Porter County Community Foundation

Porter County Community Foundation Strengthening our community through lasting generosity and leadership since 1996 Since then, the Foundation has continued to expand its reach and impact.

In 1996, visionary donors across Porter County answered the Lilly Endowment’s challenge grant with $1 million in contributions, establishing the Foundation. Today, the Foundation holds over $30 million in assets, has more than 4,200 donors and distributes over $1.8 million a year in grants to nonprofit organizations and scholarships to local students.

NEO Education received a Porter County Community Fund grant to purchase new devices for teachers. The updated equipment ...
05/28/2026

NEO Education received a Porter County Community Fund grant to purchase new devices for teachers. The updated equipment will allow teachers to better serve their students. The organization prepares adult students for the High School Equivalency test and a variety of career opportunities.

To learn more about our grant programs and the local organizations they benefit, visit pccf.gives.

We are thankful for Shive-Hattery and their investment in the future of Porter County. As a Corporate Partner, their sup...
05/27/2026

We are thankful for Shive-Hattery and their investment in the future of Porter County. As a Corporate Partner, their support helps us strengthen our community through lasting generosity and leadership.

The Valpo Parks Foundation received a Porter County Community Fund grant to support a strategic planning process that wi...
05/26/2026

The Valpo Parks Foundation received a Porter County Community Fund grant to support a strategic planning process that will strengthen partnerships and ensure long-term sustainability. The Valpo Parks Foundation brings people and community resources together to enhance and sustain the highest quality park facilities and programs.

To learn more about our grant programs and the local organizations they benefit, visit pccf.gives.

We congratulate the 2026 Porter County Lilly Endowment Community Scholars— Ashlyn Gentry, Sophia Ho, and Katherine Newba...
05/21/2026

We congratulate the 2026 Porter County Lilly Endowment Community Scholars— Ashlyn Gentry, Sophia Ho, and Katherine Newbanks— as they finish high school and look ahead to the next chapter. Their families, special guests, and PCCF board members recently gathered to celebrate.

Ashlyn Gentry, a Portage High School senior, has demonstrated a commitment to academics, extracurricular activities, and church. Her compassion, ability to connect with others, and communication skills will serve her well as she pursues a career in public health. Gentry plans to attend Indiana University (Bloomington).

Sophia Ho, a senior at Valparaiso High School, channeled her passion for her community into launching the Valpo Daylist with WVLP, a radio show created to bridge the gap between young people and the rest of the community. She is intellectually curious and a leader among her peers. Ho will study engineering at Purdue University (West Lafayette).

Katherine Newbanks, a Chesterton High School senior, has demonstrated leadership and resiliency. She is an outstanding musician with a strong work ethic who lifts up those around her. Newbanks plans to study psychology at Valparaiso University and aspires to advocate for children and families as a guardian ad litem.

Portage Township School Corporation, Chesterton High School, Valpo HS 411

Rebuilding Together Duneland received a Porter County Community Fund grant to support Rebuilding Day 2026. On Rebuilding...
05/20/2026

Rebuilding Together Duneland received a Porter County Community Fund grant to support Rebuilding Day 2026. On Rebuilding Day, the last Saturday in April, volunteers complete essential repairs that help neighbors stay safe, warm and dry in their homes.

To learn more about our grant programs and the local organizations they benefit, visit pccf.gives.

Thirty years ago, a group of people in Porter County made a quiet decision that would change thousands of lives: they de...
05/14/2026

Thirty years ago, a group of people in Porter County made a quiet decision that would change thousands of lives: they decided to invest in their own community, permanently. They could not have known what that decision would become. They simply believed Porter County was worth investing in, and they acted on that belief.

You are the reason that decision has mattered.

Since PCCF awarded its very first grants in 1997, the growth has been extraordinary. What started as a modest investment has grown into something far larger than anyone could have predicted. As of December 31, 2025, PCCF has awarded more than $55 million in grants and scholarships to 1,018 organizations. Education. Housing. Food access. Mental health. Recovery. Environmental preservation. Arts and culture. The Community Fund reaches into every corner of community life.

