Announcements/Press Releases
Foundation Unveils Comprehensive 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness 1.30.12
Faced with an increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness and a system strained doing what it can to address the issue, service providers, shelter and housing providers, community members, faith-based organizations and funders have created a Plan to End Homelessness for Porter County. This groundbreaking plan, No Place Like Home, lays a foundation to...Click here for more information and to view the full press release.
Click here to view the Full 60-page Report
Click here to view the 10 Things You Can Do to Join In
Porter County Community Foundation to Unveil 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness 1.20.12
Porter County's 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness, No Place Like Home, will be released at a free community event to garner community support and action to kick-off the plan's work and to move it forward. The public is invited to the report presentation on January 30, 2012 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Ivy Tech Auditorium, 3100 Ivy Tech Drive, Valparaiso. Click here for more information and to view a full press release.
Porter County Community Foundation awards $10,000 grant 12.15.11
The Porter County Community Foundation recently awarded Jacob’s Ladder Pediatric Rehabilitation Center a grant to help the nonprofit organization upgrade its information systems to meet the growing need for services it provides to children with special needs. Foundation Grant Committee Chair Susan Kelly-Johnson (left) presents a check for $10,000 to Jacob’s Ladder Executive Director Mariann Frigo.
The Porter County Community Foundation awards a number of grants each year to help local nonprofit organizations provide a variety of valuable programs and services. In 2010, the Foundation awarded nearly $1.8 million in scholarships and grants to students and nonprofit organizations throughout Porter County.
Porter County Community Foundation Celebrates 15 FABulous Years 11.16.11
Over 300 people helped the Porter County Community Foundation celebrate its 15th anniversary with a very special tailgate party scholarship fundraiser on November 12. The event featured tailgate food, cornhole games, a silent auction, and a performance by Chicago-based comedy troupe The Second City. The tailgate FUNdraiser was organized to both celebrate the anniversary of the Foundation, but also benefit the Porter County Community Foundation Scholarship Fund.
“We are thrilled that we exceeded our goal to raise $10,000 for each year of our history,” said Barb Young, Porter County Community Foundation President. “We have to thank our generous sponsors and guests for investing in our young people.” Since 1998, the Foundation has awarded more than 205 scholarships including 61 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships.
Click here to see coverage of the event by Portage Life.
UPDATE: Women's Fund 11.14.11
The Porter County Community Foundation is thrilled to announce that we have just surpassed raising $100,000 this year for the Women's Fund! Each gift will go a long way to making a difference in the lives of women and children in our community.
Porter County Community Foundation Awards Second Round of 2011 Grants 10.19.11
The Porter County Community Foundation recently awarded more than $93,000 in Porter County Community Grants to 10 local nonprofit organizations. Recipients of the second round of 2011 Community Grants are: Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County, The Caring Place, Discoveries Unlimited, First Contact, Opportunity Enterprises, Portage Resale Shop, Portage Township YMCA, Rebuilding Together Hebron, Rebuilding Together Portage and Taltree Arboretum & Gardens. Click here to read the official press release.
Porter County Community Foundation to Celebrate 15 Years With "Fab Fifteen" Event 10.11.11
The Porter County Community Foundation will celebrate and commemorate 15 years in our community next month. The "Fab Fifteen" event is a tailgate party scholarship FUNdraiser benefiting the Foundation's Scholarship Fund.
The “Fab Fifteen” tailgate party will take place on Saturday November 12, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. at the Porter County Expo Center. The event will include a performance by Chicago based improvisational, comedy troupe Second City. Tickets are $125 per person, and may be obtained by calling the Foundation at (219)-465-0294. Sponsorship opportunities are also welcomed and available. Click here to see the official press release.
Women's Tea Celebrates 11 Years of Making an Impact 9.14.11
Over 300 women gathered to celebrate the impact of their giving and invite others to join Impact Porter County at the 11th Annual Women’s Tea. Impact Porter County is a women’s giving circle established to raise money and awareness for women’s causes. The goal each year is to raise $100,000.
The event featured guest speaker Patricia Miller, co-founder of the Vera Bradley line of women’s handbags and accessories. Miller compared her career building Vera Bradley from its humble beginnings to the work that Impact Porter County is doing. In 1994, Miller and co-founder Barbara Baekgaard also established the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer.
