Apply for Grants
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.
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility in Lake County (IDEAL) Application
Legacy Foundation seeks to build organization leadership for inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) work in Lake County by providing training and organizational capacity building. Legacy Foundation will select 5 non-profit partners to engage in a series of conversations, work with a consultant to conduct an organizational IDEA assessment, and create an actionable, measurable plan with recommendations on how to improve IDEA practices. Legacy Foundation is launching this new initiative to support IDEA in non-profit organizations serving Lake County, Indiana
The evaluation will review, at a minimum, organization culture, community outreach, program/service delivery, board leadership, hiring, and policies. The plan will support the organization’s mission, vision, and goals; incorporate both internal and external practices, address leadership, employee engagement, hiring, stakeholder management; and community engagement. We believe this work should engage all levels and areas of the organizations, from front-line staff to Board leadership.
Organizations will be selected through a competitive process; an advisory community will review proposals and make recommendations.
The process will be led by a consultant, who is being selected through a competitive RFP process. There are no grant funds associated with this program. This program may incorporate virtual meetings in lieu of in-person convening due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Expectations and qualifications of participating organizations:
- Commit to the process by completing organizational assessments and participating in all learning activities.
- Must be a 501c3 located in or programming must benefit Lake County, Indiana.
- Must show commitment to full participation in all aspects of the program through an organizational letter expressing support, signed by Executive Director and Board Chair or Co-chair.
Non-Profit Capacity Building Grants
Legacy Foundation, Crown Point Community Foundation, and Foundations of East Chicago are partnering to offer grants of up to $5,000 to help non-profit organizations develop and/or implement an Emergency Preparedness or Strategic Restructuring plan.
An Emergency Preparedness Plan can cover general preparedness (to include all disasters including tornado, fire, pandemic, etc.) or be COVID-19 specific (precautions to take when returning to work, what to do in case of future outbreak, etc.). Strategic Restructuring grants are intended to support nonprofits as they assess, negotiate, design, and/or implement substantive strategic restructuring efforts that seek to promote more effective operations and high-performing programs based on community needs and assets. Strategic Restructuring grants can cover costs associated with reorganizing operational expenses as a result of a decrease in revenue.
| Grant Program | Purpose | Application Opens | Application Due | Notification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transform Lake County (Grant Range: $2,000-$25,000) | To strengthen and empower nonprofits, neighborhoods and residents in Lake County. Priority will be given to grant requests that incorporate feedback from On the Table or Neighborhood Spotlight. | Oct. 1 | Nov. 1 | Funding for the 2020 Spring Cycle has been allocated toward COVID-19 response grants. December |
| Informed & Engaged Urban Communities (Grant Range: $2,000-$100,000) | To increase attract and retain talent, increase opportunity, and promote civic and community engagement in Gary. Priority will be given to projects that promote downtown revitalization. | Funding for 2020 has been allocated toward COVID-19 response grants. | ||
| Thriving Hobart Seniors (Grant Range: $2,000-$25,000) | To provide seniors in Hobart with opportunities to increase their quality of life. | Oct. 1 | Nov. 1 | December |
| Sponsorship (Grant Range: $250-$2,000) | To offer opportunities for residents of Lake County to engage in and participate in events that will increase community involvement and education. | Legacy Foundation is not currently accepting applications to the Sponsorship Fund. |
We’re here to help. Contact us with your questions.
Kelly Anoe
Vice President
kanoe@legacyfdn.org
