Hudson-Ellis Fund at BGCF celebrates $2 million in grants to benefit Boyle County

The Hudson-Ellis Fund, a charitable fund housed at Blue Grass Community Foundation and established by lifelong Danville resident, Lottie B. Ellis, recently awarded $130,000 in nonprofit grants and $45,000 in scholarship awards. This latest round of grantmaking marks the milestone of $2 million in charitable support to organizations and projects that improve the quality of life for Boyle Countians of all ages.

The late Lottie Ellis loved Boyle County, and she wanted to give back to her hometown, leading her to establish two permanent endowment funds at BGCF through a charitable bequest, a grantmaking fund and a scholarship fund, ensuring Boyle County residents in need would receive support for generations to come.

“Lottie Ellis’s legacy lives on through these grants,” said Shelley Bigelow, Chair of the Hudson-Ellis Advisory Board. “Her incredible generosity and commitment to Boyle County continues to impact lives, especially those struggling with poverty or living with disabilities. Surpassing the $2 million milestone is a testament to her vision and the ongoing work of the Hudson-Ellis Fund.”

Since its founding in 2001, the Hudson-Ellis Fund has been instrumental in supporting public education in Boyle County, as well as programs serving some of the community’s most vulnerable residents, including low-income adults and children and those living with disabilities.

COMMUNITY GRANTMAKING

The Hudson-Ellis Fund awarded $60,000 to the new Boyle County Early Childhood Center for the installation of playground equipment. Additionally, nonprofits serving Boyle County applied for funding through the Hudson-Ellis Competitive Grantmaking Program. The grants awarded this year will help to provide:

• Access to quality childhood education and kindergarten readiness programs
• Assistance for Spanish-speaking families to receive education resources, healthcare access and legal aid
• Emergency rental/utility assistance to low-income Boyle County residents
• Nourishing food to those Boyle County residents most in need
• Opportunities for low-income high school students to enroll in dual credit programs at BCTC
• Quality enrichment programs for youth and adults living with disabilities

The Fund awarded more than $73,000 in grants to 14 nonprofits serving residents of Boyle County. Recipients of this year’s Hudson-Ellis competitive grant awards are:

• Allegro Dance Project
• Backpack Kids
• BCTC Foundation
• Best Buddies in Kentucky
• Boyle County Schools
• Centro Latino of Danville/Boyle County
• Danville Independent Schools
• Danville/Boyle County Happy Feet Equals Learning Feet
• Family Services Association of Boyle County
• Girl Scouts of Kentucky’s Wilderness Road
• The Gladys Project
• Kentucky School for the Deaf Charitable Foundation
• Soups On Us
• Special Persons Advocacy Network

SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS

In 2024, the Hudson-Ellis Scholarship Fund awarded $45,000 in new and renewed need-based scholarships for graduates of Boyle County High School, Danville High School and Kentucky School for the Deaf. Since the fund was founded, more than $580,000 has been awarded to 80 students from Boyle County.

The 2024 Hudson Ellis Scholarship Recipients are:

• Emma Acey, Boyle County High School graduate attending Eastern Kentucky University
• Shonda Barker, Kentucky School for the Deaf graduate attending Eastern Kentucky University
• Carmindy Phillips, Danville High School graduate attending Murray State University
• Tori Whisenant, Danville High School graduate attending Centre College

“The Advisory Board is incredibly honored and humbled to ensure that the Hudson-Ellis Funds continue to uplift Boyle County for many years to come,” Bigelow stated.

Individuals interested in supporting programming that increases the quality of life for Boyle County residents can make contributions directly to the Hudson-Ellis Funds at Blue Grass Community Foundation.