Porter County Community Foundation Celebrates 15 Years and Kicks Off Community Foundation Week

PCCF-Community-Foundation-Week-2011Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas and Portage Mayor Olga Velazquez made proclamations this week in each of their respective cities in recognition of the Porter County Community Foundation’s 15th Anniversary and Community Foundation Week, November 12 - 18, 2011.

The Porter County Community Foundation will kick off Community Foundation Week with its 15th Anniversary celebration event on Saturday, November 12. The Fab Fifteen – Tailgate Party Scholarship FUNdraiser will benefit the Porter County Community Scholarship Fund. “Our goal is to raise $10,000 for each year of our amazing history,” said Porter County Community Foundation President Barb Young. The Foundation staff will also commemorate National Philanthropy Day on Thursday, November 17, with other area nonprofit professionals.

Community Foundation Week recognizes the work of the more than 700 community foundations across America and the concerned individuals who donate their time, talent and resources to them. “The work of the Porter County Community Foundation is truly made possible by the ongoing generosity of so many remarkable individuals, families, businesses and communities,” said Young.

The Porter County Community Foundation was formed by a group of volunteers in 1996 in response to a Lilly Endowment challenge grant. This group of community leaders wanted Porter County to have the resources it needs to face whatever the issues may be today, tomorrow and always. “We started with zero dollars in the bank in 1996,” noted Young. “Through charitable gifts and endowment building, the Foundation ended 2010 with nearly $34 million dollars in assets. But we are not about the dollars in the bank it is what we can do with those dollars,” said Young.

porter-county-community-foundationLast year, the Porter County Community Foundation awarded nearly $1.8 million in scholarships and grants to local students and nonprofit organizations. “This investment in Porter County makes an impact in the lives of so many people,” said Young. The Foundation most recently awarded more than $93,000 in Porter County Community Grants to 10 local organizations in its second round of 2011 Community Grants.

The Porter County Community Foundation leads, unites and supports giving to make a difference in Porter County today, tomorrow and forever. The public is invited to learn more about the Porter County Community Foundation by joining the staff for a Foundation Hour tour. For more information, contact the Foundation at (219) 465-0294 or visit online at www.portercountyfoundation.org.