Category Archives: News & Events

Hiring – Summer Intern

We are now accepting applications for a marketing intern!

The Community Foundation is offering one paid internship opportunity for students enrolled at any Indiana higher educational institution. This internship is designed to provide meaningful projects and opportunities to help the intern develop work-related skills and assist the Community Foundation on various projects directly related to its mission. The marketing intern will be responsible for assisting with the preparation of news releases for various media outlets and or write draft articles for the Community Foundation’s print, electronic newsletters, blog or annual report. A strong candidate will hold solid communications skills and be able to articulate written content. The hours are full-time with a start date of May 10 through August 13, 2021.

For a complete list of responsibilities, requirements or to submit an application click here.

Ellsworth Fanning Memorial Scholarship

Barbara Fanning, Paul Hostetler, and other donors established the Ellsworth Fanning Memorial Scholarship in October of 1996.

Ellsworth and Edd in 1967 – visit Edd’s Supplies for more info

Ellsworth was a lifelong LaGrange County resident. He attended Brighton High School and earned a degree in agronomy at Purdue University. He taught agriculture at Shipshewana High School.

In 1960, Ellsworth, Ed Swartzendruber and Dick Leckler started Edd’s Supplies, Inc., in Shipshewana.

Ellsworth featured in Custom Applicator, 1983

You must have the right to fail to retain the right to succeed.

Ellsworth Fanning

The scholarship was established to encourage higher education in agriculture and agri-business. Over the course of 24 years, the fund has provided 36 scholarships to help students pursuing their agricultural goals.

To contribute to Ellsworth’s passion for agriculture Click here.

Donate to the Ellsworth Fanning Memorial Scholarship Fund

GIFT VII Board Engagement Grant

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.

LIFE Members provide Holiday Cheer to Parkview Health Workers

At LIFE we look for individuals who give their time, talent, and treasures to help better the community. Not often do we recognize workers like those in healthcare who dedicate so much time and effort to the safety and health of our community.

Dalton and I met our LIFE Navigator at the Parkview LaGrange Hospital to deliver some Holiday Cheer.

Five gift baskets were put together that contained coffee, tea, chocolates, chapsticks, and hand lotions. All things that healthcare workers desire!

A well-needed Christmas boost to the hardworking Parkview LaGrange employees who have done so much for our community this year.

We wish the Parkview healthcare workers Happy Holidays from LIFE.

This post was submitted by Sammy Updike, LIFE member.

If you would like to support LIFE and their philanthropic and community service efforts consider donating to the LIFE ENDOWMENT FUND or the LIFE OPERATING FUND.

Donate to LIFE

Surprise Announcement to 2021 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar

We love to surprise our Lilly Endowment Scholarship recipients! This year was especially sweet after such a challenging and tough year. A little good news goes a long way towards lifting everyone’s spirits!

We traveled to Westview Jr Sr High School to make the surprise announcement to Mary Hostetler.

Mary Hostetler is the daughter of Douglas and Delores (Dee) Hostetler of Topeka. They were all happy to join in the surprise announcement! She was overwhelmed with emotion when she found out that she was named the 2021 Lilly Endowment Scholar.

Mary plans to attend Huntington University in the fall of 2021 where she plans to study animal science. Her decision to pursue a career in animal science was inspired by her grandfather, Richard Hostetler.

He developed in me a love for animals and being involved in FFA and 4-H solidified my career choice.

Mary Hostetler

Mary’s biggest dream is to start her own blood line and herd of Hereford cattle. She has a goal to give back to the community by either donating the meat to the Clothes and Food Basket of LaGrange County or selling it at reduced rates based on financial need.   

In the meantime, Mary will finish out her senior year at Westview feeling reassured that she does not have to worry about how her college expenses will be met.

It’s amazing to think I don’t have to worry about how to pay for college or about having a lot of debt after college. It allows me to focus on my goal of obtaining my degree in animal science and returning to LaGrange County.

Mary Hostetler

We want to wish Mary all the best as she pursues her dreams.

If you would like to learn more about the Lilly Endowment Scholarship, please click here.

Foundation Provides Operating Support to Local Nonprofits

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:

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

Click Here to Donate

Scholarship Opportunities Available to Graduating 2021 Seniors

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.

Apply online: lccf.net/availablescholarships

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.

Donate to a Community Scholarship

$21,920 Awarded in Community Impact Grants

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.

Click here to Donate

LIFE – Community Service at Maple Wood Nature Center

By Breanna Baker

We were given the opportunity to volunteer at Maplewood Nature Center.

When we arrived we were met by a lady named Leslie Arnold who explained her position at the park as a naturalist.

She instructed us as we started service. The group split up and some worked on tidying up the sugar shack.

The rest took the center’s pet turtle named Tuck on a walk and cleaned his habitat.

Leslie guided us on a nature trail through the parks’s forest. We got to witness the maple trees at the peak of Autumn. Their leaves were the colors of rust.

After the walk, we began to work again. Some of us raked leaves while others cleaned and organized the building.

We enjoyed our time at Maple Wood not only participating in service but getting to learn more about LaGrange County. 

Breanna Baker

This post was submitted and written by Breanna Baker, LIFE member. Breanna serves as Recorder on the Executive Team and is a part of the LIFE Marketing Committee.

If you would like to support LIFE and their philanthropic and community service efforts consider donating to the LIFE ENDOWMENT FUND or the LIFE OPERATING FUND.

Donate to LIFE

Council on Aging receives COVID-19 Rapid Response Grant

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.