For a downloadable version of this list, click here.

4-H of LaPorte County Endowment Fund

The LaPorte County 4-H program reaches over 1,400 youth in grades K-12. 4-H provides fun, hands-on learning activities through participation in local clubs, workshops, trips, community service, and project work. More than 80 different projects are available for members to choose from. These projects help youth develop important life skills and often define career aspirations. As children progress and take on more responsibility within the program, they also develop important leadership and communication skills. The entire program is led by a dedicated team of more than 300 adult volunteer leaders.

Our biggest goal is to build the endowment fund so that the LaPorte County 4-H program will have a healthy financial future. We not only want to sustain our programs, but be able to reach even more youth in LaPorte County. We would also like to support the efforts of our adult volunteers, providing them with the tools and resources they need to empower young people to reach their full potential.

Arts United Fund for LaPorte County

Love the arts, and want to help everyone?  The Arts United Fund is for you!  This fund supports the fine and performing arts, promotes interest and participation in the arts, and enables Unity Foundation to use the arts to enrich the quality of life in La Porte County.

Give Day funds will be used to entice a new generation to get involved in the La Porte County fine and performing arts scene.

Boys & Girls Club of Michigan City Endowment Fund

Our mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible individuals.
We use our national programs to accomplish this mission with a focus on three areas of positive youth development: Academic Success, Good Character and Citizenship, and Healthy Lifestyles.

Our approximately 400 members, ages 6 through 18, will benefit from your contributions.  The funds will be used to support our efforts to implement our “Evidenced Based” programs that incorporate five key elements of youth development: 1. A safe, positive environment 2. Fun 3. Supportive relationships 4. Opportunities and expectations 5. Recognition. We will also use funds to transport our members to and from the Club and to offsite activities.

Clarence Weinkauff, Jr. Grant Fund

This scholarship is in connection with the LaPorte County 4H Swine project. In essence it is to encourage local 4H children to breed and raise their own pigs to show at the local fair.  The award is $500 and is given via an essay submitted to the local 4H extension office prior to the annual fair date. All names are removed prior to the family reading the applications and the choice is then made by majority vote of the family.  Encouraging local families with an interest in raising their own livestock and then showing them at the fair is important, not if they win, but the rewarding experience of breeding and raising pigs vs. just buying a pig and showing it.

We would increase our capital and increase the amount of the annual award if the earnings exceeding the current award.

Dress for Success Fund

Beginning this school year (2012-13) Michigan City Area Schools adopted a “Dress for Success” dress code. Students at all public schools are now required to wear khaki, black or navy pants/shorts/skirts and white, blue, black, or gray shirts. “Dressing for Success” is instilling a renewed sense of pride among students, leading to fewer behavior problems and keeping the focus on academics. However, some families in our community struggle to make ends meet. This fund helps MCAS provide basic “Dress for Success” clothing items for children in need.
This support comes at a crucial time for our schools, as we strive to make sure all children have the clothes they need to meet the requirements of the new district-wide dress code. School principals are given access to funds based on the percentage of students in poverty who attend their schools. Cash is not given to families directly; instead, principals order clothing items that are then available for them to pick up at school. Thank you for your support!

Dunebrook – The Children’s Fund

Dunebrook is a family resource center, providing home visitation and parenting classes to support parents in raising their children. When abuse is alleged, Dunebrook’s Child Advocacy Center works with investigators by performing forensic interviews and providing family advocacy to help victims toward healing.

The demand for Dunebrook’s parent support programs is great, a tribute to the care, compassion and guidance of our home visitors. Dunebrook’s programs are delivered without cost to families; however, that does not mean that the programs are without cost. Proceeds from this Unity event will assist with program costs, and will enable us to positively impact the lives of children and parents in La Porte County.

Environmental Improvement Fund for LP County

Love the environment and want to make your money really count?  This fund has leveraged tens of thousands of grant dollars.  Results include the completion of both the Trail Creek and Galena Watershed Plans approved by IDEM.  This fund is still small so please help us grow it!
Fund use:  We’ll use these funds for air, water, land and wildlife quality improvement efforts.

Festival Players Guild

The Festival Players Guild provides professional quality, live, stage productions at the Mainstreet Theatre in the Uptown Arts District. These productions are provided at reasonable prices primarily during our Canterbury Summer Theatre season. Our goal is to expand our season by offering additional productions in the spring and fall including productions in association with Purdue North Central and children’s productions.
Our theatre, like many others, has fallen on hard times. All monies currently available are being used to cover production costs, utility bills and miscellaneous expenses. Our theatre has been very conservative and has neither expanded our season nor grown our customer base. If other funds are available to “keep the lights on,” we can concentrate on growing the theater’s season and clientele.

