Dan Johnston and Ann Howard recently met with Porter County Community Foundation President and CEO, Bill Higbie, to establish 34 new endowment funds. Money for these new permanent endowments was generated through the sale of the Resale Shop’s building at 801 Broadway to Northshore Health Centers. The shop plans to reopen in a new location in 2022.
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.
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.
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.
