On Thursday, October 17, members of the Girls’ Giving Fund – a giving circle of the Porter County Community Foundation – gathered to celebrate their success and award their 2019 grant.
Purdue University’s Women’s Basketball Coach Presents at Annual Women’s Tea
The Porter County Community Foundation Awards Grant To Rebuilding Together Duneland
Rebuilding Together Duneland was awarded a 2019 Community Fund Grant from the Porter County Community Foundation for their 2019 Rebuilding Day.
The funds were used to support the important work that the Rebuilding Together team of volunteers completes every year including various home & community improvement projects for financially-burdened individuals and families.
This year in particular, Rebuilding Together Duneland saw an increase in applications from people in need of services. Multiple families received help including the Lenburg’s, a family of four with a son with special needs. The volunteers were able to add a stair railing, fix the garage steps, clean up the landscaping and rebuild the back deck at the Lenburg home.
“We were so honored to have the Lenburg’s home as one of our site projects this year,” said Rebuilding Together Duneland volunteer Jim Thorstad. “Even with the rain and snow, our crew worked extremely hard to help finish the tasks at hand. It’s more than just a railing or fixing steps, its peace of mind for these parents knowing that their house is as safe as it can be for their son. It’s more than just landscaping and a deck, it’s about spending more time together as a family and less time worrying about the yard work that needs to be done. That is what really matters.”
The Lenburg family along with Rebuilding Together Duneland volunteers on their new deck. (left to right) Jim Thorstad (Rebuilding Together Duneland Volunteer), Desila Rosetti (Porter County Community Foundation Board Member), Patty, Jim, Dylan & Hannah Lenburg, and Cliff Zosso (Rebuilding Together Duneland Volunteer).
26 Scholarships awarded at Porter County Community Foundation Annual Banquet
On May 9th, 2019, twenty-six high school seniors received a scholarship at the Porter County Community Foundation’s Annual Scholarship Banquet.
Since 1998, the Foundation has presented 382 scholarships to students from all over Porter County.
Lilly Endowment Community Scholars Vanessa Cardona (left) and Emma Johnson (right).
Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships were awarded this year to Aidan Aubuchon of Portage High School, Emma Johnson of Indiana Connections Academy and Vanessa Cardona of Valparaiso High School. This scholarship pays full tuition and fees to any college or university in the state of Indiana, as well as $900 each year for books. Since inception, the Foundation has awarded 85 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships, totaling over $4 million. These scholarships are the result of a statewide initiative by Lilly Endowment Inc. to help raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana and support Indiana’s community foundations in their mission to enhance quality of life.
The Porter County Community Foundation awarded $4,000 scholarships to Jenna Dawson of Michigan City High School, Ashley Sutton of Indiana Academy and Sarah Smith of Chesterton High School.
Porter County is fortunate to have businesses and individuals who value the importance of education. Thanks to the generosity of NIPSCO, the Plesac Family Scholarship Fund, the Larry and Jerilyn Klemz Scholarship Fund, the Largura Family Scholarship Fund and the Tom and Alice Roberts Scholarship Fund, a $1,000 scholarship was awarded to Allison Hano of Hebron High School, Emily Zoll of Boone Grove High School, Jillian Burton of Washington Township High School, Haley Ruiz of Wheeler High School, Alannah Hodges of Morgan Township High School, Kaitlyn Steele of Valparaiso High School, Molly Slatcoff of Chesterton High School, Sanja Kirova of Portage High School and Grayce Beach of Kouts High School.
Each year, the Porter County Community Foundation awards $1,000 scholarships to students who attend the Porter County Career and Technical Center. The recipients for this year are Lauren Drang, Thomas “Jay” Edwards, Roury Farnum, Haley Jackson, Alicia Kleckner, Cameron Tharp, Lauren Yates and Abbigail Stram.
