Unity Foundation of La Porte County Accredited with Rigorous National Philanthropic Standards

MICHIGAN CITY, IN — Unity Foundation of La Porte County recently received accreditation with the nation’s
highest standard for philanthropic excellence. National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations® establish
legal, ethical, effective practices for community foundations everywhere.

“Meeting the National Standards benchmarks is a rigorous, comprehensive process,” said Randy Royster, board
member of the Council on Foundations. “This accreditation is a significant accomplishment that indicates Unity
Foundation of La Porte County demonstrates a commitment to transparency, quality, integrity and accountability
as it carries out its mission.”

The National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations® program requires community foundations to document
their policies for donor services, investments, grantmaking and administration. With over 500 community
foundations already accredited nationwide, the program is designed to provide quality assurance to donors, as
well as to their legal and financial advisors.

“This is critically important to our donors,” said Maggi Spartz, Unity Foundation President. “When people make a
charitable bequest or establish a fund, they are putting their trust in us. They are counting on us to manage the
investment wisely and honor their charitable wishes. The National Standards accreditation says our house is in
order.”

Unity Foundation of La Porte County offers a range of charitable funds, allowing donors to advance a cause,
support an individual organization, provide flexible support for community needs or recommend individual grants.
In addition to affirming the organization’s philanthropic services, the accreditation validates Unity’s grantmaking
practices for the nonprofit community.

“Unity has participated in accreditation programs since 2007,” said Jon Gilmore, Unity Foundation Board Chair.

“With our National Standards accreditation, you can be assured that we’re doing things right.”

National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations® is the first program of its kinds for charitable foundations in
the United States.

About Unity Foundation
Since 1992, Unity Foundation of La Porte County has served donors, nonprofits and local communities. As La Porte County’s
community foundation, it manages over $40 million in assets, administers more than 325 charitable funds, and has distributed
more than $22 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.
About The Community Foundations National Standards Board
The Community Foundations National Standards Board is a supporting organization of the Council on Foundations and is
responsible for the quality, value and integrity of compliance with National Standards. For more information on the National
Standards Board, visit its website at www.cfstandards.org.