Our Mission

At the RJS Foundation, we believe in a brighter future. We strive to pave pathways for progress, ignite potential, and foster growth in communities globally. Together with nonprofit partners, we work to address critical community, housing and educational needs, particularly in areas inhabited by marginalized populations.

Founded in 2015 by Robert & Cynthia Scannell, the RJS Foundation grew out of a desire to address critical community, housing and educational needs, particularly in areas inhabited by marginalized populations. In 2017, the Foundation officially launched their Transitional Living Program, headquartered at a residential facility known as the "Butterfly House." This facility has been instrumental in providing support to numerous families within the Central Indiana region.

Since then, the Foundation has introduced several new initiatives, including outreach in India and additional support of many partner organizations also committed to better serving and uplifting communities around the globe.

RJS Foundation Inc. is a privately funded 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving communities in Indiana and around the world.

Our Values

Commitment to Excellence: We uphold the highest standards of integrity and passion in all we do, ensuring impactful changes that last.

Collaboration at the Core: Through strong partnerships within Indiana and global communities, we believe there is power in people striving for collective goals.

Global Reach with a Local Touch: While our footprint spans continents, our approach remains rooted in understanding and serving individual community needs.

  • Through the generosity of the RJS Foundation, more than 250 women in South India are blessed with sustaining livelihoods. The contagious kindness ripple effect transforms one woman, community, village, town, and nation.

    Helen Muddamalle, Agape Interfaith Ministries

  • The transformative philanthropy and unwavering support we've received from RJS has allowed Agape Therapeutic Riding to move our expansion efforts forward, ultimately growing our mission to serve more children and adults with disabilities and mental health challenges in Central Indiana.

    Stephanie Amick, Agape Therapeutic Riding

  • Today the light has come and the noonday has shown forth in the lives of the people RJS has empowered in India. I couldn't be more proud to be in partnership with the RJS Foundation.

    Sandy Ehrgott

  • If it wasn't for the opportunity to live at the Butterfly House, I wouldn't have the freedom to further my education.

    Butterfly House Resident

  • We are so grateful for the partnership with RJS Foundation. A partnership that walks alongside us in our ministry to support women who are homeless and pregnant. The Christ like support, affirmation, shared experience and generosity make such a positive difference in all that we do.

    Michelle Corrao, The O'Connor House

  • In 2022, with the invaluable support of RJS, our dream became a reality. We proudly introduced the first family emergency shelter in our county, 'Almost Home.' Nestled between fields, this large, inviting home accommodates up to six families at a time. Since our doors opened, we have welcomed 45 families, and each one has transitioned into their own permanent homes, leaving our hearts full of hope.

    Julie Randall, Family Promise Hendricks County

  • Your generous funding was the catalyst in launching our housing program that has helped so many members of our community. THANK YOU is just not enough.

    Shannon Glassley, Brookside CDC

  • While living at Butterfly House I have been able to rebuild my relationship with my daughter, while I work on overcoming homelessness and addiction. Weekly meetings help me stay on task and focused to help me achieve my goals.

    Butterfly House Resident

  • Thanks to RJS, Mephibosheth Ministries, has been able to impact the lives of adults with developmental disabilities in and around North Hamilton County by providing Zumba to its day program, The Way.

    Dawn Savage, Mephibosheth Ministries

  • The RJS Foundation is an incredible blessing to the families, students, schools, and medical staff in Nicaragua. There are no words to express our gratitude for their generosity of spirit, unwavering commitment to integrity in their giving, and to the transformation of impoverished individuals, families and communities through their mission of providing support to address community, housing, and educational needs in impoverished populations.

    Nicaragua Resource Network

Our Team

The RJS Foundation is led and managed by a dedicated Board of Directors and Staff, all committed to paving pathways for progress, igniting potential, and fostering growth in communities globally.