The Clinton County Community Foundation will mark its 30th anniversary with a public concert and $30,000 in special grant and scholarship awards next week, organizers announced during a recent appearance on WILO Radio’s “Party Line.”
Community celebration planned
The event is set for Thursday, June 11, at Prairie Creek Park in Frankfort, in partnership with the City of Frankfort. The celebration will include live music, nonprofit booths, food trucks, and community activities, along with a series of live drawings for scholarships and grants.
“We’re going to give away $30,000 in grants and scholarships on Thursday,” said Emily Hemersbach, a foundation representative. “These are all outside of our normal cycles… special drawings that night.”
The concert begins at 6:30 p.m., with drawings scheduled for 7 p.m. Organizers encourage attendees—particularly scholarship applicants and nonprofit participants—to arrive between 6 and 6:30 p.m. for check-in.
Scholarships, grants highlighted
The foundation will award three $5,000 scholarships and three $5,000 grants during the event. Scholarship applicants submitted materials in May and must check in at the event to be eligible for the random drawing.
“Our board really worked hard to think about what would be impactful,” Hemersbach said. “We wanted these to be impactful scholarships and impactful grants.”
The scholarships are open to a wide range of recipients, including traditional students, adult learners, and those pursuing trade education. WILO Radio plans to broadcast live from the event, with winners expected to appear on air shortly after being announced.
Focus on community impact
Foundation leaders emphasized that the anniversary celebration is designed to highlight the role of local residents, donors, and nonprofit partners in building community impact over the past three decades.
“It’s the people in the communities that we serve,” Hemersbach said. “It’s the trust that this community has in us and the trust we have in them… you all are the reason that the Clinton County Community Foundation exists.”
The event will feature nine nonprofit booths, along with additional organizations participating in various capacities. Attendees can visit booths, complete a “passport” activity, and enter additional prize drawings.
Hemersbach said involving nonprofit partners in the celebration was a priority. “They do the work. We are the conduit between donors and nonprofits,” she said.
Intern gains experience
Also appearing on the program was Purdue University student Bonnie Fairchild, who is returning for a second summer internship with the foundation. Fairchild, who studies public relations and strategic communication, said the experience has provided valuable hands-on learning.
“I feel like I learned a lot,” Fairchild said. “Coming back, I’m learning a lot already… expanding that experience, and it’s been just amazing.”
Host Melissa Miller noted that it is uncommon for students to secure internships so early in their college careers, with Fairchild beginning her work after her freshman year.
Ongoing fundraising and growth
In addition to the anniversary celebration, the foundation is continuing a matching initiative through the Lilly Endowment. Donations to unrestricted funds are currently being matched at a 2-to-1 rate.
“If you donate $30… it’s going to turn into $90 because of the match” Hemersbach said.
The foundation aims to raise $375,000 in Clinton County to unlock $750,000 in total funding for community grants. Officials emphasized that donations made to Clinton County funds remain in the county.
“There’s a lot of need” Hemersbach said of ongoing grant applications. “Our committees… take time to really think about what is most impactful for the community.”
Looking ahead
Organizers say the June 11 event is intended not only as a celebration, but also as an opportunity for residents to connect with the foundation and learn more about its work.
“Please come early… go explore” Hemersbach said. “It’s just going to be a fun night.”
More information at: cfhoward.org
