Community Foundation of Elkhart Co. Grants $2.2M in ’23 – RVBusiness – Breaking RV Industry News

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ELKHART, Ind. – The Community Foundation of Elkhart County’s Board of Directors approved $2,195,705 of new grants to nonprofits and programs throughout Elkhart County.

The grants were given in the categories of placemaking, kids and families, and career pathways, reflecting the priorities of the Community Foundation. The organization is helping lead two community initiatives and grantmaking is supporting the efforts of Connect in Elkhart County, focused on expanding Elkhart County’s trail network, and Building Strong Brains: Elkhart County’s Early Childhood Initiative.

The board met on Thursday, October 19, prior to the Community Foundation’s Annual Celebration. Several hundred people gathered for that event, which celebrated another successful year for the organization. The fiscal year 2022-23 that ended on June 30 had:

Growth to $405 million in total assets
$42.7 million in grants distributed
$26 million in gifts received
An 8.5 percent return on its investment portfolio
Growth of its number of funds to 644

“We continue to be humbled and amazed at the generosity of Elkhart County and all those who play a role in nurturing the growth of our community and those who live in it,” said President Pete McCown. “Elkhart County is a truly remarkable place and we are happy to help facilitate philanthropy of all types.”

The grants from the Fund for Elkhart County, the Community Foundation’s unrestricted fund, awarded between July 1, 2023 and mid-October 2023 are:

Placemaking grants totaling $659,000

Elkhart County Symphony Association, Operational Support, $70,000
Habitat for Humanity of Elkhart County, Capital Campaign, $250,000
Ruthmere Foundation, Capital campaign: Discovery Center, $100,000
21 grants to local events and festivals totaled $207,000
9 grants of $25,000 or less totaled $32,000

Connected Network of Trails Initiative

A grant to the City of Nappanee – Pedal Party Community Bike Ride, $1,688
Expenditures of $14,341 were approved from reserved funds to support the Connected Network of Trails Initiative
The Placemaking Committee reserved $1 million for future use by the initiative.

Kids and Families grants totaling $696,153

Center for Community Justice, Operational Support: Victim Offender Reconciliation Program, 2:1 challenge, $50,000
Maple City Health Care Center, Operational Support for Westend Expansion, $500,000
Women’s Care Center, Operational Support, 1:1 challenge, $75,000
8 grants of $25,000 or less totaled $71,153

Building Strong Brains: Elkhart County’s Early Childhood Initiative

Expenditures of $8,725 were approved from reserved funds to support Building Strong Brains: Elkhart County’s Early Childhood Initiative.
The Kids and Families Committee reserved $80,000 for future use.

Career Pathways grants totaling $603,000

Elkhart Community Schools, Capital Project for Surgical Technology, $250,000
enFocus, Civic Innovation Fellowships and Internships, $25,000
ETHOS, Operational Support, $250,000
University of Notre Dame’s Center for Civic Innovation, Elkhart Catalyst Internships, $50,000
3 grants of $25,000 or less totaled $28,000
In addition, expenditures of $18,048 were approved from reserved funds to support the Career Pathways Student Pathways Initiative

Opportunity Fund grants totaling $235,864
44 grants for sponsorships and memberships

Grant requests are reviewed by staff and volunteer committees comprised of a diverse range of community members who are engaged with their respective sectors and make every effort to be aware of emerging and ongoing initiatives. Staff members can make decisions on grants of $25,000 or less and the board of the Community Foundation of Elkhart County approves all grants.

Source: https://rvbusiness.com/community-foundation-of-elkhart-county-grants-2-2m/