The LaGrange County Community Foundation has received a $100,000 grant as part of the seventh phase of Lilly Endowment Inc.’s Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT VII) community foundation initiative.
As part of this GIFT VII grant opportunity, each community foundation that achieved 100 percent board member giving during the period from January 1, 2019, through June 30, 2020, was eligible to receive an unrestricted grant of $100,000 per county served. This grant is in recognition of the important role that the LaGrange County Community Foundation’s board of directors plays in both leading the foundation and serving communities across LaGrange County.
The unrestricted grant will help fund a portion of the LaGrange County Community Foundation’s new headquarters, which will include an 800-square foot community room that will be available for nonprofit use. It is set to open in late February 2021.
We are grateful for Lilly Endowment’s continued support. This grant accelerated our board’s initiative and promise to our community. We are excited to provide a community space for our nonprofits.
Octavia Yoder, Executive Director
To learn more about Lilly Endowment Inc. GIFT VII, click here.
The LaGrange County Community Foundation has awarded $35,500 in COVID-19 Recovery Grants in November to seven programs in response to the COVID-19 crisis. These grants were made possible through the generosity of donors and the United Way of Elkhart and LaGrange Counties.
Elijah Haven Crisis Intervention Center, Inc. received $11,000 to support the victim assistance program. Established in 1997, Elijah Haven is committed to providing a safe, healing, nurturing environment for all individuals affected by domestic violence and to advocate violence-free living.
This grant will allow Elijah Haven to continue to serve victims of domestic violence by offering services free of charge. Those services include, but are not limited to, support groups and individual counseling by a licensed therapist, shelter, transportation, food, basic living necessities, etc.. We are so very grateful to the LaGrange County Community Foundation and to the community for the continued support. We could not continue to do what we do without it.
Kathy Dunafin, Executive Director of Elijah Haven Crisis Intervention Center, Inc.
More than 45 one-time and several renewable scholarships are being offered through the Foundation to graduating students who are planning to pursue a full-time education at a college, university, technical or trade school.
Scholarship opportunities vary according to residency, career fields, current high school attendance, anticipated college enrollment, extracurricular involvement and academic performance. Applicants should read the criteria carefully, as each scholarship is unique. Scholarship awards range from $400 to $2,000, and may be used for educational expenses.
Two scholarships will be offered for the first time in 2021: the Beverly J. Todd Memorial Scholarship and the Lakeland Scholarship.
The Beverly J. Todd Memorial Scholarship ($1,000) was established to benefit a Prairie Heights graduating senior or a homeschool student pursuing a career in the education field. The scholarship was established in memory of the late Beverly Todd, an elementary teacher who taught for 38 years at Prairie Heights School Corporation.
The Lakeland Scholarship ($1,000) is open to any graduating Lakeland High School student pursuing a full-time degree at a 2-or 4-year college or university.
To view the full list of scholarships, criteria, and their award amounts click here.
If you have questions about scholarships, contact Laurie Sherck at lsherck@lccf.net or 260.463.4363.
Anyone can Donate to a Community Scholarship, click the button below.
Through its Community Impact Grant program, the foundation aims to support nonprofit needs and provide innovative programs and services in LaGrange County.
Ark Animal Rescue and Adoption was among the five organizations who received funding this fall. The Community Foundation awarded Ark Animal Rescue and Adoption $10,000 for the new roof at the Paws and Claws Bookstore in Howe. The bookstore provides slightly used books to readers of all ages. All books sold are on a donation basis and volunteers staff the bookstore. All donations directly benefit the Ark Animal Rescue and Adoption. The grant supported the replacement of the roof at the bookstore.
The 2020 Community Impact Grant Fall awards include:
Each year, the Community Foundation accepts proposals for charitable projects and programs that help local nonprofit organizations provide services to LaGrange County families and individuals. The Grants Advisory Committee reviews the submitted grant applications and makes recommendations to the Board of the Directors who approve the grant awards. The grants are made possible through the generosity of donors who have supported the unrestricted and field of interest charitable funds at the Community Foundation.
If you would like to support the Foundation’s efforts, please click below and be sure to designate your donation to the Caring Community Grant Making Fund.
