How is the Porter County Community Foundation different from United Way?
The two organizations complement each other – in fact, the Community Foundation supports the work of the United Way. However, a key difference is that the Foundation provides lasting support for nonprofit organizations by building endowments. Endowments allow your gift to last forever as the original gift remains untouched while the earnings support local organizations – both today and into the future. This lasting benefit means that the Foundation helps nonprofit organizations through more than a single season or campaign, but truly forever.

Why shouldn't I just give directly to each nonprofit organization?
Giving to nonprofit organizations through the Foundation can actually increase the impact of your gift. By giving through the Foundation, your gift may grow faster and you can even give a single gift that can help many nonprofit organizations – organizations that you choose. In this way, it’s like having your own private foundation, yet without the administrative headache and fees. By sharing this service through the Porter County Community Foundation, your gifts can go further and grow faster. With a single gift through the Foundation, you can touch many lives… in dramatic ways. You decide who benefits from the proceeds of your gift.

Who decides how my gift works in the community?
You decide who your gift will support. When you make your gift – or gifts – you decide to support the Foundation’s unrestricted fund or to name the nonprofit groups or causes you want to support. The Foundation invests the funds and provides you with statements that show your gifts at work. They also make sure that the organizations are using the funds as you wished. And, of course, your gift is tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

Who does the Foundation support?
The Foundation supports many people through a wide variety of charitable organizations. There are funds to help people with housing, education, or healthcare needs. Funds support the environment, the arts, and animals. While funds exist to support virtually every cause, you can also establish your own new fund – for your church, your school, or any other cause. The Foundation exists to help you help others.

What kinds of gifts does the Foundation accept?
The Foundation is very flexible. You can give in traditional ways, such as cash or stocks, but you can also give life insurance, real estate, or retirement benefits. There are even ways to make a gift that enable you or your family to draw an income from your gift. You can enjoy tax savings today and peace of mind for the future, knowing that you have made a difference. Donors have contributed many amounts - from $2 to $3.1 million!

Why should I give to the Porter County Community Foundation?
The Foundation enables you to support so many worthwhile organizations in your own community – organizations you choose. Because the gifts remain forever, they truly help to transform local nonprofit organizations – enabling organizations to focus on delivering valuable services rather than on how to keep the doors open and the lights on. This long-term support is a great way to ensure these organizations last as long as your gift – forever.