The East Porter County Chapter of Future Farmers of America (FFA) is on its way to the 95th National FFA Convention & Expo this year, thanks in part to a grant from the Gift of Grain giving circle of the Porter County Community Foundation (PCCF).
Two Local Nonprofits Receive Grant from the Women’s Fund of Porter County
4th Street Theater receives grant from Porter County Community Foundation
The Porter County Community Foundation awarded a $4,000 grant to 4th Street Theater to purchase surge protection for their building.
The Porter County Community Foundation awards a Community Fund Grant to 4th Street Theater. (Pictured left to right: David Pifko, 4th Street Theater Board Member; Denise Barkow, 4th Street Theater Board Member; Sandy Assarian, 4th Street Theater Board Member; Kent Mishler, Porter County Community Foundation Board Member; and Linda Pauli, 4th Street Theater Board Member.)
Twenty years ago, 4th Street Theater opened with only eight theater lights as well as a makeshift light board. “Over the years, the Porter County Community Foundation has awarded grants that have brought us into the 21st century,” said Sandy Assarian, 4th Street Theater Board Member. “This most recent grant gives us the surge/electrical equipment to protect our very expensive lighting and sound equipment as well as all other electrical devices in the theater."
“The arts are an integral part of our community,” said Bill Higbie, President & CEO of the Porter County Community Foundation. “We appreciate the commitment of all those involved in 4th Street Theater to bring high-quality community theatre to Duneland.”
4th Street Theater was originally founded in 1990 as the North Coast Cultural Association. This all-volunteer nonprofit organization produces award-winning theater productions in Northwest Indiana for our community to enjoy.
HILLTOP NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE TAKING A STROLL AROUND THE BLOCK
The Porter County Community Foundation awarded a Community Fund grant to Hilltop Neighborhood House. The funds helped purchase three Gaggle Buggie Strollers for the childcare facility.
Kids from the KR3 Classroom at Hilltop Neighborhood House try out one of the new Gaggle Buggie strollers which were purchased thanks to a grant from the Porter County Community Foundation..
“The Gaggle Buggies have been on our wish list for a while,” said Amy Osburn, Vice President & Director at Hilltop Neighborhood House. “The grant allowed us to purchase the strollers which provides a safe, unique way for our kids and teachers to get some fresh air and see the world from a new perspective.”
These special strollers allow the children and staff to safely take walks together and, with tiered seating, everyone has a good view. The buggies are easy to push, have a safe braking system, and allow for up to 6 children to ride together on one stroller. They are equipped with safety harnesses and have sunroofs for UV protection. The seats can be converted to accommodate carriers so the younger infants can go for a ride too.
“Community Fund grants are all about our neighbors helping the community they live in,” said Bill Higbie, President & CEO of the Porter County Community Foundation. “When you donate to the Community Fund, you make grants – and smiles - like this possible.”
The Porter County Community Foundation was founded in 1996 and since then has awarded over $34 million in grants and scholarships to organizations and students in our community. If you would like to make a difference in Porter County through the Community Fund, click here.
PCCF Supports 4-H & Food Bank
At this year’s Porter County Fair 4-H livestock auction - held virtually due to COVID-19 - the Porter County Community Foundation cast the winning bids on five hogs and one steer, resulting in a donation of over 1,500 pounds of meat to local food pantries.
The Porter County Community Foundation, in collaboration with Porter County 4-H, Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry and Sims Meat Processing, donated 1,500 lbs. of meat to the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana which will be distributed to local food pantries. Left to Right: Amy Briseno, Food Bank of NWI Donor Relations Coordinator; Raymond Mack, Food Bank of NWI Warehouse Coordinator; Bill Higbie, Porter County Community Foundation President & CEO; Cheri Birky, Porter County Community Foundation Board Member; Craig Sims, Sims Meat Processing Owner.
Bidding for the Foundation was President and CEO, Bill Higbie, assisted by Board Member, Cheri Birky. “We appreciate being able to make an investment that has such far-reaching benefits,” said Higbie. “We’re helping the 4-H kids and providing meat to the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana which makes its way to our local food pantries, who are then able to offer an important source of nutrition to those in need,” he added.
