The LaGrange County Community Foundation has awarded $75,975 in grants to eight nonprofit organizations as part of its 2024 Fall Community Impact Grants Cycle. These grants will support a diverse range of initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality of life for LaGrange County residents, from health and human services to education, environmental stewardship, and arts & culture. 

One of the funded projects is an innovative rain garden initiative led by the Mongo Community Development Association. This community-led project will improve the natural landscape around the Mongo Post Office, and improve water management, helping to keep the sidewalk in a low-lying area dry and accessible. 

Alongside the rain garden project, The Farm Place was awarded $25,000 to help complete its Animal Companionship Center in LaGrange. The facility will offer families involved in foster care and court systems private meeting spaces where children can connect with case managers, mental health professionals, and participate in supervised visits. Additionally, animal companionship during these visits will provide emotional support, fostering a nurturing environment to help families through difficult times. 

Each of these organizations play a crucial role in meeting essential needs and enriching LaGrange County. We are proud to support these efforts and to be part of the positive change happening across LaGrange County, said Octavia Yoder, Excutive Director of the LaGrange County Community Foundation.

Phase two of the Animal Companionship Center will focus on outfitting the facility’s interior with furniture, kitchen essentials and office equipment to create a welcoming and functional space for families to heal and thrive. 

In addition to these projects, LaGrange Communities Youth Centers has been awarded $25,000 to support its expanding summer programs. Each year, its summer camps in art, conservation, drama, and music reach full capacity, offering valuable educational experiences for youth during the summer months. 

The LaGrange County Community Foundation remains committed to supporting organizations that make a meaningful impact on the lives of residents and is excited to see the difference these grants will make in the coming months. 

The 2024 Fall Community Impact Grant recipients are: 

• Brightpoint: Covering Kids and Families of Brightpoint Health Insurance Navigation Services, $5,000 

• Hope’s Harbor: Overnight Accommodations for LaGrange County Families, $5,000 

• Kate’s Kart: Book Gifting Program at Parkview LaGrange Hospital, $2,500 

• LaGrange Communities Youth Centers: 2025 Summer Camp Programs, $25,000 

• Lima Township: Howe Town Park Bathroom Facilities, $10,000 

• Mongo Community Development Association: Mongo Post Office Rain Garden, $1,475 

• Science Central: Science4U Program, $2,000 

• The Farm Place: Animal Companionship Center: Phase 2 Interior, $25,000 

Each year, the Community Foundation invites proposals for projects that support local nonprofits in their mission to serve the LaGrange County community. The Grants Advisory Committee evaluates applications and recommends funding to the Board of Directors for approval. 

The Community Impact Grants are made possible by the generosity of donors contributing to the Foundation’s Caring Community Fund, unrestricted funds, and field of interest funds. For more information about grant opportunities, visit Lccf.net/grants. 

The LaGrange County Community Foundation staff visited South Milford in May to see two recent grant funded community projects.

On this trip, they visited two new spots: Coffee & Cream and the South Milford Veterans Memorial Park.

Coffee & Cream of South Milford

Coffee & Cream opened their doors on May 25 at 8015 E 750 S in downtown South Milford. Jeff and Andrea Wolheter had a vision for this 130-year-old historic building. They wanted to bless people in the community with amenities such as a place to meet, eat, drink, and have high speed internet.

The LCCF staff made the trip to visit Coffee & Cream after awarding the nonprofit a Community Impact Grant for $12,500 for coffee and drink equipment in 2023. And not just because of the grant. But because, well, coffee…

Coffee & Cream did not disappoint with a good range of coffee and drinks, ice cream and baking goods. There is something for nearly everyone. They have a nicely laid out seating area, a variety of booths, tables and chairs, and very comfy lounging chairs. Decor and lighting says high-end coffee shop. They also have free internet!

Their mission is to enhance their community by fostering an environment that feels like home with great tasting food and drinks, loving and hospitable service, and building a sense of connection and community.

From what the LCCF staff experienced, they are reaching that mission.

South Milford Veterans Memorial Park

After a visit to the coffee shop, the staff walked the short distance to the South Milford Veterans Memorial Park.

The park is situated on the south side of the railroad viaduct on SR 3. The park was created when the original Veterans Memorial Monument needed to be moved from the intersection of SR 3 and 750 S for road improvements and visibility.