Three special scholarships were created as a legacy for the person or family whose name they carry and will last into perpetuity. The Harlan A. Siegesmund Liberty Township Alumni Scholarship was awarded to Ethan Snowdin of Chesterton High School. This scholarship was established by the Liberty Township High School Class of 1958 to honor their long-time principal Mr. Siegesmund. The Tom and Georgia Bricker Scholarship was awarded to Holly Kuebler of Kouts High School. This scholarship was created by Georgia, a school teacher, to honor her late husband Tom. Lastly, the Shawn Moyer Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Olivia Konchar of Kouts High School. Shawn Moyer was a 1999 Lilly Endowment Community Scholar who passed away during his sophomore year at Taylor University. Lilly Endowment and the Foundation endowed the remaining balance of Shawn’s scholarship to create this award for graduates of Kouts High School.
Porter County Community Foundation Scholar Sarah Smith.
Community Scholars Haley Ruiz (left), Alannah Hodges (Center), and Jillian Burton (right).
Porter County Career and Technical Center Scholars (left to right) Abbigail Stram, Haley Jackson, Lauren Yates, Thomas “Jay” Edwards, Alicia Kleckner, Roury Farnum, and Lauren Drang.
Harlan A. Siegesmund Liberty Township Alumni Scholar Ethan Snowdin.
Tom & Georgia Bricker Scholar Holly Kuebler.
Shawn Moyer Memorial Scholar Olivia Konchar.
The Women’s Fund of Porter County Awards Two Grants to Local Nonprofits
On Thursday, May 2, 50 women gathered at the Porter County Community Foundation Nonprofit Conference Center to attend the 2019 Annual Membership Meeting for the Women’s Fund of Porter County.
The Women’s Fund of Porter County awards their 2019 grants to Dunebrook Inc. and Dressed for School at their Annual Membership Meeting at the Porter County Community Foundation in Valparaiso. (Left to right) Stephanie Jones (Women’s Fund of Porter County), Lisa Hauser (Dressed for School), Julie Douglas (Dressed for School), Jeanne Ann Cannon (Dunebrook, Inc.), Sara Hoyt (Dunebrook, Inc.) and Bill Higbie (Porter County Community Foundation).
The Women’s Fund embraces the spirit of “Women Helping Women” seeking to improve the lives of women and children in our community.
This year over $50,000 in grants was awarded to local nonprofits. Dunebrook, Inc. and Dressed for School each were awarded a high-impact grant of $25,000. The other finalists, Our Greater Good and The Caring Place, each received a $2,500 grant.
Dunebrook, Inc. educates children and adults about sexual abuse, advocates for children and provides positive family support and education. Dunebrook will use the funds to present child sexual abuse prevention programs - Body Safety and Safer, Smarter Teens - to students, educators and parents in Porter County.
Dressed for School is a new nonprofit in our community that will provide new clothing at no cost to elementary students from low income and in-crisis families in Valparaiso. Qualifying children will get to select one week’s worth of clothing items from a store-like environment. The goal is to help improve self-esteem in children which has been linked to higher success rates in school.
The Women’s Fund of Porter County has now awarded over $600,000 in grants since its inception. To learn more or to view Women’s Fund impact stories, click here.
Donor Spotlight: Dr. John & Linnea Forchetti
Dr. John and Linnea Forchetti both grew up in Pennsylvania. After graduating from Villanova University, John worked as a lab tech at Methodist Hospital while attending Jefferson Medical School. Linnea was studying to become a nurse at Methodist Hospital when she met John. The two started dating and married in 1961 during John’s last year of medical school.
Dr. Forchetti served as a medical doctor with the US Navy in the 1960s. Upon returning from the Navy, the couple became Hoosiers when they settled in Chesterton. Dr. Forchetti worked for 8 years in family practice before he returned to school to specialize in cardiology. Linnea was a nurse at St. Anthony’s Hospital where she was a member of the first nurse practitioner class in Lake County. Dr. Forchetti was a founder and partner with Northwest Indiana Cardiovascular Physicians. He also established the PACE Program (a running group for patients of open heart surgery) as part of the cardiac rehab program at what would become Porter Regional Hospital.
