Unity Foundation of La Porte County
Unity Foundation of La Porte County is a public charity based in Michigan City, Indiana. It supports La Porte County through endowment building, grantmaking, scholarships, and community leadership on local issues.
Unity Foundation of La Porte County at a glance
In short: Unity Foundation of La Porte County gave $1.1M across 59 grants in 2024 (avg $18K), mostly in Indiana. 17% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,081,498
- +18.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 59
- +11.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $18,330
- +6.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $8,641
- Total assets
- $51,453,529
- +12.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 17% first-time grantees (10 of 59, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Indiana (95% 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 Unity Foundation of La Porte County
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests through its online application process for Power for Good Community Grants. Eligible organizations may submit one application per cycle, and the maximum grant is $5,000. Paper applications are not accepted. Churches may apply only for non-religious projects.
- Review Cycle
- The 2026 application cycle ran from June 1 through July 10, 2026, and has closed. The foundation states that applicants will be notified of decisions by email in October.
- Deadline
- The 2026 application cycle ran from June 1 through July 10, 2026, and has closed.
- Contact
Mailing address: 422 Franklin St Suite C, Michigan City, IN 46360
Phone: (219) 879-0327
Website: https://uflc.net
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from Unity Foundation of La Porte County
Dale E. Landsman Arts Foundation Grant
Unity Foundation of La Porte County
Amount
$1,200 (example award to Michigan City Southern Shore Art Association)
Deadline
Deadline not published
Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship
Listed byUnity Foundation of La Porte County
Amount
Full tuition plus $900 annual stipend
Deadline
Deadline not published
Teacher Innovation Fund (Michigan City Area Schools)
Unity Foundation of La Porte County
Amount
Varies; $350-$439.95 in 2013 awards
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Unity Foundation of La Porte County funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Greater Laporte Economic Development Corporation ($195K). Together the top 10 received $649K.
Grant Size Distribution
261 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 245 grants of 261 (94%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated service area is La Porte County, Indiana. In 2024, 95% of reported grant dollars went to recipients in Indiana; the remaining reported shares went to Illinois (2%), Colorado (1%), and Washington, D.C. (1%), with Ohio listed at 0%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 59 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Unity Foundation of La Porte County open to new grantees?
17%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 10 of 59 grantees (17%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $9K; repeat grants $20K. How we count
Medians: $7K first-time, $9K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $797K (2021) to $1.2M (2022). In 2024 it made 59 grants totaling $1.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Greater Laporte Economic Development Corporation La Porte, IN | Business Retention | $194,666 |
| La Lumiere School La Porte, IN | Scholarships | $163,865 |
| La Porte County Small Animal Shelter La Porte, IN | Operating Support | $50,900 |
| Boys and Girls Club Laporte County Michigan City, IN | Building Fund | $45,351 |
| Women's Care Center Foundation Mishawaka, IN | Operating Support | $41,715 |
| Purdue Northwest Westville, IN | Education | $39,964 |
| La Porte Family YMCA La Porte, IN | Programs/Operations | $38,208 |
| Michigan City Municipal Band Michigan City, IN | Arts and Culture | $26,784 |
| Beverly Unitarian Church Chicago, IL | Church Grounds | $26,000 |
| New Day Foundation La Porte, IN | Patient Needs | $22,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Unity Foundation of La Porte County?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $51,453,529 | $7,760,527 | $3,576,432 | $1,081,498 | 59 | $2,436,148 |
| 2023 | $45,563,116 | $4,546,726 | $3,194,512 | $913,259 | 53 | $1,557,053 |
| 2022 | $40,050,237 | $3,912,417 | $3,431,759 | $1,158,812 | 59 | $1,749,114 |
| 2021 | $47,494,280 | $7,498,867 | $3,033,468 | $797,460 | 60 | $2,089,854 |
| 2020 | $38,201,358 | $4,561,196 | $2,956,573 | $910,796 | 30 | $810,731 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to strengthen La Porte County now and forever by building permanent endowments, providing leadership, offering philanthropic vehicles, and serving as a catalyst for social and economic vitality. Its stated program areas are endowment building, grantmaking and scholarships, and community betterment through leadership and technical assistance.
The Power for Good Fund makes grants in education, the arts, health and human services, the environment, and other areas based on community needs. Community grant priorities include unmet needs, one-time projects, projects that leverage additional resources, and collaboration. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, governmental bodies, educators, schools, and churches applying for non-religious projects.
