To improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of Northwest Indiana to advance the common good.
A defining feature of United Way of Northwest Indiana Inc is how heavily it invests in housing and crisis support alongside basic needs. Its largest recent grant went to Catholic Charities in Gary for homelessness prevention, and another major award supported the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana in Merrillville for mobile pantry work. The pattern points to a funder that backs direct service organizations serving households under pressure, with grants tied to specific program purposes rather than general support. Recent awards also show attention to emergency financial assistance, meal distribution, patient navigation, and early learning. Healthlinc in Valparaiso received support for patient navigator services, while Tradewinds Services in Merrillville was funded for a kindergarten readiness program. The foundation’s portfolio includes organizations serving families, older adults, people with disabilities, and residents needing shelter, therapy, food access, or help connecting to services. Its public mission is to mobilize the caring power of Northwest Indiana to advance the common good, and the grant record reflects that local, community-based orientation.
Housing and homelessness prevention is one of the clearest themes in the grant record. Catholic Charities in Gary received $357,023 for homelessness prevention, and Housing Opportunities in Valparaiso received $96,000 for an emergency housing program. Food access is another recurring area: the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana in Merrillville received $322,023 for mobile pantry work, and Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana Inc in Merrillville received $166,383 for meal distribution services tied to expanded pandemic need. Early childhood and family supports also appear in the grants. Tradewinds Services Inc in Merrillville was funded $126,000 for a kindergarten readiness program, and Portage Township YMCA received $79,000 for an active learning pre-K academy. Health and navigation services are present too, including $166,346 to Healthlinc in Valparaiso for patient navigator services.
Typical award sizes cluster in the mid-five-figure range, with a p25 of $12,000, a median of $30,000, and a p75 of $60,218. The recent grant list shows repeat support to several recipients across 2023 and 2024, including Vna of Porter County, Hilltop Neighborhood House, The Caring Place Inc, Duneland Family YMCA, Porter County Aging & Community, Housing Opportunities, and Opportunity Enterprises. Grants are program-specific and often earmarked for direct service or navigation work. The foundation is classified as a mixed community foundation and also provides Charity Tracker, a shared case management and referral platform, free to local nonprofits for tracking assistance and coordination.
$453K
$5.3M
$3.1M
$4.5M
Most grants fall between $12K and $60K, with a median of $30K.
25th Percentile
$12K
Median
$30K
75th Percentile
$60K
ADAM O'DOHERTY
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Grantmaking is overwhelmingly local: 98% of grants go to recipients in Indiana, and every recent grant listed is in the United States. Valparaiso appears frequently as a recipient city, alongside Merrillville, Gary, Hammond, Portage, Chesterton, and Crown Point. The distribution shows a strong Northwest Indiana footprint, with funding also reaching organizations in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, through The Salvation Army of Lake County. The active community funding area extends across Lake, Porter, Jasper, Newton, and Starke counties.
The recent grants favor direct-service nonprofits working on housing stability, food access, emergency assistance, health navigation, early childhood education, and support for people with disabilities. Examples include homelessness prevention, mobile pantry services, patient navigator support, and kindergarten readiness programming.
The grant-size distribution centers on $30,000: the p25 is $12,000, the median is $30,000, and the p75 is $60,218. Recent awards range from smaller program grants to larger six-figure grants for housing, food, and emergency support.
Its giving is local, and 98% of grants go to recipients in Indiana. The recent grants list includes one Illinois recipient, The Salvation Army of Lake County in Hoffman Estates, but the rest of the listed awards are in Indiana.
Yes. Several organizations appear in both 2023 and 2024, including Vna of Porter County, Hilltop Neighborhood House, The Caring Place Inc, Duneland Family YMCA, Porter County Aging & Community, Housing Opportunities, and Opportunity Enterprises.
