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Unity Foundation Announces $150,000 in Community Grants
LA PORTE COUNTY, IN — Unity Foundation of La Porte County is supporting area nonprofit and community service
agencies with its most recent round of grants, totaling nearly $150,000 for nearly 75 local projects throughout La
Porte County. As the COVID‐19 pandemic continues to alter the way organizations serve others and the community,
these grants are helping provide vital access to education, literacy, prevention and supportive services.
“Right now the need to support community organizations is more important than ever,” said Shannon Walker, Unity
Foundation Vice President. “These programs are doing incredible work and Unity is proud to support their efforts.”
The applications were evaluated by a committee of dedicated members from throughout La Porte County. The
grants are made possible due to the generosity of visionary donors who left unrestricted funds to Unity Foundation.
Those community funds were established in the following names: AAUW La Porte , Backer Family Fund, Fred &
Helen Brust, Petrea Clark, John P. & Anne H. Daley; Ernest & Mildred Delco, Pauline M. Dent, Randy & Jane Dorman,
Charles T. & Pauline Dye, Mark E. Essling, Sanford Z. Friedman, David C. Gardner, Kabelin Family, Ruth W. Pollingue,
Purdue Federal Credit Union, Scott and Marianne Rice Family, Tom & Judy Ringo, Ruth C. Sabin, Phillip A. Sprague,
Thomas C. & Blanch G. Stokes, Tower/Oktoberfest, Unity Foundation Power for Good Fund, John & Jean Vail, and
Sandra L. Young.
Funding assistance for the grants was also provided by the Benz Family Advised Fund, John A. and Dorothy Sieb
Carstens Fund, Barry C. Dulyea Arts Fund for Children, Kay Franklin Commemorative Fund, Glick Foundation Fund,
La Porte County Disaster Relief & Recovery Fund, La Porte County Educational Advancement Fund, La Porte County
Mental Health Fund, Lorraine Gehrke Orlowski Fund, and Unity Foundation Literacy Fund.
The complete list of 2020 Power for Good grant awards includes the following:
Advancing Christ’s Kingdom Ministries‐Michigan City Food Bank, ThanksGIVING Turkeys
Arts in the Park, Arts in the Park Concerts 2020
Barker Middle School, STEM Class Mega Project
Boys & Girls Club of Michigan City, Inc., Cleaning/Sanitation for 2020‐2021 Year
Boys & Girls Club of Michigan City, Inc., Marketing Support
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Gary, Rent and Mortgage Assistance
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Gary, Utility Assistance Program
Center Township Trustee’s Office, Crock Pot Friday Classes/Food for Little Pantries
Center Township Trustee’s Office, Hotel Vouchers for the Homeless
Citizens Concerned for the Homeless, Inc., Keys to Hope Education on Appearance, Behavior and Change
Citizens Concerned for the Homeless, Inc., CCH Food Rescue Initiative
Citizens Concerned for the Homeless, Inc., Grace Learning Center New Program for Self Sufficiency
City of La Porte, Clean‐up La Porte Continuation Program
City of La Porte Parks and Recreation Dept., Comprehensive Inventory of Trees
City of La Porte Parks and Recreation Dept., Kesling/Rumley Parks & Construction of New Court at Allesee Park
City of La Porte, Bike Route Stenciling and Wayfinding Signage
Community Food Pantry of Galena, Hudson, Kankakee, Wills Twps, Inc., Emergency Food/Nutrition/Resources
Community Reserve, Furniture Bank Helping Those in Emergency Need
Dunebrook, Inc., Therapist Support for Children of Suspected Abuse
Dunebrook, Inc., Child Abuse Prevention/Education Programming
Family Advocates, Inc., Racial Bias Public Training
First Congressional Church of Michigan City, Trash Pickup Support Program
Friendship Botanic Gardens, Eco‐Adventures Series of Free Educational Events
Girls on the Run of Northwest Indiana, Inspire the Girls of Michigan City
Hanna Lions Club, Hanna Lions Club Park Basketball Court
HealthLinc, Inc., Virtual Care Kits for COVID‐19 Positive Patients
Healthy Communities of Laporte County, Suicide Prevention and Education
