Northern Indiana Community Foundation receives national recognition

The Northern Indiana Community Foundation recently received accreditation with the nation’s highest standard for philanthropic excellence. Community Foundations National Standards® establish legal, ethical, effective practices for community foundations everywhere.

“Meeting the National Standards benchmarks is a rigorous, comprehensive process,” said Susie Nelson, board chair of National Standards. “This accreditation is a significant accomplishment that indicates the Northern Indiana Community Foundation demonstrates a commitment to transparency, quality, integrity and accountability as it carries out its mission.”

The Community Foundations National Standards® program requires community foundations to document their policies for donor services, investments, grantmaking and administration. The program is designed to provide quality assurance to donors, as well as to their legal and financial advisors.

“I’m incredibly grateful to NICF Director of Operations Jessica Mikel for working with the staff to ensure that we are in compliance with National Standards. This accreditation shows our donors, fund founders, and grantees that we are monitoring and updating procedures as needed, investing funds wisely, and enacting effective security policies,” said Starke County Director of Development, Jacque Ryan. “In addition, we are honoring charitable wishes to help support vital community programs, projects, and organizations.”

The Northern Indiana Community Foundation works to meet critical community needs through supporting local organizations like the Starke County Youth Club, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church Food Pantry, Toyz for Kidz, and many more.

The Foundation offers a range of charitable funds, allowing donors to advance a cause, support an individual organization, provide flexible support for community needs or recommend individual grants. In addition to affirming the organization’s philanthropic services, the accreditation validates the Foundation’s grantmaking practices for the nonprofit community.

“Grant making is one of the most powerful ways we can invest in our community’s future,” said Corinne Becknell Lucas, incoming NICF Executive Director. “By providing funding to local nonprofits and initiatives, we help strengthen vital programs, empower leaders, and create lasting change. Every grant represents an opportunity to address pressing needs, foster innovation, and build a more vibrant and resilient community for generations to come.”

Community Foundations National Standards® is the first program of its kind for charitable foundations in the United States.