To improve the quality of life in Elkhart County by inspiring generosity.
Large capital grants to place-based institutions stand out in Community Foundation of Elkhart County Inc’s recent giving, with Tolson Center Inc receiving $8,506,819 in 2024 and Wellfield Botanic Gardens Inc receiving $4,545,786 in 2023. Those awards show a funder that supports major community assets as well as ongoing local services. The foundation’s recent grants also include repeated support for Elkhart County Youth for Christ Dba Lifeline Ministries, Boys & Girls Clubs of Elkhart County Inc, and Elkhart Health Fitness and Aquatics Inc, pointing to sustained backing for youth, health, and recreation infrastructure in the county. Scholarship administration is another defining part of the organization’s work: it runs multiple scholarship programs, including the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship, a universal application for adults, and scholarship portals for students. Community Investment Grants add a separate competitive channel for nonprofit organizations, while sponsorship requests support community events, programs, and initiatives within Elkhart County. Across those programs, the foundation’s pattern is local, institution-centered, and tied to education and community quality of life.
Education is a central lane in the foundation’s program work. It administers the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for students in Elkhart County and offers a universal application for adults to be considered for available scholarships. It also runs scholarship portals for high school students and a separate scholarship program for 8th graders through the John G Blakesley Mathematical Excellence Scholarship for 8th Graders. Beyond scholarships, Community Investment Grants support community development, human services, education, health, arts and culture, and are available to nonprofit organizations through the foundation’s grants portal. Sponsorship Requests create another channel for community events, programs, or initiatives, with awards up to $10,000.
Typical grants cluster at modest-to-mid sizes, with a p25 of $10,269, a median of $23,110, and a p75 of $68,036. The recent record also shows a mix of large capital-style awards and smaller operating or program awards, suggesting the foundation uses multiple grant channels rather than a single standard amount. Recipients appear across multiple years, including Tolson Center Inc, Wellfield Botanic Gardens Inc, Elkhart County Youth for Christ Dba Lifeline Ministries, and Boys & Girls Clubs of Elkhart County Inc, which points to recurring support rather than one-time-only funding. The foundation is a mixed community foundation and accepts unsolicited applications in several active programs, including scholarships, sponsorship requests, and Community Investment Grants.
$35.3M
$501.7M
$51.3M
$43.3M
Most grants fall between $10K and $68K, with a median of $23K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$23K
75th Percentile
$68K
PETER MCCOWN
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Grantmaking is overwhelmingly local to Indiana, with 72% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state and the top state by grant count also Indiana. Recent grants concentrate in Elkhart, Goshen, South Bend, Wakarusa, and Bristol, all in or near the foundation’s regional footprint. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 848 grants going to U.S. organizations. Outside the local core, recent awards also reached Naples, Florida; Washington, DC; and Missoula, Montana.
It administers multiple scholarship programs, including the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship, a universal application for adults, scholarship portals for high school students, and the Guy David Gundlach Memorial Scholarship. It also offers the John G Blakesley Mathematical Excellence Scholarship for 8th Graders.
Yes. Several active programs accept unsolicited applications, including Scholarships, the Universal Application for Adults, Sponsorship Requests, Community Investment Grants, and the COVID-19 Community Response Fund.
The foundation’s typical grant distribution is $10,269 at the 25th percentile, $23,110 at the median, and $68,036 at the 75th percentile.
Its giving is regional and heavily centered in Indiana. Seventy-two percent of grants go to recipients in Indiana, and Indiana is also the top state by grant count. Recent recipient cities include Elkhart, Goshen, South Bend, Wakarusa, and Bristol.
Active programs and recent grants point to education, workforce development, community development, human services, health, arts and culture, community events, and emergency relief. The foundation also maintains scholarships for students and adults, along with a competitive Community Investment Grants program for nonprofits.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Community Foundation of Elkhart County that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations serving Elkhart County; applications are accepted for projects aligned to one of the three focus areas.
Deadline: Ongoing for requests under $25,000; August 21 and February 15 for requests over $25,000.
Who can apply: Organizations seeking sponsorship for events or programs in the community; apply via the grants portal or sponsorship page.
Deadline: Ongoing (no fixed deadline).
Who can apply: Nonprofits beyond Elkhart County with projects in farming, agriculture, historic farm preservation, and natural resource conservation.
