Tag Archives: LaGrange

It’s National Volunteer Week! Fun Statistics!

This week (April 16th- 22nd) is National Volunteer Week, and we thought it would be interesting to share some Volunteer statistics with you. These are from an article on Volunteer Hub.

  • One out of four American’s volunteer, two out of three American’s help their neighbor.
  • Individuals between the ages of 35 and 54 are the most likely to volunteer their time.
  • Volunteers are worth on average $28.54 an hour.
  • Volunteerism has a value of over $184 billion dollars.
  • Volunteerism improves health by strengthening the body, improving mood, and lessening stress.
  • Those who volunteer regularly have a 27% better chance of gaining employment.
  • 60% of hiring managers see the act of volunteerism as a valuable asset when making recruiting decisions.
  • Volunteers under the age of 24 accounts for 22.6% of all volunteers.
  • Volunteers, on average, spend 50 hours per year donating their time to the greater good.
  • 67% of people found volunteer opportunities online in 2014 vs 34% in 2006.
  • There are more than 1.8 billion active nonprofits in the United States alone.
  • 66% of volunteers give their time to improve their community, 83% do so to contribute to a cause they care about.
  • People who volunteer over 100 hours a year are some of the healthiest people in the US.
  • 28.2% of Millennials volunteer each year.
  • 30.7% of Baby Boomers volunteer each year.
  • 24.8% of Silent Generation Americans volunteer each year.
  • 39.9% of parents volunteer each each.
  • Utah has the highest rate of volunteers in America (51%).
  • Volunteering decreases the likelihood of high blood pressure development by 40%.
  • 96% of volunteers reported the action enriched their sense of purpose in life.

Every person who has helped another, with no expectation or payment in return, is a volunteer. We, in LaGrange County, count these volunteers as blessings. And it’s one of the many reasons our county is such a special place to live.

“Volunteering is at the very core of being a human.  No one has made it through life without someone else’s help.” – Heather French Henry

Don’t forget, now through May 1st, we at LCCF are accepting applications of this county’s exemplary volunteers for the Heart of Gold Award. For more details and the application, go HERE.

VolunteerHub Link

We are Now Taking Applications for Nonprofit Assistance Grants!

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“.

2023 Heart of Gold Award Nominations are Now Being Accepted!

Heart of Gold Awards 2023, LaGrange County, Indiana

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
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!

Check out the nomination form HERE!

PAT – Parents as Teachers

Early Childhood Alliance is building better futures in LaGrange County by partnering with parents, grandparents and local early intervention resources. The program is Parents as Teachers, PAT, and focuses on the individual strengths of each family to provide early learning experiences for their children. PAT supports parents as their child’s first and most influential teacher. PAT meets with families whose children are most at risk for school success.

This year Early Childhood Alliance was able to serve 10 families through the PAT program, servicing roughly 22 children. Families participating in PAT have children ranging in age from prenatal to age six. Families involved may have one or more barrier that may hinder the child’s readiness for school and ultimately school success. Some barriers may include, low income levels, low family education and English language learners.

The PAT program provides the opportunity to fill a gap in the community, providing support to parents through age 6, whereas other programs serve families up to age three.

Early Childhood Alliance is pleased to report that 80% of families indicated an increase in three or more of the nine critical areas of parenting skill and knowledge. Four children graduating the program will enter kindergarten, 100% have demonstrated they have the skills to be ready!

The PAT program was funded in part by a Community Impact Grant from the LaGrange County Community Foundation.

Click Here to Donate Today

Inspire Generosity

What can you do with $55,000? For the Knights of Pythias LaGrange Lodge no. 144 they made a last goodwill gift. The fraternal organization made the difficult decision to disband after 135 years.

The Knights sponsored Little League baseball teams, supported police departments and gave to local nonprofits. At the Corn School street festival, the Knight’s caramel apples were a favorite treat and helped fund some of their charitable endeavors.

Mahlon Bontrager, a Knight and former Community Foundation Board Member, encouraged the group to consider creating a permanent fund for the community. The timing for the Knight’s gift was serendipitous. One month before, Lilly Endowment announced a matching grant for the Community Foundation. Any gift to an unrestricted fund would be eligible for a 2-for-1 match. Inspired by the opportunity, the Knights created an unrestricted endowed fund to support community needs. What had been a gift of $55,000 now became $165,000.

Because of their generosity, LaGrange County will continue to reap the reward. Income from the fund will made available for grantmaking as directed by the Board of Directors.

 “The members of our Lodge no. 144 feel very fortunate to have our donation grow and benefit several organizations thanks to the LaGrange County Community Foundation,” says Gordon Olds, a member of the Knights.