Legacy Foundation funds nearly $1.1 million in grants and scholarships

Student Alex Robles studies language skills at the Crown Point Adult Learning Center. Two Legacy Foundation grants to the center were among more than $1.1 million in funding to community organizations and scholarships during the first half of 2012.

Lake County’s leading philanthropic partner marks new milestone in funding of quality of life initiatives and educational attainment

Legacy Foundation, Lake County’s leading philanthropic partner, funded nearly $1.1 million in grants and scholarships during the first six months of 2012.

“This significant investment in the quality of life and educational attainment of Northwest Indiana residents marks a new milestone for Legacy Foundation,” noted Harry Vande Velde III, president and chief executive officer. “We are leading the way in creating positive impact through funding that enhances the community, creates an informed and engaged citizenry, and helps youth graduate high school and realize their higher education and career goals.”

Legacy Foundation manages four major funds to support Lake County nonprofit organizations that enhance the quality of life for people throughout the region. From these funds, the foundation has awarded nearly $306,000 in grants so far this year.

Legacy Foundation also manages 30 scholarship programs within its $40 million in assets. These programs awarded $260,000 in new funds for the 2012-13 academic year, while students continue to benefit from $531,000 in renewable scholarships.

“Young people throughout Lake County are achieving great things academically while becoming engaged in their community,” Vande Velde said. “Legacy Foundation proudly stewards donors’ funds to support the hopes and dreams of these talented scholars to attain a college education.”

Grants make positive impact in the community

Campagna Academy soon will complete construction of an outdoor therapeutic recreation area on its 47-acre Schererville campus thanks to the support of a Legacy Foundation grant. CEO Elena Dwyre said the project features a low ropes course that will improve clinical services to children served by the facility, and will be offered to the community for programs such as leadership skills training. The project had been on the drawing board for some time and would not have been possible without the Legacy Foundation funding.

“This has allowed us to improve and strengthen our services for the children,” Dwyre said. “(Government) cuts in rates for our services have been quite significant, and without this type of financial support, nonprofits would not be able to add to the services we offer. It is important for us to find collaborative partners like Legacy Foundation.”

In Crown Point, the Adult Learning Center recently moved to new space in the Lakeview Square shopping center. The center currently is helping more than 120 students with GED preparation and English as a Second Language classes. A Legacy Foundation grant helps pay for rent, utilities, internet access and phone service. A second, matching grant will help the board build its fundraising capacity.

“Legacy Foundation’s funding is critical to our very basic needs,” said Carol Borowski, president of Friends of the Crown Point Adult Learning Center. “If we can’t pay the rent, we won’t have a school. We have been serving adult learners since 1979 and have been in several different locations in town, so we’re pleased to be able to continue the school serving the Crown Point community.”

An employee works with a homeless mother and child during intake at Sojourner Truth House in Gary. A Legacy Foundation grant to Sojourner Truth House will ensure a case manager works with each client to create a recovery plan.

Grants awarded during 2012

From January through June 2012, Legacy Foundation awarded grants to the following Lake County nonprofit organizations:

From the Lake County Community Fund

• Campagna Academy to build an outdoor therapeutic recreation area
• Catholic Charities to renovate parks and vacant lots in Gary
• Crown Point Community Theatre to create a theater arts mentoring program
• Food Bank of Northwest Indiana to collaborate on a teaching garden with Avicenna Academy, the Town of Merrillville, and GrowNWI
• Dunes Learning Center to update curriculum for Lake County students
• Friends of the Crown Point Adult Learning Center to rent program space and build fundraising capacity
• Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana to purchase building materials for two homes in East Chicago
• Indiana Ballet Theatre to subsidize student attendance of arts programming
• METAS to increase the number of Lake County Latino students earning college degrees
• Miller Beach Arts and Creative District to support five pop-up art events
• Northwest Indiana Excellence in Theater Foundation to design a website that engages members and donors
• Northwest Indiana Regional Planning Commission to produce a video of the Comprehensive Regional Plan
• Opportunity Enterprises to serve Lake County clients at the Lake Eliza campus
• Our Family Center to build organizational capacity
• Parents as Teachers of Lake County to provide parent educator services that include program monitoring and quality assurance activities
• Shirley Heinze Land Trust to conduct an environmental education program for Hobart students
• Sojourner Truth House to ensure a case manager works with each client to create a recovery plan
• Teach for America to build organizational capacity in Lake County
• Three Creeks Historical Association to restore the oldest historical brick home in Lake County
• Tri-Town Safety Village to subsidize student participation in safety programming

From the Maria Reiner Senior Citizen Fund

• Hobart Family YMCA to fund senior services in Hobart
• School City of Hobart to fund senior arts programming in Hobart

