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Lagrange County Community Foundation Inc

EIN 35-1834679 · Lagrange, IN

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE LAGRANGE COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION IS TO INSPIRE AND SUSTAIN GENEROSITY, LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE. WE CONNECT DONORS TO CHARITABLE CAUSES, AWARD GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS, AND SUPPORT COMMUNITY INITIATIVES TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN LAGRANGE COUNTY.

Income
$3.3 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
99.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 50%
Employees
5
Volunteers
75
Highest pay
$98,299, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 99.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 60% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 56% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $664,701 spent. GRANTMAKING: THE LAGRANGE COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION'S UNRESTRICTED ENDOWMENT FUNDS AND FIELD OF INTEREST FUNDS RESPOND TO CHANGING NEEDS IN LAGRANGE COUNTY. THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION DIRECTS GRANTS TO CHARITABLE PROJECTS THAT IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN LAGRANGE COUNTY IN ARTS AND CULTURE, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, EDUCATION, ENVIRONMENT AND RECREATION. THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION'S GRANTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE REVIEWS APPLICATIONS AND MAKES FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ALSO AWARDS GRANTS TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AS DIRECTED BY FUNDS ESTABLISHED BY COMMUNITY DONORS. (CONTINUED ON SCH O)
  2. $280,957 spent. SCHOLARSHIPS: TOGETHER WITH LOCAL PHILANTHROPISTS, THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OFFERS SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS PURSUING POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION. SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS ARE SELECTED THROUGH A COMPETITIVE APPLICATION PROCESS. THE SCHOLARSHIP ADVISORY COMMITTEE REVIEWS AND SCORES APPLICATIONS PER THE DONOR-ESTABLISHED CRITERIA. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS FINAL APPROVAL ON ALL SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS.
  3. LAGRANGE COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION MANAGES THE COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANTS PROGRAM, A COMPETITIVE GRANT AWARD OPPORTUNITY WHICH PROVIDES FUNDING TO 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATIONS SERVING LAGRANGE COUNTY. ELIGIBLE ORGANIZATIONS ALSO INCLUDE GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS, SUCH AS PARKS, SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES. GRANTS CAN BE USED FOR PROJECT EXPENSES, CAPITAL EXPENDITURES, CAPACITY BUILDING NEEDS, EQUIPMENT, PROGRAM EXPENSES AND OPERATIONAL EXPENSES. THE GRANTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE REVIEWS APPLICATIONS AND MAKES RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. FINAL DECISIONS ARE MADE BY THE BOARD. THE BOARD ALSO REVIEWS COMMUNITY NEEDS AND ISSUES; THEY MAY AWARD A GRANT PROACTIVELY WITHOUT A RECOMMENDATION BY THE GRANTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE. COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANT RECIPIENTS MUST SIGN A GRANT AGREEMENT AND SUBMIT A FINAL GRANT REPORT AT THE PROJECT'S END. IF THE GRANTEE WANTS TO USE FUNDS DIFFERENTLY THAN PRESENTED IN THE GRANT AGREEMENT, THEY MUST REQUEST A MODIFICATION. IF THE GRANT IS USED DIFFERENTLY THAN ITS INTENDED USE, THE FOUNDATION HAS THE POWER TO REQUEST A FULL REFUND OF THE GRANT.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since December 1991.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.