As an avid runner and a strong advocate for living a healthy lifestyle, he encouraged and inspired others to do the same. He has completed 38 marathons, running his first in 1978 and his last at age 65. Dr. Forchetti was the Chesterton High School football team physician for over 40 years. In 2003, he was inducted into the Indiana High School Football Hall of Fame for his dedication and years of service with the Trojans.
Today, Dr. Forchetti is a Master Gardener, a civil war buff, and he raises bees with his long-time friend, Tom Roberts. Linnea volunteers with Table of Plenty at St. Pat's in Chesterton, a program that she helped start. The Forchetti’s have 4 children, 12 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.
Both with a strong passion for the medical field and our community, John & Linnea decided they wanted to do something special for both. Together, they started the Dr. John and Linnea Forchetti Family Nursing Scholarship Fund. This endowed fund will provide financial support to those actively pursuing a nursing degree. What a wonderful legacy of generosity and kindness!
Setting up a named scholarship fund is a great way to show support for youth in Porter County. Your scholarship fund will make a difference in the lives of students, helping them pursue their passion and easing the burden of educational costs. It is also a great way to honor or remember a loved one.
New Girls’ Giving Fund Awards Grant to Local Nonprofit
On Thursday, October 18, over 20 girls and their families gathered at the Porter County Community Foundation for the inaugural Girls’ Giving Fund Grant Celebration to award their first-ever grant to a local nonprofit.
Members of the Girls’ Giving Fund awarded their first-ever grant to the Porter County Parks Department at their inaugural grant celebration event.
The Girls’ Giving Fund is a newly established giving circle with the Porter County Community Foundation, made up of 7 to 13 year old girls from all over Porter County. The circle was launched in the spring of 2018 to empower young givers with the knowledge that they can make a difference in our community and allow this new generation to experience the joy of giving.
Twenty-six girls each raised at least $100, collectively bringing in $3,000. Thanks to the generosity of a local donor, $1,000 was added to their total, allowing the girls to award a $4,000 grant that evening.
The first-ever Girls’ Giving Fund grant was awarded to the Porter County Parks Department. The other finalists, Memorial Opera House and Our Greater Good, each received a $500 grant.
In addition, two local donors each gave $1,000 to start the Girls’ Giving Fund Endowment, ensuring the girls can continue to make a difference in Porter County forever.
“It’s really encouraging to see kids get excited about giving and the impact it has on our community,” said Bill Higbie, President and CEO of the Porter County Community Foundation. “Each one of these 26 girls did something creative to raise $100. Collectively, they were able to make a significant gift to the Porter County Parks which benefits countless people from all over our community”.
If you know of a young woman who is interested in participating in the Girls’ Giving Fund, please click here for more information.
Porter County Farmers Gift of Grain Chili Day - October 19, 2018
Porter County Farmers are invited to attend the Gift of Grain Chili Day at the Co-Alliance Elevator in Malden on Friday, October 19, 2018 from 10 AM – 2 PM.
Gift of Grain Committee Members (left to right) Tim Stoner, Brad Metzger, Jane Maxwell, and Joe Cannon.
A free homemade chili lunch and sweets will be served. Information about how farmers can support our community through the Gift of Grain program will also be available.
The Gift of Grain program was started in 2017 as a way for local farmers to use grain to help families in Porter County start saving for their kids’ college education. The program supports Promise Porter County, an initiative that helps families with first grade students invest in a CollegeChoice 529 savings account.
Gift of Grain is also investing in a permanently endowed fund. The Agricultural Community Initiative Fund, at the Porter County Community Foundation, will help ensure there will be resources available to meet future needs in our community.
Gift of Grain committee member and Porter County farmer, Tim Stoner, says “This program is unique in that it has a double benefit; it allows us to support Promise Porter County today and build an endowment to contribute to future projects as they develop.”
While chili will be available on October 19, gifts of grain can be made anytime. This is an ongoing project that encourages farmers to participate at the time of year that is best for them.
“The partnership between local farmers and the Porter County Community Foundation is really special,” said Foundation President & CEO, Bill Higbie. “It’s a great example of how investing today grows tomorrow.”
A gift of grain can be an easy, tax-efficient way to support local causes in our community. For more information about the Gift of Grain program, visit www.pccf.gives/giftofgrain.
