Unity Foundation Planning for Retirement of Founding President Maggi Spartz

Unity Foundation of La Porte County announced today that its founding president, Maggi Spartz, will retire at the end of 2025. Under Spartz’s visionary leadership and tireless efforts, the Unity Foundation has grown from nothing to over $50 million in assets, benefiting thousands of people and hundreds of LaPorte County organizations.
 
“In 1992, an opportunity presented by the Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc. to start a community foundation grew into a thriving and impactful organization. Building the Unity Foundation from scratch and transforming La Porte County and the region has been the honor of my lifetime,” said Spartz. “I am so proud of what we have accomplished together!”
 
Spartz’s passion for La Porte County and the region over 33 years has been unmatched. She is known for closely listening to donors and uncovering people’s passions for causes they care about.  She invested time and energy unifying the county and region and being a champion for innovation, leadership and entrepreneurship.  
 
Jon Gilmore, Chairman of the Unity Foundation board of directors, said, “Maggi has been the heart and soul of our foundation for over 33 years. Under her extraordinary leadership, Unity has grown exponentially, touching countless lives in our community. Her unwavering dedication and visionary guidance have established a lasting legacy. While we will deeply miss her day-to-day presence, we celebrate her much-deserved retirement and wish her all the best in this next adventure of her life.”

Spartz’s key achievements since 1992:

• Raised $55 million in Unity directly plus $23 million in indirect grants.
• Awarded nearly $29 million in grants and scholarships, benefiting residents, non-profits, colleges and employers.
• Strengthened local nonprofits by building endowment funds and providing grants.
• Founded and nurtured numerous collaborations that have impacted housing, prevented homelessness, enhanced community leadership, promoted youth development, protected the environment, and supported education and arts and culture.
• Inspired donors and professional advisors to understand the “miracle of Endowment,” think long term and make planned gifts, founded the Gold Key Society. 
• Represented La Porte County on the regional, state and national stage.
• Managed 350 funds that reflect the goals and values of the donors who started them, forever connecting them with causes they care about now and for generations to come.
• Improved educational attainment through scholarships and initiatives that supported students and families, attracting $18 million from the Lilly Endowment for education and literacy programs that reached over 67,000 learners in La Porte, Lake, and Porter Counties.
• Manage the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship program awarding full tuition scholarships to 73 students for more than totaling $6 Million since 1998. Many students call La Porte County and Indiana home.  
• Acted as an essential connector for projects such as Unity Park, Vibrant Communities of La Porte County and Michigan City, pandemic responses, the STAR Center coworking space for nonprofits, the Trail Creek Watershed Partnership, NWI BIZHub, the Home Team, the Society of Innovators, and Ignite the Region economic development efforts.
• Successfully met all seven challenge matches presented by the Lilly Endowment, Inc. 
• Grew Unity’s staff from one to six full-time members. Hosted several interns. 
• Cultivating and mentoring aspiring leaders through Leadership La Porte County and providing effective facilitation for complex problems toward workable solutions. 

  
The Unity Foundation’s board of directors will initiate a succession plan and comprehensive search for the next president starting in January 2025. The goal is to celebrate Spartz’s legacy and have a new leader on board by the end of 2025. The board is dedicated to sustaining momentum and honoring Spartz's legacy, ensuring a smooth and transparent leadership transition.