Unity Foundation Meets $500,000 Challenge Match

Unity Foundation of La Porte County is pleased to announce the successful completion of the Lilly
Endowment Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT) initiative, Phase VII match. The initiative tripled
the impact of local donations to Unity’s Community Funds over the past two years with a two to one
match. As a result, $500,000 in local donations became $1.5 million to support community needs.

GIFT is part of Lilly Endowment’s effort to strengthen Indiana communities and has been a priority of the
Endowment since the first phase of GIFT in 1990. Lilly Endowment unveiled the latest phase, GIFT VII, in
October 2018 to help Indiana community foundations grow their financial resources and help meet
current needs in their communities. Thanks to many generous donors, La Porte County has reached its
goal ahead of the December 2021 deadline.

“The GIFT VII match came when our community needs it the most. When GIFT VII was announced, we
never could have imagined the COVID-19 pandemic and the unprecedented challenges we would face.
The generosity of our donors and the Lilly Endowment helps us strengthen our communities, react to
current needs, and improve the quality of life in our county for years to come,” said Jon Gilmore, Unity
Board Chairman.

Community Funds are used to support charitable programs and organizations in La Porte County and can
meet changing community needs as they occur. These funds also help fuel Unity’s annual Power for
Good Community Grant Program which awards over $150,000 to local projects and charities.

“The impact of these donations stretches far and wide across our community — providing focused
resources to our workers and volunteers dedicated to creating a safe, healthy and fun La Porte County.
Thank you to all who donated,” said Maggi Spartz, Unity Foundation President.

Please visit uflc.net to learn more about grants, scholarships and charitable giving ideas.

Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J.K.
Lilly, Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and
Company. Although the gifts of stock remain a financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate
entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the
founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and
religion and maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state,
Indiana.

Since 1992, Unity Foundation of La Porte County has served donors, nonprofits and local communities. As
La Porte County’s community foundation, it manages approximately $32 million in assets, administers
more than 325 charitable funds, and has distributed more than $21 million through direct grants and
scholarships. The Council on Foundations has deemed Unity Foundation in compliance with all Indiana
and national ethical and operating standards for community foundations. Unity Foundation’s mission is
to strengthen La Porte County now and forever by building permanent endowments; providing
leadership; offering philanthropic vehicles for everyone; and, being a catalyst for social and economic
vitality. For more information, please visit www.uflc.net or call 219-879-0327.