Washington County Community Foundation

05/11/2026

Applications Are Now Open for Ivy Tech’s Launch & Scale Entrepreneurship Series!

Have a business idea, side hustle, or growing venture you’re ready to take to the next level? Join our 6-Week Entrepreneurship Series designed to help entrepreneurs build, validate, and scale their business with confidence.

What You’ll Learn:
✔️ Understanding the Business Problem
✔️ Strategic Vision & Brand Development
✔️ Differentiate, Prototype & Validate
✔️ Polish Your Business Plan
✔️ Generate, Connect & Finance
✔️ Business Showcase Night
📅 Pre-Launch Class: June 22
📅 Program Runs: June 24 – July 29
🕕 Wednesdays | 6 PM – 9 PM
📍 Ivy Tech Sellersburg

This opportunity is grant funded with limited seats available!

Whether you’re just starting out or refining an existing business, this series provides the tools, mentorship, and connections to move your vision forward.

Apply today and take the next step in your entrepreneurial journey!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSddKf2VJWW0s32kQu_DxIWpiSlKIBavkcc5y_iRkXENyzrOaQ/viewform

05/11/2026

THIS IS SOMEHTING EVERY PARENT AND GUARDIAN NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND RIGHT NOW.

AI is showing up in our kids' lives faster than most of us realize.

Studies suggest about 1 in 8 teens are turning to chatbots for emotional support instead of trusted adults. These tools are not built to guide young people through real struggles and can sometimes reinforce harmful thoughts.

There are now ongoing lawsuits from families who say AI chatbots contributed to their child's su***de, including cases where teens formed emotional bonds with bots that encouraged harmful behavior.

At the same time, students are using AI to complete schoolwork, which can quietly weaken real learning and critical thinking skills.

This is not a future problem. It is happening now, in every community, including ours.

Join us for a free evening session to understand what is really happening, what the risks look like, and simple steps you can take to protect your child and support their well-being.
Session Schedule:
• June 2, 2026 | 6:00–8:00 PM | East Washington Performing Arts Center
• June 3, 2026 | 6:00–8:00 PM | Salem High School
• June 4, 2026 | 6:00–8:00 PM | West Washington High School

Register by May 22. https://forms.gle/HzDTjHuzLrLXfAgHA

Don’t miss this chance to empower your family with practical tools and insights!

05/08/2026

Parents stay informed. Don’t let this happen to your children. Join us for a FREE AI safety session for parents in Washington County! Learn to keep your kids safe in an AI world with expert Bhavani Kola. Sessions on June 2, 3, and 4. Register by May 22. Don’t miss it!

Sign Up Now: https://forms.gle/zanTyaJHsjpcuQaD8

🚨BREAKING: To protect Hoosier children from online predators, our office has filed a lawsuit against Roblox Corp. and Discord Inc.

These companies, which cater to kids and young individuals, know full well that numerous predatory s*x criminals have used these platforms to contact and lure their victims. And yet, they continue promoting themselves as safe for children. This is more than reckless. It’s a clear and ongoing violation of Indiana’s Deceptive Consumer Sales Act, and we are working to hold them accountable to protect Hoosier families.

One individual who used these platforms is the man who allegedly lured 17-year-old Hailey Buzbee away from her Fishers home in January this year. He interacted with Hailey via Roblox and Discord for months before her disappearance and death. Hailey is one of at least three Indiana girls who have been groomed or enticed away from their homes while using Roblox.

This pattern has repeated itself time and time again. We cannot stand idly by and allow it to continue.

05/08/2026

Martha Smith Branaman is one of the many foundation benefactors who have created an enduring legacy of funds for specific charitable interests that will benefit the community of Washington County for years to come.

During the 1990’s, Martha Smith Branaman contributed the proceeds of the Baynes and Lyons farms that she and her late husband, Clarence William Branaman, had owned to both the Washington County Community Foundation and the Christian Church Foundation. By placing the two Branaman farms in a charitable remainder trust, Martha Branaman ensured a continuing source of funding for charitable interests that she was able to specify. Additionally, the charitable remainder trust provided a source of personal income for Martha until her death in August 1997.

