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Heritage Fund of Bartholomew County Inc

Annual Giving
$6.6M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.0M
Decision Time
3mo

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Heritage Fund of Bartholomew County Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $6,572,862 (2024)
  • Total Assets: $111 million
  • Decision Time: 12 weeks from deadline
  • Grant Range: $500 - $30,000+ (typical Community Fund grants $500-$1,500)
  • Geographic Focus: Bartholomew County, Indiana
  • Application Deadlines: Quarterly (March 1, June 1, September 1, December 1)

Contact Details

Address: 538 Franklin Street, Columbus, IN 47201
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1547, Columbus, IN 47202
Phone: 812-376-7772
Fax: 812-376-0051
Email: info@heritagefundbc.org
Website: www.heritagefundbc.org

For Grant Applications: Laura Garrett, Director of Community Impact - lgarrett@heritagefundbc.org or 812-376-7772

Overview

Founded in 1976, Heritage Fund is the community foundation of Bartholomew County, Indiana, with total assets of $111 million and managing more than 300 charitable funds for the benefit of the local community. The foundation's mission is to inspire generosity, gather and grow community leaders, and to act to ensure that Bartholomew County is an exceptional place for all to live, learn, work, and play.

Each year, Heritage Fund distributes approximately $750,000 from its unrestricted Community Fund and over $6.5 million in total grants annually to local nonprofit organizations. The foundation has earned a 4/4 Star rating on Charity Navigator and was recognized for 50 years of service to the community in 2026. Under new President and CEO Edie Blakeslee, who joined in June 2025 with over 20 years of experience in grantmaking and community engagement from the Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina, the foundation continues to build on its strong legacy.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Fund Grants (Primary Program)

  • Amount: Average $500-$1,500; larger grants up to $30,000+ considered
  • Annual Distribution: Approximately $750,000
  • Application Method: Quarterly competitive application process
  • Deadlines: March 1, June 1, September 1, December 1
  • Description: The most accessible source of support for grantseekers; supports projects aligned with Heritage Fund's impact areas and responsive community needs

Women's Giving Circle

  • Amount: High-impact grants (example: $10,000)
  • Focus: Benefits women, children, and families throughout Bartholomew County
  • Special Initiative: Women Rising Leadership Grant established in 2020 to increase the number and effectiveness of women in leadership positions

Field of Interest Funds (More than a dozen specialized funds)

  • African American Community Fund - Enhances quality of life through education, leadership, economic development, health, and arts
  • Analytical Engineering Youth Sports Fund - Financial assistance for sports participation for youth ages 18 and under
  • Hawcreek and Flat Rock Townships Fund - Supports projects in Northeast Bartholomew County
  • Nala Fund - Emergency medical care for dogs
  • Voelz, Reed, & Mount Foundation Fund - Supports seniors and individuals with disabilities in Bartholomew, Jackson, Jennings, and Decatur counties
  • South Asian Community Fund - Supports cultural, health, and educational initiatives

Priority Areas

Primary Impact Areas (Strategic focus for proactive grantmaking):

  • Youth Development
  • Downtown Vitality
  • Arts, Culture, Architecture and Design

Secondary Impact Areas:

  • Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
  • Leadership Development
  • Responsive Community Needs
  • Substance abuse programs
  • Neighborhood revitalization
  • Innovation and creativity

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated in available materials, Heritage Fund only considers requests from organizations with 501(c)(3) status (or those with a fiscal sponsor) serving Bartholomew County residents.

Governance and Leadership

President & CEO: Edie Blakeslee (appointed June 2025) - Brings more than 20 years of experience in grantmaking, community engagement, and fundraising from her previous role as Vice President of Grantmaking and Community Leadership at the Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina.

Key Staff:

  • Laura Garrett, Director of Community Impact (grant contact)
  • Kristin Munn, Vice President Operations and Development
  • Amy Laker, Director of Communications

Board: The Heritage Fund Board is composed of 27 community leaders. The board includes Lori Thompson, who serves as Board and Selection Committee chair.

Quote from Leadership: President and CEO Edie Blakeslee on joining Heritage Fund: "It's a strong foundation, with assets of $111 million, and I look forward to cultivating deep relationships, focusing on Bartholomew County, and growing the foundation."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Letter of Intent Required: Submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) one week prior to the application deadline to notify Heritage Fund staff of your interest in applying.

Application Deadlines: Community Fund grants are due on the first of March, June, September, and December (quarterly cycle).

Application Training: Grant applicant training and open office hours for questions are available upon request. Applicants can register for training through the website.

Online Portal: Applications are submitted through Heritage Fund's online application system.

Required Documentation: Organizations must provide a copy of their 501(c)(3) designation letter. Organizations without 501(c)(3) status may use a fiscal sponsor.

Decision Timeline

  • Letter of Intent Due: One week before application deadline
  • Application Deadline: First of March, June, September, December
  • Decision Notification: Approximately 12 weeks after deadline
  • Total Timeline: Approximately 13 weeks from LOI to decision

Success Rates

Heritage Fund awarded 71 grants in 2024 totaling $6,572,862. The foundation describes its grantmaking as "competitive," and specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed. However, the foundation distributes approximately $750,000 annually through the Community Fund across multiple quarterly cycles.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly disclosed. The foundation operates on a quarterly cycle, suggesting reapplication opportunities are available. Contact Laura Garrett (lgarrett@heritagefundbc.org) for guidance on reapplying.

Application Success Factors

The Community Foundation explicitly favors awarding grants that:

  • Create or enhance innovative approaches to meet community needs and opportunities
  • Create or enhance collaborations with other organizations
  • Reach a broad segment of the community
  • Stimulate and encourage additional funding

Applications are strongest when they clearly align with Heritage Fund's primary impact areas: Youth Development, Downtown Vitality, and Arts, Culture, Architecture and Design. Secondary consideration is given to projects addressing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion; Leadership Development; and Responsive Community Needs.

Heritage Fund describes its process as competitive and encourages grantseekers to submit strong applications demonstrating clear alignment with impact areas, measurable community benefit, innovation or collaboration, and potential to leverage additional resources.

The foundation is described as "a transparent and accessible funder" that provides grant applicant training upon request, maintains open office hours for questions, and invites applicants to reach out with questions. Contact Laura Garrett, Director of Community Impact, for guidance throughout the application process.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Quarterly opportunities mean strategic timing: With four annual deadlines, unsuccessful applicants can refine and resubmit relatively quickly. Plan your LOI submission at least one week before the quarterly deadline.
  • Collaboration is valued: Heritage Fund explicitly favors projects that involve partnerships with other organizations. If your project involves collaboration, make this prominent in your application.
  • Innovation and broad impact matter: The foundation seeks innovative approaches that reach broad segments of the community. Demonstrate how your project goes beyond traditional approaches and serves diverse populations.
  • Align with primary impact areas for best chance: While responsive grants are made, applications clearly aligned with Youth Development, Downtown Vitality, or Arts/Culture/Architecture/Design appear to have the strongest positioning.
  • Use available resources: Take advantage of grant applicant training, open office hours, and direct communication with Laura Garrett. The foundation's accessibility is an asset—use it to strengthen your application.
  • Average grants are modest but larger amounts possible: While typical Community Fund grants range from $500-$1,500, the foundation has awarded grants up to $30,000 or more. Don't be afraid to request appropriate amounts for impactful projects.
  • Plan for a 3-month timeline: With 12 weeks from deadline to notification (plus one week for LOI), budget approximately three months for the full grant cycle when planning project timelines.

References

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