Food Bank of Northern Indiana Fund

Founded in 1993, the Food Bank of Northern Indiana serves 178 member agencies in Elkhart, Kosciusko, LaPorte, Marshall, Starke and St. Joseph counties.  We solicit, store and distribute donated food through our network, distributing nearly 6 million pounds in 2012.  Each dollar donated to the Food Bank can provide the equivalent of up to 8 meals for those in need.

Foundations for Youth Fund

The Youth Service Bureau has been inspiring youth since 1972 in La Porte County.  YSB believes the majority of our youth are assets, not problems. YSB believes youth need caring adults in their lives and joined forces in 1990 with Big Brothers Big Sisters to connect kids to positive role models. YSB recognizes that young people have the capacity to create a better tomorrow. YSB/BB-BS have been a steady source of opportunities for youth such as mentoring via Lunch Buddies, summer program, Teen Court, Kids on the Block (Abuse prevention program), Youth Philanthropy and more.  Help us continue our efforts to inspire and strengthen our youth!

Gail’s Gift Scholarship Fund

Gail’s Gift Fund provides college scholarships for graduating seniors of Michigan City Area Schools. This fund was established in the memory of Gail E. Biggs, a wonderful woman who lived her life ‘giving’ to others.  She spent many years volunteering and working with the students in the Michigan City Area School system.  Her desire and passion to improve their lives will be carried on through this fund.

Garner Foundation

We serve only two meals a year, but we have fed thousands.  For more than 30 years, a group of dedicated volunteers have served meals on Thanksgiving and at Christmas to Michigan City people who would be hungry or alone.  The number of people needing meals has dramatically increased.
Give Day funds will be used to feed more people, at a time of year when it’s needed most.

Michigan City Area Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation

Dedicated to the enhancement of the local educational environment through efforts to achieve a high quality education in the greater Michigan City area.  These efforts will better prepare students for meaningful and productive roles in the community.

Hanna Indiana Community Fund

The Hanna Indiana community recently celebrated its sesquicentennial—150 years as a small, friendly town in southern La Porte County.  For 65 of those years the Hanna Lions Club has been the key community betterment group serving its citizens.  Small-town culture, families, history, agriculture, the environment, and recreation have been the centers of our community pride.

Funds are used to improve and maintain the Hanna Lions Club Community Park, to provide scholarships to local students, for community activities such as the Easter Egg Hunt and the annual HannaFest.  Community needs dictate our donations and work.

Harmony House/CASA of La Porte County, Inc.

Harmony House/CASA provides qualified, trained volunteers to serve as Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) who represent the best interest children who under under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court due to abuse and neglect.  Harmony House provides a safe home-like environment for children to have visitation with their non custodial parent or a neutral site for the exchange for visitation to occur.
Currently, there are 30 children on a waiting list for a CASA volunteer to serve as their advocate.  The funds will be used to recruit, screen and train additional volunteers.  The funds will also be used to recruit, screen and train CASA volunteers who are appointed to represent those youth who are involved in juvenile delinquency court that will advocate for their best interest as well as serve as a mentor.

Housing Opportunities, Inc. Endowment Fund

“I was overwhelmed with the pressure of not being able to find adequate work to support my family along with the seriousness of being evicted in February 2012. I prayed and cried and prayed and cried out for some kind of help. The Lord sent us a ray of hope. Today I am regaining my life and dignity, hand-in-hand with Housing Opportunity.
Housing Opportunities, with offices in La Porte and Porter County, supports families in crisis with many programs for homelessness prevention, crisis intervention, and to provide permanent, safe housing. Your support keeps families together and to become self-sufficient.

Indiana Dunes Environmental Learning Center Tuition Assistance Fund

Dunes Learning Center programs are a proven antidote to the challenges facing our youth. During their stay, students challenge themselves and work together. They encounter wild and beautiful places that few people visit. They experience classroom concepts first-hand while developing a sense of empowerment and responsibility to make a difference in the environment in which they live. Tuition assistance help keep these experiences accessible and affordable.
Requests for tuition assistance continue to outpace available funds.  A gift of $375 sends one child to Dunes Discovery Camp. $5000 in tuition assistance funds could make it possible for 3 LaPorte county classrooms to experience a 3 day/2 night program at Dunes Learning Center at a cost of just $45 per student.

