The LaGrange County Community Foundation staff visited South Milford in May to see two recent grant funded community projects.
On this trip, they visited two new spots: Coffee & Cream and the South Milford Veterans Memorial Park.
Coffee & Cream of South Milford
Coffee & Cream opened their doors on May 25 at 8015 E 750 S in downtown South Milford. Jeff and Andrea Wolheter had a vision for this 130-year-old historic building. They wanted to bless people in the community with amenities such as a place to meet, eat, drink, and have high speed internet.
The LCCF staff made the trip to visit Coffee & Cream after awarding the nonprofit a Community Impact Grant for $12,500 for coffee and drink equipment in 2023. And not just because of the grant. But because, well, coffee…
Coffee & Cream did not disappoint with a good range of coffee and drinks, ice cream and baking goods. There is something for nearly everyone. They have a nicely laid out seating area, a variety of booths, tables and chairs, and very comfy lounging chairs. Decor and lighting says high-end coffee shop. They also have free internet!
Their mission is to enhance their community by fostering an environment that feels like home with great tasting food and drinks, loving and hospitable service, and building a sense of connection and community.
From what the LCCF staff experienced, they are reaching that mission.
South Milford Veterans Memorial Park
After a visit to the coffee shop, the staff walked the short distance to the South Milford Veterans Memorial Park.
The park is situated on the south side of the railroad viaduct on SR 3. The park was created when the original Veterans Memorial Monument needed to be moved from the intersection of SR 3 and 750 S for road improvements and visibility.
The monument, erected in 1923, was created to honor men from the community who served their country. In addition to the monument, a second war memorial included a case holding a 1895 machine gun and several Civil War cannon balls.
The South Milford Community Improvement League worked tirelessly to rebuild the Veterans Memorial Monument and create the new memorial park. The Community League celebrated the dedication of the South Milford Veterans Memorial Park on August 19, 2023.
The park features the rebuilt Veterans Memorial Monument, memorial plaques, a shaded area, benches for sitting and reflecting, a pavilion and memorabilia. The park is a wonderful addition to South Milford and great way of honoring veterans.
LaGrange County Community Foundation awarded ten LIFE grants totaling $17,495 to area organizations and schools during its 2024 LIFE grant cycle.
The grants will support educational and youth projects in LaGrange County.
LIFE is a youth philanthropy program of the LaGrange County Community Foundation. Members represent Lakeland, Westview and Prairie Heights High Schools, with one representative from each class in 9th-12th grades.
The students learn about philanthropy and charitable giving and are responsible for reviewing and making funding recommendations for the LIFE funds at the Foundation.
“Grants awarded through the LIFE program provide members with grantmaking and charitable giving experience. They connect with programs active in our community and financially support them through this competitive grant program,” said Leanna Martin, Community Foundation Program Director and LIFE Navigator. “It’s an excellent way for youth to be a part of the bigger picture within LaGrange County.”
Prairie Heights High School received a grant of $1,050 to help purchase professional style mixers for its culinary program. The program is in its second year at Prairie Heights, with nearly 60 students enrolled in the Culinary Arts career pathway. The culinary students have catered meals for athletic teams, provided refreshments for dances and made muffins and cookies for the food service at Prairie Heights.
Westview Elementary School also received a grant of $1,800 to help purchase display boards for the Westview Elementary Art Show.
Additional 2024 LIFE Grant recipients include:
Community Harvest Food Bank, “Kids BackPack and TeenPak Hunger Relief Initiative,” $2,500;
Crossroads United Way, “Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library LaGrange County,” $2,500;
LaGrange County Department of Parks & Recreation, “Adventure Bound 2024,” $2,500;
Prairie Heights Football Boosters, “Prairie Heights Football Annual Free Youth Camp,” $1,800.
Westview Jr-Sr High School, “aMAYzing Crew (technology),” $2,125;
Westview Jr-Sr High School, “Oakley’s Cardio Drumming Squad,” $700; and
Youth for Christ Northern Indiana, “Westview Campus Life,” $500.
Each school year, LIFE seeks proposals for youth programs serving youth in LaGrange County. LIFE members review the submitted grant applications and make recommendations to the Board of Directors who approve the grant awards.
These grants are made possible through the generosity of donors who have supported the LIFE Grantmaking Fund at the Community Foundation.
On Jan. 11, members of the LaGrange County Chamber of Commerce joined together for a Member Showcase and the Annual Meeting. This year, the staff of the LaGrange County Community Foundation won the 2024 Member Showcase!
Each year, Chamber invites members to showcase their organization or business prior to their Annual Meeting. The Community Foundation wanted to inspire kindness this year with their booth.
