces to local students earning statewide recognition, a new Thanksgiving effort coming to Shelby County, and more.

There’s a lot happening in our community and some amazing people behind it all.

☕ Grab a cup of coffee and catch up with BRCF in our October e-newsletter!

👉 Read it here: https://mailchi.mp/blueriverfoundation.com/brcf-oct2026-news-17662969