International Friendship Gardens

This fund, started by an anonymous donor, supports the Gardens, which was started in the 1930’s, inspired by the Chicago World’s Fair.  These beautiful grounds have gardens representing different countries and cultures.  It is a popular place for outdoor weddings and Lyric Opera performances.  It is cradled along the banks of tranquil Trail Creek.  Help us to maintain this treasure!

Ivy Tech Michigan City Pejic Campus Fund

Get more for your money!  Each $2 given to this fund will earn a $1 match from the Unity Foundation!  Help them reach their goal of $100,000 AND make a great investment in education.
Give Day funds will be used for much needed renovation and repurposing of the facility acquired in 2011 by Ivy Tech through the generosity of Drs. Rade and Leslie Pejic.

Jack and Shirley Lubeznik Center for the Arts

Outreach to Michigan City and LaPorte after-school children to encourage academic success and engage families in their children’s education.

Storm drain art project for children to create art that will be installed on storm drains in Michigan City. The project will include education on the environment and importance of storm drains on our ecological system and drinking water.

Jim Jessup Future Leaders Fund

Leadership La Porte County has been training local leaders in La Porte County for almost 30 years.  Each year several applicants for the program need tuition assistance to participate.  This is especially true for the citizens of rural La Porte County and our local non-profit organizations.  This fund helps provide those scholarships. The funds will be used to provide local citizens financial assistance to participate in future leadership training programs through Leadership La Porte County.

Junior Achievement of LaPorte County

Junior Achievement (JA) connects the business world and education. Here students learn economic lessons that have impact far beyond the classroom. Through simple lessons, we help students understand business principles such as supply and demand, concepts like opportunity cost, and practical skills like how to balance a checkbook.  When they apply what they learn through JA, they’re developing skills that will last a lifetime.
This past school year we empowered over 5,400 students to own their economic success by offering over 200 classes at the elementary, middle school and high school levels. Your support of Junior Achievement is not just an investment in their future–it’s an investment in our community’s future.  It’s just good business!

La Lumiere School Endowment Fund

La Lumiere School is committed to a racially, religiously, ethnically, and socio-economically diverse student body.

We are determined to help close the gap between what a family can afford and the cost of a La Lumiere education. Each academic year, La Lumiere provides financial aid assistance to 1 in 4 of our students, who for financial reasons could not otherwise attend La Lumiere. Financial aid decisions are based upon the need of the family and have no bearing on our admission decisions. Every family is expected to contribute, to the extent they are able, a portion of the cost of their student’s education.

La Porte County Mental Health Fund

Passionate about mental health?  This fund helps many persons and families!  This fund supports direct patient care for those under financial and emotional stress, and increases awareness of mental health issues and resources.  It was started when the La Porte County Mental Health Association dissolved in 1998. This fund carries on its mission of supporting mental health for La Porte County residents.

LaPorte County Park Foundation Endowment Fund

The La Porte County Park Foundation assists the La Porte County Parks by accepting gifts of cash, land, or other assets, and holding them in trust until needed by the Parks to maximize their effectiveness.  The Foundation has leveraged over $4 million to benefit park development in La Porte County during its 20 year existence. All funds raised will go to park development at the best possible time to match grants and get quick results.

LaPorte County Habitat for Humanity, Inc. Endowment Fund

Our mission is to eradicate substandard housing and homelessness one house at a time by building affordable homes for low-income families through volunteer labor and love. Since 1986 we have built 44 homes throughout La Porte County for families who needed a helping hand up, not a hand out. Building homes enhances our communities and builds our economy.
Funds raised will largely help to purchase building materials and supplies for the next Habitat house to be built in La Porte County.

LaPorte County Red Cross Endowment Fund

Your home burned and you have no place to go.  Your son is in the military, his father is in ICU and you need to get in touch with him.  You are scheduled for surgery and may need blood.  The Red Cross will be there to help with trained volunteers and staff.

Funds will be used for preparedness activities in LaPorte County.  This includes:
•Training volunteers to respond to house fires as well as opening a shelter after a tornado.
•Purchasing of beverages (Gatorade, water, coffee and hot chocolate)   which are given out during a disaster response.
•Printing and distribution of educational materials to the general public.

LaPorte County Symphony Orchestra Endowment Fund

Founded by musicians who wanted to perform orchestral classics, it has become a cultural leader.

