2026 Hometown Grant Recipients Announced

Grants

The Community Foundation is pleased to announce the 2026 Hometown Grant recipients. Hometown Grants serve to support impactful projects, initiatives and community events within Warren, Markle, Andrews and Roanoke.

“It was rewarding to see growth and traction in the Andrews, Markle and Warren programs, along with the addition of the Roanoke Hometown program,” noted Amber Rensberger, Community Foundation Program Manager. “Seeing the unique projects for each town has been inspiring, especially knowing that they are driven by people who love where they live and want to create communities where people can have fun, enjoy practical amenities and experience fellowship with one another. The grants will support beautification projects, festival support, games, public restrooms, learning opportunities and more.”

Each program is overseen by a committee of local community leaders responsible for evaluating applications. The application is open to all organizations or projects that will benefit the respective hometown and its residents.

Warren Hometown Grant Recipients

Historic Warren Main Street received $5,000 to support “Lights On at the Warren,” a community movie project designed to bring free, family-friendly movies to the residents of Warren and surrounding communities. In partnership with the Knight Berman Center, movies will be hosted in the auditorium, which offers seating, restrooms, concession space and visitor parking. The project will provide an affordable, inclusive and family-oriented entertainment opportunity for residents of all ages.

_{Pictured (left to right) is Larry Poulson, Knight-Bergman Center Board President, Bruce Preston, Knight-Bergman Center Board Member, Amber Rensberger, Community Foundation Program Manager, Becky Souder, Historic Warren Main Street Secretary/Treasurer, and Melinda Daniels, Historic Warren Main Street Board Member.}

Grant funding will support the purchase of a portable movie screen, projector, sound system, wireless microphone and licensing for family-friendly movies. The equipment will also support other community events hosted by Historic Warren Main Street, including the annual Car Show, Holiday Walk, festivals and other public gatherings. Additionally, the project celebrates a meaningful piece of local history, as the original illuminated “Warren” theater sign from the former downtown Warren Theater is displayed inside the Knight Bergman Center, helping reconnect the community to a cherished part of its past.

Warren Health and Fitness was awarded $3,000 to support Tower Park revitalization efforts. Project plans include repaving and expanding the walking path, replacing basketball hoops and benches, renovating the batting cage, enhancing two buildings with public art installations and upgrading the ball diamond fence and pavilion. Warren Health and Fitness is raising funds to transform Tower Park through a Patronicity fundraising campaign. If the $50,000 fundraising goal is met, the campaign will receive a $50,000 match from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority.

_{Pictured (left to right) is Stacy Haggerty, Warren Health and Fitness Executive Director, Amber Rensberger, Community Foundation Program Manager, Diane Carroll, Warren Health and Fitness Gym Director, and Mike Haggerty, Warren Health and Fitness Executive Director.}

Tower Park improvements will aim to make Warren more connected, healthy, safe, accessible and engaging for community members and visitors alike. Those interested in contributing toward the project are invited to visit the Patronicity Campaign to learn more.

Salamonie Summer Festival received $730 to support the festival’s Art Show and Veterans Showcase. For the past 59 years, the Warren community has gathered downtown to celebrate the beloved family-friendly summer festival. During the Art Show, local artists of all ages display over 200 pieces of artwork. Every ten years, a Veterans Showcase is added to the Art Show, displaying photos of local heroes and honoring their service. Funding supported the purchase of necessary items for the Art Show, which will be used to support community events for years to come.

_{Pictured (left to right) is Tara Bowman, Salamonie Summer Festival Committee Member, Amber Rensberger, Community Foundation Program Manager, and Treva Flemming, Salamonie Summer Festival Committee Member and Art Show Chair.}

Markle Hometown Grant Recipients

Markle Park Board was awarded $2,860 to support costs for new flower baskets for the downtown area. Upgraded flower baskets will enhance beautification efforts and create a more vibrant and inviting downtown for community members and visitors alike. The project represents a broader effort to revitalize Markle’s downtown area and encourage new business and residential growth.

_{Pictured (left to right) Jon Gray, Markle Park Board Member, Amber Rensberger, Community Foundation Program Manager, Hal Mason, Markle Park Board President, and Deeda Leffert, Markle Park Board Member. (Not pictured, John Markley, Markle Park Board Secretary.)}

Town of Markle received $2,140 to provide access to restrooms at the beloved Walkway Park with the addition of an ADA-accessible portable restroom. Walkway Park has become an increasingly important gathering place for local families, especially following the addition of a new playground.