Decked out in pink and red hearts, the booth had information about their upcoming Intentional Acts of Kindness Calendar. In February, the Foundation will be participating in acts of kindness each day, and encouraging others to join in. You can join in on the Intentional Acts of Kindness Event Page!
LCCF is also excited about a new matching opportunity. The Caring Community Fund supports the greatest needs in LaGrange County, at any given time, making impact forever. The Foundation intends to apply for a $750,000 Matching Fund Grant from Lilly Endowment to support the Foundation’s unrestricted endowment, which will provide resources to present and future needs.
The Community Foundation is asking people and businesses like YOU to give to the Caring Community Fund.
For every $1 you give, the matching grant will give $2, giving the fund a total of $3! If you would like to give to this fund DONATE HERE, chose to give to a specific fund, then chose the Caring Community Fund.
The LaGrange County Community Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of the fall Community Impact Grants cycle.
LaGrange County Soil & Water District Water Quality Monitoring
The Foundation recently awarded $92,000 in grants to eleven nonprofit organizations. The Community Impact Grants support nonprofits in six areas: arts and culture, health and human services, recreation, environment, community development and education.
The Community Impact Grants are made possible by the generosity of donors who give to the unrestricted and field of interest funds at the Foundation.
For over 30 years, the Community Foundation has remained committed to its mission of “inspiring and sustaining generosity, leadership and service in LaGrange County.”
“Through our grantmaking program we are able to ensure a lasting legacy for our funders who have made a long-term commitment to support positive growth of our nonprofit community in LaGrange County,” said Octavia Yoder, Executive Director.
“We are honored to support many deserving nonprofit organizations who are improving the quality of life in LaGrange County and helping meet important and unmet community needs,” Yoder added.
The 2023 fall Community Impact Grant recipients include:
LaGrange County Department of Parks & Recreation, Tetrick property, $20,000;
LaGrange County Soil & Water Conservation District, Long-term strategic water quality monitoring program in LaGrange County, $11,500;
LaGrange Baseball League, Score board installation at Spreuer Park, $8,000;
Coffee & Cream of South Milford, Coffee & Cream equipment, $12,500;
Agape Child Care Ministry, Program materials, $2,500;
Cancer Services of Northeastern Indiana, Client advocate program for LaGrange County, $2,500;
Clothes & Food Basket of LaGrange County, Operating support, $15,000;
Junior Achievement of LaGrange County, Junior Achievement Biztown Fieldtrips 2023-2024, $5,000;
Boomerang Backpacks, 2023-2024 school year weekend feeding program at Westview and Prairie Heights schools, $10,000;
Youth for Christ Northern Indiana, Westview Campus Life, $2,500; and
Kate’s Kart, Book Distribution at Parkview LaGrange, $2,500.
Each year, the Community Foundation seeks proposals for charitable projects and programs that help local nonprofit organizations provide services in LaGrange County. The Grants Advisory Committee reviews the submitted grant applications and makes recommendations to the Board of the Directors who approve the grant awards. To learn more, visit lccf.net/grants.
Rainbow Years Learning Ministry is a childcare and preschool program of Shore Church in Shipshewana.
We recently visited Portia Amstutz, director of Rainbow Years Learning Ministry in Shipshewana to see the progress on their $1 million renovation project. Rainbow Years is a ministry of Shore Church, providing year-round daycare and education to children from birth to age 11.
Rainbow Years renovated their space to add more childcare seats. At one point, their wait-list exceeded their capacity.
In June, Rainbow Years received a Community Impact Grant of $21,736 to purchase materials and equipment for its updated facility.
We were excited to see their new space!
Rainbow Years can currently take around 90 kids, ages birth to 11 years old. With the help of the grant, they were able furnish two new classrooms, giving each age level a class of their own. They not only were able to furnish the two new rooms, but they also replaced some old items throughout the facility.
New classroom furnished with the grant funds received.
The grant helped purchase new sleeping cots, glider rockers, furniture for the teacher’s work room and main office, refrigerator and microwave for the teachers, a washer and dryer unit, cribs, changing tables and toys. It also helped create an indoor “recess” area.
They also created a fun, comfortable space for school-age kids to meet before and after school, as well as in the summer.
When we asked Portia what is meaningful about her work; she said the impact they have on the children. She said it’s because the most critical time for learning is before age 5 – it’s an important job!
Cribs and a glider rocker are a few of the many items added to the infant room.
The Foundation is excited to partner with nonprofits like Rainbow Years to help improve the early education of the youngest children in our county.
Community Impact Grants help nonprofits to be more effective, efficient and self-sustaining. The Community Foundation looks to fund innovative or creativeprojects addressing community needs like Rainbow Years.
