LaGrange County Community Foundation awarded ten LIFE grants totaling $17,495 to area organizations and schools during its 2024 LIFE grant cycle.
The grants will support educational and youth projects in LaGrange County.
LIFE is a youth philanthropy program of the LaGrange County Community Foundation. Members represent Lakeland, Westview and Prairie Heights High Schools, with one representative from each class in 9th-12th grades.
The students learn about philanthropy and charitable giving and are responsible for reviewing and making funding recommendations for the LIFE funds at the Foundation.
“Grants awarded through the LIFE program provide members with grantmaking and charitable giving experience. They connect with programs active in our community and financially support them through this competitive grant program,” said Leanna Martin, Community Foundation Program Director and LIFE Navigator. “It’s an excellent way for youth to be a part of the bigger picture within LaGrange County.”
Prairie Heights High School received a grant of $1,050 to help purchase professional style mixers for its culinary program. The program is in its second year at Prairie Heights, with nearly 60 students enrolled in the Culinary Arts career pathway. The culinary students have catered meals for athletic teams, provided refreshments for dances and made muffins and cookies for the food service at Prairie Heights.
Westview Elementary School also received a grant of $1,800 to help purchase display boards for the Westview Elementary Art Show.
Additional 2024 LIFE Grant recipients include:
- Community Harvest Food Bank, “Kids BackPack and TeenPak Hunger Relief Initiative,” $2,500;
- Crossroads United Way, “Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library LaGrange County,” $2,500;
- LaGrange County Department of Parks & Recreation, “Adventure Bound 2024,” $2,500;
- Prairie Heights Football Boosters, “Prairie Heights Football Annual Free Youth Camp,” $1,800.
- Westview Elementary School, “Personal Hygiene Supply Packs,” $2,020;
- Westview Jr-Sr High School, “aMAYzing Crew (technology),” $2,125;
- Westview Jr-Sr High School, “Oakley’s Cardio Drumming Squad,” $700; and
- Youth for Christ Northern Indiana, “Westview Campus Life,” $500.
Each school year, LIFE seeks proposals for youth programs serving youth in LaGrange County. LIFE members review the submitted grant applications and make recommendations to the Board of Directors who approve the grant awards.
These grants are made possible through the generosity of donors who have supported the LIFE Grantmaking Fund at the Community Foundation.
