Community Foundation Approves $2.1M in Grants

The Community Foundation of Elkhart County has approved more than $2.1 million in grants to dozens of nonprofits and programs in the county. The grant categories include placemaking, kids and families and career pathways.

“Even in this challenging era, we are able to partner with nonprofits in our region who serve Elkhart County to build our community,” said Candy Yoder, chief program officer. “Our committees, staff and board are working with others to build more and improved pathways in our community.”

The grants were awarded between July and October, with some being multi-year commitments. Grants were awarded to:

Placemaking grants – $267,000

• Elkhart County Parks, $64,000, OxBow County Park wetland exploration boardwalk
• Elkhart County Redevelopment Commission, $100,000, Prairie Creek Run water utility project
• Potawatomi Zoo, $100,000, Giraffe Feeding Adventure
• One grant of $25,000 or less totaled $3,000
• Fulfillment of multiyear and challenge grant commitments made previously totaled $765,000

Kids and Families grants -$971,935

• Child And Parent Services, $150,000 (first year of a three-year commitment), primary prevention expansion
• Elkhart County Clubhouse, $100,000 (first year of a three-year 1:1 challenge grant), Elkhart Clubhouse expansion
• Jefferson Community Church, $150,000, Community activity center
• REAL Services, $30,000, Elkhart County Meals on Wheels
• Church Community Services, $60,000 (first installment of $100,000, two-year grant), Latinx Outreach
• Reason Enough To Act, $350,000 (first year of a three-year commitment), building support via 1:1 challenge
• Women’s Care Center, $98,000, operating support
• Five grants of $25,000 or less totaled $33,935
• Fulfillment of multiyear and challenge grant commitments made previously totaled $1,781,250

Career Pathways grants – $477,272

• enFocus, $50,000, talent attraction and civic innovation
• Ivy Tech Foundation, $24,554, nursing expansion project
• University of Notre Dame, $75,361 (first year of a two-year commitment), Center for Civic Innovation Internships
• Tolson Center, $250,000 (first year of a two-year commitment), Tolson Center Capital Project
• Five grants of $25,000 or less totaled $77,357
• Fulfillment of multiyear and challenge grant commitments made previously totaled $831,179

Opportunity Fund – $386,615

• South Bend Elkhart Regional Partnership support, $100,000
• Indiana Golf Foundation, $200,000, capital project
• 24 grants for sponsorships and memberships, $86,615