Birky coordinated the entire effort. “This was a special opportunity at an important time when many are dealing with the challenges of COVID-19,” she said. “Craig Sims, of Sims Meat Processing, helped by processing two hogs free of charge and Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry - an Indiana-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to ensure all Hoosiers have access to good quality, nutritious meat – covered the remaining costs. This was a true collaboration for the good of our community.”
Two Local Nonprofits Receive Grant from Women’s Fund of Porter County
On Wednesday, April 29, 2020, the Women’s Fund of Porter County awarded two high-impact grants to local nonprofits. The Women’s Fund embraces the spirit of “Women Helping Women” seeking to improve the lives of women and children in our community.
Normally, this group gathers in person to hear presentations from different organizations and to vote on the two recipients. This year, since we were not able to gather, the ladies voted online and joined a Zoom video call, along with the nonprofits, to hear the two awardees.
Hilltop Neighborhood House and Parents as Teachers of Porter County each were awarded a high-impact grant of $25,000. Hilltop Neighborhood House will be using the funds to expand their infant room. They currently have 70 people on the waitlist for a spot. With this expansion, they will be able to serve more families.
Parents As Teachers of Porter County will be expanding their pre-natal to 3-year-old home visitation services. This evidence-informed and research-based curriculum equips parent educators with information to identify and build on family strengths, capabilities and skills that foster family protective factors.
In 2019, there were 204 donors to the Women's Fund, raising a total of $97,722. The Women’s Fund of Porter County has now awarded over $650,000 in grants since its inception. Click here to learn more or to view Women’s Fund impact stories.
Over $300,000 Awarded to Nonprofits In Porter County In 2019
This year, the Porter County Community Foundation awarded over $339,000 in grants from its Community Fund to nonprofit organizations serving Porter County.
True North Training Stables in Chesterton received a grant for new outdoor stalls for their horses.
Grants from the Community Fund support a wide range of programs and projects in the areas of health and human services, arts and culture, education, youth, environment and parks, and animal welfare.
“Starting at the launch of the Foundation in 1996, the Community Fund continues to grow thanks to the generosity of countless donors who love where they live and want to make a gift that will last and benefit our community forever,” said Bill Higbie, President & CEO of the Porter County Community Foundation. “The Community Fund is a valuable resource that provides the flexibility to address needs and opportunities as they change over time.”
Pines Village Retirement Communities received a grant to provide meals to seniors in Valparaiso.
Organizations that received a Community Fund grant in 2019 are:
Art Barn School of Art for a new roof;
Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County to repair the South Haven Club parking lot;
Call-A-Ride for fuel to transport clients;
Dressed for School for the renovation of their “store”;
Duneland Family YMCA for professional development and accreditation for their new early education program;
Dunes Learning Center for new computers for their education team;
Exceptional Equestrians for well equipment replacement;
Family House for renovations for client safety and security;
Food Bank of Northwest Indiana for their Mobile Marketplace;
Gabriel’s Horn for a new van;
Girls on the Run of Northwest Indiana for their team to attend the national summit;
Hilltop Neighborhood House for Gaggle Buggy strollers;
Housing Opportunities for wi-fi at the shelter;
Independent Cat Society for the trap, neuter and return program;
Intrepid Phoenix for a recovery exercise program in Porter County;
Jacob’s Ladder for computers and tablets;
NeighborLink Porter County for HVAC equipment;
Neighbors’ Educational Opportunities for a technology upgrade;
Opportunity Enterprises for a new generator at their apartments;
Our Greater Good for the Growing Great Kids Development guide to be printed in Spanish;
Pines Village Retirement Communities for their senior congregate nutrition program;
Pink Ribbon Society for wigs for breast cancer patients;
Portage Township Live Entertainment Association for student music workshops;
Portage Township YMCA for middle school program activities and meals;
Porter County PACT for Recovery Connection program activities;
Porter-Starke Services for the expansion of their recovery center;
Rebuilding Together-Duneland for the 2019 Rebuilding Day;
Salvation Army for their food pantry;
St. Agnes Adult Day Service Center for the remodeling of their bathroom;
True North Training Stables for new outdoor sheds;
Valparaiso Family YMCA for blood pressure cuffs; and
VNA of Northwest Indiana for their strategic planning process.
