Community Foundation hosted a reception on Tuesday, Nov. 15, to recognize recipients of the $93,384 awarded from its Fall Community Impact Grants Cycle.

More than 25 nonprofit executives and representatives gathered along with Community Foundation board members, volunteers, and staff to celebrate.

The Community Foundation awarded grants to sixteen nonprofit organizations during the fall grant cycle. Each nonprofit organization shared a brief presentation about their upcoming project and the mission of their organization.

The Community Impact Grants are made possible by the generosity of donors who give to the unrestricted and field of interest funds at the Foundation.

For over 30 years, the Community Foundation has remained committed to its mission of “inspiring and sustaining generosity, leadership and service in LaGrange County.” The Community Impact Grant Program supports grants in six interest areas: arts and culture, health and human services, recreation, environment, community development and education.

Through our grantmaking program we are able to ensure a lasting legacy for our funders who have made a long-term commitment to support positive growth of our nonprofit community in LaGrange County. We are honored to support many deserving nonprofit organizations who are improving the quality of life in our community and helping meet critical and unmet community needs.

Octavia Yoder, Executive Director

The 2022 Fall Community Impact Grant recipients include:

• Agape Child Care Ministry, Agape Professional Development and Cleaning Support, $10,000;
• Agape Missions of LaGrange County, Agape House Ministry Recovery, $10,000;
• Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana, Client Advocate and Client Services Program for LaGrange County, $3,500;
• Clothes & Food Basket of LaGrange County, Hungry No More, $7,500;
• Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana Inc, LaGrange County Farm Wagon Mobile Pantry Program, $2,000;
• Community Improvement League of South Milford Indiana, resurrecting/rebuilding the military memorial monument, $10,000;
• Elijah Haven Crisis Intervention Center, Inc., Amish Domestic Violence/Sexual Abuse Education, $2,809;
• Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry, “Meat” The Need, $2,000;
• Junior Achievement of LaGrange County, Elementary Programs, $3,000;
• LaGrange County Soil & Water Conservation District, SWCD Conservation Drone Program, $8,000;
• LaGrange Night to Shine, Night to Shine, LaGrange County, $5,000;
• Mad Anthonys Children’s Hope House, Overnight Accommodations for LaGrange Families $2,000;
• Purdue Extension LaGrange 4-H Youth Development, Youth Programming with the Blender/Spin-Art Bike, $3,075.00;
• Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Indiana, Ronald McDonald House Programs for LaGrange County Families, $2,000;
• Shore Church FBO Shipshewana Ministerial Association, Shipshewana Ministerial Association assistance fund, $2,500; and
• The ARC of LaGrange County, Arc’s Summer Discovery Program, $20,000.

Each year, the Community Foundation seeks proposals for charitable projects and programs that help local nonprofit organizations provide services in LaGrange County. The Grants Advisory Committee reviews the submitted grant applications and makes recommendations to the Board of the Directors who approve the grant awards.

For more information on Community Impact Grants or to apply visit: Community Impact Grants Information.

The LaGrange County Community Foundation awarded $47,500 to four nonprofit organizations during its 2022 Spring Community Impact Grants cycle.

The grants will address community needs in education and health and human services. One of the grants will support the development of the Community Health Clinic in Shipshewana. The Community Health Clinic is a nonprofit healthcare facility that focuses on research and specialized care for individuals with rare genetic conditions.

We are excited to support the Community Health Clinic’s new facility. The expanded clinic will help their organization provide better services to their patients and continue to serve the community with comprehensive medical genetics care. All of the nonprofits are providing important services and programs to the LaGrange County community. We are thrilled to support their efforts as they seek to improve the quality of life and help meet critical community needs.

Octavia Yoder, Executive Director of LaGrange County Community Foundation

The 2022 Spring Community Impact Grant recipients include:

• Community Health Clinic, Community Health Clinic Building, $40,000.
• RespectTeam, RespectTeam programming for LaGrange County, $3,000.
• McMillen Health, Preventative Health Education for LaGrange County youth, $2,500.
• LaGrange County Miracle Tree, Turn Up for Teens, $2,000.

Each year, the Community Foundation seeks proposals for charitable projects and programs that help local nonprofit organizations provide services in LaGrange County. The Grants Advisory Committee reviews the submitted grant applications and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors who approve the grant awards.

The Community Impact Grants are made possible by the generosity of donors who give to the unrestricted and field of interest funds at the Foundation.

The Community Foundation awarded $78,439 to seven nonprofits during its 2021 Fall Community Impact Grants cycle.

The grants will address community needs in recreation, education and health and human services.

“Some of the grants will support the development of the recreational Hawpatch Trail in Topeka, training and technology equipment for the Stroh Fire Department and the development of baseball and softball fields at Spreuer Park in LaGrange,” said Octavia Yoder, Executive Director.

“All of the nonprofits are providing important services and programs to the LaGrange County community. We are thrilled to support their efforts as they seek to improve the quality of life and help meet critical community needs,” Yoder added.

The 2021 Fall Community Impact Grant recipients include:

• LaGrange County Trails Inc., The Hawpatch Trail, development of the trail, $40,000;
• Stroh Volunteer Fire Department, Audio Video Technology Advancement, update technology including conferencing equipment and computers for ease of filing reports and access to virtual training and conferences, $13,000;
• LaGrange Baseball League Inc., Spreuer Park Development, construction of baseball and softball fields at Spreuer Park, $10,000;
• LaGrange County Department of Parks & Recreation, Delt Church Park Playground equipment, replacement of two current playground pieces, $7,439;
• Junior Achievement of LaGrange County, Junior Achievement Capstone Experiences, sending Lakeland and Westview students to participate in JA Biztown and Finance Park, education on financial literacy, community, economy, and business management, $5,000;
• Kate’s Kart, Book distribution at Parkview LaGrange Hospital, provides new books to patients in all areas of the hospital, $1,500; and
• Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana, LaGrange County Farm Wagon Mobile Pantry Program, serving families with fresh produce, dairy products and other healthy foods at no cost, $1,500.

Each year, the Community Foundation seeks proposals for charitable projects and programs that help local nonprofit organizations provide services in LaGrange County. The Grants Advisory Committee reviews the submitted grant applications and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors who approve the grant awards.

The Community Impact Grants are made possible by the generosity of donors who give to the unrestricted and field of interest funds at the Foundation.

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:

• Early Childhood Alliance, SparKits, $2,000
• LaGrange County Department of Parks & Recreation, Forest School, $5,420
• Rainbow Years Learning Ministry, #Kindness Campaign, $2,000
• Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana, LaGrange County Farm Mobile Pantry, $2,500
• Ark Animal Rescue and Adoption, Paws and Claws Bookstore roof, $10,000

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.

McMillen Health provided 10 preventative health education program sessions at Lakeland High School and Westview High School. The focus for 2019 was opioid use and vaping.

McMillen Health was awarded a grant from the Community Foundation in 2019 to support their efforts. McMillen Health’s greatest strength in this effort includes providing fact-based health education that promotes positive health decisions youth carry into adulthood.

Serving 310 LaGrange County youth in grades 6-12 and 15 teachers and staff for a total of 325 lives touched through LaGrange County Community Foundation funding.

They liked identifying which was candy or vape juice. Every time I have a program come in I am impressed and have never had a bad experience. Speakers are engaging and energetic and knowledgeable.

Ms. Duff at Westview High School

McMillen Health is continually expanding its programs and funding sources. Receiving support from the LaGrange County Community Foundation, the Council for Drug-Free LaGrange County, the Cole Foundation, and the Dekko Foundation has enabled opportunities to meet the everchanging needs of LaGrange County students.