Community Foundation of Elkhart County Inc
Community Foundation of Elkhart County Inc is a public charity based in Elkhart, Indiana. Established in 1988, it manages endowed and non-endowed charitable funds and makes grants, primarily to support organizations and residents connected to Elkhart County.
Key facts about Community Foundation of Elkhart County Inc
In short: Community Foundation of Elkhart County Inc gave $35.3M across 301 grants in 2025 (avg $117K), mostly in Indiana. 20% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 31-1255886
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $35,295,512
- Grants made (2025)
- 301
- Average grant
- $117,261
- Median grant
- $25,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 20% first-time grantees (59 of 301, 2025)
- Total assets
- $501,709,746
- Primary geography
- Indiana (92% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- For Community Investment Grants, contact the program officer for the relevant focus area as a first step; under-$25,000 requests may be submitted on an ongoing basis, while larger requests go through committee review… Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$501.7M
+8.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$35.3M
+37.0% YoY
Grant Count
301
+7.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$117K
+27.9% YoY
Is Community Foundation of Elkhart County Inc open to new grantees?
20%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 59 of 301 grantees (20%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $43K; repeat grants $135K. How we count
Medians: $20K first-time, $27K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life in Elkhart County by inspiring generosity. Its three stated priority areas are Career Pathways, which includes workforce readiness, credentials, and access to career pathways; Kids & Families, including early childhood development, family support, and education; and Placemaking, which supports welcoming spaces that contribute to quality of life.
The foundation’s 2023 filing describes grants across a broad range of charitable causes, including arts and culture, community development, education and youth development, health and human services, religious institutions, and scholarships. The foundation says restricted-fund grants follow the terms of their governing agreements, while unrestricted-fund grants are based on its focus areas and operational goals.
Examples of 2025 grantees illustrate the range of organizations supported. Child and Parent Services Inc describes its mission as supporting families so every child can live free from abuse and neglect. Goshen College Inc says it transforms communities through leaders shaped by Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. Wellfield Botanic Gardens Inc describes its purpose as promoting stewardship of the natural world. These are the grantees’ own descriptions, not statements of the foundation’s mission.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 301 grants totaling $35,295,512. Grant amounts ranged from $5,100 to $2,718,258, with a median grant of $25,000. The largest reported grants included $2,718,258 to Beacon Health Foundation Inc; $2,232,046 to Baugo Community Schools; $2,168,078 to Goshen College Inc; $2,040,324 to Tolson Center Inc; and $1,498,418 to Child and Parent Services Inc. The filing lists each of these grants’ purpose as furthering the recipient’s exempt purpose.
The foundation’s website describes Community Investment Grants for organizations serving Elkhart County in Career Pathways, Kids & Families, and Placemaking. Requests under $25,000 are reviewed by program staff, with decisions within six weeks; applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Requests over $25,000 are reviewed by a volunteer committee, with decisions within two months. The website says applicants should first contact a program officer. The listed over-$25,000 application dates are February 15 and August 15; the August 15, 2026 deadline has passed.
Other listed opportunities include Trail Network Grants for nonprofits developing, maintaining, or activating the county trail network; Well Foundation grants focused on health and wellness in Goshen and the greater Elkhart County area; and Bontrager Family Foundation grants supporting Christian faith-based organizations, youth and families, and the Middlebury community. Bontrager applications are due May 31 and October 31; the May 31, 2026 cycle has passed, and the next listed deadline is October 31, 2026. The website also lists Mishler Brown Fund grants for farming, agriculture, historic farm preservation, and natural resource conservation, including nonprofits beyond Elkhart County.
Emergency grants are described as support for unexpected challenges affecting nonprofits serving Elkhart County. The stated range is $250 to $25,000, with applications accepted online anytime and a 48-hour review process. Eligible needs may include disasters, essential equipment damage or failure, and facility issues that prevent program operation. The program excludes long-term funding gaps, bridge funding while awaiting government reimbursement, new programs, food requests, and certain church building or grounds projects.
How to Apply
For Community Investment Grants, contact the program officer for the relevant focus area as a first step; under-$25,000 requests may be submitted on an ongoing basis, while larger requests go through committee review on the listed application cycle. The website also provides separate application information for the other grant programs described above.
