(Versailles, IN) – Tyson Fund Trustees celebrated the 170th birthday of “Uncle” Jim Tyson Monday night by awarding nine Versailles area nonprofits a total of $766,160 during the annual distribution in the Tyson Methodist Church sanctuary.
The man known as Uncle Jim, James H. Tyson, used $74,000 in Walgreens stock in the 1930s to set up a trust fund that specifically benefits the citizens of his hometown.
The Tyson Fund is a gift to the community for religious, literary, educational and social advancement in the Town of Versailles and vicinity, with a goal of providing relief from the burden of taxation for residents.
Since its establishment, the fund has distributed more than $27.6 million to the Versailles community.
Only 501 c 3 nonprofits in Versailles are eligible for the grants.
The following organizations were awarded 2026 Tyson Fund grants:
- Child Evangelism Fellowship – $4,828.
- Ripley County Historical Society – $2,000.
- Versailles Main Street – $7,050.
- Versailles Fire Department – $25,000.
- Tyson Library – $145,000.
- Tyson Activity Center (TAC) – $77,282.
- Town of Versailles – $450,000.
- South Ripley Community School Corporation – $40,000.
- Versailles Lions Club – $15,000.
This was the 96th year for the distribution, which takes place on Mr. Tyson’s birthdate, September 14.
