YMCA, photo by Marcus Snowden
During difficult economic times, demand for social services increases exponentially. You’d think that would mean that applications for grants that benefit social service programs would go through the roof as well. But in the spring of 2009, the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County did not receive as many applications for its Special Project challenge grants as staff members had anticipated.  Read more...

If you're a member of what anchorman Tom Brokaw calls the "Greatest Generation," you know something about weathering hard times. You know the value of work, perserverance, and planning and you want to pass those values onto your grandchildren. In uncertain economic times, Gift Annuities can be extremely attractive investment options. A Gift Annuity provides you with regular income and reduced taxes during your lifetime, and the assets that remain after your death will continue to benefit your community forever.

How does it work? Click here to read more about how Gift Annuities work!

For those living in the depths of poverty, education can provide a ladder out. But it’s not easy to attain, given the ever-rising costs of college tuition. African Americans face an especially daunting challenge, since one in four of all African Americans live in poverty. Even more concerning, one in three African-American children are raised in poverty.  Read more...

Jim Keenan, Bobby Williams, Ann Manion and Rose Meissner The Community Foundation of St. Joseph County has named the Women’s Care Center, under the leadership of President and CEO Ann Manion, the winner of its 2010 Leighton Award for Nonprofit Excellence.   Read more...

George Rickey, Annular Eclipse V, 2000; stainless steel
Get ready for Innovation: This year, South Bend will celebrate the life and work of internationally renowned artist George Rickey in a collaboration unlike anything the city has ever seen. A native of South Bend, Rickey was the son of a mechanical engineer who worked for Singer Sewing Machine. 
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