Since 1996, the Porter County Community Fund has awarded grants to more than 175 different nonprofit organizations. If you would like to contribute to the Community Fund or start your own named fund for the community, please contact the Foundation at 219.465.0294.
The Pink Ribbon Society received a grant to help provide wigs to breast cancer patients in Porter County.
Neighbors’ Educational Opportunities in Portage received a grant for upgrades to their Career Pathways Program technology.
New Girls’ Giving Fund Awards Grant to Local Nonprofit
On Thursday, October 18, over 20 girls and their families gathered at the Porter County Community Foundation for the inaugural Girls’ Giving Fund Grant Celebration to award their first-ever grant to a local nonprofit.
Members of the Girls’ Giving Fund awarded their first-ever grant to the Porter County Parks Department at their inaugural grant celebration event.
The Girls’ Giving Fund is a newly established giving circle with the Porter County Community Foundation, made up of 7 to 13 year old girls from all over Porter County. The circle was launched in the spring of 2018 to empower young givers with the knowledge that they can make a difference in our community and allow this new generation to experience the joy of giving.
Twenty-six girls each raised at least $100, collectively bringing in $3,000. Thanks to the generosity of a local donor, $1,000 was added to their total, allowing the girls to award a $4,000 grant that evening.
The first-ever Girls’ Giving Fund grant was awarded to the Porter County Parks Department. The other finalists, Memorial Opera House and Our Greater Good, each received a $500 grant.
In addition, two local donors each gave $1,000 to start the Girls’ Giving Fund Endowment, ensuring the girls can continue to make a difference in Porter County forever.
“It’s really encouraging to see kids get excited about giving and the impact it has on our community,” said Bill Higbie, President and CEO of the Porter County Community Foundation. “Each one of these 26 girls did something creative to raise $100. Collectively, they were able to make a significant gift to the Porter County Parks which benefits countless people from all over our community”.
If you know of a young woman who is interested in participating in the Girls’ Giving Fund, please click here for more information.
2018 Women’s Fund Grants Awarded
On Thursday, May 10, members of Impact Porter County met at Sand Creek Country Club in Chesterton to award their annual grants from the Women’s Fund of Porter County. Impact Porter County is a giving circle associated with the Porter County Community Foundation whose goal is to make a positive and lasting influence in the community by awarding grants to Porter County nonprofits whose mission is to improve the quality of life for women and children.
Over $50,000 in grants was awarded at the annual membership dinner on Thursday evening. Gabriel’s Horn Homeless Shelter and Hilltop Neighborhood House each were awarded a high-impact grant of $25,000. The other finalists, Dunebrook, Inc. and Frontline Foundations, each received a $2,500 grant.
Gabriel’s Horn is a shelter that serves all of Porter County and provides temporary housing for homeless women and children. In addition, they provide assistance in finding permanent housing, jobs, counseling and more. The funds Gabriel’s Horn received will go towards the expansion of their current facility that will assist up to 50 more people annually.
Hilltop Neighborhood House serves the community by providing early childhood education, after-school programming, and a food pantry. The funds awarded through the Women’s Fund of Porter County will be used to launch their mobile food pantry, Project 64. There are 64 hours from the time kids leave school on Friday until school starts on Monday, and for some children, access to food during that time is limited. Hilltop’s plan is to bring the food pantry directly to those children and families in need.
Duneland Family YMCA Grant
The Duneland Family YMCA was the recipient of a community fund grant from the Porter County Community Foundation.
The funds awarded helped equip the Duneland Family YMCA’s Early Learning Academy 5 year old classroom. The items purchased included new furniture creating a comfortable and safe learning environment, interactive play sets like a dress-up unit to inspire creativity & spark the imagination, along with other supplies that focus on using small and large motor skills.
