Blue River Foundation Inc
Blue River Foundation Inc, also known as Blue River Community Foundation, is based in Shelbyville, Indiana. The 2024 filing identifies it as a Form 990 public charity; the organization states that it was formed in 1988. It serves Shelby County and supports community programs and projects, including through grants to nonprofit organizations.
Blue River Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Blue River Foundation Inc gave $3.6M across 50 grants in 2024 (avg $71K), mostly in Indiana. 16% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,552,411
- +61.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 50
- -21.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $71,048
- +106.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $17,988
- Total assets
- $62,304,997
- +14.7% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 16% first-time grantees (8 of 50, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Indiana (99% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Blue River Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
For community grants, submit a grant interest form; selected applicants are invited to complete a full application. The website directs applicants to review the granting guidelines before submitting the interest form.
- Review Cycle
- The community-grant interest-form deadline is March 1; the listed 2026 cycle is past. Hometown Community Grant applications are due July 1, and City & County Progress Grant interest forms are also listed as due July 1; those 2026 dates are past. The Wortman Family Foundation grant interest-form deadline is November 1, 2026. The Shelby County Commissioners Tindall Farm Fund accepts applications quarterly, with the next listed deadline November 1, 2026. The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship deadline of September 1, 2026, is past; this program provides scholarship support to individual students, rather than grants to outside applicant organizations.
- Deadline
- The community-grant interest-form deadline is March 1; the listed 2026 cycle is past.
- Next open deadline
- November 1, 2026 (Shelby County Commissioners Tindall Farm Fund Grant)
- Contact
Mailing address: 54 West Broadway Rm/Ste 1, Shelbyville, IN 46176
Phone: (317) 392-7955
Website: https://blueriverfoundation.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from Blue River Foundation Inc
BRCFSC Community Grants
Blue River Foundation Inc
Amount
US $2,500 - US $25,000
Deadline
Expected ~March
Based on past cycles
Shelby County Commissioners Tindall Farm Fund Grant
Blue River Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
November 1, 2026
Listed date — confirm with the funder
Shelby County Commissioners Tindall Farm Fund Grant
Blue River Foundation Inc
Amount
Up to US $7,500
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Blue River Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Boys and Girls Club of Shelby County ($799K). Together the top 10 received $2.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
255 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 219 grants of 255 (86%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated community focus is Shelby County, Indiana. Its 2024 filing shows that 99% of grant dollars went to Indiana recipients, 1% to Tennessee recipients, and a rounded less than 1% to Nevada recipients. The Wortman Family Foundation grant program administered by the foundation serves Shelby and Hancock counties, Indiana. Hometown Community Funds support projects serving residents in designated areas of Shelby County.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 50 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Blue River Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
16%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 8 of 50 grantees (16%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $12K; repeat grants $82K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $26K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.1M (2020) to $3.6M (2024). In 2024 it made 50 grants totaling $3.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Boys and Girls Club of Shelby County Shelbyville, IN | Fund Distribution | $798,837 |
| Healthy Shelby County Shelbyville, IN | Operating Support | $691,521 |
| Early Learning Shelby County Shelbyville, IN | Facility Expenses | $543,863 |
| Shelby Co Players Shelbyville, IN | Capital Campaign | $335,839 |
| Scuffy Shelbyville, IN | Campaign Support | $123,816 |
| The Indianapolis Scottish Rite Cathedral Foundation Indianapolis, IN | Building Maintenance | $100,000 |
| Shelby Co Council Shelbyville, IN | Progress Grants | $98,570 |
| Girls Inc Shelbyville, IN | Program Support | $59,275 |
| Shelby Senior Services Inc Shelbyville, IN | Food Pantry/Programs | $53,007 |
| Forest Hill Cemetary Association Shelbyville, IN | PAVING | $47,500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $62,304,997 | $12,136,621 | $5,790,878 | $3,552,411 | 50 | $3,212,759 |
| 2023 | $54,309,733 | $5,733,321 | $4,119,542 | $2,198,839 | 64 | $1,896,511 |
| 2022 | $47,834,724 | $4,011,694 | $3,720,111 | $1,703,966 | 48 | $2,353,823 |
| 2021 | $56,800,363 | $8,608,715 | $3,807,086 | $1,600,433 | 48 | $2,980,570 |
| 2020 | $46,696,737 | $3,484,478 | $2,776,843 | $1,063,751 | 45 | $1,457,474 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to be a catalyst for igniting action that improves the quality of life in Shelby County. Its website says community grants may support art and culture, health, education, social service, and civic programs or projects. Field-of-interest areas include beautification, at-risk or abused and neglected youth, people with disabilities, and recreation.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of grantees. Boys & Girls Clubs of Shelby County says its mission is to inspire local youth to reach their full potential. Early Learning Shelby County says it works to support children’s development, with a primary focus on ages birth through five, and to ensure quality, affordable services are available to county children. Shelby County Players says it provides live community theatre, while Shelby Senior Services says it responds to seniors’ and families’ changing needs and helps seniors maintain independence.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 50 grants totaling $3,552,411. Grant amounts ranged from $5,521 to $798,837, with a median of $17,988. The largest reported awards included $798,837 to Boys and Girls Club of Shelby County for fund distribution, $691,521 to Healthy Shelby County for operating support, $543,863 to Early Learning Shelby County for facility expenses, and $335,839 to Shelby Co Players for a capital campaign. Other large awards included $123,816 to SCUFFY for campaign support and $100,000 to the Indianapolis Scottish Rite Cathedral Foundation for building maintenance.
