LAWRENCEBURG, Ind., December 6, 2018 – The Dearborn Community Foundation (DCF), Inc. recently awarded a $1,000 Lauren Hill Make A Difference Grant to the Southeast Indiana Youth Orchestra (SEIYO) to help provide instruments for the young musicians.
As a part of its 20th Anniversary Celebration, DCF is awarding 20 proactive grants of $1,000 each to charitable organizations in Dearborn County throughout 2018. Each of the Foundation’s 15 volunteer Board members is recommending a grant. Five lucky attendees at DCF’s 20th Anniversary Dinner in late July also were randomly drawn to recommend a $1,000 grant.
Dearborn Community Foundation Board member Elise Smith, left, delivers a $1,000 grant check to Sara Barkdoll, President of Southeast Indiana Youth Orchestra. The DCF grant monies are helping to buy instruments for members of the orchestra.
The $1,000 grant to SEIYO was recommended by DCF Board member Elise Smith of Aurora. Smith, a retired educator, says she recommended the grant to the Youth Orchestra because orchestra is not something most schools in Southeastern Indiana include in their curriculum.
“There’s less funds available in schools now to support orchestra,” said Smith. “Having been an educator, I understand the importance of music in education.”
The SEIYO’s mission is to provide musical training through an orchestral setting in which the student has an opportunity to join with others and play as a group. The non-profit organization also strives to increase interest in different genres of music and give students opportunities to develop their musicianship.
Smith, who is manager at the Aurora Recreation Community Center (ARCC), says she learned about the Southeast Indiana Youth Orchestra from co-worker Denise Rose. Rose is one of the founders of the Orchestra organization and is a volunteer teacher. “I was in orchestra in high school and I remember how rewarding it was to me. I know this organization does a great job with the kids,” said Smith.
For 20 years, DCF, a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt public charity, has helped donors’ dreams come true by safeguarding endowments for the community through contributions large and small. Grants awarded by the Dearborn Community Foundation support the needs and interests in Dearborn County in the fields of Art, Culture and Humanities, Community and Public Benefit, Education, Environment and Animal Protection, Human Services, Public Safety and Youth Programs.
In January 2009, DCF received the nation’s highest philanthropic standards for operational quality, integrity and accountability: the seal of approval from the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations Program operated by the Council on Foundations (COF), a national professional association based in Washington, D.C. DCF was reconfirmed for the National Standards by the COF in 2014.
To learn more about DCF, call 812-539-4115, stop by the office at 322 Walnut Street in Lawrenceburg, or visit the Foundation website at www.dearborncf.org. If you are interested in making a contribution to DCF, visit our website’s “Give Now” page to donate on line and to learn other giving options.