For a limited time, every $1 donated to Unity’s Community Funds, including our Power for Good Fund, will be matched with $2, tripling the impact of your gift!

Community Grants

Unity Foundation Community Grants

Power for Good Community Grants

Each year, Unity offers “Power for Good” Community Grants on a competitive basis. Qualified nonprofit organizations, governmental bodies, and educators serving La Porte County may apply for grants up to $5000. In 2024, we awarded $210,000 in funding to 53 local organizations!

Typically, Power for Good grants help provide funding for:

  • Issues not adequately being serviced by existing community resources
  • One-time projects or needs
  • Projects that provide leverage for generating other funds and community resources
  • Projects that facilitate cooperation and collaboration between organizations and the communities within La Porte County

How to Apply:

  • The 2025 application cycle is June 1 – July 11.
  • Each organization may submit one application in 2025.
  • When grant applications become available online, Unity will notify the public via traditional media, our website, and social media outlets. As a general rule, Unity does not offer grants outside of those listed on our website.
  • Applicants are required to apply online. Paper applications and submissions are not accepted.

  • We welcome and encourage contact from organizations and individuals that are considering applying for a grant and are happy to clarify and respond to questions concerning policies, guidelines, or application procedures. Email us at unity@uflc.net.

Unity Foundation recognized the 2024 grant recipients during its October 2, 2024 Annual Celebration.

Community Grants Cycle

The application period for 2025 Power for Good Grants is June 1 through July 11. Check back on June 1 to begin your application!

Frequently Asked Questions

As Unity Foundation embraces the future of serving La Porte County, the Grant Making Committee encourages submission of innovative projects. Many good repetitive projects have been supported over the years, but the preference is to seek out new concepts that will further enhance the quality of life and strengthen our county. Further considerations include:

  • Issues not adequately being serviced by existing community resources
  • One-time projects or needs
  • Projects that provide leverage for generating other funds and community resources
  • Projects that facilitate cooperation and collaboration between organizations and the communities within La Porte County

Generally, only charitable organizations with verifiable 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, and operating or offering programs in La Porte County, Indiana, will be considered. Start-up or ad hoc organizations may not yet have obtained 501(c)(3) status. If that is the case, we suggest you find an organization to “host” the project or program and have them request funds with you.

You may verify your exempt organization status by visiting IRS Exempt Organizations Select Check.

Churches may request funds for non-religious purposes only, such as community programs/projects.

Governmental bodies, such as townships and fire districts, as well as educational institutions including teachers.

If you are unsure if your organization is eligible to apply, please contact us before submitting a grant application.

Requests should be at least $500 and no more than $5,000. Organizations may submit one grant application in 2025.

No, however the project being funded must directly serve La Porte County or its residents, and you must be able to clearly demonstrate that service.

It is the general policy of Unity Foundation to operate without discrimination as to age, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin in its overall administration and grant making. Diversity, creative community development, and problem solving are greatly encouraged. In reviewing grant proposals, Unity Foundation generally utilizes the following evaluation criteria:

1. Is there an established need? Will the project/program achieve the desired result?
2. Is it appropriate for Unity Foundation to make this grant or are there more compatible funding sources?
3. Does Unity Foundation have adequate resources or is the program/project too big?
4. Will Unity Foundation’s funds leverage additional resources?
5. Does it fit with the Foundation’s areas of interest and geography?
6. Does it foster collaboration?
7. Does it have multiple impacts?

Generally, no. Grants are not made to individuals other than through scholarships or special awards administered by Unity Foundation of La Porte County.

Unity Foundation’s Grant Making Committee is comprised of a diverse group of men and women from La Porte County. They review the grants and make recommendations on which programs should receive funding, as well as in what amounts. Committee members sign Confidentiality Statements and reveal any potential conflicts of interest each year, as required by the IRS. The Unity Foundation Board of Directors reserves the right to decline any request that may jeopardize the Foundation or its IRS 501(c)(3) status.

The Grant Making Committee strives to fund as many applications as possible, but the primary goal is to invest in programs that will have the biggest impact on its respective constituencies. Not all requests are funded. Some requests may be partially funded.

2024 Projects

2023 Projects

2022 Projects

2021 Projects

2020 Projects

To attract complete, innovative, and good quality requests, Unity Foundation recognizes that technical assistance may be needed by organizations. The Foundation staff is available for this purpose and you are encouraged to utilize them as needed. Our goal is to get the best applications for our Committee to review. Sometimes an applicant will want to see if their submission is as good as it can be. The Foundation staff cannot write a proposal for anyone, but will be happy to review and offer suggestions for improvement. If you would like such input, you must contact us and get us your draft at least 2 weeks ahead of the deadline. We will respond as quickly as possible to ensure your ability to consider the input we provide.

If you are not sure if your program is eligible for funding from Unity Foundation, contact us. Include a description of the project needs and enough information to determine fit.

If your proposal is approved, you will need to sign a Grant Agreement with Unity Foundation before funding will be distributed. Most grant contracts require that you deliver what you promised in the proposal and may include special conditions set by the Grant Committee. The contract also requires you to notify Unity if there are any important changes with your organization. You will also be required to submit a Final Grant Report showing us how you delivered on your project. Failure to do so may eliminate your organization from future grants. Those organizations that successfully complete the grant process can look forward to future grant possibilities from the Unity Foundation.

Yes! Unity Foundation will share general information about its grants. Grant recipients may distribute publicity regarding their grant.

Unity Foundation may occasionally wish to highlight specific grants and would work closely with the recipient organization to determine the best strategy. Unity Foundation encourages the submission of project-related photographs to share with the community.