That breadth matters because needs in a community do not arrive one at a time, neatly categorized. They arrive all at once, in the same neighborhoods, sometimes in the same families. A child struggling in kindergarten may be living in a home touched by food insecurity. A person in recovery may also be rebuilding family relationships fractured by years of isolation. PCCF’s Community Fund exists precisely because community is not a single issue — it is everything, all at once, and it deserves sustained, intentional support. When local nonprofits know that support is there, something changes. They can plan. They can grow. They can say yes to the family that walks through the door.

This is our 30th anniversary year. PCCF has grown from a promising idea into a significant force for good in northwest Indiana, not because of any single gift, but because hundreds of donors believed Porter County was worth it. And acted.

During this 30th year of community partnership, gifts to the Community Fund will continue to impact lives in every corner of Porter County. We invite you, a valued member of our community, to consider a gift of $30, $300, or even $500 or more. Thank you for being part of this powerful shared work that quietly knits our community together.

Give online at https://pccf.gives.

Chesterton Art Center received a $30,000 Capital Grant from PCCF to support the 116 Expansion Project. The accessible sp...
05/12/2026

Chesterton Art Center received a $30,000 Capital Grant from PCCF to support the 116 Expansion Project. The accessible space features two studio classrooms and will allow the organization to increase program capacity and host larger community events.

“The Porter County Community Foundation is proud to provide support for the 116 Expansion Project,” said Bill Higbie, PCCF President and CEO. “Porter County has a vibrant arts community, and the Chesterton Art Center is a critical part of it. Increasing access to art opportunities across all generations and abilities will enhance the Duneland community and our entire region.”

To learn more about our grant programs and the local organizations they benefit, visit pccf.gives.

A Porter County Community Fund grant is helping to make our community HEARTSafe. PCCF is proud to support this impactful...
05/08/2026

A Porter County Community Fund grant is helping to make our community HEARTSafe. PCCF is proud to support this impactful and life-saving work.

REBUILDINGKeisha* left an abusive relationship and took refuge at a shelter for women, but her four children were not ab...
05/07/2026

REBUILDING
Keisha* left an abusive relationship and took refuge at a shelter for women, but her four children were not able to join her there. Instead, they stayed with a family member. The time apart was difficult and impacted their connection to each other. After six months, they were reunited at The Caring Place, Inc., where they could live together as a family again.

The Caring Place provides services, shelter, and ongoing support for people experiencing domestic violence. A $25,000 grant from the Women's Fund of Porter County is benefiting The Caring Kitchen, a welcoming space for nourishment and healing that provides daily, nutritious meals to women and children recovering from domestic violence. In 2025, The Caring Place served more than 500 clients in shelter.

“While emergency shelter is essential, survivors need more than a roof over their heads to begin healing,” said Jessica Luth, President and CEO of The Caring Place. “One of the most consistent stressors faced by the women and children we serve is food insecurity. Many arrive with little to no access to food, no income, and significant trauma. Without consistent nutrition, it is difficult to address other needs.”

Keisha and her children spent time in The Caring Kitchen rebuilding their relationship after their time apart. They made meals together, and the kids sat around the dining room table after school completing their homework. Today the family is thriving in stable, permanent housing.

Your gifts to the Porter County Community Foundation and the Women’s Fund of Porter County provide opportunities for healing and connection. Thank you for being a part of this important work.

*Name changed to protect confidentiality

Pictured: Jessica Luth, President and CEO of The Caring Place

Humane Indiana Wildlife received a grant from the Porter County Community Fund to support the creation of a dedicated Wi...
05/05/2026

Humane Indiana Wildlife received a grant from the Porter County Community Fund to support the creation of a dedicated Wildlife Resource and Intake Center to complete admissions for orphaned and injured wildlife and offer resources and assistance. The organization provides expert medical care for injured and orphaned animals native to Indiana, educational opportunities for community groups and schools, and internships for college students.

To learn more about our grant programs and the local organizations they benefit, visit pccf.gives.

Address

1401 Calumet Avenue
Valparaiso, IN
46383

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 12pm

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