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INSPIRE GOOD

Give
Money

APPLY FOR
GRANTS

Apply for
Scholarships

Advise Your
Clients

Give
Time

WELCOME TO THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF ELKHART COUNTY

We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people in Elkhart County through philanthropic giving, community engagement, and strategic partnerships.

NEWS

Now Accepting Applications

Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship

• Three Scholarships
• Four-Year, Full-Tuition Scholarships
• For 2025 Elkhart County seniors who will be first-generation college students

MORE »

EVENTS

  • Safeguarding Seniors: Tools for Trusted Advisors

    September 24 @ 7:30 am - 11:00 am

    Protecting Seniors from Fraud: Tools, Trends, and Best Practices Wednesday, September 24, 2025 Elcona Country Club Fraudsters are constantly evolving — and older adults are prime targets. Join the Elkhart County Estate Planning Council for an in-depth morning session on the latest scams, common fraud methods, and practical steps to safeguard your senior clients. You’ll hear real cases, learn how to spot red flags, understand Indiana laws and FINRA rules, Read More »

STORIES OF IMPACT

100 Women, 10 Years, Infinite Connections - Check presentation for $10,000 to Saving Grace

100 Women, 10 Years, Infinite Connections

100 Women Who Care Celebrates Giving More Than $425,000 Jenny Welch got the idea from a book and will tell you that God was moving between the lines of text. 100 Women Who Care Elkhart County started in 2014 after she and her friend Sheila Terlep partnered with the Community Foundation of Elkhart County to create a giving circle. Four times a year, women across Elkhart County gather and contribute $100 each, resulting in a $10,000 gift to a local nonprofit. The group celebrated its tenth anniversary in July 2024 and has given away more than $425,000 to nonprofits. The Read More »

Bernice Simms Gave Unwavering Support for Furry Friends

Bernice Simms Gave Unwavering Support for Furry Friends

Estate Gift Extends Her Generosity They say Bernice Simms was the first one in the office and the last one to leave. Fred Lamble, who worked with her at Key Bank, tried to beat her into the office and got there at 7 a.m. one morning. She was there. He got there at 6:30 the next morning. She was there. And he gave up. “She just worked and earned money and saved it,” says Pam Hluchota, another coworker at the bank. Simms died in 2022 at the age of 81 and left her estate to the Community Foundation of Elkhart Read More »

The Fidler family cherishes the new generation of impact-makers.

From Concrete To Kindness: The Fidler Family’s Seven Decades of Impact

Family Members Give Together Once a year, the Fidler family gathers around John and Lois Fidler’s dining room table for an important conversation. Those who reside in northern Indiana come together to give away money from the family’s Donor Advised Fund. Over the last 23 years, the family has given generously to 65 local organizations. The collective impact of their donations is significant. “It’s fun to give money away,” said Karen Lacounte, one of John and Lois Fidler’s daughters. The Fidler name is well-known in Goshen. The Fidler family owned and operated a ready-mix concrete company for decades. Lewis Fidler Read More »

INITIATIVES

Acts of Service Logo
Building Strong Brains - Elkhart County's Early Childhood Initiative Logo
Pumpkinvine Trails Coalition logo
Elkhart County Estate Planning Council logo
100 Women Who Care - Elkhart County logo
Elkhart Health & Aquatics logo