The Northwest Indiana Forum Foundation concentrates its giving on regional economic growth and place-based redevelopment in Northwest Indiana, prioritizing capital projects, downtown/transportation infrastructure, and initiatives that improve the local business climate. It also funds workforce and entrepreneurship programs (including youth entrepreneurship and small business supports) and occasional health and environmental community initiatives that support quality-of-life goals tied to economic development. Grants are frequently project-specific and implementation-oriented, aimed at public bodies, development corporations, and intermediary organizations that can drive local investment and job creation.
NORTHWEST INDIANA FORUM FOUNDATION INC is a public charity based in Portage, IN. It reported $14,583,406 in annual grants and $1,442,425 in total assets on its latest 990 filed for 2025. Its grantmaking is local and all reported recipient organizations are in the United States, with 100% of grants going to recipients in Indiana. The foundation’s giving centers on regional economic development and investment attraction in Northwest Indiana, along with downtown redevelopment, transportation infrastructure, workforce development, and small business and entrepreneurship support. Recent grants show a strong emphasis on implementation-oriented projects. The largest reported grant was $7,018,840 to INDIANA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION in Indianapolis for efforts to promote economic development, improve quality of life in harmony with the environment, and support a positive image for Northwest Indiana. Other large grants included $1,500,000 to URSCHEL DEVELOPMENT CORP in Chesterton for Grand Gardner Hotel and $940,000 to HEALTHLINC INC in Valparaiso for the HealthLinc Medical Resident Program. Additional notable awards include $614,995 to VALPARAISO REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION for The Linc & Lincoln Highway Garage and $435,417 to GARY CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY for the East Corporate Hangar Campus.
Recent grantmaking spans regional economic development, transportation and industrial infrastructure, and workforce development. Notable grants include $7,018,840 to INDIANA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION for economic development and quality-of-life efforts tied to Northwest Indiana, $614,995 to VALPARAISO REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION for The Linc & Lincoln Highway Garage, and $435,417 to GARY CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY for the East Corporate Hangar Campus. Other grants support work-based learning and internships through CENTER OF WORKFORCE INNOVATIONS, small business acceleration tools at LOWER LINCOLN ESO INC, and youth entrepreneurship through INNOVATORS NORTHWEST INDIANA. The foundation also funded an agriculture value chain strategy at JASPER COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION and an early learning project at FIRST THINGS FIRST PORTER COUNTY.
NORTHWEST INDIANA FORUM FOUNDATION INC gives large project-specific grants. Its reported grant-size distribution is concentrated at the high end: p25, median, and p75 are each $7,018,840. Recent awards are mostly directed to public agencies, redevelopment commissions, workforce intermediaries, and community organizations that can carry out economic development and place-based projects. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. Its geographic scope is local, and the recent record shows recurring support for implementation and capacity-building work rather than one-off individual assistance.
$7.6M
$1.4M
$7.6M
$7.6M
Most grants fall between $7M and $7M, with a median of $7M.
25th Percentile
$7M
Median
$7M
75th Percentile
$7M
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Highly concentrated: a small number of large, project-specific grants (one grant accounts for roughly half of total giving) alongside multiple mid-sized implementation and capacity-building awards. The foundation makes repeat grants to intermediary and regional partners, favors public agencies and development entities, and targets tangible capital and program outcomes within a tightly defined geographic area (Northwest Indiana).
Notable grantees: Indiana Economic Development Corporation, Center of Workforce Innovations, Gary Chicago International Airport Authority, Valparaiso Redevelopment Commission, HealthLinc Inc
NORTHWEST INDIANA FORUM FOUNDATION INC gives almost entirely in Indiana; 100% of reported grants went to recipients in the state. The top recipient locations by grant count in the data are Indiana, with smaller clusters of grants to Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Texas appearing only among recipient addresses in the recent list. Among Indiana cities, repeated grant recipients include Portage, Valparaiso, Gary, Hammond, Crown Point, Chesterton, Merrillville, Rensselaer, La Porte, and Michigan City. All reported recipient-country records are in the United States.
The provided data does not state an application process or whether NORTHWEST INDIANA FORUM FOUNDATION INC accepts unsolicited applications. The recent grants list does show project-specific awards to named organizations, including public agencies, redevelopment commissions, and workforce intermediaries.
It typically funds regional economic development, downtown and transportation infrastructure, workforce development, and small business or entrepreneurship support. Recent examples include economic development work at INDIANA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, the Gary/Chicago International Airport projects, work-based learning expansion at CENTER OF WORKFORCE INNOVATIONS, and the NWI Biz Hub Entrepreneur Resource Center.
The reported grant-size distribution is concentrated at $7,018,840: p25, median, and p75 are all $7,018,840. Recent grants range from $26,667 for an economic development study to $7,018,840 for INDIANA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.
It makes grants locally, and all reported recipient organizations are in Indiana. The recent grants list includes recipients in Portage, Valparaiso, Gary, Hammond, Crown Point, Chesterton, Merrillville, Rensselaer, La Porte, and Michigan City.
