LAKE COUNTY FOREVER CAMPAIGN

The Campaign for Lake County Forever is Legacy Foundation’s largest effort to raise funds for endowed community grantmaking. Generous philanthropic support today is an investment in the success of our communities now and in the future.

Gifts made to the Lake County Community Fund, or another unrestricted fund at Legacy Foundation will be matched $2-for-$1. 

TRIPLE YOUR IMPACT AND DONATE TO THE LAKE COUNTY COMMUNITY FUND

Center for Justice and Post Exoneration Assistance

“Receiving a Legacy Foundation grant has impacted our programming as it allows us to engage with Lake County police departments to discuss wrongful convictions on a national and regional level. This is a first of its kind program for Lake County that has the opportunity to transform our local justice system.” – Dr. Nicky Ali Jackson, Executive Director of the Center for Justice and Post Exoneration Assistance

Estimated growth of the raised funds, plus the Lilly Endowment match on Legacy Foundation’s local grantmaking and community initiatives.

Campaign Goal

Raised Money from Donors………………..$1.9 Million

Match Funds from Lilly Endowment……$3.875 Million

Total Added to Unrestricted……………….$5.8 Million

Impact After 10 Years

Raised Funds Total*……$ 7.9 Million

Additional Grants Annually……$ 316,800

Total Grants from Raised Funds**……$ 2.8 Million

*estimated annual investment return of 7%                    **4% annual distribution

Make a Pledge to Partner with Legacy Foundation for the Lake County Forever Campaign

Best Buddies Indiana

Best Buddies Indiana received funding to expand its school friendship program in Lake County elementary schools. Programming builds life changing one-on-one friendships between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities, offering social interactions while improving the quality of life and inclusion.

Campaign for Lake County Forever Q and A

What is the Legacy Foundation?

Legacy Foundation is the community foundation for Lake County, Indiana. We are a 501(c)(3) qualified tax exempt organization that is an Indiana nonprofit corporation. We are governed by a board of directors of citizens from Lake County who love the community and assure our adherence to best practices. For over 30 years, Legacy Foundation has been empowering people, providing strategic leadership, and offering impactful support to serve the needs of all people in Lake County.

Who does the Legacy Foundation serve?

As a community foundation, Legacy Foundation serves and is supported by a broad base of individuals, families, professional advisors, businesses, and nonprofit organizations connected by the desire to improve Lake County, Indiana. We are a trusted source for philanthropic giving and granting in the region.

What is the Mission and Vision of the Legacy Foundation?

Our mission is to transform Lake County by providing strategic leadership and impactful philanthropic support to ensure equitable opportunity for all communities that we serve. And our vision is to create an equitable Lake County where all people thrive.

What is the Lilly Endowment Match Opportunity?

The Lilly Endowment private foundation is offering to grant Legacy Foundation $3,800,000 if we raise $1,900,000 from our community by June 30, 2025. This is a $2 for $1 match that we need your help to take full advantage of for the benefit of Lake County. All of the match and donations, totaling $5,700,000 will create an unrestricted permanent fund that will be used to strategically support the current and future needs of the citizens of Lake County as these needs emerge.

Why is an Unrestricted Endowment helpful?

The needs of Lake County citizens are different today than twenty or more years ago. And these needs will be different twenty or more years from now. The Legacy Foundation Fund created by your support will provide the much needed money to support the people and nonprofit organizations to address current and future needs. Our grantmaking for community priority needs is overseen by a board of directors and professional staff to assure funds are used for maximum impact.

What is the goal and deadline?

Our Goal is to raise $1,900,000 by June 30, 2025. Gifts can be pledged on or before June 30, 2025 and paid by December 31, 2027. We accept gifts of cash and assets such as stock.

Our Community Project & Program Partners

With Legacy Foundation receiving $5.625 Million dollars towards a matching grant, we are partnering with local organizations to support and  provide a dollar-for-dollar match toward the following community projects and programs addressing health and human services, education, arts, and placemaking.

We’re here to help. Contact us with your questions.

Kelly Anoe

President & CEO
kanoe@legacyfdn.org

Erica Fizer

Donor Engagement Director
efizer@legacyfdn.org