The LaGrange County Council on Aging received a COVID-19 Rapid Response Grant earlier this year to support its services.
In partnership with Aging & In-Home Service of Northeast Indiana, the COA delivered 51 emergency COVID-19 packs to local residents. The emergency packs contained food, face masks, gloves, batteries, coupons, sanitizer, and emergency information.
With limited funds and transportation services, the COA adjusted their schedule and delivered groceries to senior citizens and provided prescription delivery services during the stay at home order.
During the crisis, L-CAT was able to provide local transportation to seniors for donations.
Nothing like this has ever happened in my lifetime and I sure hope it never does again, but you have to be strong and have the desire to push on in order to help as many people as possible during trying times. Every dollar helps in this situation and this grant assisted us to continue serving members of our community.
Cheri Perkins, Executive Director of LaGrange County Council on Aging
Established in 1975 by Eva Connelly, the COA is a resource for services that improve the quality of life for older adults of LaGrange County to enable them to retain their independence and provide safe accessible public transportation for all residents.
To make a donation to the Good Samaritan Fund, which supports COVID-19 relief efforts click here.
The LaGrange County Community Foundation is pleased to announce the five finalists for the 2021 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship award.
Finalists for the 2021 award are Alexis Miller, Westview Jr. – Sr. High School, Amelia Johnston, Prairie Heights High School; Hallie Mast, Westview Jr. – Sr. High School, Mary Hostetler, Westview Jr. – Sr. High School; and William Clark, Westview Jr. – Sr. High School.
The scholarship is awarded to a well-rounded LaGrange County graduating senior who exemplifies service and leadership in their community, while maintaining a commitment to academics. The recipient will receive a full tuition scholarship for eight semesters to the accredited Indiana college or university of his or her choice as well as a $900 yearly stipend for books and academic fees.
The scholarship program is offered each year by the LaGrange County Community Foundation, and other Indiana community foundations across the state to help raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana; to increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations can play in their communities; and to encourage and support the efforts of current and past Lilly Endowment Community Scholars to engage with each other and with Indiana business, governmental, educational, nonprofit and civic leaders to improve the quality of life in Indiana generally and in local communities throughout the state.
After a competitive application process that evaluated academics, community and school activities, leadership, and written essays, the Community Foundation’s Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Committee interviewed five outstanding finalists on October 15, 2020. The results of the interview round will be combined with the application round to determine the 2021 nominee, which will be submitted to Independent Colleges of Indiana for selection of the LaGrange County recipient who will be announced in mid-December. The four remaining finalists will each receive a $1,000 renewable four-year scholarship from the Lambright Leadership Scholarship Fund, established by Kevin and Carrie Lambright in 2013.
The primary purposes of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program are to help raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana; to increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations can play in their communities; and to encourage and support the efforts of current and past Lilly Endowment Community Scholars to engage with each other and with Indiana business, governmental, educational, nonprofit and civic leaders to improve the quality of life in Indiana generally and in local communities throughout the state.
LaGrange County Community Foundation named Erica Cook of Wolcottville the recipient of the 2020 Heart of Gold Award on October 16 with a surprise announcement.
Unlike in years past when the announcement was made at a special dinner celebration, the Heart of Gold Award was announced with an in-person surprise entourage and released to the public via video.
Erica thinks of others before herself and is never afraid of any hard work, which may be a part of the process of being involved. She is continually looking for ways to make LaGrange County a better place.
Tami Maxey, nominator
A longtime volunteer, Cook is most recognized as a person serving individuals often providing basic needs and words of encouragement. Cook is often seen throughout the community volunteering in youth activities, events like Night to Shine, and fundraisers, like Kingdom Road Golf Outing. Cook, recently spearheaded Shine LaGrange, an online positivity campaign to bring awareness to businesses and nonprofits affected by COVID-19.
Cook and her husband, Peter, own and operate, Cook’s Bison Ranch. Cook has served as a guardian for children in need, serves at the LaGrange Church of God, and is a past board member of the LaGrange County Chamber of Commerce. Cook established the nonprofit, Kingdom Road Project, Inc., whose mission is to spread the love of Christ to those in need through charitable giving and support of Christian ministries throughout the world.