*_{Pictured (left to right) is Amber Rensberger, Community Foundation Program Manager, alongside Lauren Kinsey, Town of Markle Representative.}*

The addition of a clean, accessible restroom will improve the experience for families, caregivers, seniors and all park visitors by allowing for longer, more comfortable visits. It will also make the park more inclusive for individuals with mobility or health-related needs. By removing a major barrier to park use, the addition of a portable restroom will help ensure Walkway Park remains a welcoming and functional community space for generations to come.

Andrews Hometown Grant Recipients

The Place to Bee received $2,500 to support the Freedom Festival, a community-centered event designed to bring residents and visitors together through inclusive, family-friendly programming. The festival, which took place on July 3, featured professional wrestling, fireworks, live music, local food vendors and hands-on activities for children and families. Funding supported festival entertainment, safety measures and activity supplies.

*_{Pictured (left to right) is Amber Rensberger, Community Foundation Program Manager, alongside Mirriah Bigelow, The Place to Bee Owner.}*

Local events are essential to strengthening community connection, supporting mental well-being and fostering a sense of belonging. The Freedom Festival addresses this need by providing an affordable, welcoming space for residents of all ages to come together and celebrate.

Andrews-Dallas Township Public Library was awarded $2,500 to support the development of a community garden and seed distribution program, along with gardening kits for its ‘library of things.’ A ‘library of things’ is a collection of resources available for community use beyond traditional books and media. This consists of specialized items free for community checkout that help support group/family interaction and community engagement.

_{Pictured (left to right) is Deanna (Dee) Kochensparger, Andrews-Dallas Township Public Library Assistant, Amber Rensberger, Community Foundation Program Manager, and Laura Kelsey, Andrews-Dallas Township Public Library Director.}

The project will provide free raised garden beds, tools and seeds, as well as gardening kits available for community members to check out and use at home. Educational programs on gardening, healthy eating and community involvement will also be offered. The project will expand the library’s role as a place for learning, connection and family engagement while providing new opportunities for residents to access gardening and healthy-living resources.

Roanoke Hometown Grant Recipients

Roanoke Civic Association Inc received $2,000 to support the 72^nd annual Roanoke Fall Festival, a cherished three-day tradition that brings approximately 3,500 to 4,000 people together each year. The family-friendly festival offers a variety of free activities and entertainment including tractor pulls, a demo derby, games, parades, royalty pageants, a rodeo, contests, parades, a petting zoo and more.

_{Pictured (left to right) is Megan Engle, Community Foundation Volunteer, Ryan Smith, Roanoke Civic Association Board Vice President, Amber Rensberger, Community Foundation Program Manager, Lee Ann Smith, Roanoke Civic Association Board Treasurer, Chris Smith, Roanoke Civic Association Board Member, and Terri Edmiston, Roanoke Civic Association Board Member. (Roanoke Civic Association Board Members not pictured: Nichole Karst, Board President and Karen Brincefield, Board Member.)}

Supported by generations of volunteers, the festival provides an opportunity for neighbors to gather and celebrate the fall season together in Roanoke Park. The festival’s long-term goal is to continue this tradition for future generations while keeping the event accessible to community members and visitors alike.

Roanoke Beautification Foundation was awarded $2,469 to purchase an outdoor chess board for Zent Commons. The Zent Commons pocket park serves as a local gathering space and vibrant area for community events. The addition of the chess board will offer a fun and interactive way for community members and visitors to gather, connect and enjoy time together in the heart of Downtown Roanoke.

_{Pictured (left to right) is Megan Engle, Community Foundation Volunteer, Tera Roughley, Roanoke Beautification Foundation Board Member, John Nelson, Roanoke Beautification Foundation Board President, Amber Rensberger, Community Foundation Program Manager, Theresa Davis, Roanoke Beautification Foundation Board Member, Josh Thacker, Roanoke Beautification Foundation Board Member, and Ruth Marsh, Roanoke Beautification Foundation Board Member.}

The Community Foundation is eager to witness how these impactful projects will benefit the Warren, Markle, Andrews and Roanoke communities. For more information on Community Foundation grants visit our Grants Page.