Groundbreaking event June 22, 2023 marks move toward trail completion MIDDLEBURY, Indiana — The final 2,900 feet of a 17-mile trail will soon be under construction. The completion of the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail is underway. Trail advocates, government leaders, and those who have been instrumental in Elkhart County’s longest and most-used trail gathered Thursday to break ground on the final section near C.R. 35 and C.R. 20. In 1989, local cyclists began working to establish a trail on an abandoned railroad corridor from Goshen to Middlebury to Shipshewana. Hard work and investment resulted in the pathway that is used by Read More »

May 24, 2023 The Community Foundation of Elkhart County continues to be among the top-ranked foundations in the United States, according to the latest CF Insights Annual Survey. The annual survey, which in the past was called the Columbus Survey, gathers information from nearly 200 community foundations. Half of those are in the Midwest. The survey ranks foundations in four areas: assets, number of transactions, gifts per capita, and distribution rate (the percentage of assets that are granted). The most recent survey covers Fiscal Year 21, which for the Community Foundation of Elkhart County was July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021. “We Read More »

May 3, 2023 MIDDLEBURY, Indiana — Seeing the impact of the work at Stable Grounds led Lindsy Diener-Locke to nominate the nonprofit for its second grant from 100 Women Who Care Elkhart County. Jane Allen, the retired Middlebury Community Schools superintendent who is helping lead and grow Stable Grounds, told the women gathered for the March meeting of the giving circle about what’s happening. The subsequent vote resulted in a $10,000 grant from the women who are part of 100 Women Who Care. Stable Grounds uses miniature horses and donkeys to provide therapy to young people in need. In its Read More »

April 20, 2023 ELKHART COUNTY, Indiana – The Community Foundation of Elkhart County’s Board of Directors approved $3,405,732 of new grants to dozens of nonprofits and programs throughout Elkhart County. The grants were given in the categories of kids and families, career pathways, and placemaking, including for Connect in Elkhart County, a trail-making initiative focused on expanding Elkhart County’s trail network. The Community Foundation is also supporting Building Strong Brains: Elkhart County’s Early Childhood Initiative. “We are proud to be the stewards of community resources that can continue to make Elkhart County a better place to live, work and play,” Read More »

The Community Foundation of Elkhart County is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2023 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for Elkhart County, as well as the recipients of the Guy David Gundlach Community Scholarship. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are known for their community involvement, academic achievement, character, and leadership. Three students from Elkhart County will receive the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships (LECS) which provide for full tuition, required fees and a special allocation of up to $900 per year for required books and required equipment for four years. The scholarship is for undergraduate students studying on a full-time basis leading Read More »

ELKHART, Indiana — Committee members overseeing the Well Foundation Greatest Need Fund awarded $181,160 in grants to improve health in Elkhart County. The Well Foundation Committee met in October to make 2022 awards from the Greatest Need Fund, which offers unrestricted grants to support community initiatives dedicated to helping Elkhart County citizens live longer, healthier lives. “The Well Foundation, formerly named Goshen Hospital & Health Care Foundation, is pleased to continue our mission of supporting health-related projects and organizations in the Elkhart County area,” said Jane Erickson, president of the committee that includes many volunteers from the original foundation. “We Read More »

October 26, 2022 ELKHART, Indiana – The Community Foundation of Elkhart County’s Board of Directors approved $2,707,390 of new and multi-year grants to dozens of 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. “Elkhart County benefits from many nonprofit organizations improving the quality of life Read More »

Longtime food pantry receives money from Community Foundation, 100 Women Who Care Elkhart County for renovation at Grace Lutheran Church ELKHART, Indiana — Two grants given via the Community Foundation of Elkhart County will help Susanna’s Kitchen reopen in a new home. The soup kitchen has served folks in need in downtown Elkhart for 40 years. It has served lunches and distributed coats and other items from a number of churches, including First Congregational Church for 17 years. Nearly 20 churches support the ministry. Susanna’s Kitchen was operating out of the Knights of Columbus building on Lexington Avenue until early Read More »