President Transition Updates

Welcome, Jeri Patricia Gabbert, CFRE!

11/3/25 Update

Jeri Pat Gabbert, CFRE, joined Unity Foundation of La Porte County as President & CEO on November 3, 2025. She brings more than two decades of experience in philanthropy, education, and community engagement, most recently serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Philanthropic Officer at the Porter County Community Foundation. Jeri Pat has also held senior leadership roles at Indiana University Northwest and serves as faculty for The Fund Raising School at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. She holds a B.A. from Hanover College and an M.A. in Communication Studies from Ball State University.

A recognized leader in the fundraising profession, Jeri Pat earned her CFRE designation in 2009 and has contributed through numerous volunteer leadership roles, including with CFRE International, CASE, the Association of Christian Fundraising, and the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Known for her collaborative and mission-driven approach, she is passionate about partnering with donors, nonprofits, and community leaders to strengthen La Porte County and advance Unity’s work for generations to come.

Read more about Jeri Pat here.

The Search for Unity’s Next President & CEO

9/18/25 Update

After a comprehensive national search, Unity Foundation of La Porte County is proud to announce the appointment of philanthropic leader Jeri Pat Gabbert, CFRE, as the Foundation’s next President & CEO, effective November 3, 2025. Jeri Pat will succeed Maggi Spartz who served Unity Foundation as President for more than 33 years and who announced her intended retirement earlier this year.

Unity’s Founding President, Maggi Spartz, Will Retire in Late 2025

In December 2024, Unity Foundation announced Founding President Maggi Spartz’s plans to retire at the end of 2025. Under Spartz’s visionary leadership and tireless efforts, the Unity Foundation has grown from nothing to over $50 million in assets, benefiting thousands of people and hundreds of LaPorte County organizations.

Spartz’s passion for La Porte County and the region over 33 years has been unmatched. She is known for closely listening to donors and uncovering people’s passions for causes they care about. She invested time and energy unifying the county and region and being a champion for innovation, leadership and entrepreneurship.

Spartz’s key achievements since 1992:

Raised $55 million in Unity directly plus $23 million in indirect grants.
Awarded nearly $29 million in grants and scholarships, benefiting residents, non-profits, colleges and employers.
Strengthened local nonprofits by building endowment funds and providing grants.
Founded and nurtured numerous collaborations that have impacted housing, prevented homelessness, enhanced community leadership, promoted youth development, protected the environment, and supported education and arts and culture.
Inspired donors and professional advisors to understand the “miracle of Endowment,” think long term and make planned gifts, founded the Gold Key Society.
Represented La Porte County on the regional, state and national stage.
Managed 350 funds that reflect the goals and values of the donors who started them, forever connecting them with causes they care about now and for generations to come.
Improved educational attainment through scholarships and initiatives that supported students and families, attracting $18 million from the Lilly Endowment for education and literacy programs that reached over 67,000 learners in La Porte, Lake, and Porter Counties.
Manage the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship program awarding full tuition scholarships to 73 students for more than totaling $6 Million since 1998. Many students call La Porte County and Indiana home.
Acted as an essential connector for projects such as Unity Park, Vibrant Communities of La Porte County and Michigan City, pandemic responses, the STAR Center coworking space for nonprofits, the Trail Creek Watershed Partnership, NWI BIZHub, the Home Team, the Society of Innovators, and Ignite the Region economic development efforts.
Successfully met all seven challenge matches presented by the Lilly Endowment, Inc.
Grew Unity’s staff from one to six full-time members. Hosted several interns.
Cultivating and mentoring aspiring leaders through Leadership La Porte County and providing effective facilitation for complex problems toward workable solutions.