Yes. United Way of Northwest Indiana Inc provides Charity Tracker, a web-based shared case management and referral platform, free to local nonprofits for tracking assistance, coordinating services, and measuring impact.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from United Way of Northwest Indiana that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Local nonprofit organizations seeking access to the CharityTracker referral network.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE CARING PLACE INC | VALPARAISO, IN | $50,000 | 2024 | SAFE EMERGENCY SHELTER SUPPORT AND TEEN DATING VIOLENCE PROGRAM |
| VNA OF PORTER COUNTY | VALPARAISO, IN | $41,600 | 2024 | HOME AND HOSPICE CARE, AND THE VNA PHOENIX CENTER |
| HILLTOP NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE | VALPARAISO, IN | $41,000 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIPS FOR WORKING FAMILIES CHILDCARE NEEDS, HEALTHY MEALS PROGRAM, AND KINDERGARTEN READINESS |
| OPPORTUNITY ENTERPRISES | VALPARAISO, IN | $36,000 | 2024 | EMPLOYMENT SERVICES, DAY SERVICES AND CURRICULUM BASED PROGRAMMING |
| HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES | VALPARAISO, IN | $35,500 | 2024 | WOMEN'S SHELTER AND THERAPY WORKS PROGRAM |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF NORTHWEST INDIANA | VALPARAISO, IN | $35,000 | 2024 | MEMBERSHIP SUBSIDIES, FITNESS PROGRAM AND EDUCATION &CAREER DEVELOPMENT |
| DUNELAND FAMILY YMCA | CHESTERTON, IN | $33,000 | 2024 | YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS |
| PORTER COUNTY AGING & COMMUNITY | VALPARAISO, IN | $30,000 | 2024 | EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM |
| PORTAGE TOWNSHIP YMCA | PORTAGE, IN | $24,000 | 2024 | ACTIVE LEARNING PRE-K ACADEMY |
| PORTER COUNTY PACT | VALPARAISO, IN | $15,000 | 2024 | RECOVERY CONNECTION PROGRAM |
| MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA OF NORTHWEST INDIANA | HAMMOND, IN | $15,000 | 2024 | BRIDGING THE GAP AND OPEN DOOR SOCIAL CLUB |
| PARENTS AS TEACHERS OF PORTER COUNTY | CHESTERTON, IN | $15,000 | 2024 | READY, SET, KINDERGARTEN |
| PORTER-STARKE SERVICES | VALPARAISO, IN | $12,000 | 2024 | WELLNESS MENU |
| HEALTHLINC | VALPARAISO, IN | $12,000 | 2024 | HEALTHY LIFESTYLES FOR DISEASE MGT |
| PC ASSOC FOR HANDICAPPED CHILDREN & ADULTS INC | CROWN POINT, IN | $12,000 | 2024 | CUSTOM EQUIPMENT FOR THE HANDICAPPED |
| FAMILY HOUSE | VALPARAISO, IN | $11,000 | 2024 | FAMILY PRESERVATION SERVICES |
| VALPARAISO FAMILY YMCA | VALPARAISO, IN | $9,000 | 2024 | BUILDING FOR OUR FUTURE AND LIVESTRONG PROGRAM |
| ST AGNES ADULT DAY SERVICE CENTER | VALPARAISO, IN | $7,500 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM |
| GABRIEL'S HORN CORPORATION | PORTAGE, IN | $7,000 | 2024 | CASE MANAGEMENT FOR FINANCIAL STABILITY |
| PORTER COUNTY EDUCATION SERVICES | VALPARISO, IN | $6,500 | 2024 | SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAM FOR PRESCHOOL STUDENTS |
| THE SALVATION ARMY OF PC | VALPARAISO, IN | $5,100 | 2024 | EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND COMMUNITY NUTRITION PROGRAM |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES | GARY, IN | $357,023 | 2023 | HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION |
