GREENFIELD, Ind. (October 8, 2026) – The primary purposes of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program are 1) to help raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana; 2) to increase awareness of the roles foundations play in their communities; and 3) to encourage and support the efforts of current and past Lilly Endowment Community Scholars to engage with each other as educational, nonprofit, and civic leaders to improve the quality of life in Indiana generally and in local communities throughout the state.
CFHC has the privilege of administering the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship (LECSP) in Hancock County. Each year, CFHC applies for the opportunity to recommend two graduating students to Independent Colleges of Indiana for the full four-year tuition scholarship award. Should they accept the application, CFHC implements and supervises the process for selection.
To be eligible to apply for the LECSP in Hancock County, students must be Hancock County residents, attend Eastern Hancock, Greenfield-Central, Mt. Vernon, or New Palestine public high schools, be ranked in the academic top 15% of their graduating class, and plan to pursue a baccalaureate course of study, to be completed in four years, at any accredited Indiana public or private college or university.
Student applications are submitted online and reviewed blindly (without name or contact information) by third-party professional readers who are experienced, out-of-county evaluators. The third-party evaluators select eight finalists, two students from each Hancock County public high school, who best meet the scholarship criteria. Community service is the primary criterion for qualification. Financial need is not a consideration for the LECSP.
The eight finalists will be interviewed by a volunteer committee identified by CFHC, all of whom adhere to a strict conflict of interest policy. This committee has the difficult task of selecting two students from the talented pool of eight finalists and submitting their recommendation to Independent Colleges of Indiana for approval. Pending approval, the awards will be announced in December. The eight finalists will be honored at their respective school corporation’s board meeting in November.
Below are the stories of the eight finalists:
Mackenzie Baker attends Eastern Hancock High School and has served her school and community through National Honor Society projects, including Eastern Hancock’s Trunk or Treat and concession fundraising events. Those experiences helped strengthen her connection to the community and reinforced her desire to pursue a career helping animals through veterinary radiology.
Theodore Hanna attends Eastern Hancock High School and has dedicated significant time to service through Scouting America, St. Thomas Catholic Church, Voice Indiana, and Appalachian mission work. Theodore hopes to use his education and future leadership opportunities to continue giving back to Indiana and his local community.
Ainsley Robinson attends Greenfield-Central High School and volunteers with the Kenneth Butler Memorial Soup Kitchen, Hancock Regional Hospital, TOP Soccer, and local youth sports programs. Her service has deepened her belief that everyone deserves compassionate care and reinforced her goal of becoming a nurse practitioner.
Harper Rahe attends Greenfield-Central High School and has served through the Indianapolis Zoo, Girl Scouts, Gleaners Food Bank, and a medical service trip to Belize. Her experiences have strengthened her commitment to service and inspired her goal of becoming a veterinarian who supports animal conservation and education in Indiana.
Carson Jutte attends Mt. Vernon High School and has served his community through The Sharing Place food pantry, youth tutoring, Camp Invention, and mentoring younger robotics students. He plans to study aerospace engineering and hopes to share his passion for STEM with Hancock County youth through future camps and educational opportunities.
Tyler Ralstin attends Mt. Vernon High School and advocates for childhood leukemia support through Blood Cancer United, Riley Children’s Hospital, and Make-A-Wish. After leading a Student Visionary of the Year campaign that raised more than $36,000, he hopes to study business and use his career to continue directing support toward cancer research and patient care.
Alyssa Mitchell attends New Palestine High School and gives back through kindergarten mentoring, youth cheer and tennis clinics, and a schoolwide flood-relief fundraiser she organized. She hopes to become a physician and expand access to healthcare and opportunities for children and families in underserved Indiana communities.
Carlee Poorbaugh attends New Palestine High School and has devoted significant time to Royal Family Kids Camp, Indiana State Parks, Matthew 25 Ministries, and New City Church. Inspired by her work with children in foster care and her internship with Hancock Health, she plans to pursue social work and serve Indiana communities through mental health and crisis-response services.
CFHC provides philanthropic leadership by encouraging giving, learning, community pride, and civic engagement. Working with caring individuals, families, and organizations to create or grow existing permanent endowment funds is critical to the organization’s mission. These funds generate income that is distributed in the form of grants and scholarships to enrich and enhance life in Hancock County, as well as support the donor’s favorite charitable causes, both at home and afar forever. CFHC has granted millions of dollars since its inception in 1992.
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