Community Foundation of Elkhart County supports nonprofits and collaboration with local leaders and organizations

The Community Foundation of Elkhart County is dedicated to empowering community members to shape their home into a thriving and vibrant place to live. Whether it’s organizing donors, bringing nonprofit organizations to the forefront, guiding volunteers, or uplifting local leaders, the Community Foundation of Elkhart County functions as both the map and the compass for the good of the area.

Working toward the betterment of the county involves casting a wide net of support. The Community Foundation of Elkhart County does this through aiding others who also seek to do well. By helping other nonprofits grow stronger, supporting local leaders, and collaborating with both individuals and organizations to continue addressing the region’s most pressing challenges, the net can continue spreading through the county.

Through generous donors and support from Lilly Endowment Inc., the Community Foundation of Elkhart County is able to wield its assets to award approximately $30 million each year in grants and scholarships. Many grants or scholarships are directed by the donors themselves, who have a passion for the different causes.

The foundation focuses on four key areas: health, arts, culture, and the quality of a place.

Kids and families are a priority, with the goal being supporting both children and the adults who provide their care. Career pathways are considered, as opening doors to education and employment sets community members up for success and stability in their future. Placemaking is also kept in mind. Placemaking involves investing in the quality of a place — not only beautification of an area, but in places and projects that will build and maintain life within the community.

The Community Foundation of Elkhart County is also involved in initiatives to build connections within the county. This includes efforts such as Building Strong Brains, an initiative with the vision of Elkhart County being a place where anyone can thrive. Building Strong Brains works within four priorities: maternal and child health, high-quality childcare and early learning, community support for families, and economic self-sufficiency.

Another supported initiative is the Elkhart Health & Aquatics Center, a new staple in the River District. The Elkhart Health & Aquatics Center is a dynamic location aiming to bring families together to enjoy community wellness, competitive athletics, and youth development, all in one space.

The Community Foundation of Elkhart County supports and promotes more initiatives, all of which support the foundation’s mission: to improve the quality of life in Elkhart County by inspiring generosity.

Pointing those willing and waiting to help where their skills and passions will be the most beneficial for both the participant and the organization they’re placed with, the Community Foundation of Elkhart County has effectively organized a network of dedicated Elkhart citizens. Each volunteer, leader, or member of an organization or nonprofit inspires another. The energy is infectious, and each dedicated community member deeply impacts their community in profound ways.

The Community Foundation of Elkhart County is committed to empowering and brightening the lives of those it can reach. Supporting efforts to improve education, solve hunger insecurity within the area, and even community wellness gives everyone the tools they need to succeed.

To learn more about the Community Foundation of Elkhart County, you can visit inspiringgood.org. To donate, check out inspiringgood.org/give.