The Porter County Community Foundation hosted a kickoff celebration yesterday for its Center for Community Philanthropy and unveiled plans for its future and the Tomorrow Starts Today campaign. Foundation Board members, staff, lead campaign donors and friends gathered to kick off construction renovations with commemorative hammers in hand.
“The hammering of a few nails is more than the start of a new project – this also symbolizes growth, permanence and the future of the Porter County Community Foundation mission,” said Barb Young, Foundation President. “Tomorrow Starts Today is about more than a place. It’s about building the capacity of our nonprofit partners, strengthening our community and investing together for Porter County.”
The ambitious $6.5 million campaign is not only raising funds to purchase and renovate the former Porter Health Rehabilitation Center, located at 1401 Calumet, into a nonprofit conference center and permanent home for the Foundation, but also to create an endowment match for local nonprofits and grow the Foundation’s endowed funds to expand its annual grantmaking.
“We know that when people gather with a purpose, good things happen,” said Bill Higbie, Foundation Vice President of Development. “Your Community Foundation wants to do all we can to encourage collaboration by making it convenient, comfortable and free.” The Center for Community Philanthropy nonprofit conference center will offer four separate meeting spaces of various sizes, the largest accommodating up to 100 people.
“When we decided to launch a campaign for a Center for Community Philanthropy, we also wanted to use it as an opportunity to help our nonprofit partners build their endowment funds,” said Young. “As part of the campaign, we are raising $1 million for a dollar for dollar match with a nonprofit organization that has, or creates, an endowment fund with us.” Local nonprofits will hear more from the Foundation about this opportunity in 2016.
Through the third component of the campaign, the Foundation will increase its own grantmaking capacity by raising money for the Community Fund endowment. “One of the most important ways we help make a difference in Porter County is through our grantmaking,” said Young. “Growing your community’s endowments means that that the Foundation can disburse more funds to help more organizations do more good for Porter County.”
To date, $5.2 million toward the $6.5 million goal has been raised. “The success of this early phase is largely due to several very generous donors; we could not be more grateful for their vision and gifts to launch the campaign,” said Young. “Their investment truly exemplifies Porter County’s giving spirit.”
The Tomorrow Starts Today campaign will continue into 2016 with giving opportunities and recognition for all levels of commitment. The Foundation board and staff welcomes the opportunity to share the details of the campaign with interested residents and businesses. To learn more, contact Vice President of Development Bill Higbie at (219) 465-0294.
The Porter County Community Foundation awards nearly $2 million in scholarships and grants to nonprofit organizations annually. The Foundation inspires giving and engages the community to improve lives in Porter County now and forever. For campaign updates or to make a gift online visit portercountyfoundation.org.
