With support of the Lilly Endowment GIFT VI match, Unity Foundation of La Porte County is increasing its 2015 Community Fund Grants to more than $125,000.
Through March 31, 2016, Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc. is offering a $1 for $1 challenge match up to $1 million for La Porte County to build “Community Funds”. These are specific funds at Unity, opened by visionary people making “unrestricted” gifts.
Community Fund grants come from these earnings. The application for the annual grants is now available online at http://uflc.net/grants/how-to-apply/, open to all nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations located in, or serving La Porte County residents.
Former La Porte County residents John P. & Anne H. Daley, Ernest & Mildred Delco, John A. & Dorothy Sieb Carstens, Charles T. & Pauline J. Dye, Ruth W. Pollingue, and Philip A. Sprague left memorial legacies with Unity Foundation to start Community Funds to strengthen the county for generations to come.
With the current opportunity to double their money through the Lilly Endowment match, the following new community funds have opened: American Association of University Women, La Porte Branch; Backer Family Fund; Randy and Jane Dorman Foundation; Sanford Z. Friedman Community Fund; David C. Gardner Community Fund; and Kabelin Family Community Fund.
These funds allow a committee of dedicated volunteers from throughout the county to award grants of up to $3,000 each. Eligible projects and programs fall into numerous categories, including but not limited to, arts and culture, health, human services, environment, education, and projects that strengthen La Porte County in meaningful ways.
Last year the foundation awarded nearly $107,000 in community grants for 55 projects, providing support in areas including animal care, child safety, medication assistance, food, finances and shelter.
The deadline for submitting this year’s Community Fund Grant applications is 11:59 p.m. CST on Friday, July 17. Organizations may submit up to three grants for consideration.
In addition to the grant applications, Unity Foundation’s annual report is available online on its web site at www.uflc.net. Past year grant recipients are listed in the report, along with articles about a variety of teacher grant opportunities, and special focus areas such as Lilly GIFT VI, family and youth philanthropy and development of the Pine Lake project.