LA PORTE, IN — During Unity’s Annual Luncheon and Grant Celebration on October 26, Unity Foundation staff and board members gave an update on the Foundation’s work over the past year, including the Vibrant Communities of La Porte County initiative, and announced $190,000 in Power for Good Community Grants.

Board Chair Jon Gilmore spoke on the history of the community foundation and vision for the future, stating, “As Unity looks to the future, we continue to focus on the fundamental goals of building assets, strengthening operations, and collaborating with local, regional and statewide partners. We will continue to do our part in addressing complex issues that impact our quality of life.”

Unity Foundation President Maggi Spartz recognized Leigh Morris and Marti Swanson who were recently named honorary board members.  She stated, “Our community owes a debt of gratitude to our entire board- current and past, and especially Marti Swanson and Leigh Morris for their decades of leadership and unselfish service to Unity Foundation, La Porte County and our region.”

Unity Foundation Vice President Shannon Walker recognized this year’s Power for Good Community Grant Recipients and thanked Unity Foundation donors. “We appreciate the generous and visionary donors that have created or contributed to our Power for Good Fund and Community Funds that help make these grants and other community projects possible,” she said. “Unity has invested over $2.4 million in small grants to La Porte County non-profits through our Power for Good Community Grant program since the program’s inception.”

2023 Power for Good Grant Recipients and their programs receiving funding are as follows:

• Advancing Christ’s Kingdom Ministries-Michigan City: ThanksGIVING Turkeys
• Anthony Adams House: Save Our Youth
• Arts in the Park: Arts in the Park Summer Concert Series
• Boys & Girls Clubs of La Porte County: Westville Club Expansion
• Catholic Charities: Safe Haven Homeless Prevention
• Citizens Concerned for the Homeless: Sand Castle Shelter for Homeless Families Renovation, Phase II
• City of La Porte Police Department: Community Needs Fund
• Community Food Pantry of Galena, Hudson, Kankakee, Wills Townships
• Dunebrook: Child Advocacy Center
• Dunes Arts Foundation: Creative Theatre Arts Program for Safe Harbor Summer Camp Students
• Family Advocates: Inside Out Dads Pilot Program w/ La Porte County Jail
• Fly High Youth Services: SOARING Through the Holidays
• Hope Center: Helping Our People Excel – Rebuilding the Westside
• Interfaith Community PADS: Emergency Shelter for Men, Women and Children
• Intrepid Phoenix: Fitness for recovery from substance abuse disorder in La Porte County
• Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana: Elementary Programming- Michigan City Area Schools
• La Porte County Drug Free Partnership: LaPorte Crisis Intervention Team- Improving Responsiveness to Mental Health and Substance Use Crises
• La Porte County Public Library: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in La Porte County
• La Porte County Symphony Orchestra: Side by Side Concert with Local Music Educators
• La Porte High School: SlicerTech Robotics
• LaPorte County Habitat for Humanity: La Porte Build on McCollum and Woodward Street
• La Porte Lake Association: Pine & Stone Lake weed treatments, lake equality and walleye stocking to our lakes
• Leadership La Porte County: 2023-24 High School Leadership Program & Youth Advisory Council
• LETSGO City: LETSGO Get It
• Michiana Humane Society: Kitten & Puppy Foster Support
• Michigan City Area Schools: “Future Wolves” Elementary Sports Program
• Michigan City Art League: Bringing the love of art to everyone in the community
• Michigan City Holiday Meals: Free Holiday Meals
• Michigan City House of Hope
• Michigan City Police Department: Community Needs Fund
• North Central Community Action Agencies: Health and Hygiene for Youth
• Open Door Adolescent Health Center
• Open Door Community Alliance: Medication Assistance Program
• Paladin: Reducing Social Isolation through Transportation Services
• The Play for Jake Foundation: Meet Ready Eddy
• READ La Porte County: Tutor Recruiter
• Sacred Heart Food Pantry at St. Mary: Healthy Families
• The Salvation Army of LaPorte Indiana: Client choice food pantry
• Service League of Michigan City: Equipment Inventory Additions
• Social and Learning Institute: Science & Nature Exploration
• South Central Jr. Sr. High School: Engineering and Robotics Equipment Supplement
• Stepping Stone Shelter for Women: Shelter Meals and Food Security Program
• Trinity Episcopal Church: Trinity Community Food Pantry
• Worthy Women Recovery Home: Worthy Home
• Youth Service Bureau of LaPorte County: School Buddies

The following funds provided additional support for this year’s grants: La Porte County Mental Health Fund, Glick Foundation Fund for the City Of La Porte, George H. And Madeline A. Smrt West Side Neighborhood Fund, Kay Franklin Commemorative Fund, Charles Westcott Youth Fund, Polad Animal Care Endowment Fund, Barry Dulyea Arts Fund for Children, and the La Porte County Educational Advancement Fund.

 Since 1992, Unity Foundation of La Porte County has served donors, nonprofits and local communities. As La Porte County’s community foundation, it manages $41 million in assets, administers more than 350 charitable funds, and has distributed more than $25 million through direct grants and scholarships. 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 uflc.net or call 219-879-0327.