Deadline: December 31
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BEACON HEALTH FOUNDATION INC | SOUTH BEND, IN | $2,718,258 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| BAUGO COMMUNITY SCHOOLS | ELKHART, IN | $2,232,046 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| GOSHEN COLLEGE INC | GOSHEN, IN | $2,168,078 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| TOLSON CENTER INC | ELKHART, IN | $2,040,324 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CHILD AND PARENT SERVICES INC | ELKHART, IN | $1,498,418 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ELKHART HEALTH FITNESS AND AQUATICS INC | SOUTH BEND, IN | $1,261,099 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF ELKHART COUNTY INC | GOSHEN, IN | $1,020,586 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| WELLFIELD BOTANIC GARDENS INC | ELKHART, IN | $963,795 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| RETA INC | ELKHART, IN | $851,850 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| RILEY CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION | INDIANAPOLIS, IN | $773,962 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| OAKLAWN PSYCHIATRIC CENTER INC | GOSHEN, IN | $705,900 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ELKHART COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT | ELKHART, IN | $646,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ULEAD INC | GOSHEN, IN | $559,750 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| NATIONAL FOREST FOUNDATION | MISSOULA, MT | $500,099 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| RUTHMERE FOUNDATION INC | ELKHART, IN | $457,872 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF ELKHART COUNTY | GOSHEN, IN | $446,750 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ELKHART AND ST JOSEPH COUNTIES HEAD START CONSORTIUM | SOUTH BEND, IN | $425,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ELKHART COUNTY | GOSHEN, IN | $416,231 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ELKHART COUNTY YOUTH FOR CHRIST DBA LIFELINE MINISTRIES | ELKHART, IN | $376,876 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| LACASA OF GOSHEN INC | GOSHEN, IN | $350,828 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| MAPLE CITY HEALTH CARE CENTER INC | GOSHEN, IN | $343,854 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| WOMEN'S CARE CENTER INC | ELKHART, IN | $324,701 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| WA-NEE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS | NAPPANEE, IN | $309,015 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| MILFORD CHAPEL | MILFORD, IN | $300,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| GOSHEN HEALTH FOUNDATION INC | GOSHEN, IN | $285,760 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| COMMUNITY CHAPLAINCY CORPORATION OF ELKHART COUNTY | ELKHART, IN | $271,105 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF ELKHART COUNTY INC | BRISTOL, IN | $268,129 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ETHOS INC | ELKHART, IN | $267,597 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ADEC INC | BRISTOL, IN | $256,376 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CROSSROADS COMMUNITY CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE | GOSHEN, IN | $250,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| NEW HORIZONS MINISTRIES | CANON CITY, CO | $250,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| HORIZON EDUCATION ALLIANCE INC | GOSHEN, IN | $237,542 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| FRIENDS OF THE LERNER INC | ELKHART, IN | $237,140 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CULTIVATE FOOD RESCUE | SOUTH BEND, IN | $227,500 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| GOSHEN COMMUNITY SCHOOLS | GOSHEN, IN | $220,747 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| JAXSON WILLIAM AUGUSTUS SWANK FOUNDATION | MISHAWAKA, IN | $212,259 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| BASHOR HOME OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH INC | GOSHEN, IN | $208,854 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| GREATER ELKHART CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INC | ELKHART, IN | $203,600 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ELKHART COMMUNITY SCHOOLS | ELKHART, IN | $201,878 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ANABAPTIST FOUNDATION | LEWISBURG, PA | $200,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| INDIANA UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | INDIANAPOLIS, IN | $198,228 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| PREMIER ARTS INC | ELKHART, IN | $192,131 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| MIDWEST MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART FOUNDATION | ELKHART, IN | $189,500 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| THE SALVATION ARMY USA SOUTHERN TERRITORY | ATLANTA, GA | $170,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ELKHART COUNTY 4-H FAIRGROUNDS | GOSHEN, IN | $160,766 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| BUTLER UNIVERSITY | INDIANAPOLIS, IN | $151,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| SCHWAB CHARITABLE FUND AKA SCHWAB CHARITABLE | LONE TREE, CO | $150,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH | ELKHART, IN | $147,606 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| SAMARITAN'S PURSE | BOONE, NC | $137,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| OWLS CLUB INC | ELKHART, IN | $133,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
BAUGO COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
$2,232,046TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TOLSON CENTER INC
$2,040,324TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
ELKHART HEALTH FITNESS AND AQUATICS INC
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF ELKHART COUNTY INC
$1,020,586TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
WELLFIELD BOTANIC GARDENS INC
$963,795TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
RETA INC
$851,850TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
OAKLAWN PSYCHIATRIC CENTER INC
$705,900TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
ELKHART COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
$646,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
ULEAD INC
$559,750TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
RUTHMERE FOUNDATION INC
$457,872TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
ELKHART AND ST JOSEPH COUNTIES HEAD START CONSORTIUM
$425,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
ELKHART COUNTY
$416,231TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
WA-NEE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
$309,015TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
MILFORD CHAPEL
$300,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
GOSHEN HEALTH FOUNDATION INC
$285,760TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
COMMUNITY CHAPLAINCY CORPORATION OF ELKHART COUNTY
$271,105TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF ELKHART COUNTY INC
$268,129TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
ETHOS INC
$267,597TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
ADEC INC
$256,376TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
CROSSROADS COMMUNITY CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE
$250,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
NEW HORIZONS MINISTRIES
$250,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
HORIZON EDUCATION ALLIANCE INC
$237,542TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
FRIENDS OF THE LERNER INC
$237,140TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
GOSHEN COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
$220,747TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
JAXSON WILLIAM AUGUSTUS SWANK FOUNDATION
$212,259TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
BASHOR HOME OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH INC
$208,854TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
GREATER ELKHART CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INC
$203,600TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
ELKHART COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
$201,878TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
ANABAPTIST FOUNDATION
$200,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
PREMIER ARTS INC
$192,131TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
MIDWEST MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART FOUNDATION
$189,500TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
THE SALVATION ARMY USA SOUTHERN TERRITORY
$170,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
ELKHART COUNTY 4-H FAIRGROUNDS
$160,766TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
$147,606TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
OWLS CLUB INC
$133,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
