OVERVIEW: The Foundations of East Chicago supports education, job training, health, safety and community enrichment in Northwest Indiana.
IP TAKE: The Foundations of East Chicago is a “streamlined enterprise” that has evolved from humble beginnings. This casino-affiliated foundation has many different grantmaking interests and is a great source for both program and general operating support. A transparent funder, it provides access to recent financial reports on its website. Reach out to foundation staff with questions.
PROFILE: Established in 1997, the Foundations of East Chicago (FEC) is an independent, citizen-run, private foundation based in East Chicago, Indiana. Its funding comes from East Chicago’s local casino that goes towards supporting local nonprofits, churches and schools. The foundation aims to “support local schools, churches, municipal agencies and nonprofit organizations that work to improve the quality of life in East Chicago.” FEC funds local efforts for education, job training, health, safety and community enrichment.
Grants for Community Development
The Foundations of East Chicago awards grants to local nonprofits through two different grant programs, one of which offers project support and another that provides general operating support.
Program Grants support specific programs that have definitive plans and measurable outcomes and are broad and encompass many different nonprofit focus areas at the local level.
General Operating Grants support organizations experiencing budget shortfalls. These funds go towards operating expenses outside of salaries. General grants can also be for capital improvements, office expenses, maintenance and repairs, rent/mortgage payments and conference expenses. Grants go up to $10,000.
Past local grantees include Holistic Community Coalition, which has received millions over the years. Other grantees include Boys & Girls Club of Northwest Indiana, East Chicago Little League, Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana, Northwest Indiana Federation of Interfaith Organizations, and Concerned Calumet Citizens Committee.
Grants for K-12 and Higher Education
The Foundations of East Chicago supports both K-12 education and higher education through its two grant programs. Its education grantmaking, however, is not as numerous as its support for community improvement and human services, but the grants can run a little larger. FEC gave a $2 million grant to Ivy Tech Community College, and it has given over $300,000 to Communities in Schools of East Chicago over the years. Several other groups have seen six figure grants as well.
Other grantees include Teens in Action for math camp and literacy programs, East Chicago Education Foundation, Workforce Development Services for adult education programs, Indiana Dunes Environmental Learning Center, East Chicago Lighthouse Charter School, Communities in Schools of East Chicago, Twin City Educational Foundation, Campagna Academy, and Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana.
In addition to grants, the foundation also awards scholarships to local students.
Grants for Health
The Foundations of East Chicago supports health and healthcare organizations through its Program Grant and General Operating Grant programs. Nonprofits focused on mental health, inpatient and outpatient medical care, hospitals, and rehabilitation groups have all seen support. Healthy East Chicago has received millions in grants over the years. Other past grantees include Healthvisions Midwest, TradeWinds Rehabilitation Center, Mental Health America of Lake County, and HealthLinc for medically prescribed foods, St. Catherine Hospital.
Important Grant Details
Grants typically range between about $5,000 and $35,000, but they have occasionally reached much higher. The most common amount is $15,000. The foundation awarded $2.5 million in grants in a recent year and held $32 million in assets.
Grantmaking focuses on Northwest Indiana.
This foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits at certain times of the year.
Check the FEC website to learn when grant rounds are open.
Direct general questions to the staff at 219-392-4225 or via email.
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