Harrison County Community Foundation announces new procedures

We at the Harrison County Community Foundation (HCCF) are as anxious as you to move forward through these difficult times dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, the resulting economic fallout and now social unrest. It is apparent many things will not be the same as before, but perhaps the “new normal” will provide us an opportunity to pull together as a community unlike we have ever done before.

To better serve you we have established new procedures at the HCCF office. Staff continues to work in teams, alternating working remotely and in the office.

Both front doors leading into the lobby are unlocked but the final door leading into the reception area remains closed. If you need to speak with staff, we ask that you call 812-738-6668 when you arrive and let us know how we can help.

Staff is available for priority or time-sensitive needs by appointment. Meetings will take place in the large conference room or outside. Please see below for individual staff email addresses.

We encourage you to wear a mask and maintain proper social distance during any interaction with staff and while you are in the building. We will do the same. Many people are in a situation that could be devasting if they become ill or unable to care for loved ones.

We continue to maintain an inside drop-off or pick-up area between the two lobby doors. Please use this as a method to transfer material whenever possible.

In addition, we have installed a new secure drop box outside the front doors. This drop box is available 24/7. HCCF staff will check the lobby drop location and the outside drop box multiple times a day during our regular office hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday. We believe the new drop box will afford more options to deliver grant reports, scholarship agreements, college bills, donations, etc. to the foundation at your convenience.

We are continuing to use Zoom and other alternative virtual meeting formats whenever possible. Step Ahead Council meetings are proceeding in that manner.

Board governance training, a requirement for submitting a grant application, has been scheduled to take place in person with limited seating and proper distancing. Please check our Events website page for more information.

Our large conference room is NOT available for outside groups to use at least through the end of July. We will evaluate our plans for reopening that space for outside groups at a later date. As with any of these procedures, HCCF may amend reopening plans at any time based on the current situation.

Scholarships are still being awarded. Grant applications are being accepted. Endowment funds are still supporting the many different nonprofit organizations and causes they were designed to do. The important work of building an even better community continues. Thank you for your patience. The well- worn phrase, “we will get through this together,” is still true.

Other recent news includes:

Emergency grant assistance is available to nonprofits with COVID-19 related emergencies. To date three emergency grants have been awarded. Learn more about these grants. Begin the emergency grant process by sending a one to two-page letter to Anna Curts, Grants Manager, at annac@hccfindiana.org.

An Economic Relief Initiative Grant is available for Southern Indiana nonprofits through Metro United Way. The COVID-19 Economic Relief Initiative Grant will provide immediate financial aid and long-term recovery to organizations and programs on the front lines of COVID-19. For more information, click here.

Free Wi-Fi is available in the HCCF parking lot. No password needed. For a list of other locations, click here.