Currently, Rainbow Years currently has about 18-20 spots open for childcare! In the next few weeks, they will be able to accept Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) vouchers for low-income families. This program will make their childcare even more affordable for more families.
You can learn more about their programs and availability at RainbowYears.org.
Portia Amstutz reading to some of the children at Rainbow Years Childcare Ministry.
We talked to two LaGrange County nonprofits who received a Community Impact Grant in 2022 to hear about their experiences applying for funding and any tips they had to share with fellow nonprofits seeking grant funding.
Purdue Extension: Blender/Spin Art Bike
Purdue Extension of LaGrange County received a Community Impact Grant of $3,075 to purchase a Blender/Spin Art Bike for youth programming. The bike is used to educate children on healthy food choices and the impact on mental and physical health. The bike has a smoothie and blender attachment, allowing students to see create their own smoothies while biking; the bike also also has a spin art attachment and students can create unique works of art.
The Blender/Spin-Art Bike has frequently been on the road since being introduced to LaGrange County. It’s made appearances at several schools, community libraries, camps, and other events, and has been very popular in each location.
Brittany Gilger, LaGrange County’s 4-H Youth Development Extension Educator, answered a few questions about the grant process that might be beneficial to future applicants.
How did receiving a Community Impact Grant impact your organization?
Receiving the grant for the Blender/Spin-Art Bike from the Community Foundation helped Purdue Extension and LaGrange 4-H deliver innovative programming to youth and adults in LaGrange County focused on topics such as healthy living and STEAM (science, technology, engineering and math).
Would you encourage others to apply? Did you think the application process was difficult?
I would encourage others to apply for the grant. I think it is a great way to get funds/resources for your organization through a local foundation that wants to serve the community. The grant process was easier than others that I have worked with and the Community Foundation was always available to help answer any questions that I had.
If there was one thing that you could share about your experience applying for the grant what would that be?
The Community Foundation has been a wonderful group to work with. They have made the process simple. I love that they have partnered with us in a shared mission of serving LaGrange County.
Want to experience a Blender/Spin-Art Bike demonstration?
Contact Brittany about the program and schedule a demonstration at your event, school, or youth program. You can reach Brittany at the Purdue Extension office at 260-499-6334 or email her at bgilger@purdue.edu.
Community Health Clinic: Building Project
The Community Health Clinic hosts their official Open House to the public on Saturday, September 9, from 2-6 p.m. in Shipshewana.
The Community Health Clinic in Topeka received a $40,000 Community Impact Grant toward their new facility in Shipshewana, a $4 million project.
Blake Andres, the Director of Development & Planning, recently gave a tour of the facility to a few of the Foundation staff. The 25,000 square-foot facility is almost near completion. The staff is currently moving into the building; some of facility will be furnished over time as the need arises and programming increases.
The staff was impressed by the simple, yet high-tech facility. The Community Health Clinic was conscious of cost and designed the building plan with future growth in mind. With large windows throughout the facility, there is not a bad view of Shipshewana.
It was great to see Blake’s enthusiasm and excitement for the project, and to hear how the new facility will elevate the level of care for people with genetic diseases.
Blake shared his thoughts on the grant process and any helpful information he could pass along to potential grantees:
The Community Health Clinic’s new facility features large windows throughout, letting in beautiful natural light and creating a calming atmosphere.
“Since seeing our first patient in 2013, The Community Health Clinic has been operating out of 3600 sq. ft. of leased basement space which in recent years, has become mission limiting. Early in our capital campaign planning for a new facility, we were fortunate to have some helpful conversations with the Foundation. They encouraged us to apply for a Community Impact Grant.
Our successful grant application had a significant impact on the trajectory of our project. Of course the funds were helpful, but of equal importance, engagement with LCCF helped us leverage the interest of other potential contributors.”
Based on his experience, Blake would encourage other community-based organizations to apply. Here are few of this suggestions:
Take the time to review the grant guidelines carefully and scrutinize your proposed project to see if your proposed project outcomes match the Foundation’s current priorities.
Reach out to the Foundation staff to confirm your organization’s eligibility and answer any questions you may have about the overall granting process.
The process is not difficult, but should not be rushed. Communicate with the Foundation team and assemble your draft application materials early in the grant cycle. Give yourself and your work colleagues the time to carefully evaluate your draft narrative and supportive materials.
The LaGrange County Community Foundation awarded $71,736 to four nonprofit organizations during its 2023 Spring Community Impact Grants cycle.
The Community Impact Grants address community needs in Arts & Culture, Health & Human Services, Recreation, Environment, Community Development, and Education.
