Celebrating Lake County’s Outstanding Community Leaders

Legacy Foundation’s Annual Heart of Lake County Awards!

These awards celebrate and honor community leaders who have dedicated their time and talents to making our Lake County, Indiana communities a better place to work, live, and play.

Recipients will be announced at the Foundation’s Annual Celebration on Tuesday, August 20, 2024. Recipients will each receive $1,000 to donate to the nonprofit organization of their choice.

Public nominations are now open for the Community Spirit, Corporate Philanthropy, and Excellence in Nonprofit Board Leadership Awards! All nominations are due by 5 PM CST on Monday, July 15, 2024. Use the forms below to submit your nominations!

Heart of Lake County Awards

Community Spirit Award: Presented to an individual who has made outstanding community contributions that have enhanced, improved, or positively affected the overall quality of life in Lake County, Indiana. (Public nomination)

Corporate Philanthropy Award: Presented to a Lake County, Indiana based for-profit business that has made extraordinary contributions to making Lake County a better place to live, work, and play. (Public nomination)

Excellence in Nonprofit Board Leadership Award: Presented to a Lake County, Indiana serving nonprofit board member who has demonstrated excellence in four focus areas: governance, leadership, financial sustainability, and program impact. (Public nomination)

Gold Key Society Induction: Recognizing a professional advisor who has played a critical role in helping local philanthropists make a difference in Lake County, Indiana. (Internal selection)

Corporate Philanthropy Award Nomination

The Legacy Foundation Community Business Leadership Award is presented to a Lake County, Indiana based for-profit business that has made extraordinary contributions to making Lake County a better place to live, work, and play. This award celebrates exemplary giving and community service of businesses of all sizes, from 1 employee to 10,000! Candidates for this award will be considered based on their community contributions that have enhanced, improved, or positively affected the quality of life in the communities of Lake County, Indiana. Nominations must show how the candidate achieved this goal. The community contributions of candidates may be in the form of community involvement, volunteerism, or philanthropic giving.

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2023 Heart of Lake County Recipients

During the 2023 Annual Celebration, Legacy Foundation announced the inaugural Heart of Lake County Award recipients, community leaders who use their time and talents to positively impact Lake County.

Verne P. Seehausen was presented with the Gold Key Award, recognizing his nearly 30-year involvement with Legacy Foundation in the promotion of philanthropy across Lake County. As a CPA of over 40 years, he has worked with his clients to set up multiple endowed funds at the foundation and has established his own funds for organizations that are meaningful to him.

The Excellence in Nonprofit Board Leadership Award was presented to Calvin Bellamy, for his decades of service to Northwest Indiana nonprofit boards. His sharp attention to detail has strengthened Lake County serving nonprofit organizations in governance, financial sustainability, leadership, and program impact.

Dr. Vernon G. Smith was awarded the Community Spirit Award to honor his outstanding community contributions that have enhanced, improved, and positively affected the overall quality of life in Lake County. Current professor, state representative, and nonprofit leader, Dr. Smith has impacted the lives of thousands within Lake County.