In the event of rain, the Gift of Grain Chili Day will be on Friday, October 26.
18th Annual Women's Tea
The 18th Annual Women’s Tea took place on Friday, September 14. Over 200 women of all ages gathered together for lunch to support the Women’s Fund of Porter County. This year’s guest speaker was Sarah Harmeyer, Founder and Chief People Gatherer of Neighbor’s Table.
Sarah Harmeyer, Chief People Gatherer at Neighbor’s Table, was the guest speaker at the 18th Annual Women’s Tea to support the Women’s Fund of Porter County.
In 2010, Sarah asked her father to build her a big farm-house style table that she put in her backyard in Dallas, Texas. She hung chandeliers from the oak tree above and invited her neighbors to dinner. That first night, 91 people showed up. The simple idea of inviting a neighbor to share a meal turned into something extraordinary. Sarah has now had over 3,000 people sit at the very table her father built for her years ago, joining together in laughter, conversation, connections and love.
While Sarah continues to invite people to her table, her dad now builds tables for people all over the country. They have personally delivered tables to 29 states, with a goal of having a “Neighbor’s Table” in every state by 2020.
Sarah spoke about the importance of being intentional. She challenged the ladies in attendance to invite people to gather together. With a simple act of inviting strangers to gather around the table, you never know what might happen. “Community is important” said Sarah Harmeyer, “A community changes when we are intentional about what we do.” With her father serving as “Chairman of the Boards”, the official table-maker, and Sarah serving as Chief People Gatherer, they have created a movement of connecting people and communities.
The Women's Fund of Porter County offers an opportunity for women to collectively share in the joy of giving. Women from all backgrounds come together with one common goal in mind - improve the lives of women and children in our community. With the goal of raising $100,000 annually, $50,000 is awarded in two high-impact grants while the remainder is permanently endowed in the Women’s Fund at the Porter County Community Foundation.
Since 2007, The Women's Fund has awarded over $550,000 in grants and holds over $917,000 in the endowment fund, ensuring that the positive impact will continue on forever.
"Wonder" Movie Event with Special Guest Speaker Dr. Michael Goodman
Join us for a free outdoor showing of the hit movie “Wonder” (PG) on August 1, 2018 at 7:30 PM at the Porter Health Amphitheater, Central Park Plaza, Downtown Valparaiso.
“Wonder” is a heartwarming story about a young boy, August (Auggie) Pullman, who was born with Treacher Collins Syndrome. The movie follows Auggie as he enters public school for the first time.
Special guest, Dr. Michael Goodman, will share his story before the movie. Like Auggie from the film, Dr. Goodman was born with Treacher Collins Syndrome. After overcoming many similar challenges in his own life, Dr. Goodman learned a hard lesson…you can’t blend in when you were born to stand out.
Dr. Goodman is a graduate of Valparaiso High School. After completing his undergrad in Iowa, he went on to medical school in Indianapolis. He is now a pediatrician with Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health.
This is a free, family-friendly event open to the public. Please bring your own blankets and chairs. This event is brought to you by the Porter County Community Foundation, Merrill Lynch Bank of America– The Braggs Team, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana.
Foundation Awards 2018 Scholarships
As one chapter comes to a close, a new one is just beginning for the 27 talented high school seniors recognized at the Porter County Community Foundation’s Annual Scholarship Banquet. Since 1998, the Foundation has presented 356 scholarships to Porter County students.
The 2018 recipients are:
The Porter County Community Foundation has awarded 82 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships to Porter County students since 1998. This scholarship pays full tuition and fees to any college or university in the state of Indiana and $900 each year for books. The 2018 recipients of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships are: (left to right) Alaynah Chatman (Portage High School), Robert Walker (Washington Township High School), and Abigail Koster (Chesterton High School).