Grantees’ stated missions illustrate the range of organizations supported. Boys & Girls Clubs of La Porte County describes its mission as providing a safe place for youth to develop leadership skills; the Youth Service Bureau of La Porte County says it promotes young people’s development into caring and responsible adults. The Jack and Shirley Lub eznik Center for the Arts describes its work as enriching the community through activities promoting the creation, appreciation, and enjoyment of the arts, while Paladin says it provides resources and services to people with disabilities.
The foundation also administers the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship for La Porte County high school seniors planning to attend an Indiana college. The scholarship provides full tuition for four years and an annual stipend for required books and equipment.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 59 grants totaling $1,081,498. The grants ranged from $5,022 to $194,666, with a median of $8,641. Separately, the foundation’s website reports that the Power for Good Fund granted $210,000 to local nonprofits in 2024, and that the foundation awarded $240,000 to 60 local organizations in 2025.
Among the largest grants reported for 2024 were $194,666 to Greater LaPorte Economic Development Corporation for business retention, $163,865 to La Lumiere School for scholarships, $50,900 to La Porte County Small Animal Shelter for operating support, and $45,351 to Boys and Girls Club LaPorte County for a building fund. Other reported grants included $39,964 to Purdue Northwest for education, $26,784 to Michigan City Municipal Band for arts and culture, and $19,823 to Stepping Stone Shelter for Women for food assistance and operations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Jon Gilmore as chair, Edward Volk as vice chair, and Dr. Vidya Kora as secretary/treasurer. Directors and at-large leadership listed on that filing are James Kaminski, Stephanie Oberlie, Diana Kabelin Corley, Paul Applegate, Angela Nelson Deuitch, Dr. Barbara Eason-Watkins, and Laura Francesconi.
Unity Foundation of La Porte County is led by Maggi Spartz, President on every filing since 2020; 1 of 18 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Maggi Spartz
President
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$115K (2020) → $144K (2024)
Jon Gilmore
Chair
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Angela Nelson Deuitch
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Barbara Eason-Watkins
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James Kaminski
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kim Sauers
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paul Applegate
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ronald Ragains
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Scott Rice
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dale Parkison
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Laura Francesconi
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Seth Spencer
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie Oberlie
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kathy Henrich
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Katie Eaton
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Diana Kabelin Corley
At-Large
Director → At-Large, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Edward Volk
Vice Chair
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Vidya Kora
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Elizabeth Bernel (2020–2023) — At-Large
- Former: Marti Swanson (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Michael Brennan (2020–2022) — At-Large
- Former: Thomas Edwards (2020) — Secretary
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 $144K, to Maggi Spartz (President).
Frequently asked questions about Unity Foundation of La Porte County
How much does Unity Foundation of La Porte County give each year?
Unity Foundation of La Porte County gave $1.1M across 59 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $913K across 53 grants.
What is Unity Foundation of La Porte County's typical grant size?
Unity Foundation of La Porte County's median grant in 2024 was $8,641, and its average grant was $18,330, across 59 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Unity Foundation of La Porte County that year got $9K on average.
Where does Unity Foundation of La Porte County give grants?
Unity Foundation of La Porte County gives mostly in Indiana: 95% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Michigan City, IN (24 grants), La Porte, IN (20 grants) and Valparaiso, IN (2 grants).
Does Unity Foundation of La Porte County give general operating support?
Yes: 37% of Unity Foundation of La Porte County's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (22 of 59) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (8 grants) and "Programs/Operations" (3 grants).
Who are Unity Foundation of La Porte County's largest grantees?
Unity Foundation of La Porte County's largest 2024 grantees include Greater Laporte Economic Development Corporation ($194,666), La Lumiere School ($163,865) and La Porte County Small Animal Shelter ($50,900), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 38% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Unity Foundation of La Porte County?
Unity Foundation of La Porte County reported $51.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $7.8M.
What does Unity Foundation of La Porte County fund?
The foundation’s mission is to strengthen La Porte County now and forever by building permanent endowments, providing leadership, offering philanthropic vehicles, and serving as a catalyst for social and economic vitality. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Unity Foundation of La Porte County?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests through its online application process for Power for Good Community Grants. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Unity Foundation of La Porte County's EIN?
Unity Foundation of La Porte County's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 35-1658674. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Unity Foundation of La Porte County accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 5, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 24, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 7, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Unity Foundation of La Porte County funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Unity Foundation of La Porte County's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Unity Foundation of La Porte County funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 21, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/unity-foundation-of-la-porte-county-morg_c740814350094765b2ef0c8c4b5704f8
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_351658674_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Unity Foundation of La Porte County funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/unity-foundation-of-la-porte-county-morg_c740814350094765b2ef0c8c4b5704f8},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-21. 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 Unity Foundation of La Porte County'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.
Unity Foundation of La Porte County down — hundreds of funders to go?