Blue River Community Foundation

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

10/01/2026

Blue River Community Foundation, in partnership with the City of Shelbyville and Shelby County Government, has awarded $200,536 through the 2026 Progress Grant cycle to support nonprofit programs and community projects serving Shelby County.

Congratulations to this year’s recipients, and thank you for your work to improve the quality of life in our community.

Read the full press release, including grant recipients and funded projects:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1l-lQgR9bPanEoe25_70LBp6PRRnUHskA/view?usp=sharing

Healthy Shelby County
Shelter from the Storm, Inc.
Shelby County Players
Mainstreet Shelbyville Inc.
Shelby County YMCA
Harnessing Hope
Shares, Inc.
Girls Inc. of Shelbyville/Shelby County

09/30/2026

We are so excited for the communitiy to see what Healthy Shelby County, BRCF, MHP, and so many other wonderful partners and donors have made possible for our community!

🎉 Healthy Shelby County Open House is just over a week out! 🎉

We’re excited to welcome the community to The Mary Jane Reed & Robert W. Reed CommunityLink for our Open House! Come tour the building, meet our partner agencies, and learn more about Healthy Shelby County.

📍 PARKING & SHUTTLE INFORMATION

We know parking is an important part of making your visit easy, so we have a few options available:

🚌 FREE SHUTTLE SERVICE
Parking will be available at Shelbyville High School near the softball diamonds, on the Miller Street side. A shuttle bus will run between the high school parking lot and The CommunityLink, bringing guests directly to our entrance and back to their vehicles.

The shuttle will run in approximately 15-minute intervals throughout the event.

🚗 ADDITIONAL PARKING — WEATHER PERMITTING
If weather and ground conditions are favorable, we have been given permission to utilize the grass lot near The CommunityLink for additional parking. A traffic attendant will be available to direct guests where to park.

⚠️ Please note: The grass parking option will only be available if ground conditions are favorable. We want to protect the property and make sure everyone can safely access the event.

Do not utilize the Willows of Shelbyville or Especially Kids parking lots. We want to be good neighbors to them and leave their spots open to their staff, guests, and patients.

We look forward to seeing you, showing you around, and sharing what is happening at The CommunityLink! ❤️

Stay healthy, Shelby County! ✌