Love Where You Live

Love Where You Live is sponsored by Legacy Foundation. This initiative is a $5 million investment designed to strengthen communities across Lake County, Indiana.

Apply for a Grant | Legacy Foundation PRESS : Join Us At An Upcoming Event! As one of Indiana’s largest community foundations, Legacy Foundation works for Lake County in multiple ways, playing multiple roles. For donors, the Foundation offers an effective way to manage giving by providing expert philanthropic advice rooted in a deep knowledge of our community and an array of philanthropic vehicles and services.

For the community, the Foundation serves as a grant-maker, a civic leader, and awards grants to the region’s non-profits to help meet community needs, fulfill donors’ philanthropic wishes, and strengthen the nonprofit sector. Using local knowledge, networks, influence, and creativity, the Foundation brings people together to improve the community’s quality of life now and in the future.

We look forward to partnering with organizations and communities across Lake County in the year ahead and sharing your needs with Legacy Foundation donors. Love Where You Live is a $5 million investment by Legacy Foundation designed to strengthen communities across Lake County. The initiative supports projects that enhance shared spaces and community‑driven efforts that help residents connect, gather, and engage.

Love Where You Live is focused on projects shaped by local voices and responsive to community needs. Love Where You Live Grant Request for Projects Frequently Asked Questions Virtual Grant Overview Webinar: Love Where You Live Overview PPT Public Spaces Grant- $4 Million Legacy Foundation will invest $4,000,000 in projects that create, improve, and activate public spaces across Lake County.

The program is intended to support implementation-ready projects led by nonprofits, local governments, public agencies, and eligible partnerships that strengthen quality of life. Through this program, Legacy Foundation aims to support catalytic placemaking investments that transform shared spaces into vibrant community assets that reflect the voices, identity, and aspirations of Lake County residents.

The Public Spaces and Placemaking grant aims to: Increase equitable access to high-quality public spaces Empower communities to shape and activate the places they gather Support creative placemaking activities that integrate arts, culture, and design Enhance community connection and civic life Transform vacant or underutilized areas into vibrant community assets Projects should create spaces that invite people to gather, interact, and experience community life together.

Proposal due June 7, 2026 Community Projects — $1 Million border: 1px solid #e6e6e6; background-color: #f5f5f5; An additional $1 million will be distributed through grant opportunities to support community programs and projects that meet immediate and ongoing needs in Lake County.

These funds will be awarded through Legacy Foundation’s regular grant cycles and are intended to strengthen organizations and initiatives serving local residents. Community Projects funding supports efforts that contribute to strong, connected, and thriving communities.

Grant Program Purpose Application Opens Application Due Notification (Grant Range: $250-$2,000) Apply To offer opportunities for residents of Lake County to engage and participate in events that will increase community involvement and education. Rolling application Rolling application deadline Approximately 6 weeks from application date.

(Grant Range: $2,000-$35,000) Apply Transform Lake County Grants will continue to support our communities with a sharpened focus on the most pressing challenges our community is facing today: systemic racism and racial injustice and the underinvestment and lack of infrastructure in under-resourced and marginalized communities across Lake County.

March 1 (Grant Range: Up to $100,000) Schedule a Pre-grant meeting To support programs and activities serving the residents of Gary, Indiana. Rolling application: Submit Letter of Interest Rolling application deadline Nonprofit Teambuilding Grant Grant Range: $500-$2,000) To support an activity that promotes the well-being and renewal of nonprofit staff and core volunteers.

Application currently closed OPEN NOW: Lake County Resilience Grant Legacy Foundation is committing up to $600,000 of additional funding over the next two years to support nonprofit organizations impacted by recent federal and state funding reductions and contract terminations.

This funding initiative is part of the Foundation’s broader strategy to ensure stability and continuity for nonprofit partners and the communities they serve throughout Lake County, Indiana. This grant program is designed to support both the programmatic and operational needs of organizations that have experienced documented financial loss due to changes in federal or state funding, contracts, or policies.

Applications will be evaluated based on community impact, financial need, and sustainability of the organization. Organizations may request funding up to 25% of their documented financial loss. Up to $40,000 may be awarded per organization in a rolling 12-month period.

Organizations may apply multiple times during the 12-month rolling period. sustain essential services that were directly impacted by federal or state funding reductions or contract terminations; address urgent operational needs that were part of the funding reductions; and strengthen organizational capacity in response to funding disruptions through planning activities, consulting, legal, or other supporting services.

Funds cannot be used to support capital projects. Organizations that have received other Legacy Foundation grants, such as Transform Lake County, are eligible to apply. Applications open: February 1st, 2026 Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until funds are fully expended.

Up to $300,000 will be available beginning February 1 , until all funds are awarded. Applications will be reviewed monthly. Organizations will be notified within 30 days following the month the application is submitted.

For example, if the application is submitted on the 15 th of the month, the organization will receive notification by the 30 th of the following month. Eligibility Requirements: Must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving Lake County, Indiana residents. Governmental agencies, schools, and educational institutions are not eligible to apply.

Must demonstrate a documented financial loss directly resulting from federal or state cuts or contract terminations. Priority will be given to organizations that demonstrate a healthy balance sheet prior to cuts, without significant surplus or debt.

Applicants must submit supporting evidence of financial loss, including one or more of the following: Copies of canceled contracts or termination notices Documentation of cuts from government agencies Financial statements reflecting pre- and post-loss operating budgets Apply for the Lake County Resilience Grant Legacy Foundation Partners with GrantStation to Offer Nonprofit Organizations Serving Lake County, Indiana Discounted Membership!

Legacy Foundation has partnered with GrantStation to offer 501(c)3 organizations serving Lake County, Indiana a discounted one-year membership to GrantStation. The Legacy Foundation partnership rate of a one-year GrantStation membership is $139. This price is the lowest available for a GrantStation membership, with a $560 savings off a traditional membership!

Through Legacy Foundation’s partnership rate, your organization can receive a GrantStation membership for only $0. 38 a day! With GrantStation, your organization can get the tools and information you need to secure future funding!

Curated Funders | Private, government, U.S., Canadian, and international grants. Time-Saving Tools | Organize and manage your grant-seeking process. Educational Resources | Step-by-step guides and webinars.

A GrantStation membership is not required to receive a Legacy Foundation grant. Purchase Your GrantStation Membership Today!

Grant Application Resources Grant Application Overview YouTube Playlist National Council of Nonprofits Why Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Matter for Nonprofits Nonprofits, you are the Champions for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the Nonprofit Sector Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity Policy Template Resource Library (webinars and toolkits) Racial Equity Resource Library Alliance for Strong Families and Communities Sample Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Plans Michigan Nonprofit Association Diversity & Inclusion Toolkit American Public Health Association Equity, Diversity, Inclusion: Action Toolkit for Organizations We’re here to help.

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