Two Elkhart County giving circles present $35,000 to Ryan’s Place and Elkhart County Jail Ministry
October 27, 2026 ELKHART, Indiana — Two Elkhart County giving circles, one brand new and one with more than a decade of giving behind it, have presented a combined $35,000 to local nonprofits. Guys Who Give Elkhart County awarded its first-ever grant of $25,000 to Ryan’s Place. In addition,100 Women Who Care Elkhart County gave $10,000 to the Elkhart County Jail Ministry. Guys Who Give The $25,000 gift came from the first Guys Who Give meeting, held Oct. 6 at Maplecrest Country Club in Goshen. Three nonprofits were drawn at random to make five-minute pitches, and members voted on the Read More »
Guys Who Give Forming as New Way for Elkhart County Men to Give Together
September 29, 2026 ELKHART, Ind. – Two local men are asking other men across Elkhart County to gather and be generous together. Jeff Boomershine and Curt Yoder have started Guys Who Give Elkhart County, a new giving circle hosted by the Community Foundation of Elkhart County that pairs charitable giving with a night out. The group holds its first meeting on October 6 at Maplecrest Country Club, Goshen. Members will gather twice a year, on the first Tuesday of October and May, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Guys Who Give follows the model of 100 Women Who Care Elkhart County, Read More »
Lilly Endowment Inc. awards $3.75 million matching grant to Community Foundation
The Community Foundation of Elkhart County has received a $3.75 million matching grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. through the ninth phase of its Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow initiative, known as GIFT IX.
Community Foundation of Elkhart County Awards $1.3 Million in Grants
July 2, 2026 ELKHART, Ind. – The Community Foundation of Elkhart County’s board of directors has approved $1,311,976 in new grants to support nonprofit organizations serving Elkhart County. The grants were approved at the board’s June meeting and span the Community Foundation’s three priority areas, as well as the Opportunity Fund. “These grants show what’s possible when organizations set aside turf and focus on what serves families best,” said Guy Fisher, chief program officer of the Community Foundation of Elkhart County. “The merger uniting CAPS and Maple City Health Care Center, and the support for Ronald McDonald House’s Rooftop Backyard Read More »
Community Foundation of Elkhart County Names Chief Operating Officer
June 25, 2026 The Community Foundation of Elkhart County has named Ken Julian as its chief operating officer, effective July 1, 2026. The position was created by the foundation’s board of directors to strengthen coordination across the organization’s growing operations and support its continued mission of inspiring good in Elkhart County. Julian brings more than three decades of executive leadership experience to the role. He previously served as senior vice president of administration and human resources at THOR Industries and as vice president of human resources at Keystone RV, as well as in executive leadership roles at Ascot Enterprises. He Read More »
Community Foundation of Elkhart County Awards $3.4 Million in Grants
ELKHART, Ind. – The Community Foundation of Elkhart County’s board of directors has approved $3,429,748 in new grants to support nonprofit organizations serving Elkhart County. The grants were approved at the board’s April 16 meeting and span the Foundation’s three priority areas and the Opportunity Fund. “Each of these grants reflects months of conversation with the nonprofits doing the work,” said Guy Fisher, chief program officer for the Community Foundation of Elkhart County. “Our role is to listen carefully, understand what’s needed, and help good ideas find the resources to take root in this community.” The grants approved at the Read More »
Community Foundation Awards $120,000 Grant to Gymtown Food Bank
February 3, 2026 ELKHART, Ind. — The Community Foundation of Elkhart County has awarded a $120,000 capital campaign grant to Gymtown Food Bank to support the addition of expanded cold storage, strengthening the organization’s ability to meet rising food needs across Elkhart County. The one-year grant will help fund additional refrigeration and freezer capacity as Gymtown continues its growth from a single food pantry into a food bank that supplies food to other pantries throughout the county. The Community Foundation’s Kids and Families Committee recommended the grant, recognizing Gymtown’s expanding role in addressing food insecurity and supporting families who need Read More »
Nine students named 2026 Lilly Endowment Community Scholars and Guy D. Gundlach Memorial Scholars
December 18, 2025 ELKHART COUNTY, Indiana — The Community Foundation of Elkhart County is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Elkhart County. The three students who will receive full-tuition scholarships at any eligible Indiana college or university are: John Stephens, Northridge High School Mason Pearson, NorthWood High School Jose Nava, Elkhart High School Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are known for their community involvement, academic achievement, character, and leadership. “We had an amazing group of applicants this year for these prestigious scholarships and are pleased to be able to help Lilly Endowment Community Scholars Read More »
Well Foundation Invests in Local Health Programs with $203,883 in Community Grants
December 17, 2025 ELKHART, Ind. — The Well Foundation’s Greatest Need Fund has awarded $203,883 in grants to strengthen community health across Elkhart County. The Well Foundation Committee convened this fall to distribute this year’s grants. The Greatest Need Fund provides flexible funding for local initiatives that help Elkhart County residents live healthier, longer lives. “This year’s grants reflect the many ways our community is working to care for body, mind, and spirit,” said Jane Erickson, president of the committee, which includes volunteers with ties to the original Goshen Hospital & Healthcare Foundation. “We are grateful for the donors whose Read More »
Community Foundation of Elkhart County supports local food pantries as SNAP benefits lapse
October 31, 2025 ELKHART, Ind. — October 31, 2025 — With the lapse of federal SNAP benefits caused by the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, food pantries across Elkhart County are preparing for an immediate and drastic increase in need. The Community Foundation of Elkhart County is providing backbone support to more than 60 food pantries through Hunger Ends Here, an initiative that helps nonprofit and faith-based organizations work together to reduce food insecurity. By coordinating communication, sharing resources, and organizing bulk food purchases, the Community Foundation is helping pantries prepare to serve families who are losing federal assistance for groceries. Read More »
