Two local projects receive $343,000 in Lilly-funded grants

The Blackford County Community Foundation has helped procure $343,027.74 to two local projects through a new grant program funded by Lilly Endowment Inc.

The BCCF lists the awards on its website as "Big Idea Grants," made possible by Lilly Endowment through the GIFT IX Community Support Grant Initiative.

The City of Montpelier received $300,000. Blackford Youth Sports received $43,027.74.

Baldwin Park

The $300,000 will help transform Baldwin Park in Montpelier.

The project will feature a large aerospace-themed playground inspired by Montpelier native and NASA astronaut Kevin Ford. The Foundation says the playground is designed to encourage imagination, exploration and active play for children of all ages.

Other improvements will include upgraded basketball courts, improved lighting, sidewalks and walking areas, landscaping, educational signage, and gathering spaces for families and community events.

Baldwin Park sits at Huntington and Rockefeller streets. Many residents call it "Airplane Park" because of the decommissioned military aircraft on the grounds.

Ford was born in Portland, Indiana, in 1960 and considers Montpelier his hometown. He graduated from Blackford High School in Hartford City in 1978. He piloted space shuttle mission STS-128 and commanded Expedition 34 aboard the International Space Station.

Blackford Pee Wee Football

The $43,027.74 will rebuild and revitalize the Blackford Pee Wee Football Program.

Blackford Youth Sports will use the money to buy football and flag football equipment, including helmets, shoulder pads, uniforms, tackling dummies and other training tools.

The organization will also build a 16-by-36-foot shed to store the equipment.

About the funding

Lilly Endowment Inc. launched the ninth phase of its Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow initiative, known as GIFT IX, in 2025. The Endowment allocated up to $271.5 million to Indiana community foundations under the program.

Community Support Grants are one part of GIFT IX. They give community foundations flexible money to fund near-term local projects. Lilly awarded 92 of these grants statewide in 2025, totaling $135.25 million. Community foundations have up to three years to spend the money.

Award sizes were based on the population of the counties each foundation serves.