For nearly thirty years, the Porter County Community Foundation (PCCF) has invested in the future of Porter County because of the philanthropy of many individuals with a shared guiding principle of strengthening our community through lasting generosity and leadership.
Founded in 1996, PCCF formed in response to a challenge issued by the Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment. Lilly Endowment’s Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT) initiative promised to grant $500,000 to any Indiana community that could raise $1 million in matching donations. Porter County met that challenge.
From this early funding and the ongoing support of many donors over the past 28 years, PCCF has established itself as a powerful community partner of nonprofits and steward of local resources. Today the Foundation’s assets have grown beyond $100 million.
PCCF collaborates with community members to support their favorite causes by establishing and managing permanent endowment funds that make it possible for their support to last forever.
“Endowments provide a stream of income to benefit a charitable cause or organization year after year – forever,” said Jeri Pat Gabbert, Executive Vice President and Chief Philanthropic Officer. “Through the power of endowment, individuals, families, and nonprofit organizations are creating a better and sustainable future for Porter County.”
In 2023, the Foundation awarded $4 million in grants and scholarships. Since 1996, PCCF has awarded over $45 million in grants and scholarships to local organizations and students.
“There are so many reasons that PCCF has been able to achieve this level of impact,” said Gabbert. “To name a few, we’ve had outstanding leadership, generous community members, and tremendous partnerships. We are proud to be a trusted partner of so many philanthropic Porter County residents, past and present. We couldn’t do what we do without them.”
Beyond providing financial assistance through grants, PCCF seeks to support local organizations by enhancing their sustainability through nonprofit capacity building, including education and training opportunities, and providing meeting and event space.
Located at 1401 Calumet Avenue in Valparaiso, PCCF is home to staff offices and a Nonprofit Conference Center. The conference center is a resource available to nonprofits, who may use the space to help meet their needs.
“Our support for local organizations goes beyond grant funding,” Gabbert said. “We are thrilled to provide collaborative meeting space in our facility to help meet the unique needs of local nonprofits.”
To learn more about PCCF, including how you can support their work, visit pccf.gives.
