Daviess, Knox, & Pike
Our Story
Who We Are
Overview
Who We Are
The Community Foundation connects people, ideas, and resources to strengthen communities, today and for generations to come. Since its founding in 1991, the Foundation has directed nearly $80 million in grants to local nonprofits, supported scholarships for students, and invested in programs that make the region stronger, healthier, and more resilient. As a trusted convener and philanthropic leader, it works alongside donors, nonprofits, civic partners, and community members to address shared challenges and create lasting impact across Southwest Indiana.
Our Vision
A thriving Southwest Indiana for all, for generations to come.
Our Mission
We cultivate resources and relationships to address the evolving needs of Southwest Indiana.
Our Guidance
Values
The Community Foundation is guided by five core values.
Inclusion
Serving everyone in our communities.
Integrity
Acting honestly and transparently to build trust.
Collaboration
Achieving more when we work together.
Stewardship
Honoring donors’ intentions with a strong sense of fiduciary responsibility, providing expertise, and operating efficiently.
Sustainability
Having a long-term mindset for success.
Our Strengths
Strategic Pillars
Defines how the Community Foundation drives change across Southwest Indiana.
Regional Collaboration and Alignment
Bringing communities, sectors, and organizations together to meet challenges that no one can solve alone.
Community Health & Well-Being
Supporting prevention, care, and holistic wellness for healthier individuals and stronger communities.
Vibrant & Resilient Communities
Investing in spaces and experiences that make communities more livable, inclusive, and connected.
Foundations for Economic Mobility
Ensuring families have access to the building blocks of success – housing, childcare, and education.
Rooted in Experience
A New Era of Impact
For more than three decades, the Community Foundation has helped build permanent charitable resources and strengthen communities across Southwest Indiana. The new name reflects what the organization has become: a regional foundation with the scale, expertise, and relationships to lead collaborative solutions across Southwest Indiana.
Our Commitment to You
We honor the purpose behind your giving. Your fund is a direct reflection of your values, and we are committed to preserving and carrying out your intent, now and for generations to come.
Stewardship You Can Rely On
You’ll always have a dedicated partner in our team, one that takes the time to understand what matters most to you while managing your fund with care, discipline, and transparency.
Local Giving. Lasting Impact.
We are deeply rooted in the communities we serve. With our local knowledge and connections, your gift makes a difference where it matters most, creating lasting change close to home.
Rooted in Community
Match Campaign
Rooted in Community is part of the Foundation’s commitment to building stronger communities for generations to come. Through this initiative, eligible unrestricted gifts are permanently invested to support changing community needs across Southwest Indiana year after year.
Thanks to a special matching opportunity, every dollar contributed is tripled, helping create greater impact from the very beginning. By giving to the unrestricted endowment, donors provide flexible, lasting support that strengthens communities today and into the future.
Get Started
Ready to Make an Impact?
Our Team
Community Foundation Staff
Our dedicated team works alongside donors, advisors, nonprofits, and students to create meaningful impact across Southwest Indiana.
President & CEO
Jill Carpenter
Chief Financial Officer
Tim Jones, CPA
Chief Program Officer
Melinda Waldroup
Chief Development Officer
Aimee Stachura
Marketing & Communications Director
Eve Schroeder
Development Operations & Database Director
Jesika Ellis
HR & Finance Assistant
Melissa (Mel) Memmer
Executive Assistant
Melissa Rudolph
Program Assistant
Michele Gates
Scholarship Program Assistant
Chelsea Koester
Development Director
Savannah Linenburg
Community Impact Director
Laura Hazelman
Daviess, Knox, & Pike
Development Director
Deanna Rhodes
Gibson & Posey
Community Impact Director
Amy Smith
Gibson & Posey
Community Impact Director
Emily Alvey
Perry & Spencer
Development Director
Rachael Goldsberry
Perry & Spencer
Development Director
Sarah Wagner
Vanderburgh & Warrick
Community Impact Director
Alysia Rhinefort
Vanderburgh & Warrick
Development & Communications Manager
Lindsey Alvey
Our Leaders
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is the legal entity responsible for all aspects of Community Foundation oversight and operation: governance, policymaking, legal requirements, financial stewardship, and strategic plans for the Community Foundation of Southwest Indiana as a whole. Each of the nine counties we serve is represented on the Board, ensuring local perspectives help guide Foundation-wide decisions.
Board of Directors
Patrick Griffin (Warrick), Chair
Jon Craig (Pike), Vice Chair
Lori Newman (Vanderburgh), Treasurer
Eric Reed (Gibson), Immediate Past Chair
Jill Carpenter (CFSWI), Secretary/Ex Official
Our Financials
Data & Impact
The Community Foundation of Southwest Indiana invests charitable funds with a long-term perspective, balancing growth, stability, and sustainability. Our investment approach is designed to preserve and grow charitable assets over time, increasing the resources available for grants, scholarships, and community impact for generations to come.
Endowed funds are designed to grow over time, providing annual support for charitable purposes while preserving resources for future generations.
Several factors contribute to the long-term growth and sustainability of our endowed funds, including:
-Asset allocation that combines active and passive investment strategies
-Spending policies designed to support both current and future community needs
-Required investment periods before initial distributions
-Cash management practices and long-term financial planning
As stewards of charitable gifts, we are committed to transparency, accountability, and responsible financial management. We adhere to the highest nonprofit standards and comply with National Standards for Community Foundations to help protect charitable assets and ensure they create lasting impact throughout southwest Indiana.
Fiscal Year 2025
Annual Giving Report
With more than $10 million in grants awarded this year alone, we saw firsthand how generosity, when rooted in community, can translate into real, measurable impact. Over the past 35+ years, that commitment has grown into nearly $80 million invested back into Southwest Indiana, strengthening nonprofits, expanding opportunity, and responding to evolving community needs across our communities.
Financial Documents
As the stewards of your charitable gifts, we are committed to accountability in our operational procedures. From our investment strategies to our spending policies, we remain focused on protecting charitable dollars and helping donors make an impact in our community for many years to come. Financial practices are in place to ensure we operate at the highest possible standards for nonprofits and continue to comply with National Standards for Community Foundations.
We are accredited by
