ELKHART COUNTY, Ind. -- The Community Foundation of Elkhart County’s board of directors announced they've approved $3.6 million grants to support nonprofit organizations serving Elkhart County.

Foundation officials say these grants aim to improve the quality of life in the county by inspiring generosity.

The foundation has awarded the grants to three priority areas, including kids and families, career pathways, and placemaking.

Kids and families:

• Bashor Children’s Home – $400,000 over two years for its Emergency Shelter capital campaign
• Cultivate Food Rescue – $300,000 over three years for operational support
• Faith Mission of Michiana – $55,000 for a backup generator
• First Light Mission – $200,000 challenge grant for operational support
• National Immigrant Justice Center – $200,000 over two years for operational support in Elkhart County
• The Window – $85,000 over two years for the Community Connections program
• Women’s Care Center – $300,000 over three years for operational support
• Six additional grants of $25,000 or less totaled $69,000

Career pathways:

• enFocus – $150,000 for innovation fellowships and internships
• ETHOS Innovation Center – $200,000 for “Hands-On STEM for All”
• Premier Arts Academy – $50,000 for “Full STEAM Ahead”
• The Crossing National – $500,000 over three years for its Center for Work-Based Learning capital campaign
• Eight additional grants of $25,000 or less totaled $71,800

Placemaking:

• Elkhart County Symphony Association – $65,000 for operational support
• Lacasa – $250,000 to sustain capacity in advancing affordable housing
• Thirty-nine additional grants of $25,000 or less totaled $312,700
• Opportunity Fund – $387,345 total

“The strength of our community is reflected in how we care for each other,” said Guy Fisher, chief program officer for the Community Foundation of Elkhart County. “These grants represent the continued generosity of donors who believe in Elkhart County and want to invest in solutions that make a lasting difference for children, families, and neighborhoods.”