Forty-five community organizations from Goshen and the surrounding area were selected through IU Health Goshen’s Community Benefit Fund Grant Program to receive a total of $300,600 for 2015. In addition, the committee awarded $1.2 million to Maple City Health Care Center for their expansion project from the Community Benefit Fund Grant Program. The organizations were recognized for the success of their programs and received their awards at the April 22 reception in the Arbor Conference Center at IU Health Goshen Hospital.

For 17 years, the Community Benefit Fund Grant Program at IU Health Goshen has been committed to re-investing in the local community. The health system supports area nonprofit agencies that share its mission, vision and values through the Community Benefit Fund every year. The program is an effort to further the impact these organizations can make and increase the number of beneficial programs available to the community.

“The work of community organizations is essential to extending our mission of meeting community health needs,” stated Randy Christophel, president and CEO, IU Health Goshen. “On behalf of the IU Health Goshen Board of Directors, we are fortunate to share our financial success with those who are on the front lines of serving our community.”

Since its inception in 1998, the Community Benefit Fund has given almost $4 million in grant money. Each year the IU Health Goshen Board of Directors tithes a percentage of the previous year’s operating income specifically for the Community Benefit Fund grants. This investment is in addition to charity care, as well as prevention and education activities supported through the IU Health Goshen operating budget.

The application process for grants begins in the fall each year, with the announcement of grant recipients in the spring. Each organization is required to document the positive outcomes that result from their programming.

Programs that seek to meet the needs of the community and are consistent with the mission of IU Health Goshen are encouraged to apply for grants through the IU Health Goshen Community Benefit Fund.

Community Benefit Fund 2015 Grant Recipients:

• ACC Food Bank Milford
• ADEC, Inc.
• American Red Cross of Elkhart County
• Bashor Children’s Home
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Elkhart County, Inc.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Elkhart County, Inc.
• Bristol Community Food Pantry, Inc.
• CARE Foundation, Inc.
• Center for Healing and Hope, Inc
• Child And Parent Services (CAPS)
• Church Community Services, Inc.
• Community Dental Clinic, Inc.
• Council on Aging of Elkhart County, Inc.
• East Goshen Mennonite Church Food Pantry
• Elkhart County Clubhouse, Inc.
• Elkhart County Health Department-Healthy Beginnings
• Elkhart County Suicide Prevention Coalition
• Emerge Ministries
• Family Christian Development Center, Inc.
• First Mennonite Church of Middlebury-Middlebury Community Food Pantry
• Goshen Community School Corporation
• Goshen Day Care Board, Inc.
• Goshen Farmers Market-Community Sustainability Project
• Goshen High School Child Care
• Harvest Basket-Christ Commissary Inc.
• Horizon Educational Alliance
• LaCasa
• LaGrange County Council on Aging, Inc.
• LoveWay, Inc
• Maple City Health Care Center, Inc.
• MCC Foreign Relief
• MDC Goldenrod
• Northern Indiana Hispanic Health Coalition
• Oaklawn Psychiatric Center
• Parkside Elementary School
• Pathways Retreat, Inc.
• REAL Services, Inc.
• Ryan’s Place Inc.
• Shepherd’s Cove Food Pantry-Calvary Assembly of God
• SPA, Inc.
• The Window, Inc.
• United Cancer Services of Elkhart County, Inc.
• United Health Services of St. Joseph County, Inc.
• West Goshen Elementary
• Wheelchair Help.org, Inc.

Source: IU Health Goshen; Inside INdiana Business