The Valparaiso-based Porter County Community Foundation awarded $163,385 in grants to 24 local nonprofits during its spring grant cycle.
The following organizations are receiving funding:
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana – $10,000 to support the renovation of the Portage Club kitchen and concession stand
- Call-A-Ride – $10,000 to support the purchase of a new ADA van
- The Caring Place – $5,750 to support strategic planning
- Chicago Street Theatre – $2,200 to support the purchase of wireless microphones
- Dunes Learning Center – $10,000 to support the replacement of bunk bed mattresses
- Exceptional Equestrians Unlimited – $2,120.65 to support the purchase of horse saddles for therapeutic riding
- Family & Youth Services Bureau – $9,108 to support water leak mitigation and repairs
- Family House – $10,000 to support replacement of the front porch and entrance
- Gabriel's Horn – $2,940 to support implementation of a post-shelter transition program
- Hagrid's Hope Cat Rescue – $2,500 to support spay and neuter procedures for rescued cats
- Jacob’s Ladder Pediatric Rehabilitation – $9,816 to support a developmental milestone training program for teachers and caregivers
- Lakeshore Public Media – $10,000 to support Building Blocks, a multimedia project exploring the science of early childhood development
- MAAC Foundation – $5,000 to support the expansion of mental health initiative programming for first responders
- MAKS Corp. – $10,000 to support the provision of critical resources to local foster children
- Memorial Opera House Foundation – $5,000 to support accessibility in the dressing rooms
- Our Greater Good – $3,950 to support parenting programs
- Portage Recovery Association – $10,000 to support the transformation of their new substance recovery and mental health facility
- Portage Township Autism Action Coalition – $10,000 to support autism training for first responders, sensory kits and resources
- Porter County Aging and Community Services – $5,000 to support individuals and families facing unexpected crises
- Reins of Life – $5,000 to support the purchase of a horse carriage for equine-assisted programs
- Shirley Heinze Land Trust – $10,000 to support technology upgrades
- Shults Lewis Child & Family Services – $5,000 to support facility renovation and modernization
- St. Agnes Adult Day Service Center – $5,000 to support repairs of the fire protection and suppression system
- Valpo Parks Foundation – $5,000 to support 2030 Vision, a strategic planning initiative
The foundation aims to improve lives in Porter County by providing funds to local nonprofits through an open grant-making process for youth programs, health and human services, animal welfare, arts and culture, education and the environment.
The grants are possible because of the support of community members who have given to the Porter County Community Fund or made gifts to the foundation. For a limited time, every dollar donated to the Community Fund up to a $1.5 million goal will be matched with $2 by Lilly Endowment.
The next Community Fund grant cycle will open in July with an application deadline of Aug. 15, 2025. Learn more here.
Since 1996, PCCF has awarded over $45 million in grants and scholarships to organizations and students in the community.