The new classroom materials were specifically selected to follow the Paths to Quality system standards, which is Indiana’s state-wide child care quality rating and improvement system. The goal of the Early Learning Academy program is to engage kids, from six-weeks old to pre-school, in daily age-appropriate learning and development activities, helping to ensure they will be ready for kindergarten.
Neighborlink Awarded Grant
The Porter County Community Foundation recently awarded a grant to NeighborLink Porter County, an organization that provides assistance to those in need.
NeighborLink is a nonprofit that connects Porter County residents who need assistance with those that can help. Volunteers join together to complete various projects for those in need in the community.
“Keeping the marginalized in Porter County safe, clean, warm and dry through our network of volunteers and business partnerships is one of our top priorities,” said Judy Alders, Executive Director of NeighborLink Porter County. “The award of grant funds will allow us to be more far-reaching in our efforts to help those in need living in our communities. We so appreciate our relationship with the Porter County Community Foundation and all of those who give so graciously to their endeavors.”
The funds from the grant will help cover expenses to be sure the necessary projects can be completed. The types of projects might include yard work, transportation services, appliance repair, building wheelchair ramps, plumbing projects and more. You can find out more about NeighborLink Porter County by visiting their website www.neighborlinkpc.org.
MAAC First Responder Training Facility
The Porter County Community Foundation awarded a grant to the Multi Agency Academic Cooperative (MAAC), an organization that provides training for area firefighters, police officers, and EMS personnel.
The MAAC Public Safety Training campus has been established on a 4 ½ acre parcel in Southeast Valparaiso. This facility will house various training structures including a 40-foot search and rescue tower, a 2-story live burn building, vehicle extrication pad, indoor classrooms and more.
“The goal is to make sure our first responders have the resources and training necessary to be prepared to respond to calls and come to our assistance on, what would likely be, one of our worst days,” says Celina Weatherwax, President of The McMillan Family Foundation Inc. “Through a combination of classroom and practical, hands-on application, the MAAC Training campus will provide advanced levels of critical thinking and functioning in response to an emergency.”
“The Foundation is honored to play a part in the development of this essential facility,” says Bill Higbie, President & CEO of the Porter County Community Foundation. “This training space will directly impact thousands of first responders and will be a game-changer when it comes to training law enforcement officers, EMS personnel, and Firefighters who keep our community safe.”
Porter County Community Foundation Awards Grant to Family House
The Porter County Community Foundation awarded a Community Fund grant to Family House, Inc. – an organization that provides a safe home-like environment for non-custodial parents to spend time with their children.
This funding will help Family House expand their services, further strengthening our community by supporting the development of strong families. “Family House provides sliding scale support for Supervised Visitation and Counseling for Children and Families that otherwise can't afford such services,” said Christine Kostbade, Executive Director of Family House. “Many families give up or don't follow through because they can't afford to pay for services. We don't want to see children left without a safe opportunity to see their parent and a chance for the parent(s) to improve their skills, with hopes to get their children home again.” Family House provides over 3000 visit hours annually to children and parents in our community.
Two Portage Nonprofits Receive Grant From Porter County Community Foundation
The Porter County Community Foundation recently awarded two Community Fund grants to Portage nonprofits, Neighbors’ Educational Opportunities and the Portage Township YMCA.
Neighbors’ Educational Opportunities used the funds to purchase computers, “smart boards” and other equipment to outfit their classrooms and help launch their college and workplace readiness program. This program includes onsite training opportunities for students as well as certification programs for those continuing their education or entering the workplace.
With their grant funding, the Portage Township YMCA was able to start an after school drug prevention program for students in Kindergarten through 6th grade. The Portage Township YMCA wishes to help combat the issue of substance abuse by providing a safe place for kids to go after school while being educated on the real dangers of drug use through an evidence-based drug prevention curriculum.
Grants Awarded to Two Nonprofit Organizations Benefiting Wildlife and the Arts
The Porter County Community Foundation awarded two grants, one to the Art Barn School of Art and the other to Moraine Ridge Wildlife Rehabilitation Center – a subsidiary of the Humane Society Calumet Area.
