ELKHART, Indiana – The Community Foundation of Elkhart County’s Board of Directors approved $3,618,570 of new and multi-year grants to 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. “We are thrilled to support the good work of our nonprofits who are making our community stronger,” said Candy Yoder, Chief Program Officer. “Our committees, staff and board are working with others to help our community continue to be resilient and navigate the future.” The grants awarded between July and mid-October are: Read More »

RETA is the most recent recipient of the women's social philanthropy organization Thursday, October 7, 2021 ELKHART — A new facility for RETA could open as early as spring 2022 and a $10,000 grant from 100 Women Who Care will help make it possible. RETA, a pregnancy clinic that provides family resources, is in the process of building a new facility in downtown Elkhart for its clients. This new building will allow services to be more accessible, so RETA can better serve their clients. The women who attended the July meeting of 100 Women Who Care heard the passionate nomination Read More »

Monday, September 27, 2021 ELKHART — The Community Foundation of Elkhart County promoted Carrie Berghoff to become Chief Development Officer for the organization. Her promotion from Donor Engagement Specialist is part of changes within the organization that continues to grow and now has assets of more than $400 million. Berghoff joined the foundation five years ago to work with donors. She has advised donors with their philanthropic giving and helped plan events. She joins the executive cabinet of the organization and now oversees development and donor relations as the Community Foundation continues to improve the quality of life in Elkhart Read More »

June 24, 2021 ELKHART COUNTY – The Community Foundation of Elkhart County has engaged a team led by Cincinnati-based urban growth firm YARD & Company to develop Connect In Elkhart County, a mobility master plan for Elkhart County. The project is being led by the Community Foundation’s Placemaking Committee, whose goal is to create open communities in Elkhart County that inspire, attract, engage, and connect people to enrich their living experience. “Our amazing community has a strong network of trails and pathways,” said Becky Bontreger, Chairwoman of the Placemaking Committee. “We can’t wait to gather more people from across our Read More »

Cook joins the management team, overseeing a new marketing and communications department June 22, 2021 ELKHART — Brian D. Cook is now leading the marketing efforts for the Community Foundation of Elkhart County. Cook joined the foundation in early June as Director of Marketing. In his career spanning 25 years, he has managed marketing teams and implemented strategies in a variety of settings. He worked at the University of Notre Dame from 2005 to 2019, including as director of marketing for the Mendoza College of Business from 2017 to 2019. During that time he oversaw a digital-first marketing and advertising Read More »

ELKHART, Indiana — You don’t have to be a math whiz to understand that a $5,000 scholarship will help an eighth-grader as they consider college four years from now. Rhiannon Cass is this year’s recipient of the John G. Blakesley Mathematics Scholarship from the Community Foundation of Elkhart County. She is the daughter of Lauren Brown and Stephen Cass. The scholarship recognizes exceptional, early aptitude in mathematics by an eighth-grade student completing math honors coursework. This scholarship inspires the development of mathematical interest and understanding. John G. Blakesley was born in Goshen, Indiana on February 26, 1931 and was raised Read More »

May 11, 2021 ELKHART — When 100 Women Who Care Elkhart County gathered in April for its spring meeting, the group made a decision to fund an organization on the move. Sarah Virgil founded Rollerskate to Liberate in August 2020 and its first event is coming up on June 12. The organization wants to gather advocates, empower survivors, and take preventative action to protect people from sex or labor trafficking. It is partnering with local organizations such as Bashor Children’s Home, as well as national organizations. As volunteers move to raise money, the organization can both prevent trafficking, raise awareness Read More »

The Community Foundation invests nearly $1.8 million in Elkhart County April 27, 2021 ELKHART, Indiana – The Community Foundation of Elkhart County’s Board of Directors approved $1,793,999 of new and multi-year grants to multiple 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. “We are thrilled to make these Community Investment Grants to support key initiatives in Elkhart County,” said Candy Yoder, Chief Program Officer. “These grants will help improve our downtowns, how we traverse trails, and increase access to housing, education, and Read More »

February 9, 2021 ELKHART — The first virtual meeting of Elkhart County’s social philanthropy group 100 Women Who Care resulted in a $10,000 donation to help Elkhart students navigating e-learning. Since 2014, women have gathered every three months to learn about local needs and then pick a charitable cause to support with the combined total of their $100 gifts. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the January meeting happened virtually. The Elkhart Education Foundation’s EdCamp was selected in a close vote and is being awarded $10,000. The donation from 100 Women Who Care will help families who need support with e-learning Read More »

Community Foundation invests $692,594 in three education efforts January 12, 2021 ELKHART, Indiana – The Community Foundation of Elkhart County’s Board of Directors approved $692,594 of new and multi-year grants to three nonprofits who are key to the education and development of career pathways in Elkhart County. The Career Pathways committee of the foundation recommended awarding a multi-year grant to Goshen College and single-year grants to ETHOS and Horizon Education Alliance. The board approved the grants at its December meeting. “These grants to ETHOS, Goshen College and Horizon Education Alliance will enhance the ways people in our community can access Read More »