The Rush County Parks Fund was established in 1995 by the Rushville Parks and Recreation Director to support projects and programs that enhance the park system throughout Rush County, Indiana. This fund is specifically intended to assist park facilities with initiatives that are not typically funded by city or county governments. The goal of the fund is to improve and expand the services provided by the county's parks, thereby better serving local residents. Grants from this fund are directed toward projects that will positively impact the park system and the community at large. The deadline to apply for this grant is March 1 each year, with online applications available one month prior.

Eligibility for the Parks Fund follows the general guidelines of the Rush County Community Foundation. The Foundation welcomes applications from non-profit organizations that benefit Rush County or its citizens. Grant requests that are most likely to receive favorable consideration are those that have a broad community impact, offer practical solutions to current needs, and are preventive in nature. The Foundation also prefers projects that address underlying causes of local issues, foster cooperation, and reduce duplication of services. Additionally, projects that encourage volunteer involvement and are proposed by established agencies with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status are prioritized. The Foundation also welcomes innovative proposals from new organizations that aim to meet demonstrated community needs.

The Foundation limits the types of activities it can support. It generally does not make grants from unrestricted funds for operating expenses, annual fundraising efforts, or debt reduction. It also does not support individual travel expenses, multi-year or repeat funding requests, advocacy or political activities, or religious purposes. Grants are not provided for loans or endowments either. However, any proposal that is charitable in nature and has the potential to make a significant impact on the community will be considered.

The Rush County Community Foundation is committed to non-discrimination and expects grant applicants to adhere to the same principles. The Foundation does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, sex, or national origin in its grantmaking decisions and encourages inclusive practices from applicants.

The mission of the Rush County Community Foundation is to improve the quality of life in Rush County by investing donated funds and distributing earnings to support community projects and organizations. In addition to managing the Rush County Parks Fund, the Foundation oversees a variety of other individual funds, many of which have specific grantmaking restrictions set by donors. Organizations seeking funding are encouraged to carefully review available funds to find the best fit for their project.

The Foundation’s unrestricted "Community Grant Funds" are awarded through a general grantmaking process. Interested applicants should review the eligibility and guidelines for these funds and check the "How to Apply" section on the Foundation’s website for detailed instructions on the application process, deadlines, and criteria.