.png)
Press Releases
2024
February 2024
Grant Application for 2025 Funding Available
[Greensburg, IN February 1, 2024—]
Grant applications for 2025 funding from the Decatur County United Fund are now available.
Any 501 (c) 3, tax-exempt, human service organization serving Decatur County interested in applying for a grant should contact the United Fund office to request an application.
The DCUF funds health and human service agencies serving Decatur County. Of particular interest are programs focusing on education; community health, safety and well-being; and child development.
For more information, contact the Decatur County United Fund at 812-663-3342 or via e-mail at unitedfunddc@etczone.com. Deadline to apply is Monday, March 4, 2024 by 4 pm. Late applications will not be accepted.
Janaury 2024
2024 Annual Meeting --- Volunteer of the Year Announced
Greensburg, IN January 30, 2024 --- “Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart” by Elizabeth Andrew. This quote definitely describes our 2023 Volunteer of the Year recipient,” stated Joane Cunningham, Executive Director of the Decatur County United Fund.
Cunningham, stated “Brad is a self-employed individual managing a very successful business – Schutte Excavating. He has a giving heart and caring spirit for his community. He is the perfect example of what a true volunteer should be to any organization. The United Fund knows this well from his past time on the Board of Directors. Brad is business minded, detailed, honest, and passionate about the well-being of his community, gives of his valuable time, is supportive, professional and provides encouragement. His spirit for people to succeed is above all others.”
​
Brad was born and raised in Decatur County, Indiana. Since being in business since 2003, Schutte Excavating is a full- service design build excavating company. Their background includes civil city projects, commercial projects, residential construction, ag drainage, general farm excavation, concrete construction, and road/highway construction. His company manages all aspects of construction projects, not only the construction but design, planning, engineering, regulation compliance, obtaining permits, and complying with ordinances. In his spare time, he also farms ground in Decatur County.
Brad and his wife Amy have been married since 2005, and they live in Decatur County with their children, Grace and Brenner. He graduated from South Decatur High School and then from Purdue University with a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics.
In 2016, Brad joined the Decatur County United Fund Board of Directors and served two terms; finishing his term limit in 2022. He served on the Community Investment, Personnel, Renewal & Development, Finance, and the United Fund Task Force. He served as Treasurer for many years and then as President in 2019. Brad and his wife are loyal donors to the United Fund and are passionate about the mission of the United Fund, “Together Building Hope, Health, & Stability for Our Community”.
His other community involvement over the years has included Volunteer Fire Fighter for Marion Township, serving on the Decatur County Area Plan Commission, Decatur County Board of Zoning, and emceeing the United Fund Auction which raised a record amount of $135,275 in 2023. In the past, he has served on the Fair Board and donates a great deal privately to many different organizations serving families in Decatur County.
Cunningham added, “Brad is a great asset to our community and especially the Decatur County United Fund. We appreciate his dedication to give back as an individual in such a big way.
​
Decatur County United Fund has been in operations since 1957. Their mission is Together Building Hope, Health, & Stability for Our Community and vision is to improve the quality of life for the people of Decatur County, especially the most vulnerable. Increase human and capital resources available to support our community partner’s efforts to address community-wide goals. Serve as a community leader developing and leveraging diverse, collaborative partnerships to impact health and human services outcomes. For more information, contact Joane Cunningham, Executive Director at unitedfunddc@etczone.com.
2023
September 21, 2023
Volunteers Unite to Support Nonprofits on United Fund's Day of Caring
On Wednesday, September 20, 95 volunteers rolled up their sleeves and went to work on behalf of area nonprofits for the Decatur County United Fund’s annual “Day of Caring”.
Eleven local nonprofit organizations in Decatur County hosted volunteers at a variety of times between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Employee teams from area companies, as well as individual volunteers, participated in completing 23 projects, bringing them closer in touch with the needs that exist in our community. The projects support Decatur County United Funds’ mission of Together Building Hope, Health, & Stability for Our Community.
