Porter County Community Foundation Inc
Porter County Community Foundation Inc. is a public charity based in Valparaiso, Indiana. Established in 1996, it supports Porter County through charitable grantmaking, scholarships, and permanent endowment funds. The foundation says it has awarded more than $55 million in grants and scholarships to organizations and students in its community.
Porter County Community Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Porter County Community Foundation Inc gave $4.5M across 100 grants in 2024 (avg $45K), mostly in Indiana. 27% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $4,463,124
- +30.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 100
- +42.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $44,631
- -8.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $12,000
- Total assets
- $110,537,340
- +14.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 27% first-time grantees (27 of 99, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Indiana (97% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Porter County Community Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
The Community Fund has an online application and grant guidelines. The foundation also welcomes applications from nonprofits serving Porter County for the Women’s Fund. Its website lists that opportunity as closed. The Men’s Fund opportunity is scheduled to be available November 1–15, 2026. The Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program is administered locally by the foundation, but its stated August 27, 2025 application deadline has passed; it is a scholarship for eligible Porter County students, not a grant program for outside organizations.
- Review Cycle
- The Community Fund’s fall application cycle is listed as closed. The Men’s Fund opportunity is scheduled for November 1–15, 2026.
- Deadline
- The Community Fund’s fall application cycle is listed as closed.
- Next open deadline
- December 31, 2026 (Men's Fund)
- Contact
Mailing address: 1401 Calumet Avenue, Valparaiso, IN 46383
Phone: (219) 465-0294
Website: https://pccf.gives
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Porter County Community Foundation Inc
Men's Fund
Porter County Community Foundation Inc
Amount
$5,000 - $7,000 (varies by year)
Deadline
Expected ~December
Based on past cycles
Men's Fund of Porter County Grant
Porter County Community Foundation Inc
Amount
US $5,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Porter County Community Fund Grant
Porter County Community Foundation Inc
Amount
Up to US $10,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Porter County Community Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana ($763K). Together the top 10 received $2.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
390 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 310 grants of 390 (79%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website describes its Community Fund grants as serving Porter County. In 2024, 97% of reported grant dollars went to recipients in Indiana and 1% to recipients in Tennessee; the remaining listed states, Florida, Colorado, and Arizona, each accounted for 0% as reported. The foundation’s local scholarship and Women’s Fund information also specifies Porter County residents or organizations serving Porter County.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 100 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Porter County Community Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
27%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 27 of 99 grantees (27%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $18K; repeat grants $55K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $17K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.7M (2019) to $4.5M (2024). In 2024 it made 100 grants totaling $4.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana Portage, IN | To assist the organization in furthering its exempt purpose | $762,554 |
| Maac Foundation Inc Valparaiso, IN | To assist the organization in furthering its exempt purpose | $490,490 |
| United Way of Northwest Indiana Valparaiso, IN | To assist the organization in furthering its exempt purpose | $302,923 |
| Opportunity Enterprises Inc Valparaiso, IN | To assist the organization in furthering its exempt purpose | $252,261 |
| Salvation Army of Porter County Valparaiso, IN | To assist the organization in furthering its exempt purpose | $215,188 |
| Neighbors Educational Opportunities Inc Portage, IN | To assist the organization in furthering its exempt purpose | $205,000 |
| Duneland Family YMCA Chesterton, IN | To assist the organization in furthering its exempt purpose | $182,411 |
| Ivy Tech Community College - Valparaiso Valparaiso, IN | To assist the organization in furthering its exempt purpose | $109,327 |
| Project Neighbors Valparaiso, IN | To assist the organization in furthering its exempt purpose | $105,322 |
| Harold Hal Kelley Respite Foundation Valparaiso, IN | To assist the organization in furthering its exempt purpose | $100,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Porter County Community Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $110,537,340 | $18,137,835 | $6,821,745 | $4,463,124 | 100 | $5,921,696 |
| 2023 | $96,708,141 | $7,050,984 | $5,414,417 | $3,423,644 | 70 | $3,317,661 |
| 2022 | $87,036,886 | $21,992,787 | $6,013,105 | $4,173,862 | 82 | $2,496,564 |
| 2021 | $83,303,379 | $5,735,986 | $4,513,122 | $2,938,267 | 66 | $2,616,498 |
| 2020 | $71,838,230 | $7,378,940 | $3,822,119 | $2,404,268 | 72 | $1,353,691 |
| 2019 | $62,918,414 | $6,591,395 | $3,179,315 | $1,709,645 | 76 | $1,928,806 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is “to strengthen our community through lasting generosity and leadership.” Its Community Fund guidelines identify organizational capacity, planning and training, equipment and extraordinary expenses, expanded programming, and collaboration on innovative programming as areas of interest.
The 2024 grants included organizations whose missions span several kinds of community services. For example, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana says its mission is to help young people reach their potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. Opportunity Enterprises describes its work as creating inclusive opportunities for people of all abilities through vocational training, day services, transportation, and residential services in Porter County. Neighbors Educational Opportunities says it helps Porter and Lake County students earn high school diplomas and develop skills for the changing global economy.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 100 grants totaling $4,463,124. Grants ranged from $5,085 to $762,554, with a median grant of $12,000.
