Bill and Jean Beard Trust Distributes $1,340,000 to 61 Charities

January 26, 2024 Russ Kaspar Local News Comments Off on Bill and Jean Beard Trust Distributes $1,340,000 to 61 Charities

Bill and Jean Beard, founders of Beard Industries (Brock Grain Systems), were active in the Clinton County Community for decades.  Bill and Jean Beard’s company designed and built a patented grain drying system that featured a unique grain flow with an efficient back and forth design that minimized grain drying time and maximized efficiency.  A very popular model was called the “Superb Energy Miser”.  The grain drying system helped farmers and elevators dry grain more efficiently just as energy prices were “going through the roof”. 

The Beard legacy continues with the recent distribution of $1,340,000 to 61 charities.  The giving centered around Community, Education and Christian causes.

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Bill Beard:  December 10, 1926 — December 18, 2016

Jean Beard:   March 21, 1929—December 17, 2021

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Frankfort Mayor Judy Sheets said of the gifts “This is absolutely fantastic. They were such great community people. I loved them. They were so active and caring and are leaving a legacy for all of us.”

Bill Beard receives the “Frankfort Legend Award” in 2015 for the Beards’ work in the community.
– Photo courtesy of Chris McBarnes.

Jay Moore with Ryan, Moore, Cook, Triplett & Alberts was the trustee responsible for executing the distribution according to the wishes/intentions of Bill and Jean Beard.

Originally 66 unduplicated charities were listed.  After adjusting the list for charities no longer in existence, 61 charities were given a total of  $1,340,000 by various percentages.  Bill and Jean Beard gave to the following Charities.

Publishers Note: The number below (63) is different than the “official” number of 61 because of changes in structure or existence of the charities in the original list.  The original list actually had 66 charities listed.  

  1. Abilities Services, Inc. Opportunity Center
  2. Alpha Xi Delta Foundation
  3. American Bible Society
  4. American Heart Association
  5. American Red Cross of Greater Indianapolis
  6. Berea College
  7. Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
  8. Boy Scouts of America, Crossroads of America Council
  9. Campus Crusade for Christ, Inc.
  10. Christian Church Foundation
  11. Church Finance Council of the Christian Church (Desiples Mission Fund)
  12. Clinton County Boys & Girls Club
  13. Clinton County Community Foundation (William J & R.Jean Beard Scholarship Fund for Clinton Central, Clinton Prairie, Frankfort, Kokomo and Rossville) for two equal scholarships at each school to be awarded to two students who are in the upper 1/5th of the senior class to study Health & Human Sciences, Agriculture, Art, Engineering, Management, Medicine, Music, Teaching or Technology at an Accredited College or University.
  14. Clinton County Contractual Libraries
  15. Clinton County Family YMCA (CORE)
  16. Clinton County Foundation for Youth (Camp Cullom)
  17. Clinton County Historical Society & Museum
  18. Coach Kids
  19. Damou Christian Mission
  20. Delta Chapter Scholarship Foundation
  21. Family Services, Inc.
  22. First Christian Church Endowment Fund
  23. Friends of the Frankfort Public Library, Inc.
  24. Gideon International
  25. Girl Scouts of Central Indiana
  26. Goodwill Industries Foundation of Central Indiana, Inc.
  27. Habitat for Humanity of Clinton Co.
  28. Hope well United Methodist Church
  29. Hope will United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund
  30. Howard County Historical Society & Museum
  31. Howard Regional Health System Foundation (for Clinton County)
  32. Indiana Masonic Home Foundation, Inc.
  33. Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
  34. Indiana University at Kokomo
  35. Kirklin Christina Church
  36. Kirklin Pubic Library
  37. Kiwanis International Foundation
  38. Kokomo Rescue Mission
  39. Learning Network of Clinton County
  40. MADD
  41. Menninger Clinic Foundation
  42. Midland Meals
  43. Milner Community health Care, Inc.
  44. NAMI-West Central Indiana
  45. NARSAD Research
  46. On Stage Foundation (Red Barn)
  47. Open Door Health Clinic
  48. Paul Phillippe Resource Center
  49. Pregnancy Resource Center
  50. Prevent Child Abuse Indiana
  51. Prison Fellowship Ministries
  52. Purdue Foundation Inc.
  53. Riley Hospital for Children
  54. Samaritan’s Purse
  55. St. Joseph Hospital Foundation
  56. The Barn Center for Agri-Science and Heritage)
  57. The Salvation Army
  58. United Way for Clinton County, Inc.
  59. Wesley Manor Development Fund
  60. Witham Family YMCA
  61. YMCA Kokomo
  62. YWCA of Greater Lafayette
  63. Zonta International Foundation

In addition to these listed charities, it is no secret Bill and Jean Beard gave hundreds of thousands of dollars in major contributions during their living years to local charities such as the Clinton County Hospital Foundation, Boys and Girls Club, YMCA (CORE), Christian Church, Camp Cullom and many, many others.

There will be another relatively small amount distributed in the same proportions once loose ends are tied up with the Trusts.  This process may take several more months and the amount is unknown. Some estimates predict less than $50,000 total remaining for all charities.

Jay Moore handled the trusts for the Bill and Jean Beard.