The Community Foundation received five nominations for the eleventh annual award. The 2020 nominees included Brittany Cowley of LaGrange, Larry Miller of Wolcottville, Stan Clark of Wolcottville, and Terry Andrews of Howe. Click here to read more about each outstanding nominee.
In honor of the nominees, the Community Foundation will provide matching gifts (up to $500) to five select funds, through October 31.
After delays brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, renovation at our new facility has now started. Lehman Construction of Shipshewana will complete the project.
The project will feature a new addition, increased parking space, and complete renovation of the building’s office and lobby space. The project is on target to be completed by the end of 2020. The Community Foundation anticipates moving into the new facility in mid-January of next year.
The facility will contain 3,000 square feet of office space, including an 800-square foot community room available for nonprofit use. The community room will be equipped with multi-media technology and will seat 30 people comfortably and provide space to host small gatherings and meetings. The community room will be available free of charge to local nonprofits and civic groups.
We are excited to provide a community space for our nonprofits. The addition will be an asset to the community, handicap accessible, and provide a gathering space for our community.
Octavia Yoder, Executive Director
The Community Foundation had been setting aside funds for several years, which allowed the organization to purchase the property using available cash – no mortgage was required. A portion of the cost of the building was funded using a gift the Foundation received at the beginning of 2019.
Greater visibility, lower long-term costs and enhanced accessibility were the deciding factors in the move.
It is important to the Foundation to honor those who have been a vital part of it, it is because of their dedication we are able to fulfill our mission. The new headquarters will be a beacon for LaGrange County not just today but well beyond into the future.
Neal Wolheter, Board President
The new facility is on track to be open February of 2021.
If you’d like to support the Community Foundation, donate to the LCCF Operating Endowment.
Community Impact Grants are available to nonprofit organizations serving LaGrange County. These grants are made possible through the generosity of donors who have supported the unrestricted and field of interest charitable funds at the Foundation.
Duff Lake Fen at Pine Knob Park
Grant applications will be due September 3, 2020.
The Community Foundation seeks proposals for innovative or creative projects with significant impact on the community.
Nonprofit organizations serving LaGrange County are eligible to apply in six areas:
The LaGrange County Community Foundation awarded Community Impact Grants totaling $45,940 in June to 11 projects and programs benefiting LaGrange County.
Through Community Impact Grants, the foundation aims to support nonprofit needs and provide innovative programs and services in LaGrange County.
Veterans Headstone Project was among the 11 organizations that received funding. The Community Foundation awarded Veterans Headstone Project $6,015 for the American Flag Holder Program – World War II, a project that identifies and repairs or replaces American flag holders. The grant will support the replacement or repair of 274 veteran’s gravesite flag holders.
The LaGrange County Historical Society also received a $5,000 matching grant to support the preservation of a stained glass window at the LaGrange County Historical Museum. Founded in 1967, the Historical Society maintains a collection of LaGrange County history at 109 South High Street in LaGrange. The grant will support the removal of a stained glass window on the south side of the building. The next stage is to repair and reinstall the window. Kokomo Glass originally installed the stained glass windows in 1909.
Each year, the Community Foundation accepts proposals for charitable projects and programs that help local nonprofit organizations provide services to LaGrange County families and individuals. The Grants Advisory Committee reviews the submitted grant applications and made recommendations to the Board of the Directors who approve the grant awards. The grants are made possible through the generosity of donors who have supported the unrestricted and field of interest charitable funds at the Community Foundation.
The 2020 Community Impact Grant Spring awards include:
Kate’s Kart, Kate’s Kart Book Distribution at Parkview LaGrange Hospital, $2,500
Science Central, Science Central Study Trips & Outreach Programming, $5,500
LaGrange County Historical Society, Window Preservation, $5,000
In 2020, applications for the fall Community Impact Grants will be accepted on Sept. 3. Click here to learn more.
The LaGrange County Community Foundation’s mission is to inspire and sustain generosity, leadership and service. Founded in 1991, the Community Foundation connects people to charitable causes and provides resources to nonprofits to make a lasting and sustainable impact.
