Porter County Community Foundation Inc
The Porter County Community Foundation (PCCF) is a community foundation established in 1996 and based in Valparaiso, Indiana. It operates as a 501(c)(3) public charity that collaborates with community members to support their favorite causes by establishing and managing permanent endowment funds. Since its founding, PCCF has awarded over $50 million in grants and scholarships to organizations and students in the community.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$110.5M
+14.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.5M
+30.4% YoY
Grant Count
100
+42.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$45K
-8.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Guiding Principle: To strengthen the community through lasting generosity and leadership.
Core Values:
- Power of Generosity
- Collaboration
- Creativity
- Stewardship
The foundation supports nonprofits across multiple sectors including:
- Health and human services
- K-12 and higher education
- Youth and early childhood education
- Women and girls
- Community development
- Cultural and environmental purposes
- Humanitarian initiatives
Grantmaking
PCCF operates multiple grant funds with varying focus areas and application processes:
Review Cycle
.
How to Apply
es:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations and initiatives in Porter County, Indiana, with some giving extending to Indiana, Florida, and Tennessee.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $110,537,340
- Total Revenues: $18,137,835
- Total Expenses: $6,821,745
- Total Giving: $4,792,672
- Staff: 11 employees
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $110,537,340 | $96,708,141 | $87,036,886 |
| Revenue | $18,137,835 | $7,050,984 | $21,992,787 |
| Expenses | $6,821,745 | $5,414,417 | $6,013,105 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $5,921,696 | $3,317,661 | $2,496,564 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
6 open opportunities from Porter County Community Foundation Inc
Community Fund
PORTER COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC
Amount
Varies (approximately $350,000 annually distributed)
Deadline
August 15, 2026
Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program (LECSP)
PORTER COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC
Amount
Full tuition, required fees, and $900/year for books/equipment for 4 years
Deadline
August 27, 2026
Men's Fund
PORTER COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC
Amount
$5,000 - $7,000 (varies by year)
Deadline
December 31, 2026
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana ($762,554), Maac Foundation Inc ($490,490), United Way of Northwest Indiana ($302,923).
| 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 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Staff:
- Bill Higbie, President & CEO
- Kevin Nuppnau, Vice President
- Caroline Schrenker, Director of Community Impact
- Lauren Varga, Director of Marketing & Communications
- Karisa Zacarias, Director of Finance
- Janelle Lewin, Office Coordinator
- Melissa Martin, Executive Assistant
First Things First Porter County Program:
- Mary Jane Eisenhauer, EdD, Executive Director
- Laura Green, Training & Technical Assistance Specialist
- Hadassah Moore, Project Coordinator
- Kasie Tenbarge, Associate Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CELINA WEATHERWAX | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| DEAN COBBLE | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| EMILY RICHARDSON-ROSSBACH | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| JENNIFER SHIKANY | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| JENNIFER VIDIMOS | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| JOHN MONTGOMERY | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| JULIE ELISHA | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| JUNG LEE | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| KARI ZEHNER | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| LAUREN KROEGER | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| MARK RITZI | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| MEGAN MARSHALL | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| MICHAEL WENDAHL | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| RACHEL STONER | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| RYAN COLE | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| SAMI WELTER | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| SARADHA DE JESUS | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| SCOTT HUFFORD | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| STEPHANIE JONES | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | — |
| CAROL HALL | CHAIR | 2 | — |
| MATT VESSELY | VICE CHAIR | 2 | — |
| JEFFREY LEWIS | SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| TIM COLEMAN | TREASURER | 2 | — |
| WILLIAM A HIGBIE | PRESIDENT/CEO | 40 | $178,500 |
| JERI PAT GABBERT | VICE PRESIDENT | 40 | $170,650 |
| CAROLINE SCHRENKER | EMPLOYEE | 40 | $114,955 |
| MARY JANE EISENHAUER | EMPLOYEE | 40 | $149,428 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In October 2024, PCCF awarded $105,367 in grants to 18 local nonprofit organizations through its final Community Fund grant cycle of 2024. Recipients included VNA Hospice of Northwest Indiana, Valparaiso Creative Council, South Shore Arts, Regional Performing Arts Company, Playact Theatre, Northwest Indiana Symphony Society, NeighborLink Porter County, and numerous other community organizations supporting causes ranging from animal welfare to homelessness prevention to arts and culture.
Porter County Community Foundation Awards grant to CAC | People And PlacesThe foundation maintains a four-star rating based on its accountability and financial practices, indicating strong governance and transparency in its operations.
Contact Information
Address: 1401 Calumet Avenue, Valparaiso, IN 46383
Phone: 219-465-0294
Website: pccf.gives
Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 8AM-4:30PM, Friday 8AM-noon
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Porter County Community Foundation Inc fund?
**Guiding Principle:** To strengthen the community through lasting generosity and leadership. **Core Values:** • Power of Generosity • Collaboration • Creativity • Stewardship The foundation supports nonprofits across multiple sectors including: • Health and human services • K-12 and higher education • Youth and early childhood education • Women and girls • Community development • Cultural and environmental purposes • Humanitarian initiatives
How do I apply for a grant from Porter County Community Foundation Inc?
PCCF operates multiple grant funds with varying focus areas and application processes: **Porter County Community Fund:** An unrestricted fund with an open grant process supporting cultural, educational, environmental, and humanitarian purposes. This fund can support nonprofit capacity-building programs, community enhancement projects, and planning efforts. It has one annual deadline. **Women's Fund of Porter County:** Dedicated grants supporting women and girls in the community. **Men's Fund of…
Where does Porter County Community Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations and initiatives in Porter County, Indiana, with some giving extending to Indiana, Florida, and Tennessee.
What size grants does Porter County Community Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Porter County Community Foundation Inc awarded 100 grants totaling $4.5M — an average of about $45K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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.
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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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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