Among the largest reported 2024 grants were $762,554 to Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana, $490,490 to the MAAC Foundation, $302,923 to United Way of Northwest Indiana, $252,261 to Opportunity Enterprises, and $215,188 to the Salvation Army of Porter County. The reported purpose for each was to assist the organization in furthering its exempt purpose.
The Porter County Community Fund uses an open application process. Its 2026 guidelines say requests should serve Porter County and focus on such needs as organizational capacity, equipment or extraordinary expenses, expanded successful programming, and collaboration. The guidelines state that applications from organizations headquartered outside Porter County must identify a Porter County facility or program, or a Porter County partner serving as co-applicant. They generally exclude ongoing operating support, event sponsorships, annual appeals, endowment campaigns, political or sectarian programs, individuals other than scholarship recipients, and programs already completed or equipment already contracted for. Organizations operating entirely with volunteers are encouraged to contact the foundation before applying.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation’s website lists Bill Higbie as president and CEO, Kevin Nuppnau as vice president, and Caroline Schrenker as director of community impact. Other listed staff include Janelle Lewin, Melissa Martin, Lauren Varga, and Karisa Zacarias.
The 2024 filing lists Celina Weatherwax, Dean Cobble, Emily Richardson-Rossbach, Jennifer Shikany, Jennifer Vidimos, John Montgomery, Julie Elisha, Jung Lee, Kari Zehner, and Lauren Kroeger as board members.
Porter County Community Foundation Inc is led by William A. Higbie, President & CEO on every filing since 2019; 4 of 27 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
William A. Higbie
President & CEO
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$131K (2019) → $179K (2024)
Carol Hall
Chair
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2021
Vice Chair → Chair, 2023
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary Jane Eisenhauer
Employee
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$114K (2022) → $149K (2024)
Jeri Pat Gabbert
Vice President
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$157K (2023) → $171K (2024)
Caroline Schrenker
Employee
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$115K (2024)
Celina Weatherwax
Board Member
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Vidimos
Board Member
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Matt Vessely
Vice Chair
Board Member → Secretary, 2021
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Megan Marshall
Board Member
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Wendahl
Board Member
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Scott Hufford
Board Member
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie Jones
Board Member
Vice Chair → Chair, 2021
Chair → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tim Coleman
Treasurer
Treasurer → Treasuerer, 2020
Treasuerer → Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Julie Elisha
Board Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey Lewis
Secretary
Board Member → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Shikany
Board Member
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Saradha De Jesus
Board Member
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Emily Richardson-Rossbach
Board Member
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Ritzi
Board Member
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ryan Cole
Board Member
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sami Welter
Board Member
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dean Cobble
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Montgomery
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jung Lee
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kari Zehner
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lauren Kroeger
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rachel Stoner
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (17)
- Former: Brenda Sheetz (2019–2023) — Employee
- Former: Cheri Birky (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: David Hollenbeck (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Geoff Laciak (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: John Walsh (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Andrew Arnold (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Desila Rosetti (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Joe Jaskowiak (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Kent Mishler (2019–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Amy Parker (2021–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Derek Braggs (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Arjun Gupta (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Jacki Stutzman (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Ralph Neff (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Spero Valavanis (2019–2020) — Board Member
- Former: Jan Barsophy (2019) — Board Member
- Former: William P. Maar (2019) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $179K, to William a Higbie (President/CEO). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Porter County Community Foundation Inc
How much does Porter County Community Foundation Inc give each year?
Porter County Community Foundation Inc gave $4.5M across 100 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $3.4M across 70 grants.
What is Porter County Community Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Porter County Community Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $12,000, and its average grant was $44,631, across 100 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Porter County Community Foundation Inc that year got $18K on average.
Where does Porter County Community Foundation Inc give grants?
Porter County Community Foundation Inc gives mostly in Indiana: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Valparaiso, IN (50 grants), Portage, IN (9 grants), Chesterton, IN (8 grants) and Merrillville, IN (3 grants).
Who are Porter County Community Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Porter County Community Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana ($762,554), Maac Foundation Inc ($490,490) and United Way of Northwest Indiana ($302,923), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 35% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Porter County Community Foundation Inc?
Porter County Community Foundation Inc reported $110.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $18.1M.
What does Porter County Community Foundation Inc fund?
The organization’s stated mission is “to strengthen our community through lasting generosity and leadership.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Porter County Community Foundation Inc?
The Community Fund has an online application and grant guidelines. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Porter County Community Foundation Inc's EIN?
Porter County Community Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 35-2000788. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 19, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 3, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 30, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 25, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 10, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 23, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Porter County Community Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Porter County Community Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/porter-county-community-foundation-inc-morg_190c7a87952b4dadaee8b12853c5ea60
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_352000788_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Porter County Community Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/porter-county-community-foundation-inc-morg_190c7a87952b4dadaee8b12853c5ea60},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Porter County Community Foundation Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Porter County Community Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?