Mission: Enrich the cultural lives of people of all ages within and beyond La Porte County through the experience of excellent live orchestral performance.
Vision: LCSO will be recognized as a major and unique cultural asset characterized by:  Excellence, Diversity, Participation, Engagement, Education, & Collaboration.

These funds will be used to build our endowment fund and support educational programming for the children of La Porte County.  Your donation will allow the orchestra to create unique, affordable, high-quality concerts that enhance the community’s quality of life for future generations.

LaPorte Family YMCA Foundation Fund

We want to help our community meet their physical, mental and social goals. One person helped is Debra King who has lost an astonishing 425 pounds in three years by exercising in the Y pool. “I knew I wanted to do it on my own with no surgery,” stated Debra.  The Y has been there every step of the way.
The fund will go to help people like Debra who many not otherwise are able to afford a YMCA membership or program.

LaPorte Hospital Foundation Fund

To support healthcare and healthy lifestyles in the IU Health La Porte Hospital service area.

LaPorte Hospital Foundation VNA Fund

LaPorte Hospital Foundation VNA Fund assists the patients of the VNA Hospice and Home Care.

Leadership LaPorte County Endowment Fund

Leadership La Porte County has been cultivating leaders since 1983. Thousands of people have participated in our Adult Community Leadership Program, High School program, Middle School Leadership and Youth 2 Youth philanthropy program or have taken advantage of our customized training and facilitation services. LLC, along with others, have supported Rural Development through Summits and hands-on projects.

Good people deserve good leadership.  Please support our mission to Inspire, develop, cultivate, and connect emerging and existing leaders to serve their diverse communities.

Lindsey O’Brien Kesling Wishing Tree Foundation

The purpose of the Fund is to support young people in achieving their highest potential, unleashing their talents and acting upon their dreams through a wide variety of creative and performing arts opportunities. We promise to be good stewards with your kind donation. Please visit www.lokwishingtreefoundation.org for continued stories of young lives being changed and influenced. Share the LOVE!

Love Our Lakes/Pine Lake Avenue Project

Keeps the view of Pine Lake open – forever.  Our “two-acre treasure” at 1010 Pine Lake Ave. needs help to acquire, develop and endow this unique property that was once intended to become a 6-story condo.

Funds will be used to get the property ready to donate to the community to be enjoyed forever by everyone – including our own residents, visitors, and businesses looking to settle here.

Major Building Repairs Fund – Salvation Army of Michigan City

The more than 100 year old Michigan City Salvation Army building at 1201 Franklin St. was purchased in 1972 and renovated in 2001. In order to continue serving more than 800 needy families each month, we must keep the building in good repair. Money raised would be used to replace damaged flooring in the food pantry, foyer and lower level; repair & maintenance of furnaces and air conditioners, repair and/or replacement of aging roof; replacement of broken glass block windows; repair and/or replacement of damaged doors and replacement of soiled & damaged carpeting throughout building.

Michigan City Education Foundation

This awesome fund gets money directly into teacher’s hands for innovative classroom projects.  K-8th grade teachers or school professionals compete for $350 grants.  Each year 35-40 teachers in Michigan City public and parochial schools are awarded more than $10,000 to make learning more fun and relevant.  There are always more great applicants than money. Help us support our amazing teachers!

Michigan City Lion Charities, Inc. Endowment Fund

The Michigan City Lions Club is part of Lions Clubs International (LCI).  Our primary mission is to assist those with sight and/or hearing disabilities.  We support LCI leader dog training programs, cancer research funding and the Indiana Eye Bank.

We assist LaPorte County adults obtain eye glasses when they cannot afford them on their own and with medication co-payments.  We provide financial support to the Michigan City Salvation Army.  We also fund annual scholarship of $2,500 to a deserving student from one of the three Michigan City high schools.

We gather thousands of donated eye glasses so that they can be refurbished for additional use by those in need.

Mosette Levin Fund for Cancer Help

This fund helps La Porte County residents get assistance with cancer care.  As more people suffer from cancer, the need for help outside insurance and government programs is increasing.  Herbert Levin established this fund in the 1970’s and has helped many people, with demonstrated financial need to offset some of their medical costs.  If you like what Mr. Levin did…give to this fund today!
Give Day funds will be used to build the fund and provide care to more people.

Open Door Health Center Endowment Fund

Ms. B is gravely ill.  She saw her Doctor.  At the pharmacy, when told the cost of her prescription, she left empty handed.  Ms. B has no health insurance and is struggling financially.  She cannot afford to pay for her medicine. With Open Door assistance, Ms. B and others like her will receive medication vital to their recovery.

