April 1, 2025
SOUTH LAKE COUNTY – The Crown Point Community Foundation (CPCF) is proud to announce the distribution of $166,101.43 in grants through its February 2025 Grant Cycle. A total of 32 grants were awarded to support meaningful projects and programs that will enhance the quality of life for residents throughout South Lake County (Crown Point, Cedar Lake, Lowell [Tri-Creek Townships], and Winfield). These grants will fund a wide variety of initiatives, from equipping the Cedar Lake Police Department with essential gear to supporting the Community Help Network’s efforts to provide weekend supplemental nutrition for public school students in need.
Included in the funding of the February Cycle, the CPCF awarded a $500 grant to the City of Crown Point for the 2025 Youth Community Achievement Award and five $1,000 grants to Lake County Right to Life, Lakeshore Public Media, Meals on Wheels NWI, National Scleroderma Foundation-Lower Great Lakes, and TradeWinds through a random drawing at the 2025 Volunteer Fair.
Community grants are made possible by donors who create Unrestricted Endowment Funds to support South Lake County causes and entrust the CPCF to allocate those funds to a broad range of community projects and needs.
Below are the recipients of the February Grant Cycle:
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana – $7,500.00
The Cedar Lake Boys & Girls Club is looking to enhance engagement by purchasing new games, carpeting, and furniture to improve activities, sustain engagement, and grow long-term impact.
Cedar Lake Police Department – $4,302.15
Funding to purchase needed equipment to improve the response to Life Saving Incidents (Choking / Active Shooter).
Challenger Learning Center of Northwest Indiana – $1,500.00
The Storybook STEM Adventures bring literacy & STEAM together, where K-3 students explore “The Way Back Home” by Oliver Jeffers, followed by hands-on activities that connect art and science to inspire young minds to COLOR, CONNECT, CREATE.
Chasing Dreams – up to $3,500.00 ($1 for $1 Match)
The Chasing Dreams Summer Camp is designed to provide educational life experiences to individuals with various disabilities (5 years and older) transition into life as independent, productive members of the community.
Chicagoland Immigrant Welcome Network – $2,000.00
The Chicagoland Immigrant Welcome Network will facilitate community workshops that provide awareness of immigrant rights and offer opportunities to sign up for limited exploratory consultations.
Community Help Network – $15,000.00
The Buddy Bag Program provides weekend supplemental nutrition for public school students in South Lake County that qualify for the Federal Free Lunch Program, and the Household Pantry provides necessary items for low income families.
Crossroads YMCA – $3,500.00
Funding to support the 5K/2K Hub Run, which raises funds for the YMCA Financial Assistance Program.
Crown Point Community School Corporation – $22,500.00
Funding to offset the cost of College Board Advanced Placement Tests for students with financial challenges ($4,500.00) and funding to purchase a laser cutter and engraver for the CPHS Engineering / Robotics Programs ($18,000.00).
Crown Point Police Department – up to $10,812.50 ($1 for $1 Match)
Funding to acquire rifle rated ballistic safety shields for Patrol and School Resource Officers.
Dunes Dog Training Club (Pets N Vets) – $3,000.00
Funding to support U.S. Military Veterans with PTSD and/or Traumatic Brain Injuries in training their dogs for better companions, emotional support, therapy dogs, and/or service dogs with “no cost” training in our Pets N Vets Program.
Exceptional Equestrians Unlimited – $2,000.00
Funding to further enhance the therapeutic benefits of our program by constructing an outdoor riding arena.
Franciscan Health Foundation – $7,500.00
Funding to support the 2025 Safe Kids Day in Crown Point, as well as training for the community safety programs.
Indiana Ballet Theatre Northwest – $2,000.00
Funding to educate and train teachers and dancers to ensure a greater understanding of the body and how it works in relation to movement and dance, improve technique, injury prevention and deepening the love of the art.
Kelly’s Kindness Company – $1,334.00 ($1,000.00 Unrestricted Fund + $344.00 The Manis Family Fund)
Funding to provide up to 8 free art therapy classes to teach the youth in the Crown Point area how to use art and other grounding techniques to help calm anxiety, stress, OCD characteristics, and/or fear.
MAAC Foundation – $5,000.00
The Stutzman Hall K9 Training Center will provide indoor training for all working dogs, while the First Responder Mental Health initiative is expanding into a full conference to support the well-being of those who serve our communities.
Merrillville Rotary Club Charities – $2,000.00
The mission of Clothing Our Children is to provide winter clothing for the underpriviledged and disadvantaged children in the school systems of Crown Point, Hobart, Lake Station, Merrillville, and River Forest.
Mommy’s Haven – $5,000.00
Funding to provide group therapy and therapeutic programming for residents and their children.
Northwest Indiana Cancer Kids Foundation – $15,000.00
Support for the Financial Assistance Program for families who have a child battling cancer in South Lake County.
Opportunity Enterprises – $5,000.00
Funding to support the fully inclusive and disability-accessible summer day camp.
Phil’s Friends – $4,500.00
Funding will support multiple events to assemble care packages and write cards of hope for cancer patients at the Crown Point Hope Center.
Power Paws for Kids – $1,500.00
Support for general operating expenses and miscellaneous marketing items.
Powers Health Cancer Research Foundation (Cancer Resource Center) – $1,500.00
Funding to support the National Cancer Survivors Day (NCSD) event in Crown Point, celebrating and honoring cancer patients throughout their cancer journey.
SAFE Coalition for Human Rights – $15,000.00
Funding to support women who have been sexually assaulted and sex trafficked by providing safety, life skills, and essential services.
St. Mary Catholic Church (God’s Groceries) – $10,000.00
Funding to support God’s Groceries which provides/promotes balanced nutrition for the underserved population.
The City of Crown Point – up to $3,000.00 ($1 for $1 Match)
Support to enrich the city’s downtown by displaying artwork on traffic control boxes located in/adjacent to the Courthouse Square Historic District.
Wabash Center – $3,152.78
Funding to support the Summer Camp for children and young adults with disabilities.
The Crown Point Community Foundation (CPCF) awards grants from the CPCF Unrestricted Endowment Funds three times a year. The three application cycles close on February 1st, June 1st and September 1st. Only one grant application per organization or agency will be eligible within a 12-month period. The CPCF Grant Committee reviews all applications. The Crown Point Community Foundation is accepting grant applications online. To apply for a grant, visit: cpcfgrants.communityforce.com. For more information about the CPCF, please visit the Crown Point Community Foundation’s website, www. thecpcf.org.