Unity Foundation of La Porte County
Unity Foundation of La Porte County is a public charity based in Michigan City, Indiana, formed in 1991. It builds permanent endowments, provides community leadership, and makes grants and scholarships to strengthen La Porte County.
Key facts about Unity Foundation of La Porte County
In short: Unity Foundation of La Porte County gave $1.1M across 59 grants in 2024 (avg $18K), mostly in Indiana. 19% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 35-1658674
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,081,498
- Grants made (2024)
- 59
- Average grant
- $18,330
- Median grant
- $8,641
- New grantees (estimate)
- 19% first-time grantees (11 of 59, 2024)
- Total assets
- $51,453,529
- Primary geography
- Indiana (95% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- Community Grant applications are submitted online; paper applications are not accepted. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- The 2026 application cycle runs June 1–July 10, 2026.
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 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 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$51.5M
+12.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.1M
+18.4% YoY
Grant Count
59
+11.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$18K
+6.4% YoY
Is Unity Foundation of La Porte County open to new grantees?
19%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 11 of 59 grantees (19%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $12K; 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.
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 programs include helping organizations build endowments, grantmaking to improve individual and community conditions, scholarships for educational and vocational opportunities, and leadership and technical assistance on county issues.
The foundation describes its Power for Good Fund as supporting education, the arts, health and human services, and the environment. Its 2024 grants included Greater LaPorte Economic, whose stated mission is to recruit new business and industry into the area and promote business stability, growth, and development; La Lumiere School, which operates a private co-educational school for grades 9–12; and Dunebrook, whose stated mission is to prevent child abuse through education and advocacy.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 59 grants totaling $1,081,498. Individual grants ranged from $5,022 to $194,666, with a median of $8,641. The largest awards included $194,666 to Greater LaPorte Economic for business retention; $163,865 to La Lumiere School for scholarships; $50,900 to La Porte County Small Animal for operating support; and $45,351 to Boys and Girls Club LaPorte County for a building fund.
Review Cycle
The 2026 application cycle runs June 1–July 10, 2026.
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
Rolling / Open
Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship
Listed byUnity Foundation of La Porte County
Amount
Full tuition plus $900 annual stipend
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Teacher Innovation Fund (Michigan City Area Schools)
Unity Foundation of La Porte County
Amount
Varies; $350-$439.95 in 2013 awards
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Ready to take the next step with Unity Foundation of La Porte County?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated service area is La Porte County, Indiana. In 2024, 95% of its grant dollars went to recipients in Indiana; the reported shares also included Illinois (2%), Colorado (1%), and Washington, D.C. (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 59 itemized grants.
Cities
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.
Grant Insights
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%).
Giving History
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 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $51,453,529 | $7,760,527 | $3,576,432 | $1,081,498 |
| 2023 | $45,563,116 | $4,546,726 | $3,194,512 | $913,259 |
| 2022 | $40,050,237 | $3,912,417 | $3,431,759 | $1,158,812 |
Grants shown are filing-year grant totals. The foundation is identified as filing Form 990 as a public charity.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $51,453,529 | $45,563,116 | $40,050,237 |
| Revenue | $7,760,527 | $4,546,726 | $3,912,417 |
| Expenses | $3,576,432 | $3,194,512 | $3,431,759 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,436,148 | $1,557,053 | $1,749,114 |
Data update history
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
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 listed are James Kaminski, Stephanie Oberlie, Paul Applegate, Angela Nelson Deuitch, Dr. Barbara Eason-Watkins, and Laura Francesconi. Diana Kabelin Corley is listed as at-large.
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).
Contact
Mailing address: 422 Franklin St Suite C, Michigan City, IN 46360
Phone: (219) 879-0327
Website: https://uflc.net
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 $12K 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?
Community Grant applications are submitted online; paper applications are not accepted. 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.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Unity Foundation of La Porte County by hand.
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