As one of Indiana’s largest community foundations, Legacy Foundation works for Lake County in multiple ways, playing multiple roles. For donors, the Foundation offers an effective way to manage giving by providing expert philanthropic advice rooted in a deep knowledge of our community and an array of philanthropic vehicles and services. For the community, the Foundation serves as a grant-maker, a civic leader, and awards grants to the region’s non-profits to help meet community needs, fulfill donors’ philanthropic wishes, and strengthen the nonprofit sector. Using local knowledge, networks, influence, and creativity, the Foundation brings people together to improve the community’s quality of life now and in the future.

We look forward to partnering with organizations and communities across Lake County in the year ahead and sharing your needs with Legacy Foundation donors.

OPEN NOW: Lake County Resilience Grant

Legacy Foundation is committing up to $600,000 of additional funding over the next two years to support nonprofit organizations impacted by recent federal and state funding reductions and contract terminations. This funding initiative is part of the Foundation’s broader strategy to ensure stability and continuity for nonprofit partners and the communities they serve throughout Lake County, Indiana.

Purpose of the Grant
This grant program is designed to support both the programmatic and operational needs of organizations that have experienced documented financial loss due to changes in federal or state funding, contracts, or policies.

Grant Details

• Applications will be evaluated based on community impact, financial need, and sustainability of the organization.
• Organizations may request funding up to 25% of their documented financial loss.
• Up to $40,000 may be awarded per organization in a rolling 12-month period.
• Organizations may apply multiple times during the 12-month rolling period.
• Funding can be used to:
  • sustain essential services that were directly impacted by federal or state funding reductions or contract terminations;
  • address urgent operational needs that were part of the funding reductions; and
  • strengthen organizational capacity in response to funding disruptions through planning activities, consulting, legal, or other supporting services.
• Funds cannot be used to support capital projects.
• Organizations that have received other Legacy Foundation grants, such as Transform Lake County, are eligible to apply.

Application Timeline

• Applications open: May 12, 2025
• Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until funds are fully expended.
• Up to $300,000 will be available May 2025 – April 2026, with an additional $300,000 made available May 2026 – April 2027.
• Applications will be reviewed monthly.
• Organizations will be notified within 30 days following the month the application is submitted.
  • For example, if the application is submitted on the 15^th of the month, the organization will receive notification by the 30^th of the following month.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving Lake County, Indiana residents. Governmental agencies, schools, and educational institutions are not eligible to apply.
• Must demonstrate a documented financial loss directly resulting from federal or state cuts or contract terminations.
  • Priority will be given to organizations that demonstrate a healthy balance sheet prior to cuts, without significant surplus or debt.

Required Documentation:

Applicants must submit supporting evidence of financial loss, including one or more of the following:

• Copies of canceled contracts or termination notices
• Documentation of cuts from government agencies
• Financial statements reflecting pre- and post-loss operating budgets