The Unity Foundation of La Porte County makes discretionary and field of interest grants to charitable organizations in the area of the arts, education, health and human services, the environment, and the community for the benefit of the citizens of La Porte County, Indiana.  In making grants, the Unity Foundation will be guided by the following general policies and considerations:

1. Other than grants made to individuals through designated scholarship funds, grants will be made only to those non-profit organizations and programs operating in La Porte County, Indiana.  Grants will be made for a wide variety of programs and purposes, while striving for geographical balance.
2. No grants will be made to churches for sectarian religious programs.
3. No grants will be made for operating budgets or for basic municipal or educational functions and services.
4. No grants will be made for endowment campaigns or for previously incurred debts.
5. Grants will ordinarily be made for one (1) year only.
6. No grants will be made to provide long-term funding.  No grants will be made for post-event or after-the-fact situations.

The Unity Foundation of La Porte County is particularly interested in funding:

1. Projects that are not adequately being serviced by existing community resources;
2. Start-up costs for new programs;
3. One-time projects or needs;
4. Projects that provide leverage for generating other funds and community resources;
5. Projects that facilitate cooperation and collaboration between organizations and the communities within La Porte County, Indiana.

Grants are approved by the Board of Directors based upon recommendations of the Grant Making Committee.

Application Procedure:

Applications should follow the format outlined in pages 6 through 8 of the Grant Packet.  Grant requests must be received or postmarked by no later than 5pm on Friday, July 20, 2012. Recipients will normally be notified by mid-September.  Grants are generally paid in October.

Information Required:

1.  Description of the project (narrative):

a.  the program or specific need you wish to address;

b.  its significance to the community and its particular benefit to those living in the La Porte County area;

c.  the names and qualifications of those persons who will carry it out.

2.  Budget (budget guide):

a.  complete budget for the project;

b.  how you propose to fund it;

c.  the amount you are requesting from the Unity Foundation;

d.  the names of other funding sources to whom you are applying for assistance.

3.  Description of applicant organization(s) – (cover sheet and attachments):

a.  the name, address, telephone, and fax number of the contact person;

b.  a list of your officers and board members;

c.  a copy of the IRS letter designating your organization as 501(c)(3) federal income tax exempt;

d.  your latest annual financial report;

e.  any descriptive brochures or promotional literature.

All communications should be addressed to:

Unity Foundation of La Porte County, Inc.

P.O. Box 527/619 Franklin St.

Michigan City, IN 46361

(219) 879-0327 or (888) 898-6489

Email: unity@uflc.net

www.uflc.net