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We publish our newsletter once a month with the latest things happening at LCCF: new scholarships, grants, events, awards, community happenings, volunteer information, and more.
When I started working for the LaGrange County Community Foundation, I heard a familiar question: “What is a Community Foundation?”
In my many years in the workforce, I have had a variety of jobs. Many that I do today as the Marketing & Community Engagement Manager. But working for a nonprofit in this capacity was new for me. So, this was a great question to answer for myself as well.
A community foundation is a tax-exempt, nonprofit organization composed, primarily, of permanent funds created by many separate donors for the long-term benefit of the residents of a specific geographic area. Our geographic focus is LaGrange County, Indiana.
Three things set us apart from other charities:
Permanent Endowment Building
Broad, Flexible Grantmaking; and
Community Leadership.
Through Permanent Endowment Building we develop and maintain relationships with our donors, investing and protecting the principal of our donor’s gifts, and distributing the earnings from these gifts based on the charitable intent of the donor.
Broad and Flexible Grantmaking is understanding our community’s needs, re-directing charitable dollars over time and as community needs change. We offer grant opportunities to local nonprofits and make investments in community needs.
Community Leadership can encompass many things. Our organization seeks to be proactive, connecting people and ideas for the purpose of solving problems, to educate, and to find ways to better serve our community.
We are led by a volunteer Board of Directors, who represent the communities of LaGrange County. They direct our strategic vision and make decisions regarding investment of assets, charitable distributions, donor relationships, new donor funds and growing assets.
The LaGrange County Community Foundation manages more than 140 unique funds, each created for a specific charitable purpose. The Community Foundation works with each donor to identify the purpose and goal of their fund and manages the fund long-term on behalf of the donor. Some funds provide annual grant support to local nonprofits, while others provide scholarships for graduating seniors.
There are several ways to give and support community needs through the Community Foundation. You can add money to an existing fund or create a new fund, your choice! You can donate to an organization or give to a specific cause or interest.
Click here to see a list of the Foundation’s charitable funds.
I hope this helps clarify things a little more! If you have ANY questions about the Community Foundation, how to give, about grants or scholarships, or even how you can volunteer, contact us HERE. We would love to assist you!
The writer of this post, Sarah Hostetler, starting working for the LaGrange County Community Foundation at the end of March 2023.
Nonprofit Assistance Grants help LaGrange County nonprofits with needs in technology, training, operations, emergency, and awareness events. Last year (2023) was our first year of opening this grant program.
Nonprofit Assistance Grants are available to LaGrange County nonprofit organizations. These grants are made possible through the generosity of donors who have supported the unrestricted and field of interest charitable funds at the Foundation.
LaGrange County nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply for up to $2,500 in assistance in the following categories, but not limited to:
awareness events
emergency needs
operations
technology (includes software)
training/development
Fundraising projects, utilities, general operating expenses, or your organization’s regular programing are NOT eligible for Nonprofit Assistance Grants. Government agencies, public schools, and churches are not eligible for Nonprofit Assistance grants.
If you are unsure if your assistance project qualifies, please contact Program Director, Leanna Martin at lmartin@lccf.net or by calling 260-463-4363.
Grant Deadlines: Applications accepted on a rolling basis
Award notification will be made within 30 days of the application submission. Grants are awarded as funds are available. One grant award per organization. Applications will be accepted until October 31, 2023.
Want to Find Out More?
Go HERE to the Nonprofit Assistance Grants Page, for more information. To apply, scroll to the bottom of the page, and click “APPLY NOW“.
The importance of volunteerism cannot be overestimated. Volunteers are what keeps non-profits ticking. They are the hands, feet and hearts.
Starting April 1st through May 1st, 2023, we are accepting nominations for outstanding volunteers in our community. The Heart of Gold award was created to recognize these outstanding volunteers whose unselfish and dedicated service has made significant contributions to LaGrange County.
2022 Heart of Gold Nominees: Carolyn Hostetler, Allisa Brown and Kailie Snyder-Farnsworth (Not pictured: Chad Miller)
Some of the hard work and service in our county may go unnoticed, but we would love to encourage you to look around and see what others are doing around you!
If you know of anyone who deserves to be recognized, please let us know by filling out the nomination form on our website. It’s an easy form, and not only will the volunteers be recognized, but they also have a chance at getting a donation to the non-profit of their choice! Well worth it!
With the help from the community and United Way of Elkhart & LaGrange Counties, the LaGrange County Community Foundation was able to award $5,000 to the Mongo UMC Food Pantry.
Mongo UMC Food Pantry applied through the COVID-19 Rapid Response Grants online system. Their award was granted within a week and they will now be able to continue to serve over 75 families on a weekly basis. As many of you are aware, Mongo is one of our smaller eastern communities with about 200 residents.
It was clear to the Grants Committee that they were in need.
We understand these times are difficult and the uncertainty in the air is thick.
We are certain of one thing – our Commitment to Serving YOU and our community remains steadfast.
National Standards Accreditation Affirms Our
Commitment to Excellence
LaGrange County Community Foundation is pleased to announce that we have recently received accreditation with National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations®. This accreditation, signified by the Seal shown here, indicates that LaGrange County Community Foundation meets the highest standards for philanthropic excellence.
This is a significant accomplishment. When people trust LaGrange County Community Foundation with a charitable bequest, to establish a fund, or set up an annuity, they do it knowing that we have met rigorous standards for donor services, investment management, grantmaking and administration.
Octavia Yoder, Executive Director
We’ve always worked hard to do good, right here in LaGrange County. And we’ll continue to work with you to achieve your charitable goals. National Standards ensures that we have policies in place for financial stability and longevity, affirming our continued commitment to our donors, grantees, and community.
In short: We are a proven place to give.
The process of earning National Standards accreditation is arduous. The program requires community foundations to document our policies for donor services, investments, grantmaking, and administration. Our documentation was reviewed by a community foundation expert from a panel appointed by the Community Foundations National Standards Board, a supporting organization of the Council on Foundations in Washington, D.C.
The National Standards accreditation says this house is in order. It is excellent validation of the work we do on behalf of our donors and our community.
Octavia Yoder, Executive Director
With your help, LaGrange County Community Foundation has become a more effective partner for impacting the causes you care about. Thanks for working with us.
LaGrange County Community Foundation was accredited with National Standards in January of 2020.
