Legacy Foundation, Lake County’s community foundation, announces grant awards of $251,000 for twenty-two nonprofit agencies providing services to Lake County, Ind. residents.
The Foundation accepts applications for Transform Lake County grants in the areas of arts and culture, education, environment and animal welfare, health and human services. Thirty-nine organizations applied for more than $673,000 in funding requests.
“The Northwest Indiana Paddling Association is elated about receiving a $25,000 Transform Lake County grant from the Legacy Foundation,” said Dan Plath, president of the NWIPA. “This facility will be a huge leap forward in providing access for all in Miller.” The NWIPA will install Indiana’s second full ADA compliant canoe and kayak launch at the Marquette Park lagoons.
The following organizations were awarded Transform Lake County grants in Legacy Foundation’s 2016 spring cycle:
Association for the Wolf Lake Initiative; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago; Catholic Charities Diocese of Gary; City Life Center; Emma’s Footprints; Franciscan Alliance Foundation; Gary International Black Film Festival; Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana; Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana; METAS Latino Student Success Initiative; Northwest Indiana Cancer Kids Foundation, Inc.; Northwest Indiana Paddling Association; Northwest Indiana Veterans Action Council; One Region: On My Way Pre-K Pilot Program; Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky; Portage Township YMCA; REAL Services, Inc./Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services of Northern Indiana; Sojourner Truth House; Northwest Indiana Symphony Society, Inc.; St. Matthias Parish; The First Tee of Hammond; Urban League of Northwest Indiana, Inc.
“This grant will provide not only much needed awareness regarding infant loss in our community, but also the gift of time for families who lose a child,” said Amelia Kowalisyn, founder of Emma’s Footprints. Emma’s Footprints received approximately $22,000 to provide CuddleCots to the six hospitals in Lake County giving support and comfort to families who have lost an infant.
The Northwest Indiana Veterans Action Council received sponsorship of its 2016 appreciation events for veterans and active duty service members. Kathy Kazmierczak, NWIVAC Vice Chair, said, “This luncheon is just a very, very small thing we can do for our veterans for the major thing they did for us. These men and women are our heroes, and they deserve our thanks.”
The Legacy Foundation Grants Committee reviews submitted applications and recommends grant awards for approval by the Foundation’s Board of Directors. Legacy Foundation accepts applications for Transform Lake County grants three times per year. The next deadline to submit is July 1, 2016. Applications open on June 1, 2016. Legacy Foundation will offer grant Q&A sessions on Tuesday, May 31 at 9:00 am and on Monday, June 13 at 4:00 pm. Both sessions will take place at Legacy Foundation: 1000 E 80th Pl Ste 402N, Merrillville, IN 46410. For more information visit www.legacyfdn.org.
Legacy Foundation is a community foundation and the leading philanthropic partner serving Lake County, Indiana since 1992. Today, it manages nearly 300 individual donors' funds representing over $50 million in assets. Legacy Foundation is a nonprofit 501c(3) organization operating under the leadership of a volunteer board of directors. The board represents a diverse spectrum of the business, education, nonprofit and public sectors throughout Lake County.