From the College Readiness Fund

• College Mentors for Kids to support a mentoring program for Hammond students
• Communities in Schools to coach high school students to graduate high school and chart college and career opportunities
• Gary Life Education Initiative to coach middle school students to graduate high school and chart college and career opportunities
• Hammond Education Foundation to coach parents to teach their children through reading at home
• Hobart Education Foundation to provide early childhood education classes for children and parents
• Purdue University Calumet Education Talent Search to support college and career readiness programming
• The Salvation Army to tutor students struggling with math and language arts
• Urban Reach, Inc. to coach students to become the first generation of their family to graduate college

From the John S. and James L. Knight Fund

• Gary Public Library South Shore Museum and Cultural Center to create a sustainability model for the museum and cultural center
• Leadership Northwest Indiana to implement leadership programming for Lake County students

Teacher Pat Cope (left) reviews materials with student Angel Santomaria at the Crown Point Adult Learning Center. Two grants from Legacy Foundation help pay for rent and other basic needs of the center, as well as build the board’s fundraising capacity.

To learn more about the Legacy Foundation grants program, visit www.legacyfdn.org or email legacy@legacyfdn.org.  Grant applications are posted August 1, and the next deadline for grant applications is Sept. 1, 2012.

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Legacy Foundation introduces new resources and tools to strengthen Northwest Indiana nonprofits

Legacy Foundation, Lake County’s leading philanthropic partner, today (May 2) held a lively Town Hall session with more than 100 representatives from area nonprofit organizations to educate them about important new resources and tools offered by the foundation.

“Legacy Foundation has been granting funds into the community and building partnerships with area nonprofits for 20 years,” said Harry J. Vande Velde III, president and chief executive officer. “We are proud to bring the area’s nonprofit sector the next level of collaboration tools, training and development opportunities and online resources that will help them raise money and build capacity. This will, over the long term, benefit the people of Lake County by enhancing the delivery of services from these organizations.”

The Think Tank at Legacy Foundation

Legacy Foundation introduced The Think Tank at Legacy Foundation, a nonprofit mentoring and resource center. Through The Think Tank, Legacy Foundation staff and partners will help the area’s nonprofit sector solve problems and enhance nonprofit organizations’ capacity to deliver services.

Resources offered by The Think Tank at Legacy Foundation include:

• Capacity-building grants
• Facilitation of Communities of Practice
• Meeting facilitation
• Free meeting space at Legacy Foundation’s convenient Merrillville offices
• Collection of online resources
• Referrals to community training resources
• Research, data collection and analysis
• Development of young philanthropists in Northwest Indiana
• Fundraising opportunities for Lake County nonprofits via www.legacyfdn.org

A primary focus for The Think Tank at Legacy Foundation over the next year will be building communities of practice. Communities of practice bring together participants including nonprofit members, business professionals, civic leaders, religious leaders, funders and donors to build innovative partnerships that address community needs. The participants share their knowledge in specific service areas, which may include arts and culture, education, the environment and human services.

The Think Tank at Legacy Foundation is led by Director Trish Alt, who brings an extensive background in community foundation leadership and nonprofit collaboration to Legacy Foundation.

New grant opportunities

Legacy Foundation announced a new grantmaking strategy designed to strengthen the Lake County community.

“We define a strong Lake County community as one where informed and engaged citizens want to live, work, worship and play,” said Lara Kalwinski, Legacy Foundation vice president. “Our nonprofit community thrives as we dedicate ourselves to the collaborative spirit and to demonstrating collective impact.”

Legacy offers grants for:

• Nonprofit Training – up to $2,000 for organizations seeking professional guidance on how to manage their operations, programming, and fundraising
• Transforming Lake County – programming that relates to a measure of improved economic, social or environmental well-being
• Informed and Engaged Urban Communities – grants from the John S. and James L. Knight Fund for organizations bringing residents together to collectively address issues residents identify as important and to take action in ways they themselves deem appropriate
• Neighborhood Spotlight – collaborative efforts targeting local needs, coming in 2013
• Improving Student Success – for organizations working to increase high school graduation rates, college and career opportunities
• Supporting Hobart Seniors – grants from the Maria Reiner Senior Citizens Fund to support a vibrant senior community in Hobart

Online fundraising platform

Legacy Foundation also introduced an online donor engagement platform that enables nonprofit organizations to fundraise directly from the community with minimal effort and no cost. By simply clicking on the “Give in Lake County” button on Legacy Foundation’s newly redesigned website, www.legacyfdn.org, a 501(c)(3) organization can post and promote a need to the community.