With the funds, the Art Barn School of Art was able to host adult art workshops for community members to attend. The funds provided the art supplies for the classes, scholarships for local artists to attend the classes, and brought in nationally known professional artists to teach the workshops.
Moraine Ridge Wildlife Rehabilitation Center used the funds to host Wildlife Live Animal Education Programs for children and Porter County residents of all ages. Through these programs with hands-on educational opportunities, community members learn about Indiana’s native wildlife and gain an understanding of the impact that our daily lives have on our native species.
Three Hebron Nonprofits Each Received Grant from Porter County Community Foundation
Recently, the Hebron Volunteer Fire Department, Rebuilding Together Hebron and Call-A-Ride each received a Community Fund grant from the Porter County Community Foundation.
The funding allowed the Hebron Volunteer Fire Department to purchase a Paratech Rescue Airbag system, designed to extricate victims who are trapped, and also purchase a Stearns Ice Rescue Suit which protects the first-responder during icy conditions and water rescues. Rebuilding Together Hebron used the funds to purchase building materials for local project homes, and Call-A-Ride used the funds for fuel costs to continue the expansion of their free services to clients.
Reins of Life Awarded Community Fund Grant from Porter County Community Foundation
The Porter County Community Foundation awarded a Community Fund grant to Reins of Life, a therapeutic horseback riding center, in Michigan City. This nonprofit organization serves clients of all ages with physical, emotional, mental and social disabilities, many of whom travel from Porter County to participate in their programs.
The funding allowed them to insulate the ceiling in the main arena, install insulated light covers and eliminate a gap between the walls and the ceiling. These improvements will increase the energy efficiency and comfort level in the riding arena, allowing the Reins of Life team to expand opportunities for equine assisted therapeutic riding sessions.
Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Department Purchases Four Computers with Grant from Porter County Community Foundation
The Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Department was awarded a Community Fund Grant from the Porter County Community Foundation. The grant funding allowed them to purchase four Panasonic Toughbook Computers.
The new electronics will be securely placed in each of the department’s trucks, enhancing communication with the dispatch center and surrounding agencies.
These computers are capable of adapting to enhancements in the County’s 9-1-1 dispatch system and will help the fire department fulfill its mission to protect life, property and the environment.
Center of Workforce Innovations Receives Grant from Porter County Community Foundation
The Porter County Community Foundation selected the Center of Workforce Innovations to receive a Community Fund Grant to support the Women’s Adult Learning and High School Equivalency (HSE) Program at the Porter County Jail.
In 2014, the Center of Workforce Innovations started a small adult education program in the jail which has since assisted over 145 students. As the women’s interest in the program grew stronger, the Center of Workforce Innovations, along with the Porter County Sherriff’s Department and Sheriff David Reynolds, saw the need for the program to expand. The funds will help fund instruction costs and the HSE (formerly GED) test fees for the female students.
The Center of Workforce Innovations is a catalyst for community and business investment in workforce, education, and economic development to build and enhance collective capacity to succeed in a new global economy.
Porter County Community Foundation Presents Grant to Shirley Heinze Land Trust
Shirley Heinze Land Trust was selected to receive a Community Fund Grant from the Porter County Community Foundation to help purchase a much-needed snow plow.
"Support from the Porter County Community Foundation for the new snow plow is yet another way the Foundation is so integral to the success of our work," said Kris Krouse, Executive Director of Shirley Heinze Land Trust. "This equipment will help us maintain year-round access to Meadowbrook Conservation Center and Nature Preserve and to Shirley Heinze Land Trust preserves throughout the region."
Currently the staff has been using a small ATV and hand shovels to clear snow. With this new plow the team can not only clear the main parking areas more efficiently, but also roads that lead to trails for winter hikers and cross-country skiers.
Shirley Heinze Land Trust is comprised of volunteers, donors, professionals, business and industry, working together to preserve, protect and restore significant natural areas in Northwest Indiana. Their mission is to educate, inspire and invite the public to experience the natural wonders of our unique region.