| FOOD BANK OF NORTHWEST INDIANA | MERRILLVILLE, IN | $322,023 | 2023 | MOBILE PANTRY |
| THE SALVATION ARMY OF LAKE COUNTY | HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL | $282,023 | 2023 | EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE |
| MEALS ON WHEELS OF NORTHWEST INDIANA INC | MERRILLVILLE, IN | $166,383 | 2023 | MEAL DISTRIBUTION SERVICES - EXPANDED PANDEMIC NEED |
| HEALTHLINC | VALPARAISO, IN | $166,346 | 2023 | PATIENT NAVIGATOR |
| PORTER COUNTY AGING & COMMUNITY | VALPARAISO, IN | $130,000 | 2023 | EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM |
| TRADEWINDS SERVICES INC | MERRILLVILLE, IN | $126,000 | 2023 | KINDERGARTEN READINESS PROGRAM |
| HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES | VALPARAISO, IN | $96,000 | 2023 | EMERGENCY HOUSING PROGRAM |
| THE CARING PLACE INC | VALPARAISO, IN | $88,000 | 2023 | VIOLENCE PROGRAM, EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND COMMUNITY |
| PORTAGE TOWNSHIP YMCA | PORTAGE, IN | $79,000 | 2023 | ACTIVE LEARNING PRE-K ACADEMY |
| VNA OF PORTER COUNTY | VALPARAISO, IN | $77,600 | 2023 | HOME AND HOSPICE CARE, AND THE VNA PHOENIX CENTER |
| OPPORTUNITY ENTERPRISES | VALPARAISO, IN | $72,000 | 2023 | NURSING/MEDICAL ACCESS & ADVOC FOR INDIV W/DISABILITIES |
| HILLTOP NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE | VALPARAISO, IN | $65,250 | 2023 | HEALTHY MEALS PROGRAM, AND KINDERGARTEN READINESS |
| MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA OF LAKE COUNTY INC | HAMMOND, IN | $60,218 | 2023 | MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT |
| VALPARAISO COMMUNITY SCHOOLS | VALPARAISO, IN | $50,000 | 2023 | BACKPACKS FOOD PROGRAM |
| GEMINUS | MERRILLVILLE, IN | $40,000 | 2023 | CHILD CARE NAVIGATOR - LEVEL UP |
| DUNELAND FAMILY YMCA | CHESTERTON, IN | $33,000 | 2023 | YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS |
| THE SALVATION ARMY OF PC | VALPARAISO, IN | $30,200 | 2023 | NUTRITION PROGRAM |
| MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA OF PC | VALPARAISO, IN | $30,000 | 2023 | BRIDGING THE GAP AND OPEN DOOR SOCIAL CLUB |
| PORTER COUNTY PACT | VALPARAISO, IN | $30,000 | 2023 | RECOVERY CONNECTION PROGRAM |
| NWI COMMUNITY ACTION | CROWN POINT, IN | $27,808 | 2023 | LEVEL UP NAVIGATOR |
| FAMILY HOUSE | VALPARAISO, IN | $26,500 | 2023 | FAMILY PRESERVATION SERVICES |
| PORTER-STARKE SERVICES | VALPARAISO, IN | $24,000 | 2023 | WELLNESS MENU |
| PARENTS AS TEACHERS OF PORTER COUNTY | CHESTERTON, IN | $15,000 | 2023 | KINDERGARTEN READINESS PROGRAM |
| NEWTON COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICES INC | MOROCCO, IN | $15,000 | 2023 | SENIOR SUPPORT |
| ST AGNES ADULT DAY SERVICE CENTER | VALPARAISO, IN | $15,000 | 2023 | SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM |
| NWI REINVESTMENT ALLIANCE | HAMMOND, IN | $13,750 | 2023 | LEVEL UP NAVIGATOR |
| COMM CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH OF ROSELAWN INC | DEMOTTE, IN | $12,000 | 2023 | PRESCHOOL PROGRAM |
| PC ASSOC FOR HANDICAPPED CHILDREN & ADULTS INC | CROWN POINT, IN | $12,000 | 2023 | CUSTOM EQUIPMENT FOR THE HANDICAPPED |
SAFE EMERGENCY SHELTER SUPPORT AND TEEN DATING VIOLENCE PROGRAM
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR WORKING FAMILIES CHILDCARE NEEDS, HEALTHY MEALS PROGRAM, AND KINDERGARTEN READINESS