Members of the public are encouraged to visit Legacy Foundation’s website often, click on “Give in Lake County,” and view local needs. Giving even a small amount can help an organization make a difference in the community.

$10,000 Cara Spicer Award

Vande Velde announced the application process for the Cara Spicer Award, a $10,000 one-time award to be made later this year to a Lake County organization.

Applicants for the award must have participated in Legacy Foundation’s previous Great Lake Award Initiative workshops for at least three years and must not have received the Great Lake Award for Excellence. Applications will be available via Legacy Foundation’s website June 1, with completed applications due August 1. The award will be presented in late fall.

For more details on all these programs, see Legacy Foundation’s newly redesigned website at www.legacyfdn.org.

 

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Legacy Foundation distributes $555,700 to education, cultural and community initiatives throughout Lake County over past year

Lake County’s philanthropic partner awards nearly $143,000 in recent grants

Local students who may never before have had the opportunity to prepare for college entrance exams will have a better chance to go to college and prepare for careers through a grant from Legacy Foundation, Lake County’s philanthropic partner.

Legacy Foundation recently awarded The First Tee of Hammond $6,500 to help fund its ACT/SAT Prep and Golf Career Awareness program. Tiffani English, interim executive director of The First Tee of Hammond, said the program helps First Tee participants become more prepared for college entrance exams, as well as to consider golf-related careers.

“We’re trying to help our high-school participants be more prepared to go to college and to stay in college,” English said. “This program also helps them complete and submit a college application, learn about financial aid, and gives the opportunity for career and job shadowing.”

The grant, from Legacy Foundation’s College Readiness Fund, is among nearly $143,000 awarded recently to area nonprofit organizations. With the latest grant cycle, Legacy Foundation distributed nearly $555,700 to Lake County organizations during its 2010-11 fiscal year. The total includes $193,600 awarded to the City of Hobart, from the Maria Reiner Senior Citizens Fund managed by Legacy Foundation, to construct and furnish the city’s first-ever dedicated senior center.

“The power of philanthropy is that Legacy Foundation has brought a half-million dollars of donors’ funds into the community to benefit preschoolers through senior citizens,” said Harry J. Vande Velde III, president and chief executive officer of Legacy Foundation. “These worthy projects will enhance educational attainment, broaden civic and cultural opportunities in the region and support people in need.”

Other recent awards made by Legacy Foundation include:

From the Lake County Community Fund:

 

Chorus Angelorum – $9,550 to support the 26^th Annual Concert of Music.

Indiana University Northwest – $4,500 to support the publication of “Dreams of Duneland,” a coffee-table book with several hundred color photographs and approximately 100 historic photographs. This funding will help cover the cost of printing, making the book more affordable for members of the community.

White’s Residential & Family Services, Inc. – $8,703 to support two 15-week sessions of the Nurturing Families Program and one 13-week session of the Nurturing Fathers Program to alleviate child abuse in at-risk Lake County homes.

Our Family Center – $15,000 to support an after-school tutoring and mentoring program for at-risk children, and the expansion of a youth leadership program during summer day camp.

From the College Readiness Fund:

 

Boys & Girls Clubs of Northwest Indiana – $25,000 to support college preparatory activities, college tours, participation in the African American Student Achievement Conference and other college readiness efforts.

Communities in Schools of East Chicago – $8,700 to implement a program to assist all enrolled students and graduates and successfully access post-secondary educational opportunities.

Educating to Excel – $15,000 for continuation of mentoring and college and career readiness activities for low-income, potential first generation college students in grades 6-12.

Gary Life Education Initiative – $15,000 for continuation of college readiness opportunities for students in need at Lew Wallace STEM Academy.

G.E.M.S. – $5,000 for implementation of college readiness workshops and higher educational institute tours for early exposure to a post-secondary educational setting.

International Institute of LACASA – $5,000 for implementation of a student assistance program that will provide information and options to aid in the decision to attend post-secondary education through developing college preparation plans, college visits, and distribution of information.

Our Family Center – $11,400 to implement a college preparatory program that will discuss and provide scholarship opportunities, incentives, part-time guidance counselors, tutoring, mentoring, PSAT/SAT prep, financial aid counseling, and college tours.

Purdue University Calumet’s TRIO Program – $1,000 for the expansion and continuation of community-based seminars and workshops that address college access issues such as admissions standards and financing.

Salvation Army Gary/Merrillville – $11,500 for continuation of after-school and summer programs that focus on the remediation of children in math and language arts while promoting college preparedness and access initiatives.

