If you are looking for a way to make a difference before the calendar turns to 2025, consider a gift to the Porter County Community Foundation (PCCF). Thanks to a unique donation match opportunity from Lilly Endowment Inc., for a limited time, every gift to the Porter County Community Fund at PCCF will have a greater than normal impact.
The opportunity, part of Lilly Endowment’s Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow initiative, provides an extra $2 gift for every $1 donated to the Community Fund. The Fund allows PCCF to address evolving local needs both now and in the future.
“With the support of philanthropic and community-minded individuals, we help meet the needs of local nonprofits,” said Jeri Pat Gabbert, PCCF Executive Vice President and Chief Philanthropic Officer. "Now is the perfect time to join us and make a gift because each dollar donated will have three times the impact.”
Through two annual cycles, the Community Fund awards grants of up to $10,000 each to local nonprofits for projects and programs that benefit youth, health and human services, animal welfare, arts and culture, education, and the environment. These grants allow the organizations to expand programming, increase capacity, and improve the efficiency of their services.
In 2024, more than 50 organizations benefited from Community Fund grants totally $337,000.
Among those awarded funding, the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana received a grant to support eight Mobile Market Food distributions in Porter County. Each mobile market helps an average of 250 families, delivering critical resources directly to those who need them most.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana’s Duneland Club received a grant to enhance its science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programming. New equipment will provide club members with increased exposure to STEM subjects, including coding and robotics and the principles of electricity, space, and flying.
Emergency services are also eligible to apply for the grants. This year the Hebron Volunteer Fire Department received funding to purchase four new Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), replacing outdated equipment. These devices enhance the department’s ability to respond to emergencies and save lives.
Community Fund grants empower these and other nonprofits to strengthen Porter County. To learn about all the grants awarded this spring and fall, visit pccf.gives/news.
Whether you’re inspired by families facing food insecurity, children exploring new learning opportunities, first responders saving lives, or another cause, there’s still time to make a gift this year. Your contribution today will go further and have a lasting impact.
Visit PCCF’s website, pccf.gives, or call 219-465-0294 to learn more about the donation match opportunity and triple your impact today.
Organizations may apply for the upcoming spring grant cycle from January 2 to February 15, 2025. The application for the fall 2025 cycle will be available from July 7 to August 15.