Gabriel Jackson of Heritage Hills High School Named 2026 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar for Spencer County

Spencer County Community Foundation is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2026 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Spencer County: Gabriel Jackson of Heritage Hills High School. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are recognized for their community involvement, academic achievement, character, and leadership.
"Gabriel truly exemplifies a Lilly Endowment Community Scholar. Throughout the scholarship process, Gabriel’s commitment to his academics, school, community, and extracurricular activities was evident, reflecting a maturity and purpose well beyond his years," said Emily Alvey, Regional Director of Community Engagement and Impact.
Each Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship provides full tuition, required fees, and up to $900 per year for required books and equipment for four years of full-time undergraduate study leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university. Scholars also join the Lilly Scholars Network (LSN), which connects them with resources and opportunities to lead on campus and in their communities. Both the scholarship program and LSN are supported by grants from Lilly Endowment to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI).
"This scholarship has opened many doors for me to further my education in Indiana, allowing me to do so without much financial stress. And because of that, I am grateful," said Gabriel Jackson, Lilly Endowment Community Scholar.
In nominating Spencer County’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholar, the committee considered academic performance, activities, essay, family and personal statement, and finalist essay and interview. After narrowing the field of applicants, nominees were submitted to Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI), the statewide administrator of the program, for final selection.
Since its inception in 1997-1998, Lilly Endowment has supported this program with tuition grants totaling more than $505 million, benefiting over 5,400 Indiana students. The program’s primary purposes are:
- To raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana.
- To increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations play.
- To encourage and support Lilly Scholars’ engagement with Indiana leaders to improve quality of life statewide.
About the Spencer County Community Foundation
Established in 1996, the Spencer County Community Foundation is a charitable resource devoted to our local community. We help people make meaningful gifts that improve life in Spencer County today and for generations to come. One of nine county affiliates of the Community Foundation Alliance, the Community Foundation exists to help caring people give back to the causes and community they care about most.
The Community Foundation Alliance is a 501(c)(3) public charity accredited by the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations® (National Standards) program representing operational effectiveness to foster excellence in community philanthropy. Since the inception of this program, the Community Foundation Alliance has consistently achieved National Standards accreditation. The Community Foundation Alliance provides management, administrative, and development expertise and services so that every local affiliate can focus on promoting philanthropy, building endowment, and grantmaking, making a difference in their community For Good. Forever.
About Lilly Endowment Inc.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in Eli Lilly and Company. The Endowment supports community development, education, and religion, with a special commitment to Indianapolis and Indiana.
About Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI)
Founded in 1948, ICI serves as the collective voice for Indiana’s 29 private, nonprofit colleges and universities. ICI institutions employ over 22,000 Hoosiers and generate a local economic impact of over $5 billion annually. Students at ICI colleges have Indiana’s highest four-year graduation rates and produce 30% of Indiana’s bachelor’s degrees while enrolling 20% of its undergraduates.










