Indiana's charitable foundations devoted 47 percent of their grant making to education, a figure more than twice the national average. The data was compiled by the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University for 2005, the latest year for which data are available. Grants from 1,279 Indiana independent, community, and corporate foundations totaled $964.9 million in 2005. Just over one-third of those foundations (35 percent) are in Central Indiana, with the second largest number (19 percent) in Northwest Indiana.

Although the largest number of charitable foundations are located in Central Indiana, these foundations gave 44 percent of the number of grants and 79 percent of grant dollars.

Charitable giving was broken down into sectors for 2005, and compared with national figures. For example, 8.5 percent of all Indiana grant dollars went to Arts and Culture compared with 12 percent of national grant dollars. One of the biggest disparities was seen in the nonprofit health sector, with just over 6 percent of grant dollars in Indiana going to health agencies compared with 23 percent of national grant dollars.

Another sector in which Indiana lagged behind the national average was in giving to organizations involved with the environment and animals (Indiana: 1.4 percent; National: 6 percent). In addition to Indiana giving a higher amount of charitable dollars to education, religious organizations in the state received a larger percentage than those throughout the country. Nearly eight percent of all charitable dollars in Indiana went to religion, while the national figure shows only two percent.

Three local organizations that offer grants include the Valparaiso Rotary, Kankakee Valley REMC and Porter County Master Gardeners. All three awarded grants to Taltree Arboretum & Gardens, located in Valparaiso. The Valparaiso Rotary awarded $5,000 to build Window on the Wetlands, a building that will enable visitors to view life in the Savanna Wetland. The Kankakee Valley REMC granted Taltree $4,000 for the purchase of educational signage for gardens and collections, and the Porter County Master Gardeners awarded $500 for the purchase of a new laptop computer for education programs.

Digging Decorations in Duneland

The Duneland Business Initiative Group has announced its first annual community decorating contest for the Chesterton/Duneland area. Residents are asked to submit their home for consideration to the group via email www.DuneBIG@gmail.com or phone (219) 926-9900. Yards and homes are to be decorated and lit for passers by to view from Dec. 15 n 30. A list of homes will be published so the community can enjoy them and vote for their favorite. Winners will be announced Jan. 2, 2009. DBIG is comprised of business owners, town council members, Chamber, tourism, and community members whose goal is to better the Duneland area. For more information go to www.DuneBIG.com or contact Machelle Blount of NW Indiana Realty at (219) 926-9900.

The opinions expressed solely are those of the writer. Jean Starr can be reached at jeanstarr@verizon.net.