Community Foundation of Elkhart County

10/28/2026

Our annual celebration is tomorrow, and we're expecting a big crowd in the Crystal Ballroom at the Lerner Theater. Today, some of our staff worked with Joy Blooms to make the flower arrangements for tomorrow's event. We are excited to host our nonprofit partners, donors, and friends at this joyful gathering.

10/27/2026

It's a beautiful time to visit Wellfield Botanic Gardens, and on Tuesdays, we help make entry to the amazing gardens free.

10/27/2026

Helping organizations such as Fischoff is part of the Community Foundation's mission. We are delighted to collaborate to help the arts thrive.

Fischoff wishes to thank the Community Foundation of Elkhart County for a grant award in support of our education programs.

Each year, Fischoff brings world-class musicians to work with Elkhart County students through varied programs that cultivate critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, creativity, and leadership skills – all important skills that contribute to academic achievement and long-term career success. Programs like Fischoff’s Stories & Music ("S.A.M. I Am"), give 2nd graders the opportunity to use music to crack open literature and to build their reading comprehension; workshops during Fischoff’s Double Gold Tour give middle and high school students opportunities to work with and get advice from emerging artists; mentoring visits by Fischoff’s Peer Ambassadors for Chamber Music pre-college musicians provide Elkhart students inspiration and motivation for musical studies in middle and high school; and Fischoff’s Chamber Music Academy provides infrastructure for Elkhart-based middle and high school student ensembles to work with professional coaches to dive into chamber music and perform outreach concerts in the community.

Through this effort, Fischoff is able to expand equitable access to high-quality arts education across Elkhart County, all while preparing students with career awareness, employability skills, and confidence needed for future success. Thank you for helping us fulfill our mission of inspiring lives through breathtaking performances!

10/26/2026

More than a decade of ongoing generosity.

Last week, 100 Women Who Care Elkhart County presented a $10,000 check to the Elkhart County Jail Ministry.

The ministry will use the gift for tattoo removal, both inside and outside the jail. It hopes to expand the service in 2027 to remove more face, hand, and gang tattoos for people who need a fresh start.

“The generosity of Elkhart County never ceases to amaze us,” said Cory Martin, chaplain of the Elkhart County Jail Ministry. “This will be used to support our current and formerly incarcerated neighbors as they continue to rebuild their lives.”

Since 2014, members of 100 Women Who Care have given more than $500,000 to local nonprofits, one meeting at a time. The next meeting is Jan. 12, 2027. We’d love to see you there.

10/21/2026

Guys Who Give started in our community and gave its first grant to Ryan's Place. It is amazing to see this generosity. We are thrilled to help this group of men start here in Elkhart County, modeled after 100 Women Who Care Elkhart County.

10/19/2026

What a wonderful evening celebrating compassion and the generosity of our community!

Thank you to First Light Mission for the incredible work you do and for bringing our community together at the 31st annual A Place at the Table fundraiser.

We were honored to celebrate the Heart of Compassion Award recipients, including our own Andy Murray, Julene Joy of Fix Salon and GPD Patrolman Jon McKalips.

Congratulations to all and thank you to everyone who helps make First Light Mission's work possible!

10/15/2026

Our staff took some time for a lunch-and-learn this week, with our own Lauren King leading a discussion of Brené Brown’s TED Talk “The Power of Vulnerability.” We enjoyed learning together and sharing how we try to practice vulnerability at the Community Foundation.

10/14/2026

Time update: The Guys Who Give check presentation is now at 3:30 p.m.

Last week, the men of Guys Who Give gathered for their first meeting in Elkhart County. They heard the nominations, cast their votes, and chose Ryan's Place to receive $25,000.

Dave Hawkins nominated Ryan’s Place, which walks alongside children, teens, and families in our community who are grieving. That’s hard, quiet work, and we’re grateful these guys decided to stand behind it together.

Guys Who Give members, please join us for the check presentation at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, at Ryan’s Place, 1566 Regent St., Goshen. You’ll meet the staff, tour the building, and see up close how Ryan’s Place helps families here.

Thank you to every man who showed up and gave.

10/12/2026

For more than a dozen years, women in Elkhart County have been gathering quarterly to give generously. The next meeting is Tuesday at the Matterhorn. If you are interested in this giving circle, we would love to see you there.

We hope to see you at our quarterly meeting on Tuesday at the Matterhorn. Come celebrate generosity with us at our fall gathering.

10/08/2026

Thursday is DAF Day, and we are celebrating our donors who make a huge difference with their donor advised funds.

In fiscal year 2025-26, donors recommended $15 million in grants from more than 225 donor advised funds at the Community Foundation of Elkhart County. That's $15 million going to nonprofits and causes.

If you've wished giving were simpler, a donor advised fund might fit. You give to your fund and receive the tax deduction right away, then recommend grants whenever and wherever you like. We take care of the details.

To all our fund holders: thank you.

Learn more at inspiringgood.org/give or call (574) 295-8761.