The Shalom Center Project HELP Clinic is a unique
  collaboration that provides legal assistance to the
  underprivlileged.

What do you appreciate about Bloomington and Monroe County? Natives know the many treasures of our area, and the secret is out: our community is a magnet for retirees, entrepreneurs, and recent graduates, among others. We keep hearing stories of people who chose to move here from all corners of the country, after applying a checklist of quality-of-life factors to many cities. Education is one of the attractions, from the flagship campus of a major university, to a thriving community college, from innovative efforts in our K-12 school systems, to a well-loved public library. Our region is increasingly a hub for the life sciences industry, and there are other areas of strength in our economy, like information technology. With the highest per capita artist population in Indiana (13th nationally), and designations like Tree City USA and Playful City, our area is brimming with culture, recreation, and natural beauty. We have high rates of civic involvement, as well as people who generously share their time, talent and treasure to benefit others.

Many of us who live here count our blessings. But we know there is much work to be done, to lift up the quality of life for all who live here. We want to help those in need today. We want to prevent poverty and abuse and illness from striking more families in the future. We want to create jobs and affordable housing and pathways to prosperity for our children. We want a community where "We All Play" and we all experience meaning and connection. Ours is a community that aspires to help everyone meet their potential, from tots to displaced workers to our wise elders, whether permanently disabled or temporarily able-bodied, of every religious, political, and cultural stripe. There is one thing we all have in common: we want to make progress!

It is our privilege at the Community Foundation to be a Partner in Progress. As you can read in these pages, we partner with donors and agencies, business and government, to help meet the needs and seize the opportunities that face our community – today and tomorrow.

What is your vision for improving our community? Please let us know how we could be your Partner in Progress. And thank you for all you do to make this a wonderful place to call home!


R. Scott Walters, Board Chair


Shari Woodbury, President & CEO