Health Foundation of La Porte Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $10.3 million
• Total Assets: $191.7 million (2024)
• Decision Time: 2 weeks (mini grants) to quarterly (small grants) to 5 months (medium grants)
• Grant Range: Up to $100,000+ (Large grants available)
• Geographic Focus: La Porte County, Indiana

Contact Details

Website: https://www.hflaporte.org
Phone: (219) 326-2471
Email: contact@hflaporte.org
Address: 140 E Shore Pkwy, La Porte, IN 46350-2395

Grant Portal: All applications must be submitted through HFL's online grant portal on their website

Overview

The Health Foundation of La Porte (HFL) is a private, independent health foundation established in 2016 from the proceeds of the IU Health La Porte Hospital sale, with operations beginning in March 2017 under founding CEO Maria Fruth. With total assets of $191.7 million and annual charitable disbursements of $10.3 million (2024), HFL has invested more than $50 million in La Porte County since its inception. The foundation's mission is to empower La Porte County residents to live healthy and well, with an ambitious goal of becoming one of Indiana's top 10 healthiest communities by 2030. Under new leadership from President & CEO Eric DeWald (appointed April 2024), HFL continues to advance its key priorities through strategic grantmaking, convening partners, and building capacity of local nonprofit organizations. The foundation changed its name from "Healthcare Foundation" to "Health Foundation" in 2023 to better reflect the breadth of its mission beyond traditional healthcare.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Healthy Community Fund - Four tiers of funding available:

• Mini Grants: Up to $5,000 (rolling basis February 1 - October 31, decisions within 2 weeks, streamlined application)
• Small Grants: $5,001 - $25,000 (rolling basis February 1 - October 31, quarterly decisions, supports health, wellness, and capacity building)
• Medium Grants: $25,001 - $100,000 (LOI due January 31, full application due March 20, funding decisions June 12, grant terms begin July 1 or later)
• Large Grants: $100,000+ annually (RFP expected spring cycle, 3-year terms available)

Special Initiative: AED Grants - Applications accepted beginning February 14 annually for automated external defibrillator equipment (limited availability for 501(c)(3)s and government entities)

Priority Areas

HFL's strategic priorities (formerly called Healthy Children, Healthy Living, and Healthy Minds) now focus on:

1. Attainable Housing - Addressing homelessness and housing security
2. Healthy Eating Active Living - Access to nutritious foods, physical activity, and wellness infrastructure
3. Mental Health and Substance Use - Positive mental health and access to support and treatment

Healthy La Porte Grants - Fund community health and wellness needs that fall outside strategic priorities but demonstrate connection to HFL's mission and vision (up to $25,000)

Capacity Building - Strengthens the capacity of local nonprofit organizations

What They Don't Fund

• Annual fundraising appeals and special events
• Organizations that discriminate based on religion, race, gender, citizenship, sexual orientation, age, or disability
• Endowments and individual requests
• Homeowner associations
• Lobbying or political activities

Note: Faith-based organizations are eligible if programs serve all populations regardless of religious affiliation.

Governance and Leadership

Leadership Team

Eric DeWald - President & Chief Executive Officer (joined April 16, 2024)

• Extensive experience leading health legacy foundations, including President/Secretary of HealthPath Foundation of Ohio and Public Health Fund of Ohio
• Founded and led Central Susquehanna Community Foundation for 16 years
• Education: BA from Eastern University, MPA from Penn State University
• On joining HFL: "I look forward to working with the foundation's staff, board, and partners—both current and future—as together we do all we can to ensure a thriving La Porte County for all its residents."
• On listening to stakeholders: "I spent months speaking with staff, board members, grantee partners and community leaders. I listened to what they thought of the foundation, what we were doing right, and where we could improve."

Maria Fruth - Founding President & CEO (2017-2024, retired)

• Led the foundation from its inception through its first seven years of operations

Board of Directors (11 members)

• Scott Siefker - Chair
• Michele Magnuson - Vice Chair
• Dale Parkison - Treasurer
• Linda Satkoski - Secretary
• Fr. Nate Edquist - Board Member
• Helena Hamilton - Board Member
• Tricia Luck - Board Member
• Stephanie Oberlie - Board Member (President, Harbour Trust Company; led CEO search committee)
• Lou Voelker - Board Member
• Dr. Gary Wheeland - Board Member

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

All grant applications must be submitted through HFL's online grant portal at https://www.hflaporte.org. Applications sent by any other means will not be considered.

Letter of Inquiry (LOI) Required: Grants over $25,000 require a Letter of Inquiry as the first step. Only applicants who receive a favorable response to their LOI will be invited to submit a full proposal.

Budget Forms: All grant applications must use HFL's budget forms (sample forms available on their website).

Eligibility: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and governmental entities that provide services and/or programs benefiting residents of La Porte County.

Decision Timeline

• Mini Grants (up to $5,000): Decisions within 2 weeks of submission
• Small Grants ($5,001-$25,000): Quarterly decisions announced
• Medium Grants ($25,001-$100,000):
  • LOI portal opens: January 9
  • LOI deadline: January 31
  • Full application due: March 20
  • Funding decision: June 12
  • Grant term begins: July 1 or later

Success Rates

HFL awarded 48 grants totaling $2,967,391 in 2024 Cycle 1 and 42 grants totaling $2,991,188 in 2024 Cycle 2. Specific success rate data (percentage of applications approved vs. declined) is not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Yes, organizations with prior HFL funding may reapply. There are no restrictions on the number of grant applications an organization can submit in a year.

