We're Updating Our Website
We're currently updating our website to reflect our recent name change to Community Foundation of Southwest Indiana. Some pages may still reference our former name as we complete this transition.
Thank you for your continued partnership. To learn more about our new name and what it means for our communities, visit cfswi.org.
Pike County
Community Foundation
The Community Foundation is a charitable resource devoted to our local community. We help people make meaningful gifts that improve life in Pike County, Indiana today and for generations to come.
The Community Foundation can help you...
Greater Good Together
The Pike County Community Foundation is an affiliate of the Community Foundation Alliance, a network of nine community foundations serving counties in southwestern Indiana. The Alliance provides management and administrative expertise to county-wide community foundations, empowering each to promote philanthropy, build endowment and improve wellbeing in our local communities. Learn more!
Recent News
The 2027 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship application is now available in Pike County through the Pike Community Foundation. The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program (LECSP) will provide 147 scholarships statewide, including one in Pike County. LECSP scholarships may be used for otherwise unreimbursed full tuition, required fees, and a special allocation of up to $900 per year. The special allocation may cover the costs of required books and equipment for four years of full-time undergraduate study, leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university. The program, administered statewide by Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) and locally in Pike County through the Pike Community Foundation, is open to all Indiana residents who: Graduate from an accredited Indiana high school by 2027 and receive their diploma no later than June 30, 2027 Intend to pursue a full-time baccalaureate course of study at an eligible college or university in Indiana Meet the criteria specific to their local community foundation. Visit the Pike County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship page for complete information regarding the Pike County application criteria and to apply. Applications must be completed and submitted by Friday, August 14, to be considered. Applications will be evaluated on, but not limited to, the following criteria: academic performance, grade transcripts, financial need, school activities, honors and awards, work history, statement of goals, letters of recommendation, and community and volunteer activities. Three finalists will be nominated by the Pike Community Foundation, and their names will be submitted to ICI for final selection of the recipients. The scholarship recipient will be notified in December. Lilly Endowment created LECSP for the 1997-98 school year and has supported the program every year since with tuition grants totaling more than $505 million. More than 5,400 Indiana students have received Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships since the program’s inception. The primary purposes of LECSP are: 1) to help raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana; 2) to increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations can play in their communities; and 3) to encourage and support the efforts of current and past Lilly Endowment Community Scholars to engage with each other and with Indiana business, governmental, educational, nonprofit and civic leaders to improve the quality of life in Indiana generally and in local communities throughout the state. The Community Foundation of Southwest Indiana is again pleased to offer LECSP for its 29th year in Pike County. “We encourage all eligible high school seniors to apply. The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program is a life-changing opportunity, and we’re here to support students through every step of the process,” said Melinda Waldroup, Chief Program Officer.
Pike County Community Foundation is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2026 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Pike County: Heidi Woodford, Pike Central High School. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are recognized for their community involvement, academic achievement, character, and leadership. "The Pike County Community Foundation was extremely impressed with the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship applicants this year. Their educational success, dedication to serving the community, and inspiring future goals give us great confidence that they will make a positive impact on Pike County now and in the future," said Laura Hazelman, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact. Each Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship provides full tuition, required fees, and up to $900 per year for required books and equipment for four years of full-time undergraduate study leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university. Scholars also join the Lilly Scholars Network (LSN), which connects them with resources and opportunities to lead on campus and in their communities. Both the scholarship program and LSN are supported by grants from Lilly Endowment to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI).
The Pike County Community Foundation announced that more than $122,000 has been awarded to 31 local nonprofits through its Community Good Grants Program. These grants support projects that strengthen the Pike 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 Pike 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 $2,000 to Bread of Life Ministry, Inc. for assisting with the cost of bringing semi-loads of donated food products to Pike County to be distributed among the food pantries and partnering agencies $1,000 to Commission to End Drug Abuse in Pike County for assisting with the purchase of essential reading material for recovery meeting participants $200 to Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra for assisting with a portion of the expense for Pike County third through fifth graders to attend the Helen M McKinney Young People’s Concert $4,050 to Generations for supporting the Meals on Wheels Program for eligible Pike County residents $3,000 to Holly’s House, Inc. for providing support for the direct costs of program materials for the prevention program in Pike County Elementary Schools $7,600 to Jefferson Township Volunteer Fire Department for purchasing two sets of turnout gear $4,279 to Pike Central Charger Band Boosters for purchasing snare and tenor drums and the protective covers and accessories needed to store them properly $300 to Pike Central Charger Band Boosters for purchasing the straps and bungy cords needed to pack and transport the instruments safely in the new trailers for competition $700 to Pike Central Chargers Band Boosters for purchasing a sub-woofer for the band program $8,315.80 to Pike County EMA for purchasing an Inmar 12.6-foot rapid deployment boat and a 25hp motor with attachments to assist in water rescues $2,558 to Pike County Emergency Medical Services for purchasing two motorized stair chairs $4,000 to Pike County CASA, Inc. for purchasing shoes for the children in the CASA program $10,000 to Pike County Christian Assistance for purchasing healthy food items to be added to monthly food boxes distributed to Pike County residents $3,500 to Pike County School Corporation for purchasing two 3D printers for Charger Enterprises High School program that will provide hands-on educational opportunities for students $7,650 to Pike County School Corporation for purchasing additional pieces of equipment to expand the access and efficiency of the Pike Central High School weight room $300 to Pike County School Corporation for purchasing books for novel studies in the Petersburg Elementary classrooms so each student will have a book to use and follow along $1,540 to Pike County School Corporation for purchasing starting blocks and batons for the Pike Central track and field teams $2,280 to Pike County School Corporation for assisting with the purchase of a Childcraft Multi-purpose Play Table with Building Block top, Carolina Kitchen Unit, and Magnetic LED STEM Center for Winslow Elementary Pre-K $3,500 to Pike County School Corporation for assisting with the purchase and installation of the new playground structure for the Winslow Elementary Pre-K students $4,000 to Pike County School Corporation for purchasing high-interest, diverse, and curriculum-supportive books for the Pike Central Middle School Library $2,106.96 to The Arc of Southwest Indiana for purchasing four portable air conditioning/heating units to be used in their residential housing $10,000 to Otwell Progress Committee, Inc. for assisting with the purchase and installation of an emergency outdoor public address system for the grounds $334.98 to Petersburg Elementary School PTO for purchasing sunshades for the Kindergarten Playground $1,147.57 to Petersburg Little League for purchasing sunshades for the back of the dugouts and netting and attachment supplies to increase safety between fields one and two $13,500 to Petersburg Police Department for assisting with the purchase of six ballistic vests for the officers on the department $875 to Senior and Family Services, Inc. for assisting with the purchase of chairs for the Petersburg Center and a new refrigerator for the Winslow Center $2,000 to Tri-State Food Bank for purchasing 100 pre-packed family food boxes to be distributed to families in need in Pike County $10,000 to Pike County Progress Partners, Inc. for assisting with the cost of blight removal and site preparation for the Pike County Affordable Housing program $1,719.90 to Winslow Park and Recreation Board for assisting with the purchase of a large score keeper, solar lighting on two posts, and a cedar split rail fence for the pickleball courts $10,000 to Winslow Community Events Center for purchasing tables, chairs, and a TV for the banquet room $366 to Winslow Elementary PTO for assisting with the purchase of a new wall-mounted control panel and microphone system to upgrade the failing sound system 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 Pike County. Why This Matters The Pike 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 812.254.9355.