Porter County is fortunate to have businesses and individuals who value the importance of education. Thanks to the generosity of NIPSCO, the Plesac Family Scholarship Fund, the Larry and Jerilyn Klemz Scholarship Fund, the Largura Family Scholarship Fund and the Tom and Alice Roberts Scholarship Fund, a $1,000 scholarship was awarded to each of the following recipients: (left to right) Jayson Heinold (Kouts High School), Austyn Pryatel (Morgan Township High School), Natalie Dowdy (Andrean High School), Sam Klumpe (Valparaiso High School), Emily Horsley (LaCrosse High School), and Mickayla Edmaiston (Portage High School). Not pictured: Kayla Rivera (Wheeler High School) and Thomas Gotsch (Marquette High School).
The Chesterton High School Class of 1958 established the Harlan A. Siegsmund Liberty Township Alumni Scholarship in honor of their longtime principal. The scholarship is awarded to a graduate of Chesterton High School with a preference given to residents of Liberty Township. This year’s recipient is Rigoberto Alvarez, Jr. (Chesterton High School) pictured here with Ed Seykowski, a member of the class, who was instrumental in creating this scholarship.
Each year, the Porter County Community Foundation provides $4,000 scholarships to Porter County students. The 2018 recipients are: (left to right) Madison Nondorf (Valparaiso High School) and Lexi Sroka (Hebron High School). Not pictured: Alex Reed (Boone Grove High School).
The Foundation and the Porter County Career and Technical Education Center have worked together since 2008 to award scholarships to their students. The recipients for 2018 are: (left to right) Joshua Chew, Cailee Hodges, Jacob Wells, Cameron Chapman and Abigail Vargas, with Jon Groth (Director of the Porter County Career and Technical Education Center). Not Pictured: Bridget McGrath and Tyler Smolar.
Georgia Bricker, whose husband, Tom, passed away in 2006, established a scholarship in memory of him. This year’s recipient is Kelsey Fleming (Washington Township High School).
Shawn Moyer was a 1999 recipient of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship. During his sophomore year at Taylor University, Shawn lost his battle with cancer. The remaining balance of his scholarship was endowed to create this award for Kouts High School graduates. This year’s recipient, Hannah Maier (Kouts High School), is pictured here with Nick and Bev Moyer, Shawn’s parents.
2018 Women’s Fund Grants Awarded
On Thursday, May 10, members of Impact Porter County met at Sand Creek Country Club in Chesterton to award their annual grants from the Women’s Fund of Porter County. Impact Porter County is a giving circle associated with the Porter County Community Foundation whose goal is to make a positive and lasting influence in the community by awarding grants to Porter County nonprofits whose mission is to improve the quality of life for women and children.
Over $50,000 in grants was awarded at the annual membership dinner on Thursday evening. Gabriel’s Horn Homeless Shelter and Hilltop Neighborhood House each were awarded a high-impact grant of $25,000. The other finalists, Dunebrook, Inc. and Frontline Foundations, each received a $2,500 grant.
Gabriel’s Horn is a shelter that serves all of Porter County and provides temporary housing for homeless women and children. In addition, they provide assistance in finding permanent housing, jobs, counseling and more. The funds Gabriel’s Horn received will go towards the expansion of their current facility that will assist up to 50 more people annually.
Hilltop Neighborhood House serves the community by providing early childhood education, after-school programming, and a food pantry. The funds awarded through the Women’s Fund of Porter County will be used to launch their mobile food pantry, Project 64. There are 64 hours from the time kids leave school on Friday until school starts on Monday, and for some children, access to food during that time is limited. Hilltop’s plan is to bring the food pantry directly to those children and families in need.
Duneland Family YMCA Grant
The Duneland Family YMCA was the recipient of a community fund grant from the Porter County Community Foundation.
The funds awarded helped equip the Duneland Family YMCA’s Early Learning Academy 5 year old classroom. The items purchased included new furniture creating a comfortable and safe learning environment, interactive play sets like a dress-up unit to inspire creativity & spark the imagination, along with other supplies that focus on using small and large motor skills.
The new classroom materials were specifically selected to follow the Paths to Quality system standards, which is Indiana’s state-wide child care quality rating and improvement system. The goal of the Early Learning Academy program is to engage kids, from six-weeks old to pre-school, in daily age-appropriate learning and development activities, helping to ensure they will be ready for kindergarten.