Open Grants
11 open opportunities from Community Foundation of Elkhart County Inc
CFEC: Bontrager Family Foundation Grant
Community Foundation of Elkhart County Inc
Amount
US $1,500 - US $30,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
CFEC: Community Investment Grants (over $25,000)
Community Foundation of Elkhart County Inc
Amount
More than US $25,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
CFEC: Community Investment Grants (under $25,000)
Community Foundation of Elkhart County Inc
Amount
Up to US $24,999
Deadline
Deadline not published
Ready to take the next step with Community Foundation of Elkhart County Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s mission and Community Investment Grants focus on improving quality of life in Elkhart County. Its 2025 filing reports that 92% of grant dollars went to recipients in Indiana. The Mishler Brown Fund is specifically described as open to nonprofits beyond Elkhart County.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 301 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $17.6M (2021) to $35.3M (2025). In 2025 it made 301 grants totaling $35.3M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Beacon Health Foundation Inc ($2.7M). Together the top 10 received $15.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
1,396 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 939 grants of 1,396 (67%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Beacon Health Foundation Inc South Bend, IN | To Further the Exempt Purpose of the Organization | $2,718,258 |
| Baugo Community Schools Elkhart, IN | To Further the Exempt Purpose of the Organization | $2,232,046 |
| Goshen College Inc Goshen, IN | To Further the Exempt Purpose of the Organization | $2,168,078 |
| Tolson Center Inc Elkhart, IN | To Further the Exempt Purpose of the Organization | $2,040,324 |
| Child and Parent Services Inc Elkhart, IN | To Further the Exempt Purpose of the Organization | $1,498,418 |
| Elkhart Health Fitness and Aquatics Inc South Bend, IN | To Further the Exempt Purpose of the Organization | $1,261,099 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Elkhart County Inc Goshen, IN | To Further the Exempt Purpose of the Organization | $1,020,586 |
| Wellfield Botanic Gardens Inc Elkhart, IN | To Further the Exempt Purpose of the Organization | $963,795 |
| Reta Inc Elkhart, IN | To Further the Exempt Purpose of the Organization | $851,850 |
| Riley Children's Foundation Indianapolis, IN | To Further the Exempt Purpose of the Organization | $773,962 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants | Grant count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $501,709,746 | $51,294,999 | $43,348,557 | $35,295,512 | 301 |
| 2024 | $461,316,930 | $58,848,264 | $32,696,199 | $25,767,342 | 281 |
| 2023 | $405,087,193 | $35,651,678 | $41,291,217 | $33,246,620 | 256 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $501,709,746 | $461,316,930 | $405,087,193 |
| Revenue | $51,294,999 | $58,848,264 | $35,651,678 |
| Expenses | $43,348,557 | $32,696,199 | $41,291,217 |
| Net Investment Income | $24,801,951 | $20,230,960 | $10,002,654 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 8, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 23, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 22, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists David Weaver as chairperson, John Liechty as vice chair, Ken Julian as secretary, and Todd Cleveland as treasurer. Directors listed are Amy Brown, Angie Eggering, Becky Bontreger, BJ Thompson, Bruce Korenstra, and Dan Morrison.
Community Foundation of Elkhart County Inc is led by Peter L. McCown, President since 2021 (on filings since 2020); 5 of 26 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Peter L. McCown
President
President & CEO → President, 2021
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$182K (2020) → $267K (2025)
David Weaver
Chairperson
Treasurer → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Chairperson, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Becky Bontreger
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Galen Miller
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Isaac Torres
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kerri Ritchie
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ola Yoder
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jan Farron
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Raquel Espinosa
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bj Thompson
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Theresa Gunden
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Angie Eggering
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dan Morrison
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eric Ivory
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kurt Janowsky
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amy Brown
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Derald Bontrager
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bruce Korenstra
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Denise Davis
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Candace Yoder
Senior Advisor
Employee → Senior Advisor, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$111K (2020) → $134K (2025)
Cole Patuzzi
CFO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$105K (2020) → $166K (2025)
Brian Cook
CMO
Employee → CMO, 2025
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$114K (2024) → $114K (2025)
Carrie Berghoff
CDO
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$100K (2025)
John Liechty
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ken Julian
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Todd Cleveland
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (14)
- Former: Cien Asoera (2020–2024) — Chairperson
- Former: Deb Beaverson (2020–2024) — Secretary
- Former: Sharon Liegl (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Thomas Pletcher (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: David Findlay (2020–2022) — Chairperson
- Former: Dick Armington (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Rob Cripe (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Steve Fidler (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Jodi Spataro (2021–2022) — Employee
- Former: Dave Weaver (2020–2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Del King (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Megan Baughman (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: David Weed (2020) — Director
- Former: Michael Schoeffler (2020) — Chair
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $267K, to Peter L McCown (President). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 240 East Jackson Blvd 104, Elkhart, IN 46516
Phone: (574) 295-8761
Frequently asked questions about Community Foundation of Elkhart County Inc
How much does Community Foundation of Elkhart County Inc give each year?
Community Foundation of Elkhart County Inc gave $35.3M across 301 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $25.8M across 281 grants.
What is Community Foundation of Elkhart County Inc's typical grant size?
Community Foundation of Elkhart County Inc's median grant in 2025 was $25,000, and its average grant was $117,261, across 301 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Community Foundation of Elkhart County Inc that year got $43K on average.
Where does Community Foundation of Elkhart County Inc give grants?
Community Foundation of Elkhart County Inc gives mostly in Indiana: 92% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Elkhart, IN (75 grants), Goshen, IN (57 grants), South Bend, IN (29 grants) and Indianapolis, IN (10 grants).
Who are Community Foundation of Elkhart County Inc's largest grantees?
Community Foundation of Elkhart County Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Beacon Health Foundation Inc ($2,718,258), Baugo Community Schools ($2,232,046) and Goshen College Inc ($2,168,078), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 20% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Community Foundation of Elkhart County Inc?
Community Foundation of Elkhart County Inc reported $501.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $51.3M.
What does Community Foundation of Elkhart County Inc fund?
The foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life in Elkhart County by inspiring generosity. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Community Foundation of Elkhart County Inc?
For Community Investment Grants, contact the program officer for the relevant focus area as a first step; under-$25,000 requests may be submitted on an ongoing basis, while larger requests go through committee review… Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Community Foundation of Elkhart County Inc's EIN?
Community Foundation of Elkhart County Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-1255886. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Here's the math on researching Community Foundation of Elkhart County Inc by hand.
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