The Rush County Community Foundation is a tax-exempt public charity that allows people to establish permanent endowment funds within the scope of one large foundation.
There are a total of 200 funds at the Rush County Community Foundation. You can help impact the community today by donating to one of our many funds or by creating your own fund.
Since our first scholarship funds were distributed in 1995, more than $1 million in local scholarship awards have been given to Rush County students.
Established in 2025 by Julie Osting Connolly, The Rush County Nature Preservation Fund was established to honor the Hinchman, McGraw, and Osting families. The primary purpose of this fund is to provide support to preserve natural resources within Rush County.
Priority will be given to the repopulation of natural wildlife resources. Examples may include, but are not exclusive to, freshwater river fish, freshwater mussels and other native wildlife. All species in a release must be native to the Rush County territory and due diligence must be provided that no invasive species will be introduced as part of the project. Non-repopulation purposes of this fund may include, but are not limited to, sounds/video recordings or other technology, feeding stations, release of natural habitants, and planting of plants and trees to encourage and sustain populations (with emphasis on bees, butterflies and birds).
Preference is given to small and mid-sized institutions that may include, but not exclusively, schools, libraries, clubs and other similar sized non-profit organizations.
Application (not yet available) – Due 3/1.
