Starke County Community Foundation and United Way of Porter County have partnered to expand United Way Network services to Starke County.
The partnership is to provide local nonprofits access to more services and grant funding support, such as capacity building programs, community investment grants and volunteer recruitment programs.
“At the end of 2021, United Funds, like ours, are no longer eligible for Indiana United Ways membership, we worked with the Association to find a solution that would ensure the community wouldn’t miss out on future funding and support,” said Jacque Ryan, Starke County Community Foundation Director of Development. “A valuable connection was made with United Way of Porter County and they agreed to administer the Starke United Fund so that the county could continue to benefit from United Way services.”
Over the last nine years, the community foundation has distributed more than $332,000 to Starke County nonprofits through the Starke United Fund. The fund will continue as part of United Way of Porter County’s grant services and Starke County representation will serve as part of the grants committee to ensure that local needs are top priority.
“We have been helping Northwest Indiana residents for more than 60 years,” said Kim Olesker, President and CEO of United Way of Porter County. “Overtime our services have expanded to support more and more residents throughout the Region. Incorporating Starke County was a natural next step for us. We look forward to serving the Starke County community.”
Regionally, United Way of Porter County provides volunteer, education and disaster relief services to nonprofits and residents in Lake, LaPorte, Porter, Marshall and Starke Counties. These programs are Northwest Indiana Volunteer Center, AmeriCorps, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, United Way Reading Buddies and Community Organizations Active in Disaster Coalition.
To learn more about United Way resources available throughout Northwest Indiana, visit unitedwaynwi.org.