The Porter County Community Foundation has awarded a total of $251,053 from its 2009 community funds to not-for-profit organizations throughout the county.

“Connecting people with causes they care about is one way the Porter County Community Foundation serves our community,” Porter County Community Foundation President Barbara Young said. “We are thrilled to announce that this spirit of philanthropy has allowed the Foundation to award over $250,000 in grants from the Foundation’s community funds in 2009.”

The grants were awarded through an open grant process and announced at a special reception in late October. The Foundation awarded a total of 25 grants to help non-profits fund programs and equipment.

The grants were awarded in anticipation of National Philanthropy Day on Nov. 15 and Community Foundation Week Nov. 12-18.

The organizations sharing in the more than quarter-million dollars of grants were as follows: Rebuilding Together-Duneland; American Red Cross--Porter County Chapter; College Mentors for Kids, Inc.; Community Theatre Guild, Inc.; First Contact Inc.; Gabriel's Horn Corporation; Harold "Hal" Kelley Respite Foundation; HealthLinc; Hilltop Neighborhood House, Inc.; Jacob's Ladder Pediatric Rehab Center; Moraine House, Inc.; Morgan Township PTO; NorthShore Health Centers; Opportunity Enterprises, Inc.; Portage Township YMCA; Porter County Association for Handicapped Children and Adults, Inc.; Porter County Council of Church Women (Whispering Pines Health Care Center); Porter Township Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.; Porter-Starke Services, Inc.; Rebuilding Together-Portage; Rebuilding Together-Valparaiso; South Shore Arts; The Caring Place, Inc.; Valparaiso Family YMCA; and Visiting Nurse Association of Porter County, Inc.

Created in 1996, the Porter County Community Foundation has enabled more than 2,300 philanthropists to compound their gifts -- ranging in size from $2 to $3.1 million -- into more than 200 funds to support charitable organizations.

The Porter County Community Foundation is one of more than 700 community foundations across the nation, providing a link between individual donors and local not-for-profit organizations.

“We know the places of need in our area and we can help direct resources to solve those problems,” said Young. “The Foundation is here to help nonprofits enhance their capacity and fulfill their missions.”

To contribute or to learn more about the Foundation, visit online at www.portercountyfoundation.org

 or contact the Porter County Community Foundation at 465-0294.

Posted 11/5/2009