Funds will enable Open Door to provide medication assistance for (1) patients with short term acute illnesses, (2) patients being discharged from the hospital needing medication to fill the gap between discharge and the follow up visit with the Doctor, (3) for patients who have applied for little or no cost medications from pharmaceutical assistance programs needing to fill the gap between application and the first shipment of medication.

Read LaPorte County, Inc. Literacy Fund

For 26 years, hundreds of READ La Porte County, Inc. volunteers have helped thousands of people of all ages increase their literacy skills so they can pass to the next grade at school, get a new job, pass the GED and other tests, speak to their neighbors, read to their children, become more self-confident, and much more.
We will use our funds to help our board advertise for more volunteers and students through online sources and printed items; train volunteers and staff; and buy supplies necessary for our students and tutors.

Rumely/Allis-Chalmers La Porte Heritage Center

The Rumely/Allis-Chalmers La Porte Heritage Center has a goal of building a museum to preserve the history of the Rumely and Allis-Chalmers companies’ important, innovative and iconic machinery and their contributions to agriculture, the people who used them, and the world.  Help us preserve this important history!

Salvation Army of Michigan City, IN Endowment Fund

The mission of the Michigan City Salvation Army is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.  Every month we provide the basic necessities of life to more than 800 needy families who are temporarily unable to take care of themselves. These services improve the quality of life and provide hope for the future.

The Salvation Army will use any funds raised to purchase food for our food pantry which serves more than 800 hungry families each month, to provide shelter for homeless men at night, to help needy families with their utility bills, emergency prescriptions, emergency transportation and other necessities of life.

Samaritan Counseling Centers Endowment Fund

The Samaritan Center is a community-based, interfaith counseling and education service. Our mission is to help individuals and organizations heal and grow by improving their spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being. In addition to fees for service, this private, not-for-profit organization is supported by charitable contributions only, so your support will help people get the support they need, when they ask for it.

Shirley Heinze Land Trust Endowment for LaPorte County

Shirley Heinze Land Trust has been protecting natural land in the southern Lake Michigan watershed since 1981.  It manages nearly 1,500 acres in Lake, Porter, and La Porte Counties.  Included are examples of the entire spectrum of natural communities in this area:  tallgrass prairie, high dune, oak savanna, boreal flatwoods, dune-and-swale, woodlands, marshes, swamps, ponds, fens, and riparian habitat.  Five Heinze Trust properties are dedicated Indiana State Nature Preserves.  Shirley Heinze Land Trust is a well established organization preserving these natural areas for present and future generations to enjoy.

Our headquarters, located in Valparaiso, on the site of the former Meadowbrook Girl Scout Camp, serves as an outdoor learning laboratory and is a tremendous recreational resource for all of Porter County and beyond. Funds will go to the operational needs of our organization.

Social & Learning Institute for the Disadvantaged

The Social & Learning Institute offers a unique educational experience for the intellectually disabled adult. No longer eligible to attend public school programs and seeking other options for services in La Porte County, these individuals often need continuing growth and engagement in order to live a more fully integrated life and to achieve their dreams.

In May of 1976, co-founders Marguerite Gardner and James Guerrucci moved their fledgling school from a parent’s garage to The First Presbyterian Church on West 9th Street in Michigan City, Indiana. Over the next thirty-five years, the Institute outgrew its accommodations at this church and has now purchased its present location on East Garfield Street.

Our program has already outgrown the new building and has led to the building of a large adjoining expansion. As the funds become available to finish this spacious addition, we hope to continue our growth in serving the intellectually disabled members of our community.
The Social & Learning Institute relies entirely upon gifts, donations and grants received from individuals, businesses, and service organizations to fund its programs for intellectually disabled adults in La Porte County. Be assured that your donation will be spent carefully to brighten and enrich the life of an intellectually disabled adult in our community.

Stepping Stone Shelter Endowment Fund

This fund supports both the emergency shelter for women and their children who are victims of domestic violence and The Bridge, which provides shelter for up to 24 months.  The Bridge helps a woman gain or update skills, receive counseling for her or her children, gain parenting skills, recover from substance abuse, so she can get back on her feet.

Teacher Innovation Fund for MCAS

The Teacher Innovation Fund was established in 2011 by then-Michigan City Mayor Chuck Oberlie and Michigan City Area Schools Superintendent Barbara Eason-Watkins, Ed. D. It provides grants for small projects (typically up to $350) to teachers and professionals at Michigan City High School and the La Porte County Career and Technical Education – A.K. Smith Center. Please support this fund and help our teachers reach students in new and innovative ways!

