Please Note: For the September 2026 grant cycle, the Crown Point Community Foundation will be accepting applications on our online grant platform cpcfgrants.communityforce.com. Only one grant application per organization or agency will be eligible within a 12-month period.
Review the Grant Guidelines
Crown Point Community Foundation and Legacy Foundation are accepting applications for Lake County disaster emergency relief grants up to $75,000.
Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis to allow the Foundations to respond quickly to emerging community needs caused by the storms that took place on Tuesday, August 11, 2026. The application will remain open as long as funding is available.
Eligibility:
• Applicants must be an eligible nonprofit or public entity.
• Proposed activities must directly relate to disaster relief, response, or recovery from the storms that took place on Tuesday, August 11, 2026 in Lake County, Indiana.
• Funds must benefit individuals and communities impacted by the storms.
• Requested expenses must be reasonable and appropriate for disaster relief.
• The request must not knowingly duplicate assistance available through insurance, FEMA, another funder, or another disaster relief program.
Staff may contact the applicant for clarification or additional documentation when necessary.
Grant Review:
Applications will be reviewed based on:
• Urgency of need: How quickly are the funds needed to address an immediate or emerging need?
• Direct community benefit: To what extent will the request directly benefit/assist storm-affected residents or support greater community recovery?
• Gap in available resources: Does the request address a need that is not adequately covered by insurance, government assistance, or other resources?
• Reasonableness of request: Is the amount requested appropriate in relation to the proposed activities and anticipated impact?
• Organizational capacity: Does the applicant have the ability to quickly and effectively deploy the funds?
Applications will not be competitively scored against one another. Each request will be considered on its own merits and in the context of available funding and identified community needs.
Funding will be focused on supporting:
• Immediate Safety and Access Needs
These are urgent needs that affect a household’s ability to remain safe, access the home, or connect to basic emergency support. Examples include trees blocking driveways or entrances, downed limbs creating hazards, storm debris limiting access, lack of transportation to recovery resources, or residents needing help navigating available supports.
• Housing Stabilization Needs
These are needs related to keeping a damaged home safe, dry, and livable. Examples include roof tarping or repair, tree removal from homes, water intrusion in living areas, mold prevention or remediation, foundation concerns, temporary relocation while repairs are completed, and support for households facing gaps between insurance, FEMA, or other charitable assistance.
• Essential Household and Basic Needs
These include food, water, household supplies, prescriptions, medical needs, utility-related needs, and other supports necessary for daily stability while recovery continues.
• Navigation, Documentation, and Benefits Access
Many impacted residents will need help understanding and accessing available assistance. This includes support with paperwork, insurance documentation, FEMA or state relief processes if applicable, municipal programs, nonprofit assistance, and referrals.
• Coordination and Unmet Needs Identification
This includes the behind-the-scenes work of aligning partners, reducing duplication, identifying service gaps, tracking emerging needs, sharing data responsibly, and adapting funding as new needs become clear.
Each year, grants are awarded in three grant cycles. Grant applications will need to be submitted online by February 1, June 1, or September 1.
The Grant Committee reviews the applications and the Board approves the recommendations of the Grant Committee. Applicants will be notified of Grant Committee decisions by the end of the month's cycle. Grantseekers can contact the Foundation for more information.
