Community Foundation Awards $778,313 in Grants

The Community Foundation of Elkhart County’s Board of Directors approved $778,313 of new grants to dozens of nonprofits and programs throughout Elkhart County.
 
The grants were given in the categories of placemaking, kids and families, and career pathways, reflecting the priorities of the Community Foundation. The organization is helping lead two community initiatives and grantmaking is supporting the efforts of Connect in Elkhart County, focused on expanding Elkhart County’s trail network, and Building Strong Brains: Elkhart County’s Early Childhood Initiative.

The board met on Thursday, June 20, and approved the recommendations of staff and volunteer committees composed 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. Staff members can make decisions on grants of $25,000 or less.
 
The grants from the Fund for Elkhart County, the Community Foundation’s unrestricted fund, being awarded are:
 
Kids and Families grants totaling $645,028 

• ADEC, $250,000, Capital Campaign
• First Light Mission, $135,000, Operational Support
• Genai Excellence Academy, $85,000, Program Expansion
• Owls Club, $100,000 challenge grant, Operational Support

Eight grants of $25,000 or less totaled $75,028
 
Building Strong Brains Initiative 

• Expenditures of $16,081 were approved from reserved funds to support the Building Strong Brains Initiative.
• The Kids and Families Committee also approved $405,259 in funding for the upcoming fiscal year for operational support.

 
Career Pathways
Four grants of $25,000 or less totaled $24,000
 
Placemaking
Three grants of $25,000 or less totaled $15,700
 
Connected Network of Trails Initiative 

• One grant of $1,100 was awarded from Connected Network of Trails Initiative reserved funds.
• Expenditures of $32,060 were approved from reserved funds to support the Connected Network of Trails Initiative.

Opportunity Fund 
13 grants for sponsorships and memberships totaling $92,485 were approved

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 helped generous donors meet community needs, provide scholarship opportunities to local students, and make grants to nonprofit organizations working to improve Elkhart County. The Community Foundation strives to be a local entity known for inspiring good and impacting success. To learn more, go to www.InspiringGood.org.