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.

The 2020 COVID-19 Recovery Grant awards include:

• LCYC, Inc., Operation For the Kids, $5,000
• Elijah Haven Crisis Intervention Center, Inc., Victim Assistance, $11,000
• Compassion Pregnancy Center, 2021 Operating Expenses, $5,500
• LaGrange County Council on Aging, Inc., PPE Barrier/Protector in LCAT Vans, $4,500
• The Mongo Community Development Inc., Mongo Light the Night, $2,000
• Agape Missions of LaGrange County, Agape Missions, $2,500
• LaGrange County Miracle Tree, LaGrange County Miracle Tree, $5,000

If you would like to support COVID-19 relief, please click below and be sure to designate your gift to the Good Samaritan Fund.

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.

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
• Junior Achievement of LaGrange County, Junior Achievement Programming, $5,000
• Veterans Headstone Project, American Flag Holder Program, $6,015
• Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana, Client Advocate and Client Services, $3,500
• WNIT, Education Counts Michiana, $5,000
• Mad Anthonys Children’s Hope House, Providing LaGrange Families Hope, $5,000
• McMillen Health, Preventative Health Education, $2,500
• Brethren Retreat Ministries, AED and Training, $1,125
• Agape Child Care Ministry, Agape Room Dividers, $4,800
• 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.

We have partnered with the LaGrange County Convention & Visitors Bureau to bring “Make It Your Own Mural Fest,” a regional mural festival that will bring 11 new murals to 11 counties of Northeast Indiana this September to LaGrange!

From now till July 11 we need your help in raising $3,000 to support a mural right here in LaGrange. 3Rivers Federal Credit Union will match every gift made through the campaign dollar for dollar (up to $1,500).

Click here to Give Now – Be sure to Choose LaGrange County

The Make It Your Own Mural Fest will take place over 11 days, September 11-18, 2020.

We are super excited to see this wall come alive with art!