United Way of Greater LaPorte County Endowment Fund

Your Give Day donation to United Way of LaPorte County for Kindergarten Readiness Initiatives will be matched dollar-for-dollar through a grant from the Indiana Association of United Ways!

GOAL #1: Raise $13,000 for the UNITED WAY ENDOWMENT FUND.  Half of the Give Day donations will be invested in United Way’s Endowment Fund, established in 2000.  Today, the fund has grown to nearly $100,000 and we’d like to boost it to $113,000, recognizing its 13-year history.
GOAL #2: Raise $13,000 for Kindergarten Readiness Initiatives. Half of the Give Day donations will support Kindergarten Readiness Initiatives such as Kindergarten Countdown Camps and Success By 6. More funds will help at-risk children and families gain essential literacy and developmental skills.

Unity Foundation Community Fund

Can’t decide which fund to support?  The Community Fund is perfect for you! This fund is the most responsive to the community’s ever-changing needs.  It also helps the most people.

Give Day funds will increase the dollars available for this year’s Community Grant program. Last year, we had requests of $220,656 from 82 organizations, and could only fund $107,211 to 48 projects that directly benefitted the residents of La Porte County.   Help us get more funds to worthy projects!

Unity Foundation Scholarship Fund

Help more students excel past high school!  This fund is open to any La Porte County resident striving for an associate or bachelor’s degree.  The fund is still pretty small and we could use help building it up!
Give Day funds will be used to increase the amount given in 2013 and in the future, to help more students.

Unity Foundation Literacy Fund

If you think literacy is the key to a good life, this fund is for you!

 

Low literacy levels affect all areas of a person’s life, from jobs to health, to finances and the ability to be self sufficient.  We’ve helped train K-2nd grade teachers to make sure that all their students are successful readers and writers…and much more!  Give Day funds will be used to make strategic literacy grants that do the most good, for the most people.

Unity Foundation Operating Fund

If you like what Unity does, then please choose this fund!  Unity’s good work is supported by 1% fees from assets and gifts from board members and Friends of Unity. Fees cover just 50-60% of our budget.  We hope you become a Friend of Unity and help us become stronger so we can continue to do our good work to benefit the county!

Washington Park Zoo Fund

The Washington Park Zoo, founded in 1928 sits on 15 acres of hilly sand dune near the southern shore of beautiful Lake Michigan. The Zoo has more than 90 global species and exhibits them in natural settings. It also has many unique historical WPA walk­ways and buildings, including the 70 foot tall observation tower. The view is GREAT! The Zoo is dedicated to educating people of all ages about the wonder and value of all life on our planet. We offer a wide variety of programs and activities to allow children and adults to identify closely with animals and plants. Help us to increase our understanding of behaviors, diversity and new appreciation for the life around us!

Westville Community Fund

Want your money to work harder AND help the Town of Westville?  If the fund gets $25,000 in gifts, Unity will match up to $12,500. It’s raised $2,100 so far. The fund will create a stream of income to support Westville for generations to come.
Give Day funds will help meet the goal of the challenge match and will be used toward a community project.  Potential uses are community and economic development, education, youth activities, park improvements, community safety, communications, in and near Westville.

Women’s Well Being Fund

This fund was established in 2010 to help girls and women at risk in LaPorte County.  Former LaPorte County resident, Carolyn Ignatuk started the fund and said; “I wanted to help create more opportunities for women and girls to succeed in life.  Whether it’s building self-esteem or freedom from domestic violence, sometimes they need help.” Give Day funds will be used to build the fund and support efforts to help women and girls.

YMCA Community Child Care Center Endowment Fund

The purpose of this fund is to provide support to the LaPorte County Family YMCA Child Care Center in its quest to provide high quality, affordable child care.  Our Child Care & Learning Center is a fully licensed, curriculum-based facility, which has achieved Level 4 Paths to Quality certification and accreditation from National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA). It is one of only two centers in the county to achieve a Level 4 Paths to Quality. Our caring, loving staff is eager and ready to help your child grow and thrive. Our center serves children from 6 weeks old through kindergarten.

Youth to Youth

Want to promote young people being involved in philanthropy?  The Youth to Youth fund provides money that youth grantmakers award to youth grantseekers through collaboration between Leadership La Porte County, Youth Service Bureau and the Unity Foundation.
Give Day funds will be used to help students learn the basics of grant-making and philanthropy, and then apply those skills to real-life community projects.