Summer 2015
Community matters
summer 2015
Double your $$$!
La Porte County’s $1 million Lilly Endowment
match has lit a fire under a half dozen families
and organizations to double their money opening
new Unity Foundation Community Funds.
MAKE the
Match
Future
Light the
Lilly Endowment GIFT Phase VI will increase
these unrestricted funds - our most important by matching donations to them $1 for $1.
The opportunity expires March 31, 2016,
or when all matching funds are unlocked.
We’re about 40% toward that goal.
Inspired by the match, The David C. Gardner
Community Fund opened in late 2014 to support
projects and charitable causes in La Porte County.
Dave was a 1969 graduate of Chesterton High
School, an aviation junkie, and a long time
employee of United Airlines, until his sudden
passing in 2012. He loved this area and visited
La Porte County often.
His sister, Michigan City resident Marsha Markle,
says, “With the current availability of the Lilly
Endowment matching funds, our family saw an
opportunity to honor his memory and provide a
real service to deserving people and
uflc.net A Power for Good
organizations in the area. Wherever you are,
Dave, we know you approve.”
Drs. Pete and Barbara Backer also took
advantage of the match to open a new
Community Fund. The couple practiced
medicine in La Porte for four decades, and
raised five children.
“We’ve enjoyed being near a major metropolitan
city, which encouraged flourishing local arts, a
lovely physical environment with the lakes, and
a community dedicated to the love of history
and preservation,” Barbara says. “The Backer
Family Fund was established to assure continued
support for the next generations.”
Due to the match, both funds will open with
double the money.
Marsha and the Backers worked with Unity and
their local investment advisors – Steve Gronceski
and Jane Dorman - to support good work in La
Porte County. For more information on how
to open your own Community Fund, or to
make a gift to an existing fund, please call us
at 219-879-0327.
summer 2015
Community matters
Unity Will Give More
“Power for Good”
Grants!
Thanks to Lilly Endowment’s GIFT VI match, Unity
Foundation is increasing its 2015 Power for Good
Fund Grants to more than $125,000.
A dedicated volunteer committee awards grants
up to $3,000 each. Eligible projects and programs
include, but aren’t limited to, arts and culture,
health, human services, environment, education,
and projects that strengthen La Porte County.
Last year the foundation awarded $107,000 in
community grants for 55 projects, supporting animal
care, child safety, medication assistance, food,
shelter and other good works.
Drs. Pete and Barbara Backer doubled
their investment and reduced taxes by
opening the Backer Family Fund with Unity.
The grant application is online at
http://uflc.net/grants/how-to-apply/,
open to nonprofit organizations located in,
or serving La Porte County residents.
Deadline is 11:59 p.m. CST on Friday, July 17.
Organizations may submit up to
three grants for consideration.
NEW COMMUNITY FUNDS
Benefit La Porte County
Over two decades, visionary residents have opened
“Community Funds” to support La Porte County for
future generations.
Former residents John P. & Anne H. Daley, Pauline
Dent, Ernest & Mildred Delco, John A. & Dorothy
Sieb Carstens, Charles T. & Pauline J. Dye, Ruth W.
Pollingue, Philip A. Sprague, and John & Jean Vail left
memorial legacies with Unity Foundation - providing
important community support.
Seven smart groups wanted to double their money, and they
did! The following new community funds have opened: AAUW
La Porte Community Fund; Backer Family Fund; Randy and
Jane Dorman Foundation; Sanford Z. Friedman Community
Fund; David C. Gardner Community Fund; Kabelin Family
Community Fund; and Purdue Federal Credit Union Fund.
Unity Foundation thanks these generous and smart donors
for giving unrestricted gifts that benefit the community where
it’s needed most!
Thanks to our generous event sponsors for 2015!
Covered Bridge:
NIPSCO
Iron Bridge:
The LaPorte Savings Bank
uflc.net A Power for Good
Drawbridge:
Sauers Buick GMC
Trestle Bridge:
Centier Bank and
1st Source Bank
L
LOve Our
akes
In the near future, Pine Lake’s eastern shoreline will invite families
to enjoy pine lake and the health minded to walk a new trail.
A $200,000 Department of Natural Resources Bicentennial Trust grant is helping transform two acres at the
former Roskoe’s site for public use. Benches, a walking trail and a parking lot will be developed before the
property is donated to the La Porte Parks Department.
Unity Foundation purchased the land to insure the view of one of La Porte’s great gems - Pine Lake
- remains open to all to enjoy. We’re nearing the goal to pay off the land and gift the park to the city;
however, donations are needed to wrap the project.
Thanks to the following for generous project support: Alcoa Foundation, Construction Advancement
Foundation, The La Porte Savings Bank, Horizon Bank, La Porte Park Foundation, IU Health La Porte
Hospital, NIPSCO/NiSource, General Insurance Services, American Licorice, PNC Bank, Bruno Enterprises,
Packaging Logic, Howes & Howes, Pine Lake Association, La Porte Lions Club, Newby, Lewis, Kaminski &
Jones, Tonn and Blank, and many individuals and families. Won’t you help preserve our lake treasure?
If you love our lakes,
please donate to the
Pine Lake Project Fund
online at:
uflc.net/pine-lake-avenue-project
or Send a check to:
Unity Foundation
P.O. Box 527
Michigan City, IN 46361
Memo: Love Our Lakes
Upcoming events and activities include:
July 17
Deadline for Unity Community
Fund grant applications
of $3,000 or less.
Visit www.uflc.net for guidelines
and to apply online.
September
Homeward Bound Walk
to raise awareness of
housing and homeless issues
October 21
Unity Annual Luncheon &
Grant Awards
November
Professional Advisor Workshop
December 31
Last day to make a tax deductible
gift for 2015!
Other events can be found
on our Facebook page –
like us please!
PRE-SORTED
NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATION US
POSTAGE PAID
MICHIGAN CITY, IN
PERMIT NO. 243
A Power for Good
P.O. Box 527
Michigan City, IN 46361
Check Us Out
Address Service Requested
Contribute online at
uflc.net
W
Life’s A Beach!
hether you enjoy summer living at the beach,
snow-bird to warmer climes, or are a hardy full-time
resident, Unity Foundation is open year-round to indulge your
charitable passions. There are so many important needs in the
community where you live, work, play and relax.
Want to a leave a lasting legacy to commemorate your fond lakeside
memories? Give to the new Long Beach Historical Society Fund.
Want to double your $$$? Gifts to Unity’s
Power for Good Fund will be doubled.
Online giving is a snap at www.uflc.net/funds/
contribute-online.
It’s also easy to open your own donor-advised fund, or to double
your money with a community fund to support great projects and
causes forever. Give us a call at 219-879-0327 to embrace
“a power for good.”