Independent Cat Society, Let’s Fix This 2020 Spay/Neuter/Care Program
Interfaith Community PADS, Inc., Interfaith Community PADS, Inc. Operational Support
La Porte Area Lake Association, Weed Treatment Program
La Porte County Habitat for Humanity, City of La Porte Home Build
La Porte County Symphony Orchestra, 32nd Annual Drayton Family Children’s Educational Program
Leadership La Porte County, Inc., Adult Scholarship Support
LOK Wishing Tree Foundation, LOK Young Artist Expo Program Support
Michigan City Area Schools, MCAS “Future Wolves” Elementary Sports Program
Michigan City Main Street Association, Celebrating Naomi Anderson Community Engagement Program Support
North Central Community Action Agencies, Inc., Health and Hygiene for Youth
Open Door Community Alliance, Inc., Open Door Community Alliance Medication Assistance Program
Open Door Community Alliance, Inc., Adolescent Health Center
Paladin, Inc., Group Home Mattresses
Pine Lake Land Owners’ Association, Pine Lake Shoreline Restoration Project
READ La Porte County, Inc., Learning Disability Program Support
Reins of Life, Inc., Equine‐assisted Program for Veterans
Save the Dunes Conservation Fund, Biodiversity through Pollinator Habitat‐Style Gardens
Sacred Heart Food Pantry (St. Francis Ministry), Food Pantry Program
Social and Learning Institute, Inc., Science & Nature Exploration Program
Soul Steppers Drill Team, Inc., Soul Steppers Program Support/History Integration
South Central Jr. Sr. High School, Vex Robotics Program Upgrade
South Shore Skipping Stones, Online Prenatal and Infant Oral Health Class Support
Stepping Stone Shelter for Women, Inc., Shelter Food
Stepping Stone Shelter for Women, Inc., Anti‐Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Program
The Intrepid Phoenix, Inc., Support for Those in Recovery from Substance Abuse
The Jack & Shirley Lubeznik Center for the Arts Inc., LCA Community Program Support
The Jack & Shirley Lubeznik Center for the Arts Inc., LCA Scholarship Program Support
The Salvation Army of Michigan City, Pathway of Hope Program Support
The Salvation Army of Michigan City, Emergency Services
Trinity Episcopal Church, Trinity Church Food Pantry
United Way of La Porte County, VITA Program Support
Washington Park Zoo, Renovation of North American Raptor Exhibit
Washington Park Zoo, Water Foundation & Bottle Refilling Station/Signage
Westville ‐New Durham Township Public Library, Project LIT Westville Book Club
Westville Police Department, 21st Century Policing Webinar Series
Youth Service Bureau of La Porte County, School Buddies
Youth Service Bureau of La Porte County Inc., Kids on the Block
Thank you to Unity’s 2020 sponsors including: Horizon Bank, NIPSCO, Mason Investment Advisory Services, Inc., 1st
Source Bank, Edward Jones, Franciscan Health Michigan City, Harbour Trust & Investment Management Company,
Kabelin Ace Hardware, Newby Lewis Kaminski & Jones, LLP, Rice Farms, LLP , Meridian Title Corporation, Walsh &
Kelly, Inc, Estep Burkey Simmons, LLC, Applegate & Company CPA’s, Fenker’s Furniture, Mayor Duane Perry & the
City of Michigan City, as well as the La Porte County community and Unity donors for their ongoing support and
celebration of the Power of Community in La Porte County.
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.
LA PORTE COUNTY, IN — Unity Foundation of La Porte County is pleased to recognize 10 local high school seniors as La Porte County finalists for the prestigious Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship. Two of the finalists will be selected as 2025 Lilly Endowment Community Scholars. The two scholars will each receive a full-tuition scholarship to […]
LA PORTE, IN — During Unity’s Annual Celebration on October 2, Unity Foundation staff and board members gave an update on the Foundation’s work over the past year, unveiled their 2023-2024 Annual Report to the Community and announced $210,000 in Power for Good Community Grants. Unity Foundation President Maggi Spartz spoke on the history of […]