Neighborlink Awarded Grant
The Porter County Community Foundation recently awarded a grant to NeighborLink Porter County, an organization that provides assistance to those in need.
NeighborLink is a nonprofit that connects Porter County residents who need assistance with those that can help. Volunteers join together to complete various projects for those in need in the community.
“Keeping the marginalized in Porter County safe, clean, warm and dry through our network of volunteers and business partnerships is one of our top priorities,” said Judy Alders, Executive Director of NeighborLink Porter County. “The award of grant funds will allow us to be more far-reaching in our efforts to help those in need living in our communities. We so appreciate our relationship with the Porter County Community Foundation and all of those who give so graciously to their endeavors.”
The funds from the grant will help cover expenses to be sure the necessary projects can be completed. The types of projects might include yard work, transportation services, appliance repair, building wheelchair ramps, plumbing projects and more. You can find out more about NeighborLink Porter County by visiting their website www.neighborlinkpc.org.
MAAC First Responder Training Facility
The Porter County Community Foundation awarded a grant to the Multi Agency Academic Cooperative (MAAC), an organization that provides training for area firefighters, police officers, and EMS personnel.
The MAAC Public Safety Training campus has been established on a 4 ½ acre parcel in Southeast Valparaiso. This facility will house various training structures including a 40-foot search and rescue tower, a 2-story live burn building, vehicle extrication pad, indoor classrooms and more.
“The goal is to make sure our first responders have the resources and training necessary to be prepared to respond to calls and come to our assistance on, what would likely be, one of our worst days,” says Celina Weatherwax, President of The McMillan Family Foundation Inc. “Through a combination of classroom and practical, hands-on application, the MAAC Training campus will provide advanced levels of critical thinking and functioning in response to an emergency.”
“The Foundation is honored to play a part in the development of this essential facility,” says Bill Higbie, President & CEO of the Porter County Community Foundation. “This training space will directly impact thousands of first responders and will be a game-changer when it comes to training law enforcement officers, EMS personnel, and Firefighters who keep our community safe.”
Annual Women’s Tea Celebrates Women’s Philanthropy in Porter County
“When is the last time you have done something for 522 days,” said Stephanie Jones, to the 234 women in attendance at the 17th Annual Women’s Tea hosted by the Porter County Community Foundation.
“Something that you love; that you’re passionate about?” she asked the crowd. For Stephanie, what started out as a New Year’s Resolution turned into an ongoing, philanthropic adventure. For 522 days straight, Stephanie gave a gift.
“My definition of a ‘gift’ is when you give something and expect nothing in return,” said Stephanie. As she spoke of her intentional, sometimes serendipitous gifts given away throughout this journey to family, friends or even complete strangers, she explained how this challenge really stretched her, in more ways than she could have imagined.
“Giving stretches you in your goals, gratitude, and giving,” said Stephanie. “Giving to someone else is a way to show gratitude; to say thank you to those in your life, whether it’s with your time, talents, or money.”
Stephanie shared her inspirational journey and challenged those in attendance to stretch themselves by giving a philanthropic gift to the Women’s Fund of Porter County and help make a difference in the lives of women and children, right here in our community.
Impact Porter County is a giving circle associated with the Porter County Community Foundation. “Impact Porter County has a simple and ambitious goal,” said Bill Higbie, President & CEO of the Porter County Community Foundation. “To raise $100,000 annually, half of which would be given away immediately to causes that support women and children; the other half would be endowed to continue helping organizations forever.”
“What you have done here is pretty crazy,” said Bill Higbie. Today, more than $500,000 has been awarded in Women’s Fund grants to nonprofits in Porter County. The Women’s Fund now holds nearly $800,000 in an endowed fund, ensuring that the positive impact will continue forever. “Thank you for being crazy generous,” added Higbie.
Stephanie Jones is an author, speaker, and life coach. As a fearless changemaker, she’s been a private investigator, police officer, and senior manager in a Fortune 100 company. Stephanie is a member of Impact Porter County and serves as a board member for the Porter County Community Foundation.
