32 Agencies Receive Support for Local Programming and Initiatives

On Thursday, October 12, the Community Foundation of Elkhart County’s Board of Directors approved $961,750 of new grants to nonprofits serving Elkhart County.  The following Community Investment, Good Neighbor and Rapid Response Grants were awarded from the Fund for Elkhart County during the first quarter of fiscal year 2016-2017.

Community Investment Grants

Community Investment Grants totaled $880,750 and were awarded to 16 organizations.  Community Investment Grants address youth development, vibrant community or quality of life issues and respond to requests of $10,000 to $250,000.  Submissions are reviewed by volunteer committees and are awarded twice a year. The committees are comprised of a diverse range of community members who are engaged with their respective sectors and make every effort to be aware of emerging and ongoing initiatives. 

Award recipients for Youth Development (Subtotal $265,250):

•         Elkhart County Shooting Sports 4-H, $30,000, Building Construction
•         ETHOS Science Center, $50,000/year 1 of 2, STEM Coordinator
•         Marian High School, $50,000, Elkhart Bus
•         Northern Indiana Hispanic Health Coalition, $75,000/year 1 and $25,000/year 2, Healthy Hearts Program
•         St. John the Evangelist Catholic School, $60,250, Technology Project

Award recipients for Vibrant Community (Subtotal $325,000):

•         Elkhart County Convention and Visitors Bureau, $60,000/year 1 of 3, Vibrant Communities Initiative
•         Elkhart Festivals, $50,000/year 3 of 3, 2018 Jazz Festival
•         Elevate Ventures, $75,000/year 2 of 3, Northern Indiana Regional Development Authority (RDA) Partnership
•         Goshen Parks and Recreation, $100,000, Ice Rink Park Project
•         Middlebury Little League, $40,000, Maintenance Building

Award recipients for Quality of Life (Subtotal $290,500):

•         Plain Community Partner, $20,500, Ultrasound Equipment
•         Family Christian Development Center, $15,000/year 2 of 2 years, Baby Immunization Clinic
•         North Central Indiana Teen Challenge, $75,000/1:1 Challenge Grant, Work Experience Shop
•         Salvation Army of Goshen, $50,000/year 5 of 5, Senior Programming
•         SPA Women’s Ministry Homes, $100,000/1:1 Challenge Grant, Capital Campaign
•         United Cancer Services, $30,000, Journey Through Treatment

"Our local nonprofit partners continue to develop programs and initiatives to build stronger communities within Elkhart County" says Jill Sigsbee, Community Foundation grant chairperson. "The Community Foundation is pleased to support these efforts that will positively impact our children and families for generations to come."

Good Neighbor Grants

Good Neighbor Grants (GNG) totaled $77,000 and were awarded to 14 organizations this quarter.  GNG range from $250 to $10,000, and are intended to support community activities, stimulate creative ideas among grassroots groups, and support other small projects or programs that fall within the Community Foundation’s priority areas.

Award recipients for Good Neighbor Grants:

• All God's Children Childcare Ministry, $4,600, Building Improvements
• Campus Center for Young Children, $4,200, Infant/Toddler Playground Updates
• CAPS, $3,700.00, Website Renovation
• Cornerstone Christian Montessori, $9,500, Building Improvements
• Downtown Goshen, $5,000, Code School Goshen
• Economic Development  Corp of Elkhart County, $7,000, 2017 Manufacturing Days
• Elkhart County Historical Society, $7,000, The Art of Ted Drake Project Archivist
• Genai Excellence Academy, $7,000, Playground
• Goshen College, $1,000, Salsa Magic-Interactive Latin Dance Event
• Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce, $5,000, Modern Community/Modern Facility Fund
• Middlebury Chamber of Commerce, $5,000, Middlebury Festivals
• Ruthmere Museum/Foundation, $5,000, Holiday Tour Season 2017
• Shepherd's Cove Clothing Pantry, $8,000, Replace HVAC Unit
• Goshen Youth Arts, $5,000, Youth Outreach Scholarship Fund

Rapid Response Grants

Rapid Response Grants address sudden, unanticipated and unavoidable challenges that, if not addressed immediately, could threaten a nonprofit organization’s stability and/or ability to achieve its mission.

Award recipients for Rapid Response Grants:

• Salvation Army of Goshen, $4,000, Emergency Commercial Freezer Replacement

About Community Foundation of Elkhart County

Community Foundation of Elkhart County partners with donors to leverage their philanthropy in ways that transform lives. Since 1989, the Community Foundation has connected the generosity of donors with community needs by providing scholarship opportunities to local students and making grants to nonprofit organizations working to improve Elkhart County.  It’s with strength and hope the Community Foundation seeds the local landscape, supporting plans, programs, and ideas that potentially stand the test of time.  The Community Foundation strives to be a local entity known for inspiring good and impacting success. 

For more information regarding the Community Foundation, visit www.InspiringGood.org or call (574) 295-8761.

Pictured: For the last five years, the Community Foundation has supported the Salvation Army of Goshen’s senior programming, JOYs, at a total of $250,000 ($50,000 each year).