From the Maria Reiner Senior Citizens Fund

 

Hobart Education Foundation – $1,000 to support a social outing at the County Line Orchard for grandparents and their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

To apply for funding

The next deadline for submitting grant applications is Sept. 1, 2011. Download a grant application and guidelines at www.legacyfoundationlakeco.org. A “brown bag session” for nonprofit organizations wishing to learn more about applying for grants to Legacy Foundation will be held from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Aug. 8 at the Munster branch of the Lake County Public Library. To register, call (219) 736-1880 or e-mail maerts@legacyfoundationlakeco.org.

Program Director Brandon White instructs participants in The First Tee of Hammond's golf and life skills program. Legacy Foundation benefits people of all ages throughout Lake County by making grants to nonprofit organizations such as The First Tee of Hammond.

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Hobart and Legacy Foundation announce second major grant to complete city’s first senior center

Foundation awards $93,600 to furnish Maria Reiner Center

 

(HOBART, Indiana) – The City of Hobart and Legacy Foundation, Lake County’s leading philanthropic partner, announced a second significant grant for the city’s first dedicated senior center.

Legacy Foundation has approved a $93,600 grant from the Maria Reiner Senior Citizens Fund to furnish the center, which is currently under construction inside the former Hobart Middle School near Fourth and New streets.

The 8,300-square-foot Maria Reiner Center, which will be open to Hobart residents and non-residents age 55 and over, was established with a $100,000 grant through Legacy Foundation in April. The latest award will enable the purchase of furnishings, fitness equipment for the wellness center, and other needs to complete the renovation.

“The Legacy Foundation Board of Directors has once again demonstrated its commitment and willingness to support a vital resource to the community,” Hobart Mayor Brian K. Snedecor said. “Legacy Foundation has partnered with us to make this senior center a reality, providing senior citizens a place that allows social interaction and a place where they can receive important resources. We also thank Maria Reiner for her vision to benefit the seniors of this city.”

Legacy Foundation manages the Maria Reiner Senior Citizens Fund along with more than 260 other funds providing grants and scholarships to benefit people throughout Lake County. Reiner was a Hobartresident who left her estate to be used for Hobart senior citizens. Past grants from her fund have been used to establish and sustain the highly successful Hobart Senior Transportation Program, which provides low-cost vouchers for participating taxi and bus services, and for cultural and civic events open to seniors.

“Legacy Foundation is proud to steward the financial resources left by Maria Reiner, a generous Hobart citizen and philanthropic visionary, to benefit residents of Hobart,” said Harry J. Vande Velde III, president and chief executive officer of Legacy Foundation. “We commend the city’s leaders on identifying the need for services to seniors in the community, and collaborating with Legacy Foundation to develop a solution that will benefit citizens for generations to come.”

The Maria Reiner Center is expected to open this summer. Its services will include a computer learning center, dining area, health and fitness center, and social events such as card playing and movies.

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Hobart and Legacy Foundation partner to establish city’s first senior center

Foundation awards $100,000 grant from Maria Reiner fund

(HOBART, Indiana) – The City of Hobart and Legacy Foundation, Lake County’s leading philanthropic partner, announced today a significant funding source to make the city’s first dedicated senior center a reality.

Legacy Foundation has approved a $100,000 grant from the Maria Reiner Senior Citizens Fund to establish the center inside the former Hobart Middle School near Fourth and New streets. The 8,300-square-foot Maria Reiner Center will be open to Hobart residents and non-residents age 55 and over, and will feature a dining area, a theater room, a learning center with computers, and a health and fitness area.

“This is a proud day for the City of Hobart, specifically for the seniors in the community,” Hobart Mayor Brian K. Snedecor said. “The Maria Reiner Fund, in conjunction with Legacy Foundation, is making a significant contribution to the provision of a safe and enjoyable environment for Hobart seniors. We are proud that Maria Reiner, a member of our community, has demonstrated such leadership in philanthropy.”

Legacy Foundation manages the Maria Reiner Senior Citizens Fund along with more than 260 other funds providing grants and scholarships to benefit people throughout Lake County. Reiner was a Hobart resident who left her estate to be used for Hobart senior citizens. Past grants from her fund have been used to establish and sustain the highly successful Hobart Senior Transportation Program, which provides low-cost vouchers for participating taxi and bus services, and for cultural and civic events open to seniors.

“Legacy Foundation is proud to collaborate with the City of Hobart to enhance the quality of life for its citizens,” said Harry J. Vande Velde III, president and chief executive officer of Legacy Foundation. “Maria Reiner’s gift is a strong example of the power of philanthropy. Mrs. Reiner lived a quiet, unassuming life in Hobart, a town she clearly loved. Her generosity will have a positive impact on the citizenship of Hobart for generations to come.”

The senior center is expected to open in early summer.

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