The 2023 Spring Community Impact Grant recipients include:
Each year, the Community Foundation seeks proposals for charitable projects and programs that help local nonprofit organizations provide services in LaGrange County. The Grants Advisory Committee reviews the submitted grant applications and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors who approve the grant awards.
The Community Impact Grants are made possible by the generosity of donors who give to the unrestricted and field of interest funds at the Foundation. To learn more, visit HERE.
The LaGrange County Community Foundation will host a grant workshop on Thursday, Feb. 23, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Community Foundation.
The Community Foundation encourages nonprofit organizations considering submitting an application for a Community Impact Grant in 2023 to attend the workshop. The spring funding cycle is open and applications are due April 3.
Topics at the workshop will include an overview of the Community Impact Grant program, the online application portal, funding opportunities, and tips to tailor a strong story.
Nonprofit organizations serving LaGrange County are eligible to apply in six areas: arts & culture, community development, recreation, health and human services, education and environment. Awards range from $5,000 to $25,000.
“We are thrilled to offer a grant workshop that will provide information about the Foundation’s grant program. We encourage nonprofits who are considering applying or who want to learn more about seeking funds from the Foundation to attend. We will be sharing helpful tips on putting together a budget and how to tailor your story.”
Leanna Martin, Program Director
The Community Foundation aims to support nonprofit needs and provide innovative programs and services for local residents through its grantmaking program. The grants are made possible through the generosity of donors who have supported the unrestricted charitable funds at the Community Foundation.
To RSVP for the grant workshop click here. Those who register and attend will have a chance to win a gift card at $50.
The Community Impact Grant program will be offered in two funding rounds in 2023: grant applications will be due April 3 and September 1.
Applications are now open for the spring cycle. Award notifications will be made within 60 days of the application deadline.
The LaGrange Community Foundation seeks proposals for innovative or creative projects with significant impact in LaGrange County. Community Impact Grants are available to nonprofit organizations serving LaGrange County.
The grants are made possible through the generosity of donors who have supported the unrestricted and field of interest charitable funds at the Foundation.
Nonprofit organizations serving LaGrange County are eligible to apply in six areas: arts & culture, recreation, health and human services, community development, education and environment.
Spring Cycle Deadline
Fall Cycle Deadline
April 3, 2023
September 1, 2023
Previous Community Impact Grants have ranged from $5,000 to $25,000 per award.
Community Foundation hosted a reception on Tuesday, Nov. 15, to recognize recipients of the $93,384 awarded from its Fall Community Impact Grants Cycle.
More than 25 nonprofit executives and representatives gathered along with Community Foundation board members, volunteers, and staff to celebrate.
The Community Foundation awarded grants to sixteen nonprofit organizations during the fall grant cycle. Each nonprofit organization shared a brief presentation about their upcoming project and the mission of their organization.
The Community Impact Grants are made possible by the generosity of donors who give to the unrestricted and field of interest funds at the Foundation.
For over 30 years, the Community Foundation has remained committed to its mission of “inspiring and sustaining generosity, leadership and service in LaGrange County.” The Community Impact Grant Program supports grants in six interest areas: arts and culture, health and human services, recreation, environment, community development and education.
Through our grantmaking program we are able to ensure a lasting legacy for our funders who have made a long-term commitment to support positive growth of our nonprofit community in LaGrange County. We are honored to support many deserving nonprofit organizations who are improving the quality of life in our community and helping meet critical and unmet community needs.
Octavia Yoder, Executive Director
The 2022 Fall Community Impact Grant recipients include:
Agape Child Care Ministry, Agape Professional Development and Cleaning Support, $10,000;
Agape Missions of LaGrange County, Agape House Ministry Recovery, $10,000;
Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana, Client Advocate and Client Services Program for LaGrange County, $3,500;
Clothes & Food Basket of LaGrange County, Hungry No More, $7,500;
Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana Inc, LaGrange County Farm Wagon Mobile Pantry Program, $2,000;
Community Improvement League of South Milford Indiana, resurrecting/rebuilding the military memorial monument, $10,000;
Purdue Extension LaGrange 4-H Youth Development, Youth Programming with the Blender/Spin-Art Bike, $3,075.00;
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Indiana, Ronald McDonald House Programs for LaGrange County Families, $2,000;
Shore Church FBO Shipshewana Ministerial Association, Shipshewana Ministerial Association assistance fund, $2,500; and
The ARC of LaGrange County, Arc’s Summer Discovery Program, $20,000.
Each year, the Community Foundation seeks proposals for charitable projects and programs that help local nonprofit organizations provide services in LaGrange County. The Grants Advisory Committee reviews the submitted grant applications and makes recommendations to the Board of the Directors who approve the grant awards.