Joan & John Hillenbrand
The Joan and John Hillenbrand VISION FUND for Innovation has been supporting the Batesville area schools in a big way. Over the past twenty-seven years, the VISION FUND has awarded over $450,000 worth of grants to teachers in the six Batesville-area schools to use for innovative and creative projects that would not be covered by regular school budgets.
In the late 1990s John, a Batesville native and third-generation member of the Hillenbrand family, and his wife Joan, an elementary education major, wanted to find a way to create a program that reflected their admiration and appreciation of teachers and the work that they do. They understood that budget contraints often inhibited innovation and creativity and so in 1998, the VISION Fund was launched. Jolene Rockwood served as its director from 1998-2022 with Anne Amrhein assuming that role in 2022 to present.
VISION grants have enabled the schools to bring nationally renowned, culturally diverse, and award-winning authors, musicians, artists, and other visionaries into the Batesville community on a level unusual for such a small town.
Students have been able to interact with, be motivated by, and learn from some of the best artistic talent in the country. Engaging with accomplished writers, musicians and artists of different cultures has helped students enlarge their world view beyond Batesville’s borders and realize that there are no limits to what they can do.
VISION projects have filled the schools with stunning murals, sculptures, mosaics, cutting edge music, reading, math, history, language and science programs, gardens, books, sophisticated technology equipment, drama productions, videos, photography and many other unique and creative products that not only teach, but beautify and enrich the schools and our entire community.
John & Joan Hillenbrand
“The project not only transformed our classroom environment but also became a critical support system for young learners who need extra guidance and care—making a lasting impact on both students and their families.”
— Bethany Bolser, BPS
Testimonial #1
“While the VISION Fund would not exist without the generous support of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Hillenbrand, it would not thrive without the many dedicated teachers who take advantage of the VISION Fund. Writing the grant applications, planning for and implementing the project, and following up with grant documentation takes effort and a commitment to students and to learning. Dozens of teachers, hundreds of projects, and thousands of students have benefited from the partnership between Joan & John Hillenbrand and the teachers at the Batesville public and St. Louis and Oldenburg Academy parochial schools.”
-Anne Amrhein
Testimonial #2
“The mural depicts things that are significant to the fabric of this town. It’s why we moved here, why we stay here, and why we come back here.”
-Amy McCabe, former art teacher at Batesville High School