Recent grants include INDIANA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, URSCHEL DEVELOPMENT CORP, HEALTHLINC INC, VALPARAISO REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION, GARY CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY, CENTER OF WORKFORCE INNOVATIONS, and UNITED WAY OF NORTHWEST INDIANA. These awards cover economic development, redevelopment, workforce programs, health-related training, and small business support.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| URSCHEL DEVELOPMENT CORP | CHESTERTON, IN | $1,500,000 | 2025 | GRAND GARDNER HOTEL |
| HEALTHLINC INC | VALPARAISO, IN | $940,000 | 2025 | HEALTHLINC MEDICAL RESIDENT PROGRAM |
| VALPARAISO REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION | VALPARAISO, IN | $614,995 | 2025 | THE LINC & LINCOLN HIGHWAY GARAGE |
| SAXON PARTNERS LLC | HINGHAM, MA | $558,551 | 2025 | SAXON INDIANA TRACT 1 (KENMARA) (MUNSTER) |
| CROSSROADS YOUNG MENS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATIONS | CROWN POINT, IN | $437,793 | 2025 | TOLLESTON OPPORTUNITY HUB |
| GARY CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY | GARY, IN | $435,417 | 2025 | GARY/CHICAGO INT'L AIRPORT - EAST CORPORATE HANGAR CAMPUS |
| WECREATE MEDIA LLC | VALPARAISO, IN | $387,517 | 2025 | EVERGREEN MARKETING CONTENT PLAN |
| UNITED WAY OF NORTHWEST INDIANA | VALPARAISO, IN | $352,814 | 2025 | LEVEL UP NWI |
| CENTER OF WORKFORCE INNOVATIONS | PORTAGE, IN | $242,953 | 2025 | WORK BASED LEARNING EXPANSION (INTERNSHIPS) |
| NORTHWEST INDIANA FORUM INC | PORTAGE, IN | $213,830 | 2025 | CAPACITY BUILDING FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & PLAN IMPLEMENTATION |
| FIRST THINGS FIRST PORTER COUNTY | VALPARAISO, IN | $200,000 | 2025 | FIRST THINGS FIRST PORTER COUNTY CREEKSIDE EARLY LEARNING AT NEO |
| CENTER OF WORKFORCE INNOVATIONS | PORTAGE, IN | $187,345 | 2025 | EMPLOYER UPSKILLING |
| LOWER LINCOLN ESO INC | VALPARAISO, IN | $178,681 | 2025 | SMALL BUSINESS ACCELERATION TOOLS |
| CENTER OF WORKFORCE INNOVATIONS | PORTAGE, IN | $172,228 | 2025 | JOB'S FOR AMERICA'S GRADUATES EXPANSION (JAG) |
| THOMAS P MILLER & ASSOCIATES LLC | INDIANAPOLIS, IN | $147,156 | 2025 | EMPLOYER SPONSORED CHILD CARE GRANT |
| CITY OF HAMMOND | HAMMOND, IN | $105,000 | 2025 | DOWNTOWN HAMMOND TRAIN STATION & STATION SQUARE |
| INNOVATORS NORTHWEST INDIANA | HAMMOND, IN | $86,386 | 2025 | YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP ECOSYSTEM |
| GARY CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY | GARY, IN | $76,696 | 2025 | GARY/CHICAGO INT'L AIRPORT - PASSENGER TERMINAL |
| CENTER OF WORKFORCE INNOVATIONS | PORTAGE, IN | $73,087 | 2025 | READY NWI EDUCATION ALIGNMENT PROGRAM |
| NORTHWEST INDIANA FORUM INC | PORTAGE, IN | $70,000 | 2025 | FOUNDATION GRANTS REVENUE |
| NORTHWESTERN INDIANA REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION | PORTAGE, IN | $69,750 | 2025 | MARQUETTE GREENWAY |
| URBAN LEAGUE OF NORTHWEST INDIANA INC | GARY, IN | $65,750 | 2025 | DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION BUSINESS TRAINING PROGRAM |
| SHIRLEY HEINZE LAND TRUST | VALPARAISO, IN | $62,697 | 2025 | IVANHOE SOUTH COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & EDUCATION INITIATIVE |
| JASPER COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION | RENSSELAER, IN | $56,000 | 2025 | AGRICULTURE VALUE CHAIN STRATEGY |
| LEGACY FOUNDATION INC | MERRILLVILLE, IN | $55,954 | 2025 | NWI BIZ HUB ENTREPRENEUR RESOURCE CENTER |
| PURDUE UNIVERISTY - NORTHWEST INDIANA SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER | CHICAGO, IL | $45,626 | 2025 | SMALL BUSINESS OUTREACH & SKILLS ENHANCEMENT |
| LA PORTE COUNTY REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION | LA PORTE, IN | $33,531 | 2025 | KINGSBURY INDUSTRIAL PARK RR BRIDGE IMPROVEMENT |
| TRUSTEES INDIANA UNIVERSITY | DETROIT, MI | $31,939 | 2025 | NORTHWEST INDIANA HOUSING STUDY (IUN) |
| ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN CITY | MICHIGAN CITY, IN | $26,667 | 2025 | REIMAGINING MICHIGAN CITY - PRISON RELOCATION STUDY |
| FIRST THINGS FIRST PORTER COUNTY | VALPARAISO, IN | $26,065 | 2025 | FIRST THINGS FIRST PORTER COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE |
| FIRST THINGS FIRST PORTER COUNTY | VALPARAISO, IN | $25,417 | 2025 | FIRST THINGS FIRST PORTER COUNTY EARLY LITERACY |
| FIRST THINGS FIRST PORTER COUNTY | VALPARAISO, IN | $21,600 | 2025 | FIRST THINGS FIRST PORTER COUNTY BRIGHT BY TEXT |
| NWI FOOD COUNCIL | CROWN POINT, IN | $20,987 | 2025 | REGION ROOTS LOCAL FARM & FOOD HUB |
| PURDUE UNIVERSITY | WEST LAFAYETTE, IN | $18,825 | 2025 | GREATER SOUTH SHORE TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVE |
| PULASKI COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION | WINAMAC, IN | $14,622 | 2025 | RURAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP & INNOVATION TASKFORCE |
| NORTHWEST INDIANA FORUM INC | PORTAGE, IN | $8,687 | 2025 | NORTHWEST INDIANA COST COMPARISON STUDY (MARKET STUDY) |
| INDIANA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION | INDIANAPOLIS, IN | $7,018,840 | 2024 | TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN HARMONY WITH THE ENVIRONMENT, AND A POSITIVE IMAGE FOR NORTHWEST INDIANA. |
| INDIANA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION | INDIANAPOLIS, IN | $206,166 | 2023 | TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN HARMONY WITH THE ENVIRONMENT, AND A POSITIVE IMAGE FOR NORTHWEST INDIANA. |
URSCHEL DEVELOPMENT CORP
$1,500,000GRAND GARDNER HOTEL
VALPARAISO REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
$614,995THE LINC & LINCOLN HIGHWAY GARAGE
SAXON PARTNERS LLC
$558,551SAXON INDIANA TRACT 1 (KENMARA) (MUNSTER)
GARY CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY
GARY/CHICAGO INT'L AIRPORT - EAST CORPORATE HANGAR CAMPUS
WECREATE MEDIA LLC
$387,517EVERGREEN MARKETING CONTENT PLAN
NORTHWEST INDIANA FORUM INC
$213,830CAPACITY BUILDING FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
FIRST THINGS FIRST PORTER COUNTY
$200,000FIRST THINGS FIRST PORTER COUNTY CREEKSIDE EARLY LEARNING AT NEO
LOWER LINCOLN ESO INC
$178,681SMALL BUSINESS ACCELERATION TOOLS
THOMAS P MILLER & ASSOCIATES LLC
$147,156EMPLOYER SPONSORED CHILD CARE GRANT
CITY OF HAMMOND
$105,000DOWNTOWN HAMMOND TRAIN STATION & STATION SQUARE
INNOVATORS NORTHWEST INDIANA
$86,386YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP ECOSYSTEM
GARY CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY
$76,696GARY/CHICAGO INT'L AIRPORT - PASSENGER TERMINAL
NORTHWEST INDIANA FORUM INC
$70,000FOUNDATION GRANTS REVENUE
NORTHWESTERN INDIANA REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION
$69,750MARQUETTE GREENWAY
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION BUSINESS TRAINING PROGRAM
IVANHOE SOUTH COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & EDUCATION INITIATIVE
JASPER COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION
$56,000AGRICULTURE VALUE CHAIN STRATEGY
PURDUE UNIVERISTY - NORTHWEST INDIANA SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER
$45,626SMALL BUSINESS OUTREACH & SKILLS ENHANCEMENT
LA PORTE COUNTY REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
$33,531KINGSBURY INDUSTRIAL PARK RR BRIDGE IMPROVEMENT
TRUSTEES INDIANA UNIVERSITY
$31,939NORTHWEST INDIANA HOUSING STUDY (IUN)
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN CITY
$26,667REIMAGINING MICHIGAN CITY - PRISON RELOCATION STUDY
FIRST THINGS FIRST PORTER COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE
FIRST THINGS FIRST PORTER COUNTY EARLY LITERACY
FIRST THINGS FIRST PORTER COUNTY BRIGHT BY TEXT
NWI FOOD COUNCIL
$20,987REGION ROOTS LOCAL FARM & FOOD HUB
PURDUE UNIVERSITY
$18,825GREATER SOUTH SHORE TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVE
PULASKI COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
$14,622RURAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP & INNOVATION TASKFORCE
NORTHWEST INDIANA FORUM INC
$8,687NORTHWEST INDIANA COST COMPARISON STUDY (MARKET STUDY)
INDIANA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
$7,018,840TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN HARMONY WITH THE ENVIRONMENT, AND A POSITIVE IMAGE FOR NORTHWEST INDIANA.
INDIANA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
$206,166TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN HARMONY WITH THE ENVIRONMENT, AND A POSITIVE IMAGE FOR NORTHWEST INDIANA.