Joane Cunningham, Executive Director of Decatur County United Fund, shared, “We know that we can accomplish so much more when we work together. It takes all kinds of help to make a community stronger. Creating real change IS possible when people roll up their sleeves and work together. The weather was in our favor and this is a perfect example of teamwork.”
Cunningham is grateful for the number of companies in our community that make a commitment to engage their employees in volunteer work. “Volunteers make a real difference in people’s lives every day,” she said. “We are thrilled to connect 95 individuals, employee teams and high school students, to meaningful, local volunteer projects on our Day of Caring. A job well done by all.”
This event is a tradition for many area companies and organizations. Projects ranged from food prep, weeding and trimming shrubs and flower beds, power washing, washing windows and baseboards, organizing, and painting. In addition, teams painted playground equipment, installed transfers on shirts and hats, painted kennels, and cleaned a fire house and trucks.
If you would like more information about this topic, please call Joane Cunningham at 821-663-3342, email unitedfunddc@etczone.com or visit our website at www.dcuf.com .
August 15, 2023
Decatur County United Fund receives contribution from HONDA
The Decatur County United Fund received a $75,000 contribution from Honda to address education, health and financial stability for Decatur County individuals.
“This contribution will enable Decatur County United Fund to ensure services for individuals trying to meet their basic needs. 16 non-profits provide resources addressing tough issues like food insecurity, bereavement, transportation, early education programs, services for children who have experienced child abuse or witnessed the abuse, mentoring, health & dental services, disaster services & educational training, recovery and substance abuse services, and domestic violence services, and so much more. With 34% of Decatur County households unable to afford enough food, keep up with basic housing costs, find reliable transportation, pay for adequate health services, and just meet basic needs, these valuable dollars will help with ALL of these resources.” said Joane Cunningham, Executive Director. Read More
​
May 26. 2023
Emma Walsman Receives the Decatur County United Fund Governor's Work Ethic Certification $500 Scholarship at Greensburg Community Schools Honor Day.
The Decatur County United Fund has partnered with the schools for six years now and our goal was always to strengthen employability skills recognized by this certification that is critical in providing a pipeline of skilled high school graduates for today’s workforce. We collectively are working to encourage students to meet the benchmarks that will assist them in their college or career goals.
May 23. 2023
$51,088 in Special Grants Awarded by Decatur County United Fund
Another way Decatur County United Fund invests in the community is through special grants to meet specific needs and fuel special projects. United Fund awarded $51,088 in special grants to 15 of their current community partners at its recent Board of Director’s meeting.
The 2023 special grants were awarded due to the success of the 2022 Campaign. The grants provide funding for short-term projects or one-time expenses that will have a positive impact in the community. Read More
xxx
March 27. 2023
United Fund Recognizes Outgoing Board Member and Welcomes New Member
The Decatur County United Fund is pleased to recognize their outgoing board member Jayne McCleland. Jayne joined the board in January 2017. She moved up the officer’s ladder and served as President in 2020, and has served on the Community Investment, Personnel, Finance, Volunteer of Year, Marketing and Nominating Committees. Joane Cunningham, Executive Director, shared “Jayne continues to be a loyal supporter of the Decatur County United Fund. She believes in working towards positive community change. She truly is a community minded individual with many strengths to share and we know she will continue to be an asset to this community.” Read More
xxx
February 1. 2023
Grant Application for 2024 Funding Available
Grant applications for 2024 funding from the Decatur County United Fund are now available.
Any 501 (c) 3, tax-exempt, human service organization serving Decatur County interested in applying for a grant should contact the United Fund office to request an application.
The DCUF funds health and human service agencies serving Decatur County. Of particular interest are programs focusing on education; community health, safety and well-being; and child development.
For more information, contact the Decatur County United Fund at 812-663-3342 or via e-mail at unitedfunddc@etczone.com. Deadline to apply is Thursday, March 2, 2023 by 4 pm. Late applications will not be accepted.
xxx