Both Martha and Clarence Branaman were natives of Washington County. Clarence was born in Jefferson Township, the son of the late W. Floyd Branaman and Alice Stewart Branaman. He was a 1920 graduate of Salem High School. He attended Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, and graduated with a degree in agriculture in 1924. In 1925, he became a teacher of agriculture and Future Farmers of America sponsor at Salem High School. He was a pioneer in introducing scientific agriculture to Washington County, and he very successfully farmed a large acreage of land north, northeast, and west of Salem. Read more here: https://wccf.biz/index.php/donor-stories/400-branaman-martha-and-clarence

05/07/2026

Upcoming Local Community Events and Opportunities:

Parent information session about "How to Keep your Kids Safe in an AI World". Sessions are June 2, 3, and 4, 6:00pm-8:00pm. Register by May 22.
Sign Up HERE: https://forms.gle/pcQ3Gu4dseVDKKgE8

Southern Indiana Infant &Early Childhood Mental Health Conference, June 12, 8:30am-3:00pm.
Sign Up HERE: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2026-infant-and-early-childhood-mental-health-conference

Ivy Tech and SIW, 2026 Summer Culinary Program. July 7- September 10, 5:30-9:30pm.
Apply HERE: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeBrQWenwKEkOB-yhygtFs-jVpJCKVb1w7Nquz3DdRPf7YNCA/viewform

05/06/2026

Register now! The deadline is quickly approaching!

Sign up here: https://forms.gle/1zK3w4JjAX9cMEQs7

A Community Posting by the Washington County Community FoundationAs artificial intelligence becomes a growing part of everyday life, the Washington County Community Foundation is inviting parents and guardians of Washington County students to learn how to keep their children safe in an AI driven wor...

05/05/2026

🎶 Tune IN Tuesday 🎶
This week’s question: What is your favorite cover song?
Share your favorite in the comments! 🎤

05/05/2026

Ivy Tech and SIW are excited to announce the 2026 Summer Culinary Program sponsored by Caesar's Foundation and Shoe Sensation! This exciting program is set to prepare culinary professionals for the workplace. Tuition is covered through the generosity of our sponsors; students will interview and have fantastic work-based learning opportunities throughout their experience.

Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeBrQWenwKEkOB-yhygtFs-jVpJCKVb1w7Nquz3DdRPf7YNCA/viewform

05/04/2026

Parents join us for a FREE AI safety session about Keeping Your Kids Safe in an AI World! Learn with expert Bhavani Kola. Sessions on June 2, 3, and 4. Register by May 22. Don’t miss it! ✨

Click here to sign up: https://forms.gle/oZ5baxgJ6MVm6znF9

Deadline to sign up: May 22 Please bring items to take notes during the session.

05/01/2026

Written by Claire Schmaltz When Jessica Morgan and Amy Abner applied for the Giving Tree Grant ...

05/01/2026

Upcoming Local Community Events and Opportunities:

Parent information session about "How to Keep your Kids Safe in an AI World". Sessions are June 2, 3, and 4. Register by May 22.
Sign Up HERE: https://forms.gle/pcQ3Gu4dseVDKKgE8

Intro Level Canva Class, May 27, 6pm-8pm!
Sign Up HERE: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-p7dulUXiF7Tnz6WK3i8c_MPfvxsrWiokveo4Q_nlJfoT4g/viewform

Code/IT Academy is offering a free CompTIA IT Tech+ course from May 5-July 7, 2026. Tuesdays & Thursdays, 5:30–7 p.m.
Apply HERE: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNOr_rzxRx7aVqu8AXt8sz8UWsX0pluuSTuutfT3hcaiASQQ/viewform?fbclid=IwY2xjawRTLZJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETEyanlza0o1ZWJEbEhKSzFLc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHqGhAMb6NZUnM7Q29YCarLV8ja-Ahq-tyzjqwyqvNCCWW15yM_cBhLPM161p_aem_Wl82WBA8_3BTEsLlrqNFFQ