Create an equitable Lake County where all people thrive.
Focus Areas
Community developmentEducation & scholarshipsNature, culture & wellnessNonprofit capacity buildingPrograms for women & children
Who They Fund
local community residentsyouth and campersstudents (including student housing residents)seniors (senior transport & services)people in recovery and survivors of violencenonprofit organizations (capacity-building recipients)
Funding Style
About Legacy Foundation
Legacy Foundation Inc’s giving is shaped by Lake County, with 87% of its grants going to recipients in Indiana and a local scope centered on nearby communities. One of its clearest patterns is sustained support for Merrillville institutions: the Town of Merrillville received the largest recent award at $787,320 for community center support, and it also received another large operating grant of $754,774 in 2023. That mix points to a funder that backs both place-based infrastructure and ongoing organizational needs.
The foundation funds community development, education and scholarships, nature, culture and wellness, nonprofit capacity building, and programs for women and children. Recent awards also show support for food access, recovery services, student housing, and resident-serving organizations across Lake County. A notable education-related grant went to Indiana University Fund for program support, while other grants reached colleges, libraries, food pantries, and community organizations.
Legacy Foundation Inc also administers multiple grant programs, including Community Grants, Lake County Forever, Women in Philanthropy, and scholarship funding, which helps explain the range of recipients and purposes seen in recent grantmaking.
What Legacy Foundation Funds
Community development is a clear theme in the foundation’s recent grants. It awarded $787,320 to the Town of Merrillville for community center support and $98,627 to the Maria Reiner Center for center renovations, showing attention to local facilities and neighborhood-serving spaces.
Education and student support appear through several distinct awards. Indiana University Fund received $688,000 for program support, while Calumet College of St Joseph received $118,353 for student housing. The foundation also funded Ivy Tech East Chicago with $150,084 for campus renovation and Valparaiso University - Office of Institutional Advancement with $150,000 for engineering and science.
Food security and human services are another visible area. Tradewinds Services Inc received $217,504 for a pantry and sensory room, Hobart Food Pantry Incorporated received $66,035 for food and capital improvements, and The Methodist Hospitals Foundation Inc received $100,000 for the Star Recovery Center.
How Legacy Foundation Gives
Typical grant size is modest: the 25th percentile is $8,809, the median is $12,500, and the 75th percentile is $25,126. At the same time, the recent grants list includes several larger awards, which suggests a layered pattern of many smaller grants with occasional major commitments. The foundation is a regular funder rather than a DAF, and it also funds individuals through scholarships. Recurring support is visible in the recent grant list, with organizations such as Tradewinds Services Inc, Crisis Center, Hammond Community Corporation, and Trinity Lutheran School appearing across multiple years. Several active programs accept unsolicited applications, including Community Grants and scholarship funding.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$3.8M
Total Assets
$123.8M
Total Revenue
$43.1M
Total Expenses
$8M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $9K and $25K, with a median of $13K.
25th Percentile
$9K
Median
$13K
75th Percentile
$25K
Geographic Reach
Local12 states funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
KELLY ANOE
Accepts unsolicited proposals
Deep Analysis
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Grantmaking is overwhelmingly centered in Indiana, with 87% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Recent awards cluster in Lake County communities such as Merrillville, Gary, Hammond, Hobart, East Chicago, Munster, and Whiting, along with Chesterton and Valparaiso. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 242 grants to U.S. organizations. The geographic pattern matches a local funder serving Northwest Indiana rather than a national foundation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Legacy Foundation
What kinds of organizations does Legacy Foundation Inc support?
Recent grants show support for community centers, food pantries, hospitals, libraries, schools, colleges, arts groups, and human-service organizations. The foundation’s stated focus areas include community development, education and scholarships, nature, culture and wellness, nonprofit capacity building, and programs for women and children.
Does Legacy Foundation Inc fund scholarships?
Yes. Scholarship programs are part of its active grantmaking. The foundation’s scholarship portal is designed for students seeking scholarship support, and scholarships are listed among its active programs serving Lake County and Northwest Indiana.
How large are typical grants?
The typical grant size is small to mid-sized: the 25th percentile is $8,809, the median is $12,500, and the 75th percentile is $25,126. Recent grants also include larger awards, including several above $100,000.
Can nonprofits apply directly?
Yes. Community Grants and scholarship programs both accept unsolicited applications, and the Lake County Forever campaign also feeds discretionary funds used for strategic grants across Lake County.
Is the foundation’s giving mostly local?
Yes. Its geographic scope of giving is local, and 87% of grants go to recipients in Indiana. Recent grants are concentrated in Lake County cities and nearby Northwest Indiana communities.
Latest 990 Filing
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Open Grant Opportunities
Current and upcoming funding from Legacy Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Open nowCloses in 4 days (Oct 1, 2026)Award: $2K – $35K
Transform Lake County
Systemic racismRacial justiceEquity+3 more
Who can apply: Organizations must generally be qualified 501(c)(3) organizations or use an eligible fiscal sponsor, and programs must benefit Lake County residents. Applicants must meet the Foundation's governance, financial, legal, nondiscrimination, and reporting requirements.
Deadline: Applications open March 1 and September 1; due April 1 and October 1; notifications are expected in mid-May and mid-November.
Lake County Emergency Response Grant – Coordinated Recovery Pathway
Disaster recoveryHousing stabilizationEssential resources+3 more
Who can apply: Applicants must be eligible nonprofits or public entities. Proposed activities must directly relate to relief, response, or recovery from the August 11, 2026 storms in Lake County, benefit affected communities, use reasonable expenses, and avoid duplicating other assistance.
Deadline: Rolling basis while funding remains available.
Organizational resilienceProgram continuityOperating support+2 more
Who can apply: Applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving Lake County, Indiana residents; governmental agencies, schools, and educational institutions are not eligible. Organizations must demonstrate documented financial loss directly resulting from federal or state funding cuts, contract terminations, or policies. Required documentation may include canceled contracts, government cut notices, or pre- and post-loss financial statements. Capital projects are ineligible.
Deadline: Applications opened February 1, 2026 and are accepted on a rolling basis until funds are fully expended.
Community programsResident servicesGary community needs
Who can apply: Projects and activities must serve residents of Gary, Indiana. Applicants must schedule a pre-grant meeting and submit a letter of interest; Foundation staff provides recommendations to the Knight Foundation for review and approval.
Deadline: Rolling application; submit a Letter of Interest after scheduling a pre-grant meeting.
Disaster reliefEmergency responseCommunity recovery+3 more
Who can apply: Applicants must be eligible nonprofits or public entities. Activities must directly relate to disaster relief, response, or recovery from the August 11, 2026 storms in Lake County, Indiana; benefit storm-impacted individuals and communities; use reasonable disaster-relief expenses; and not knowingly duplicate insurance, FEMA, government, or other disaster assistance.
Deadline: Rolling basis while funding remains available.
Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
