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Unity Foundation Awarded $3.6 Million to Open Doors to Housing in La Porte County
LA PORTE COUNTY, IN — The Unity Foundation of La Porte County has received a grant of $3.6 million from Lilly Endowment Inc. through the Community Leadership Implementation Grants component of the eighth phase of its Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT VIII) initiative. This is one of 30 implementation grants being awarded through GIFT VIII, a statewide Lilly Endowment initiative designed to support the efforts of community foundations and their partners to strengthen quality of life for the people in the towns, cities, counties and regions they serve.
With the grant, the Unity Foundation will “Open Doors to Housing” by supporting workforce and affordable housing developments, modernizing government and removing barriers to housing development. In 2020, the Vibrant Communities of La Porte County process identified housing as the top priority in La Porte County. As a result, the Unity Foundation, in partnership with the La Porte County Office of Economic and Community Development, conducted a Housing Study and Action Agenda in 2021. Taking the next logical step, the Unity Foundation then approached partners to strategize how to accelerate the Housing Action plan. The partners for this grant include the City of La Porte, Michigan City, La Porte County, Habitat for Humanity, Homeward Bound and the Health Foundation of La Porte.
“We are delighted to receive this great news from the Lilly Endowment Inc.,” said Maggi Spartz, Unity Foundation President. “Our goal is to increase access to safe and affordable housing for people who live here. We are so grateful they share our vision.”
The Unity Foundation views this grant as an accelerator that will complement existing efforts to build workforce and affordable housing. It will support “smart development,” which includes implementing efforts to build on existing vacant lots, redeveloping and rehabilitating aging properties, and adding units of housing to upper story buildings in city centers. The grant will also help municipalities update their comprehensive plans and modernize government through better software and technology. Beginning in early 2025, the grant will support projects identified by the partners over the next three years, including the Singing Sands development in Michigan City, Homeward Bound’s Karwick Village, and La Porte County Habitat for Humanity’s Woodward Block.
“With these funds, we’re not just breaking ground on new construction—we’re breaking down barriers to affordable housing in La Porte County,” said Homeward Bound President Sandi Keller. “Today’s grant from the Unity Foundation means affordable homes at Karwick Village are tomorrow’s reality. It’s that simple and profound.”
La Porte County Planning Director Mitchell Bishop said, “The County looks forward to this partnership and the work soon to be benefitting the La Porte County community.”
In 1990, Lilly Endowment launched the Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT) initiative to help establish and further develop community foundations throughout Indiana. Lilly Endowment hoped that Indiana’s community foundations could enhance the quality of life in their communities by convening conversations among people of diverse ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, occupations, races and cultural traditions about their communities’ most compelling needs and opportunities as well as the best ways to address them.
About Lilly Endowment
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly, Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. Although the gifts of stock remain a financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion. The Endowment funds programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion, and maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.
About Unity Foundation of La Porte County
Since 1992, Unity Foundation of La Porte County has served donors, nonprofits and local communities. As La Porte County’s community foundation, it manages $50 million in assets, administers more than 350 charitable funds, and has distributed nearly $29 million through direct grants and scholarships. Unity Foundation’s mission is to strengthen La Porte County now and forever by building permanent endowments; providing leadership; offering philanthropic vehicles for everyone; and being a catalyst for social and economic vitality. For more information, please visit uflc.net or call 219-879-0327.
Unity Foundation of LaPorte County, The
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Maggi Spartz President
- February 13, 2025
- (219) 879-0327
- Send Email
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Phone: 219-324-8584
Address: 605 Michigan Avenue
La Porte IN, 46350
