Create an equitable Lake County where all people thrive.
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.
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.
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.
$3.8M
$123.8M
$43.1M
$8M
Most grants fall between $9K and $25K, with a median of $13K.
25th Percentile
$9K
Median
$13K
75th Percentile
$25K
KELLY ANOE
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Legacy Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Funding is awarded through Legacy Foundation's regular grant cycles to initiatives serving local residents in Lake County.
Deadline: Regular grant cycles; specific dates not stated.
Who can apply: Programs and activities serving the residents of Gary, Indiana.
Deadline: Rolling application deadline.
Who can apply: Must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving Lake County residents and demonstrate documented financial loss directly resulting from federal or state cuts or contract terminations; governmental agencies, schools, and educational institutions are not eligible.
Deadline: Applications open February 1, 2026 and are accepted on a rolling basis until funds are fully expended.
Who can apply: Qualified tax-exempt organizations serving Lake County residents; one application per organization per grant cycle; applicants must comply with organizational governance and IRS/Indiana Secretary of State requirements.
Deadline: Applications open March 1 and September 1; due April 1 and October 1; notifications mid-May and mid-November.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOWN OF MERRILLVILLE | MERRILLVILLE, IN | $787,320 | 2025 | COMMUNITY CENTER SUP |
| TRADEWINDS SERVICES INC | MERRILLVILLE, IN | $217,504 | 2025 | PANTRY & SENSORY RM |
| FOOD BANK OF NORTHWEST INDIANA | MERRILLVILLE, IN | $177,000 | 2025 | EXPANSION & ORG SUP. |
| DUNES LEARNING CENTER | CHESTERTON, IN | $163,221 | 2025 | FELLOWSHIPS AND SUPP |
| IVY TECH EAST CHICAGO | EAST CHICAGO, IN | $150,084 | 2025 | EC CAMPUS RENOVATION |
| VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY - OFFICE OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT | VALPARAISO, IN | $150,000 | 2025 | ENGINEERING/SCIENCE |
| CALUMET COLLEGE OF ST JOSEPH | WHITING, IN | $118,353 | 2025 | STUDENT HOUSING |
| LAKESHORE PUBLIC MEDIA NWI PUBLIC BROADCASTING | MERRILLVILLE, IN | $112,179 | 2025 | EQUIP., PROG, & SUPP |
| BALL STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | MUNCIE, IN | $100,000 | 2025 | INSTRUCTION SUPPORT |
| THE METHODIST HOSPITALS FOUNDATION INC | GARY, IN | $100,000 | 2025 | STAR RECOVERY CENTER |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL | HOBART, IN | $79,285 | 2025 | TECH & PROGRAM SUPP. |
| MOUNTAIN GATE | OJO SARCO, NM | $75,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGS MISSION |
| CRISIS CENTER | GARY, IN | $74,333 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGS MISSION |
| HOBART FOOD PANTRY INCORPORATED | HOBART, IN | $66,035 | 2025 | FOOD & CAPITAL IMP. |
| HAMMOND COMMUNITY CORPORATION | HAMMOND, IN | $62,489 | 2025 | SERVE RESIDENTS |
| NORTHWEST INDIANA SYMPHONY SOCIETY | MUNSTER, IN | $61,549 | 2025 | CONCERT & MISSION |
| MILLER CITIZENS CORPORATION | GARY, IN | $59,113 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGS MISSION |
| THE SALVATION ARMY NORTHWEST INDIANA AREA COMMAND | MUNSTER, IN | $58,031 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGS MISSION |
| VNA OF PORTER COUNTY | VALPARAISO, IN | $56,035 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGS MISSION |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH | HOBART, IN | $56,035 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGS MISSION |
| FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF NAPLES | NAPLES, FL | $53,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGS MISSION |
| FAMILY LIFE COMMUNITY YOUTH CENTER | GARY, IN | $50,000 | 2025 | CO-OP SUPPORT |
| FIRST UNITED EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH | HAMMOND, IN | $50,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGS MISSION |
| PURDUE UNIVERSITY - COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING | WEST LAFAYETTE, IN | $50,000 | 2025 | ENGINEERING PROGRAM |
| MARIA REINER CENTER | HOBART, IN | $48,572 | 2025 | RENOVATIONS & STAFF |
| GARY ALUMNI PATHWAY TO STUDENTS | GARY, IN | $40,000 | 2025 | GAPS MURAL PROJECT |
| HOPE HOUSE | MARSING, ID | $40,000 | 2025 | VEHICLE PURCHASE |
| FRANCISCAN MINISTRIES | LEMONT, IL | $28,323 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGS MISSION |