Timing for Current Grantees: Organizations should submit new applications:

• Mini grants: 4 to 8 weeks prior to current grant term end date
• Small grants: 3 months prior to current grant term end date

Application Success Factors

Data-Driven Proposals: HFL emphasizes using up-to-date data. They provide pro-tips including "how to build a custom dashboard with the most up-to-date data, dashboards, promising practices, and local resource library" on their website.

Measurable Results: Successful proposals should "demonstrate a commitment to measurable results."

Collaboration: When appropriate, proposals that "encourage collaboration between community organizations" are valued.

Alignment with Strategic Priorities: Proposals should clearly demonstrate how they contribute to impact in one of HFL's strategic priorities (Attainable Housing, Healthy Eating Active Living, Mental Health and Substance Use) or respond to an identified community need to improve health and wellness.

Recent Funded Examples:

• The Salvation Army of La Porte: $170,000 (2-year) for Weekend Backpack Program addressing student food insecurity
• Homeward Bound: $230,000 (1-year) for Karwick Village affordable housing project
• La Porte Community School Corporation: $755,911 (1-year) for playground space improvements across three elementary schools
• La Porte Fire Department: $500,000 (1-year) for Community First Responder Initiative
• Northwest Health La Porte: $110,470 (2-year) for Lil' FISH Club youth wellness program
• La Porte County Symphony Orchestra: $30,000 (2-year) for Drayton Family Children's Education Concerts

Get Help: Contact HFL at (219) 326-2471 or contact@hflaporte.org for assistance with portal access, application guidance, or to discuss project concepts before applying.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Match to strategic priorities: While Healthy La Porte grants fund projects outside the main priorities, grants over $25,000 must address one of the three strategic priorities (Attainable Housing, Healthy Eating Active Living, or Mental Health and Substance Use)
• Use the right application tier: Don't over-complicate smaller projects—mini grants offer quick turnaround (2 weeks) for projects up to $5,000
• Geographic specificity matters: All programs must benefit La Porte County residents
• Demonstrate measurable impact: Build evaluation and data collection into your proposal from the start
• Consider collaboration: Multi-organization partnerships are valued when appropriate to the project
• Apply early and often: No limits on number of applications per year, rolling basis for smaller grants provides flexibility
• Foundation is well-resourced: With $191.7 million in assets and $10.3 million in annual giving, this is a substantial local funder with capacity for significant investments

References

1. Health Foundation of La Porte Official Website. "Home | Health Foundation of La Porte." https://www.hflaporte.org/ (Accessed December 2024)

2. Health Foundation of La Porte. "HFL Grants." https://www.hflaporte.org/grants/ (Accessed December 2024)

3. Health Foundation of La Porte. "Grant Opportunities." https://www.hflaporte.org/grant-opportunities (Accessed December 2024)

4. Health Foundation of La Porte. "FAQs/Tutorials." https://www.hflaporte.org/grants-faqs (Accessed December 2024)

5. Health Foundation of La Porte. "Eric DeWald." https://www.hflaporte.org/about/team/eric-dewald/ (Accessed December 2024)

6. Health Foundation of La Porte. "Board of Directors." https://www.hflaporte.org/about/board-of-directors/ (Accessed December 2024)

7. Health Foundation of La Porte. "Full List: 2024 Cycle 1 Grants Awarded." https://www.hflaporte.org/post/full-list-2024-cycle-1-grants-awarded/ (Accessed December 2024)

8. Health Foundation of La Porte. "Full List of 2024 Cycle 2 Grants Awarded." https://www.hflaporte.org/post/full-list-of-2024-cycle-2-grants-awarded/ (Accessed December 2024)

9. Health Foundation of La Porte. "Part 2: The Health Foundation of La Porte Story (2017-Today)." https://www.hflaporte.org/post/part-2-the-health-foundation-of-la-porte-story-2017-today/ (Accessed December 2024)

10. Health Foundation of La Porte. "New HFL CEO Named: Welcome Eric DeWald." https://www.hflaporte.org/post/eric-dewald-named-as-new-hfl-ceo/ (Accessed December 2024)

11. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. "Healthcare Foundation Of La Porte Inc." https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/810882387 (Accessed December 2024)

12. Indiana Philanthropy Alliance. "Health Foundation of La Porte Grants Surpass $50M Invested in La Porte County." https://inphilanthropy.org/news/health-foundation-la-porte-grants-surpass-50m-invested-la-porte-county (Accessed December 2024)

13. NWI Times. "Healthcare Foundation of LaPorte announces new grant cycle." https://nwitimes.com/news/local/healthcare-foundation-of-laporte-announces-new-grant-cycle/article_1bcf3bd2-fb26-11ed-a534-17dfa00a43d6.html (Accessed December 2024)

14. Northwest Indiana Business Magazine. "Health Foundation of La Porte." https://nwindianabusiness.com/article/health-foundation-of-la-porte-2025-04/ (Accessed December 2024)