We are focused on helping our children get a strong start.
To improve the living experience for Elkhart County citizens through safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments, with a focus on impacting children birth to age 8.
Area of Emphasis:
- Early Childhood Development & Education
Additionally:
- Parents
- Vulnerable population
- Youth & Mentoring
Where We Invest
Early Childhood Services
Mentoring & After-School Programs
Parental Support
Social Services
Summer Programs
Youth Programming
Story Highlight
FINDING HIGH GROUND IN THE STORM
HOW WALNUT HILL PROVIDES STABILITY TO A COMMUNITY IN NEED.
It’s 6:40 on a Monday morning and the Bergholz’s home is already in full motion. Sarah’s hair, still dripping from her shower, leaves an imprint, growing on her maroon scrubs top.
Someone takes excessively long steams in the morning before she gets up, despite her constant refrain to stop. Her broken, green Revlon pressed powder compact has seen better days, but she applies it conservatively to both cheeks and lightly taps the tip of her nose. David squeezes behind her and makes his way to the opposite end of the mirror. He opens a black jar of pomade and applies it to his fingertips. A few tugs at his slightly-receding brown hairline and he seems contented.
Applying
The idea application
We have decreased the amount of time it will take you to apply, just submit your application through our brief online application to our grants team.
Our team will sort through the application, put it in the right category, and get back to you in 7-10 business days.
Your application seamlessly moves through our system and we'll be in touch with you concerning next steps.
Application Downloads
Tips for Grant Seekers
Be clear about the population you serve.
When you construct your application be sure to specify the exact population you’re planning to serve with the grant dollars. Knowing your specific audience helps us to understand how your monies will be used and who will benefit.Be clear about why this application is important.
We understand your grant application is an important one, but it’s imperative that you make a compelling case about it. Tell us why your project is impactful and unique; how it truly moves the needles here in Elkhart County.Know what your “like” organizations are in the community and the work they do.
It’s not just important to have a great project; it’s important that your project fits in the landscape of Elkhart County and serves a unique niche. Be sure to know other organizations like yours and how they differ from yours.When appropriate, collaborate with other like nonprofits.
Collaboration always makes for the best results and that’s equally true in terms of the non-profit landscape. Finding ways to collaborate with other strong organizations is looked at positively by our team.Make sure you have a project budget.
Targeted totals help keep your project on task and help our committee members understand the scope of your project.Be specific on how grant monies will be spent.
It’s very important to understand exactly how you’ll be spending the grant monies. This isn’t a bureaucratic roadblock; it’s the sort of financial responsibility that makes the Community Foundation uniquely good at making an impact.Be clear about your goals.
We don’t just want to understand what you need and how you operate… we want to understand what you hope to achieve. If you partner with the Community Foundation of Elkhart County, what can our county expect as a result?Have a plan on how you will fund this project ongoing, if applicable.
It’s important that your project is sustainable, with or without a grant. If your project requires a consistent investment (beyond this first award), how exactly do you intend to ensure continued funding at an appropriate level?Be concise (we encourage brevity); check your spelling and punctuation (twice!)
Keep it short and sweet.FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Our grant response team has put together a list of frequently asked questions that our grantees have during the process. Take a look through those questions before you contact the support team.
Organizations classified as non-profit tax-exempt public charities by the Internal Revenue Service. Most will be identified as a 501(c)(3), however, a few other institutions such as public entities, Schools*, Municipalities*, Libraries, and Chambers of Commerce may also qualify.
(*) Due to the number of departments, schools, and clubs within each school corporation and our municipalities; the Community Foundation requires all applications be approved by the highest ranking official within your governing body (i.e. superintendent’s or mayoral office) before an idea application may be submitted.
Our Team
Our program officers are available to help answer questions, give feedback, and help shape your grant request to be sure you have the best chance to serve Elkhart County in the most efficient and effective way possible.
Candy Yoder
Chief Program Officer
As Chief Program Officer, Candy Yoder oversees all the grant making processes at the Community Foundation of Elkhart County and…
Amanda Jamison
Senior Program Officer
As Senior Program Officer at the Community Foundation of Elkhart County, Amanda Jamison supports efforts to improve career advancement and…