| GARY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION CORP | GARY, IN | $26,862 | 2025 | SENIOR TRANSPORT |
| FAIR HAVEN CENTER FOR WOMEN INC | HIGHLAND, IN | $26,000 | 2025 | VICTIM SUPPORT |
| GREATER HAMMOND COMMUNITY SERVICES INC | HAMMOND, IN | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGS MISSION |
| PLANTING RESPONSIBLITIES | HIGHLAND, IN | $25,000 | 2025 | CAMP TRIANGLE HILLS |
| GARY COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP CORP | GARY, IN | $23,100 | 2025 | YOUTH LAWNCARE SERV. |
| HUMANE INDIANA | HIGHLAND, IN | $21,729 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGS MISSION |
| GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF SAINT DEMETRIOS | HAMMOND, IN | $21,576 | 2025 | ROOF REPLACEMENT |
| HEALTHVISIONS MIDWEST INC | HAMMOND, IN | $20,000 | 2025 | TRANSPORTATION |
| ST JOHN'S UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST | CROWN POINT, IN | $20,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGS MISSION |
| OPPORTUNITY ENTERPRISES INC | VALPARAISO, IN | $18,656 | 2025 | CAMP & EVENT SUPPORT |
| STARTEDUP FOUNDATION | NOBLESVILLE, IN | $17,500 | 2025 | EDUCATOR FELLOWSHIP |
| UNITED WAY OF NORTHWEST INDIANA INC | VALPARAISO, IN | $16,845 | 2025 | LAKE CTY SERVICES |
| HOSPICE OF THE CALUMET AREA INC | MUNSTER, IN | $16,157 | 2025 | CHILD EDUC & ORG SUP |
| THE MULTI AGENCY ACADEMIC COOPERATIVE FOUNDATION | VALPARAISO, IN | $15,261 | 2025 | FURTHER ORGS MISSION |
| ST JUDE HOUSE | CROWN POINT, IN | $15,000 | 2025 | HOUSING PROGRAM |
| COMMUNITY INCLUSION PROGRAM | HIGHLAND, IN | $14,770 | 2025 | INTERNSHIPS |
| SAVE THE DUNES CONSERVATION FUND | MICHIGAN CITY, IN | $14,683 | 2025 | YOUTH EDUCATION |
| HOBART COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | HOBART, IN | $13,220 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGS MISSION |
| HAMMOND EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC | HAMMOND, IN | $13,059 | 2025 | SUPPORT ORGS MISSION |
| HEARTS IN MOTION | SCHERERVILLE, IN | $12,323 | 2025 | NEW DIRECTIONS PROG. |
| DIOCESE OF GARY | MERRILLVILLE, IN | $12,276 | 2025 | NEEDY CHILDREN |
| ST CATHERINE HOSPITAL INC | EAST CHICAGO, IN | $11,871 | 2025 | SAFE BABY DISCHARGE |
TOWN OF MERRILLVILLE
$787,320COMMUNITY CENTER SUP
IVY TECH EAST CHICAGO
$150,084EC CAMPUS RENOVATION
ENGINEERING/SCIENCE
CALUMET COLLEGE OF ST JOSEPH
$118,353STUDENT HOUSING
THE METHODIST HOSPITALS FOUNDATION INC
$100,000STAR RECOVERY CENTER
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL
$79,285TECH & PROGRAM SUPP.
MOUNTAIN GATE
$75,000SUPPORT ORGS MISSION
HOBART FOOD PANTRY INCORPORATED
$66,035FOOD & CAPITAL IMP.
HAMMOND COMMUNITY CORPORATION
$62,489SERVE RESIDENTS
NORTHWEST INDIANA SYMPHONY SOCIETY
$61,549CONCERT & MISSION
MILLER CITIZENS CORPORATION
$59,113SUPPORT ORGS MISSION
THE SALVATION ARMY NORTHWEST INDIANA AREA COMMAND
$58,031SUPPORT ORGS MISSION
TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH
$56,035SUPPORT ORGS MISSION
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF NAPLES
$53,000SUPPORT ORGS MISSION
FAMILY LIFE COMMUNITY YOUTH CENTER
$50,000CO-OP SUPPORT
FIRST UNITED EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
$50,000SUPPORT ORGS MISSION
PURDUE UNIVERSITY - COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
$50,000ENGINEERING PROGRAM
MARIA REINER CENTER
$48,572RENOVATIONS & STAFF
GARY ALUMNI PATHWAY TO STUDENTS
$40,000GAPS MURAL PROJECT
HOPE HOUSE
$40,000VEHICLE PURCHASE
FRANCISCAN MINISTRIES
$28,323SUPPORT ORGS MISSION
GARY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION CORP
$26,862SENIOR TRANSPORT
FAIR HAVEN CENTER FOR WOMEN INC
$26,000VICTIM SUPPORT
GREATER HAMMOND COMMUNITY SERVICES INC
$25,000SUPPORT ORGS MISSION
PLANTING RESPONSIBLITIES
$25,000CAMP TRIANGLE HILLS
GARY COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP CORP
$23,100YOUTH LAWNCARE SERV.
GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF SAINT DEMETRIOS
$21,576ROOF REPLACEMENT
HEALTHVISIONS MIDWEST INC
$20,000TRANSPORTATION
ST JOHN'S UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
$20,000SUPPORT ORGS MISSION
STARTEDUP FOUNDATION
$17,500EDUCATOR FELLOWSHIP
HOSPICE OF THE CALUMET AREA INC
$16,157CHILD EDUC & ORG SUP
COMMUNITY INCLUSION PROGRAM
$14,770INTERNSHIPS
HOBART COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$13,220SUPPORT ORGS MISSION
HAMMOND EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC
$13,059SUPPORT ORGS MISSION
HEARTS IN MOTION
$12,323NEW DIRECTIONS PROG.
DIOCESE OF GARY
$12,276NEEDY CHILDREN
ST CATHERINE HOSPITAL INC
$11,871SAFE BABY DISCHARGE