The monument, erected in 1923, was created to honor men from the community who served their country. In addition to the monument, a second war memorial included a case holding a 1895 machine gun and several Civil War cannon balls.

The South Milford Community Improvement League worked tirelessly to rebuild the Veterans Memorial Monument and create the new memorial park. The Community League celebrated the dedication of the South Milford Veterans Memorial Park on August 19, 2023.

The park features the rebuilt Veterans Memorial Monument, memorial plaques, a shaded area, benches for sitting and reflecting, a pavilion and memorabilia. The park is a wonderful addition to South Milford and great way of honoring veterans.

We talked to two LaGrange County nonprofits who received a Community Impact Grant in 2022 to hear about their experiences applying for funding and any tips they had to share with fellow nonprofits seeking grant funding.

Purdue Extension: Blender/Spin Art Bike

Purdue Extension of LaGrange County received a Community Impact Grant of $3,075 to purchase a Blender/Spin Art Bike for youth programming. The bike is used to educate children on healthy food choices and the impact on mental and physical health. The bike has a smoothie and blender attachment, allowing students to see create their own smoothies while biking; the bike also also has a spin art attachment and students can create unique works of art.

The Blender/Spin-Art Bike has frequently been on the road since being introduced to LaGrange County. It’s made appearances at several schools, community libraries, camps, and other events, and has been very popular in each location.

Brittany Gilger, LaGrange County’s 4-H Youth Development Extension Educator, answered a few questions about the grant process that might be beneficial to future applicants.

How did receiving a Community Impact Grant impact your organization?

Receiving the grant for the Blender/Spin-Art Bike from the Community Foundation helped Purdue Extension and LaGrange 4-H deliver innovative programming to youth and adults in LaGrange County focused on topics such as healthy living and STEAM (science, technology, engineering and math).

Would you encourage others to apply? Did you think the application process was difficult?

I would encourage others to apply for the grant. I think it is a great way to get funds/resources for your organization through a local foundation that wants to serve the community. The grant process was easier than others that I have worked with and the Community Foundation was always available to help answer any questions that I had.

If there was one thing that you could share about your experience applying for the grant what would that be?

The Community Foundation has been a wonderful group to work with. They have made the process simple. I love that they have partnered with us in a shared mission of serving LaGrange County.

Want to experience a Blender/Spin-Art Bike demonstration?

Contact Brittany about the program and schedule a demonstration at your event, school, or youth program. You can reach Brittany at the Purdue Extension office at 260-499-6334 or email her at bgilger@purdue.edu.

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Community Health Clinic: Building Project

The Community Health Clinic in Topeka received a $40,000 Community Impact Grant toward their new facility in Shipshewana, a $4 million project.

Blake Andres, the Director of Development & Planning, recently gave a tour of the facility to a few of the Foundation staff. The 25,000 square-foot facility is almost near completion. The staff is currently moving into the building; some of facility will be furnished over time as the need arises and programming increases.

The staff was impressed by the simple, yet high-tech facility. The Community Health Clinic was conscious of cost and designed the building plan with future growth in mind. With large windows throughout the facility, there is not a bad view of Shipshewana.

It was great to see Blake’s enthusiasm and excitement for the project, and to hear how the new facility will elevate the level of care for people with genetic diseases.

Blake shared his thoughts on the grant process and any helpful information he could pass along to potential grantees:

“Since seeing our first patient in 2013, The Community Health Clinic has been operating out of 3600 sq. ft. of leased basement space which in recent years, has become mission limiting. Early in our capital campaign planning for a new facility, we were fortunate to have some helpful conversations with the Foundation. They encouraged us to apply for a Community Impact Grant.

Our successful grant application had a significant impact on the trajectory of our project. Of course the funds were helpful, but of equal importance, engagement with LCCF helped us leverage the interest of other potential contributors.”

Based on his experience, Blake would encourage other community-based organizations to apply. Here are few of this suggestions:

• Take the time to review the grant guidelines carefully and scrutinize your proposed project to see if your proposed project outcomes match the Foundation’s current priorities.
• Reach out to the Foundation staff to confirm your organization’s eligibility and answer any questions you may have about the overall granting process.
• The process is not difficult, but should not be rushed. Communicate with the Foundation team and assemble your draft application materials early in the grant cycle. Give yourself and your work colleagues the time to carefully evaluate your draft narrative and supportive materials.