The foundation’s website describes one annual competitive community-grant cycle. Applicants first submit a grant interest form; selected applicants are invited to submit a full application. The website lists community-grant areas including art and culture, health, education, social service, and civic programs or projects. It also lists Hometown Community Grants for projects serving residents in designated Shelby County areas, City & County Progress Grants, and Wortman Family Foundation Grants serving Shelby and Hancock counties.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Beth Case as president, Amy Berthouex as vice president, Jody Butts-Dolder as secretary, and Rob Morgan as treasurer. Directors listed are Denny Ramsey, Eric Glasco, Lee Marks, Lisa Bridges, Shawn French, and Shoshanna Everhart.
Blue River Foundation Inc is led by Beth Case, President since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 13 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Beth Case
President
Director → Vice President, 2022
Vice President → President, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eric Glasco
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lee Marks
Director
Vice President → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Bridges
Director
Secretary → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shoshanna Everhart
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shawn French
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wendy Stephenson
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tim Barrick
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Denny Ramsey
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Jones
Executive Di
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$66K (2020) → $97K (2024)
Amy Berthouex
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jody Butts-Dolder
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rob Morgan
Treasurer
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (7)
- Former: Brady Claxton (2020–2023) — President
- Former: Rob Yeend (2020–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Brent Thoman (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Carmen Hawk (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Jeff Beaty (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Brent Sandman (2020) — Director
- Former: Terry Smith (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $97K, to Jennifer Jones (Executive Di).
Frequently asked questions about Blue River Foundation Inc
How much does Blue River Foundation Inc give each year?
Blue River Foundation Inc gave $3.6M across 50 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $2.2M across 64 grants.
What is Blue River Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Blue River Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $17,988, and its average grant was $71,048, across 50 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Blue River Foundation Inc that year got $12K on average.
Where does Blue River Foundation Inc give grants?
Blue River Foundation Inc gives mostly in Indiana: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Shelbyville, IN (26 grants), Indianapolis, IN (8 grants), Greenfield, IN (6 grants) and Morristown, IN (2 grants).
Does Blue River Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 18% of Blue River Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (9 of 50) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (4 grants).
Who are Blue River Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Blue River Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Boys and Girls Club of Shelby County ($798,837), Healthy Shelby County ($691,521) and Early Learning Shelby County ($543,863), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 57% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Blue River Foundation Inc?
Blue River Foundation Inc reported $62.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $12.1M.
What does Blue River Foundation Inc fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to be a catalyst for igniting action that improves the quality of life in Shelby County. Its website says community grants may support art and culture, health, education, social service, and civic programs or projects. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Blue River Foundation Inc?
For community grants, submit a grant interest form; selected applicants are invited to complete a full application. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Blue River Foundation Inc's EIN?
Blue River Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 35-1756331. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 18, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 9, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 8, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 24, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 7, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Blue River Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Blue River Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/blue-river-foundation-inc-morg_f8134dd23ced4a2fbeb57eb495b3a910
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_351756331_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Blue River Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/blue-river-foundation-inc-morg_f8134dd23ced4a2fbeb57eb495b3a910},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Blue River Foundation Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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