EMPLOYMENT SERVICES, DAY SERVICES AND CURRICULUM BASED PROGRAMMING
HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES
$35,500WOMEN'S SHELTER AND THERAPY WORKS PROGRAM
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF NORTHWEST INDIANA
$35,000MEMBERSHIP SUBSIDIES, FITNESS PROGRAM AND EDUCATION &CAREER DEVELOPMENT
DUNELAND FAMILY YMCA
$33,000YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
PORTER COUNTY AGING & COMMUNITY
$30,000EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
PORTAGE TOWNSHIP YMCA
$24,000ACTIVE LEARNING PRE-K ACADEMY
PORTER COUNTY PACT
$15,000RECOVERY CONNECTION PROGRAM
MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA OF NORTHWEST INDIANA
$15,000BRIDGING THE GAP AND OPEN DOOR SOCIAL CLUB
PARENTS AS TEACHERS OF PORTER COUNTY
$15,000READY, SET, KINDERGARTEN
PORTER-STARKE SERVICES
$12,000WELLNESS MENU
PC ASSOC FOR HANDICAPPED CHILDREN & ADULTS INC
$12,000CUSTOM EQUIPMENT FOR THE HANDICAPPED
FAMILY HOUSE
$11,000FAMILY PRESERVATION SERVICES
ST AGNES ADULT DAY SERVICE CENTER
$7,500SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
GABRIEL'S HORN CORPORATION
$7,000CASE MANAGEMENT FOR FINANCIAL STABILITY
PORTER COUNTY EDUCATION SERVICES
$6,500SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAM FOR PRESCHOOL STUDENTS
THE SALVATION ARMY OF PC
$5,100EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND COMMUNITY NUTRITION PROGRAM
CATHOLIC CHARITIES
$357,023HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION
THE SALVATION ARMY OF LAKE COUNTY
$282,023EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
MEAL DISTRIBUTION SERVICES - EXPANDED PANDEMIC NEED
PORTER COUNTY AGING & COMMUNITY
$130,000EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES
$96,000EMERGENCY HOUSING PROGRAM
VIOLENCE PROGRAM, EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND COMMUNITY
PORTAGE TOWNSHIP YMCA
$79,000ACTIVE LEARNING PRE-K ACADEMY
NURSING/MEDICAL ACCESS & ADVOC FOR INDIV W/DISABILITIES
HEALTHY MEALS PROGRAM, AND KINDERGARTEN READINESS
MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA OF LAKE COUNTY INC
$60,218MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
VALPARAISO COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
$50,000BACKPACKS FOOD PROGRAM
GEMINUS
$40,000CHILD CARE NAVIGATOR - LEVEL UP
DUNELAND FAMILY YMCA
$33,000YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
THE SALVATION ARMY OF PC
$30,200NUTRITION PROGRAM
MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA OF PC
$30,000BRIDGING THE GAP AND OPEN DOOR SOCIAL CLUB
PORTER COUNTY PACT
$30,000RECOVERY CONNECTION PROGRAM
NWI COMMUNITY ACTION
$27,808LEVEL UP NAVIGATOR
FAMILY HOUSE
$26,500FAMILY PRESERVATION SERVICES
PORTER-STARKE SERVICES
$24,000WELLNESS MENU
PARENTS AS TEACHERS OF PORTER COUNTY
$15,000KINDERGARTEN READINESS PROGRAM
NEWTON COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICES INC
$15,000SENIOR SUPPORT
ST AGNES ADULT DAY SERVICE CENTER
$15,000SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
NWI REINVESTMENT ALLIANCE
$13,750LEVEL UP NAVIGATOR
COMM CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH OF ROSELAWN INC
$12,000PRESCHOOL PROGRAM
PC ASSOC FOR HANDICAPPED CHILDREN & ADULTS INC
$12,000CUSTOM EQUIPMENT FOR THE HANDICAPPED