“I thought her message was a great testament to the wonderful work women can do in the world,” said Barbara Young, Porter County Community Foundation President. “It’s so inspiring to see how far we have come since our first Women’s Tea eleven years ago.”
Since its inception in 2007, Impact Porter County has raised more than $400,000 and awarded over $170,000 in grants. One half of the money raised each year is placed in the Women’s Fund of Porter County endowment to benefit women and children for generations to come. (Photo L-R: Barb Young and Patricia R. Miller)
Click here to see coverage of the event by The Times of Northwest Indiana.
Governor Proclaims July 25th Community Foundation Day 7.25.11
Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels again recognized the important work of Indiana Community Foundations by proclaiming Monday, July 25, 2011 Community Foundation Day. Our state's incredible community foundation infrastructure is part of a larger philanthropic sector. Together Indiana's 1,400 private, corporate, and community foundations make a significant impact on our state's economy, education, environment, and people in need.
Click here to see Governor Daniels official proclamation.
Foundation celebrates Outstanding Achievements 7.15.11
The Porter County Community Foundation celebrated its past year's accomplishments and thanked the individuals and community partners who help make it all possible at its annual meeting on July 13th at Strongbow Inn. The 2010 annual report was presented to illustrate the Foundation's impact in the community. The Foundation awarded nearly $1.8 million in grants and scholarships in 2010. Click here to see more details from the event.
Pictured above (L-R):
Laura Harting
(Outstanding Nonprofit Staff Member)
Caroline Shook
(on behalf of Housing Opportunities for Outstanding Nonprofit Organization)
Rocco Schiralli
(on behalf of Porter-Starke Services for Outstanding Nonprofit Organization)
Debbie Lambert
(Outstanding Nonprofit Staff Member)
Porter County Community Foundation receives certification of standards compliance 7.15.11
The Porter County Community Foundation was recently certified as being in compliance with the Ethical and Operational Standards for the Indiana Community Foundations. In addition, because of a reciprocal agreement with the Community Foundation National Standards Board (CFNSB), the Foundation is also considered to be in compliance with the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations. Click here to read the press release.
Women's Wisdom Celebrated 6.24.11
Women of all ages networked with each other, learned something new, and celebrated their success at Women's Wisdom, a women's forum presented by the Porter County Community Foundation on June 23 at Valparaiso University. Award winning journalist, author and Valparaiso native, Neenah Ellis, was the keynote speaker. Click here to read The Times article.
Porter County Community Grant application deadline is August 15 6.30.11
The application deadline for the second cycle of Community Grants is 12 p.m. (noon), August 15, 2011. The Porter County Community Foundation 2011 Community Grant guideline/application is available on the Foundation's web site. Refer to the guideline for specific criteria. Click here for the Community Grant application.
Impact Porter County awards a $45,000 Women’s Fund grant to
Parents As Teachers 6.16.11
“I can’t tell you how many families will benefit from this gift,” said Jill Stricker, Executive Director of Parents As Teachers of Porter County. “This takes our organization to the next level.” Parents As Teachers was awarded a $45,000 Women’s Fund grant from Impact Porter County...more
Porter County Community Foundation presents Women’s Wisdom on June 23 5.06.11
The Porter County Community Foundation is presenting Women’s Wisdom - a forum for women by women on June 23, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., at Valparaiso University’s Harre Union. Award winning journalist, author and Valparaiso native, Neenah Ellis, will be the keynote speaker. Women of all ages are invited to participate in this special event that features informational sessions on health, business, financial and estate planning, careers and making a difference. The $25 registration fee includes lunch...more
Porter County Community Foundation awards first round of 2011 Grants 4.29.11
The Porter County Community Foundation recently awarded more than $76,500 in grants to 10 local nonprofit organizations. The first round recipients of 2011 Community Grants are: The Compassionate Friends, Frontline Foundations, Inc., Gabriel's Horn, Mental Health America of Porter County, Moraine House, Northwest Indiana Success by 6, Rebuilding Together – Duneland, South Shore Arts, Visiting Nurse Association Foundation and Whispering Pines Health Care Center...more
Tax law extension. Through 2011, retirement assets may become a preferred charitable gift for seniors. IRA distributions to charity can now receive new tax advantages. Americans age 70½ and up can make tax-free IRA contributions to public charities such as the Porter County Community Foundation. Click here for frequently asked questions.