If you would like to learn more about Impact Porter County, view recent grant recipients, or find out how you can help make a difference, visit www.pccf.gives.
Porter County Community Foundation Welcomes New Team Member
The Porter County Community Foundation is pleased to announce the addition of a new staff member, Bonny Hildebrand, who joins the Foundation team as Director of Development & Stewardship.
“I’m deeply honored to be joining the Porter County Community Foundation,” says Bonny Hildebrand. “The Foundation plays a huge role in modeling and being a leader in community philanthropy for improving the quality of life right here where we live. It will be a privilege and a joy to work with the exceptional staff, board and community across Porter County to help ensure that our communities remain vital and strong forever.”
Bonny comes to the Foundation from Porter Health Care System where she was most recently the Director of Professional Outreach; Physician Liaison for almost 2 years, working to develop and foster relationships between the hospital and physicians. Before that, Bonny served as the Community Programming & Senior Circle Coordinator for Porter Health Care System for over 4 years.
In addition to her work with Porter Health Care System, Bonny has served as an adjunct professor and guest lecturer at Valparaiso University, she has served as a National Advisory Board Member for Senior Circle and Healthy Woman, and is a member of the Community Impact Team for United Way of Porter County.
As the Director of Development & Stewardship, Bonny will serve as an ambassador for the Porter County Community Foundation, cultivating the relationship between the organization and community members. Bonny will provide direction for the Foundation’s relationship-based fundraising programs, as well as their donor engagement and stewardship strategies.
“Bonny is an excellent fit for our team, she understands who we are as an organization and our mission to ‘do good’ here in Porter County,” says Bill Higbie, President & CEO of the Porter County Community Foundation. “We are all very excited about working with Bonny, she brings with her great energy and enthusiasm for the Director of Development & Stewardship position where we know she will contribute significantly to our mission.”
Porter County Community Foundation Awards Grant to Family House
The Porter County Community Foundation awarded a Community Fund grant to Family House, Inc. – an organization that provides a safe home-like environment for non-custodial parents to spend time with their children.
This funding will help Family House expand their services, further strengthening our community by supporting the development of strong families. “Family House provides sliding scale support for Supervised Visitation and Counseling for Children and Families that otherwise can't afford such services,” said Christine Kostbade, Executive Director of Family House. “Many families give up or don't follow through because they can't afford to pay for services. We don't want to see children left without a safe opportunity to see their parent and a chance for the parent(s) to improve their skills, with hopes to get their children home again.” Family House provides over 3000 visit hours annually to children and parents in our community.
Two Portage Nonprofits Receive Grant From Porter County Community Foundation
The Porter County Community Foundation recently awarded two Community Fund grants to Portage nonprofits, Neighbors’ Educational Opportunities and the Portage Township YMCA.
Neighbors’ Educational Opportunities used the funds to purchase computers, “smart boards” and other equipment to outfit their classrooms and help launch their college and workplace readiness program. This program includes onsite training opportunities for students as well as certification programs for those continuing their education or entering the workplace.
With their grant funding, the Portage Township YMCA was able to start an after school drug prevention program for students in Kindergarten through 6th grade. The Portage Township YMCA wishes to help combat the issue of substance abuse by providing a safe place for kids to go after school while being educated on the real dangers of drug use through an evidence-based drug prevention curriculum.
Grants Awarded to Two Nonprofit Organizations Benefiting Wildlife and the Arts
The Porter County Community Foundation awarded two grants, one to the Art Barn School of Art and the other to Moraine Ridge Wildlife Rehabilitation Center – a subsidiary of the Humane Society Calumet Area.
With the funds, the Art Barn School of Art was able to host adult art workshops for community members to attend. The funds provided the art supplies for the classes, scholarships for local artists to attend the classes, and brought in nationally known professional artists to teach the workshops.
Moraine Ridge Wildlife Rehabilitation Center used the funds to host Wildlife Live Animal Education Programs for children and Porter County residents of all ages. Through these programs with hands-on educational opportunities, community members learn about Indiana’s native wildlife and gain an understanding of the impact that our daily lives have on our native species.