Old National Bank Foundation 20 for 20 Grantee Profiles: Girls Inc. of Owensboro, Ky., creating the next generation of leaders
As part of its 20th anniversary celebration, and two decades of helping build stronger, more vibrant and prosperous communities, the Old National Bank Foundation in 2026 is donating a total of $20,000 to 20 nonprofit organizations throughout its nine-state footprint, including Girls Inc. of Owensboro, Ky.
Girls Inc. of Owensboro provides financial empowerment for young girls, helping build confidence, skills, and a strong sense of possibility for the future. Through programs focused on financial literacy, leadership, and life skills, participants are supported in becoming independent and capable young adults.
From Girls Club to Girls Inc.
“Girls Inc. was founded as Girls Club back in 1969 after community leaders found that there were a number of neighborhoods, such as Churchill Park public housing, where girls did not have access to programming and opportunities to help them succeed and break through generational poverty,” says Tish Correa Osborne, Girls Inc. Chief Executive Officer. “Girls Club changed to Girls Inc. later, with the tag line, ‘Growing Up is Serious Business.’ Since then, we’ve provided life-changing programming, experiences and opportunities for more than 20,000 girls, ages 6-18.”
Girls Inc. has expanded to two comprehensive program sites that deliver an Afterschool Academy and a Summer Academy with the mission of inspiring girls to be “strong, smart and bold.” The support of community partners such as Old National Bank are helping to build the next generation of women leaders in and around Owensboro.
Long-term outcomes
Long-term participants in the program are supported though middle school, high school, college, and most recently, post-graduate work achieving a Ph.D.
“We currently have a young woman that had expressed an interest in learning more about law back in the seventh grade when she first came to us,” Correa Osborne said. “She and other participants have since created a Women in Law Program to help inspire other girls interested in learning more. She will be attending the University of Louisville on full scholarship, and she did it through her perseverance, determination, and desire. She is just one of hundreds of girls that come to us with their own dreams and their own life stories that are impacted by the work, the mentorship, the programming, the field trips, and the belief of this community in them. These girls inspire us with what they are capable of achieving and how they persevere through the obstacles that they face. We are so honored to get to work with them.”
The Old National Bank Foundation is proud to support Girls Inc.’s early investment in potential, helping girls understand money, careers, decision making, and the benefits of long-term financial empowerment. The partnership reflects a shared belief that when young people are supported with the right tools and encouragement, they can shape brighter futures for themselves and their communities.
“Old National’s support of our mission is such a message of trust and value of the work that we do here, and the need for it in the community,” Correa Osborne said. “It’s something that just fuels us to do more with and for the girls. Old National’s belief in us helps fuel our work, and we couldn’t be more grateful.”
Supporting the Old National communities where we live and work
Together, these partnerships through the Old National Bank Foundation help organizations such as Girls Incorporated build a new generation of strong, smart, and bold women leaders. Owensboro is one of 350 cities with Girls Incorporated programs across the United States and Canada.
“Our ‘20 for 20’ campaign recognizes 20 organizations that have helped strengthen communities and expand opportunity through their partnership with the Old National Bank Foundation,” said Old National Bank Foundation President Joe Kiser. “Their leadership, innovation, and commitment to serving others reflect the very best of what can happen when communities come together around a shared purpose. As we celebrate the Foundation’s 20th anniversary, these organizations represent the many communities, causes, and partnerships that have shaped the Foundation’s work over the past two decades.”
To learn more about Girls Inc. in Owensboro, click here. (external link)
Each year, the Old National Bank Foundation endeavors to fund as many initiatives that meet our funding priorities as possible across our footprint. For more information on grants or the Old National Bank Foundation click here.
