2015

As a hospital sale approaches, a committee of the IU Health La Porte Hospital Council of Chairpersons and Hospital Foundation board members decides that the best interest of the citizens of La Porte is to direct the hospital sales proceeds to a newly created 501(c)3 organization, named Health care Foundation of La Porte.

December 3: HFL is incorporated as an Indiana nonprofit corporation.

2016

March 1: IU Health La Porte Hospital is sold and Healthcare Foundation of La Porte initiates operations with Maria Fruth as president and CEO. HFL’s founding Board of Directors and terms in office:

Jeff Bernel, (2016-2021) Board Chair (2016-2020)
Rory Bunce (2016-2020)
Jim Clarke (2016-2018)
Dan Kaminski (2016-2021)
Kathleen Lang (2016-2022) Board Chair (2022)
Tim Larson (2016-2018)
Jim Laughlin (2016-2021)
Hester Muller (2016-2018)
Jane Nelson, (2016-2020) Vice Chair (2016-2020)
Drumm Osborn, (2016-2021) Secretary (2016-2021)
Rich Schmitt, (2016-2021) Treasurer (2016-2021)

2016-2017

Creating the Foundation

The first two years were spent establishing HFL’s identity: creating a strategic plan, determining the mission, vision, and values that would guide HFL’s work, developing logo, website, grant platform, and conducting extensive research to identify how the foundation would operate. Community health needs were assessed, and Fruth visited private foundations in Indiana and beyond to bring back best practices and inspiration. More than forty “Get to Knows” were also conducted, face-to-face conversations with more than 120 leaders of La Porte County nonprofits, health providers, schools, and government agencies to better understand the services provided and any gaps to fill.

At the same time, the leadership was working hard to establish HFL own identity, they are equally committed to honoring the foundation’s roots. HFL continued to support what the IU Health La Porte Hospital Foundation, formed in 1978 and merged into HFL in 2016, had done previously, including scholarships, established initiatives such as Lil FISH program in schools and AEDs distributions, along with the support for local patients with cancer, and their two special events. In 2019, the Hospital Foundation’s special events – Holiday at the Pops and Tour de La Porte – were transferred to the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra and La Porte County Family YMCA. Through stewarding the proceeds of the sale of the hospital and honoring the donors’ gifts to the Hospital Foundation, HFL began working diligently toward its mission: Empowering the residents of La Porte County to live healthy and well.

The first study funded by HFL was commissioned to The IU Center for Health Policy to assess opioid abuse in La Porte County and set the stage for actions to address the needs and gaps La Porte County Opioid Study set the stage for actions to address the needs and gaps. 223 community members were surveyed, with 108 responses and 37 in-person interviews with stakeholders.

During the first Strategic Planning sessions, HFL’s strategic priorities were selected. These reflect the areas HFL aims to impact through its grantmaking, strategic and thought leadership, and capacity building efforts.

HEALTHY CHILDREN: Children in La Porte County are healthy, well, and safe.
HEALTHY LIVING: La Porte County residents are healthy and well, can access nutritious foods, and enjoy active living.
HEALTHY MINDS: La Porte County residents experience positive mental health and can access support and treatment for mental health conditions, including substance use disorder.
HEALTHY LA PORTE: Expand successful programs, test new and promising initiatives, and collaborate to better meet health and wellness needs in La Porte County.
HEALTHY PARTNERS: Strengthen and grow the knowledge, infrastructure, management, and governance of nonprofit organizations in La Porte County to increase their impact.

2017

The Health & Wellness Asset Map was created from the “Get to Know” sessions. HFL learned how each of these organizations impacted health and wellness involving behavioral and physical health, access to medical services, strengthening organizational capacity, and social determinants of health.

In addition to visiting other foundations, Fruth and the board of directors selected the Social Determinants of Health and the County Health Rankings as guiding data on which to select indicators to track. Measuring the health of nearly every county in all 50 states, County Health Rankings, funded by the Robert Wood Foundation provides data, evidence, guidance, and examples to build awareness of the multiple factors that influence health. Ten2030 website was created as a first gift to the community – the gift of data.

2016

HFL first home

HFL moved to its first office location at 323 Pine Lake Avenue, La Porte, IN.

2017

First Grant Awards Celebration!

87 grants awarded for a grand total of $2.8M. This total was only new grants that had not been funded before.

2018

HFL announces two grant cycles per year.

2018

Partners in Prevention is launched in La Porte County Schools.

In response to the recommendation from the La Porte County Opioid Study, HFL identified the community’s need for providing adequate prevention, treatment, and long-term recovery services. In addition, research shows that implementing prevention programs in schools combats the opioid epidemic as a long-term strategy to stop substance misuse and save lives.

The initiative, totaling over $2.6 million, was spread over three years to implement an evidence-based curriculum selected by each school system, to help develop, identify, implement and sustain substance use prevention programs, impacted more than 13,000 LaPorte County students and foster positive relationships and social competencies, addressed addictive behavior, bullying and violence, all while increasing school attendance, self-esteem and more.

2018

HFL Healthy Partner’s ‘Capacity Building Initiative’ contracts with Indiana University’s Executive Education at the School of Public Health and Environmental Affairs to Offer a Nonprofit Leadership Academy Certificate and create stronger and resilient partners.

As defined by the National Council of Nonprofits, “Capacity building is whatever is needed to bring a nonprofit to the next level of operational, programmatic, financial, or organizational maturity, so it may more effectively advance its mission.” Capacity building is not a one-time effort but a continuous improvement strategy toward the creation of a sustainable organization.

2019

HFL Welcomes new Board Member: Dr. Gary Wheeland, retired physician

2019

HFL Partners for Healthier Babies Council (PHB) is created.

A collaboration between medical providers, public health agencies, nonprofit organizations, parents, and community members. The PHB Council is designed to address the social, behavioral, and health risk factors that contribute to infant mortality, preterm birth, lack of prenatal care, and low birthweight to make a positive impact on birth outcomes in La Porte County. La Porte County’s infant mortality rate is 51% higher than the national average and 42% higher than the state of Indiana. In fact, our county rate is the 5th highest in the state, according to 2016-2020 data.

2019

HFL’s Breaks Ground for a new office and Conference & Learning Center

The new structure in La Porte, IN became HFL’s new headquarters and holds a Conference & Learning Center (C & LC). The 12,814 square feet building is completely handicapped accessible, and available free of charge to nonprofits and government organizations.

2019

HFL held the Second Nonprofit Leadership Academy

18 nonprofit leaders graduated from the Nonprofit Leadership Academy.

2019

HFL Gives First Challenge Grant

HFL presented the Public Action Delivering Shelter (PADS) with a $100,000 check for meeting their fundraising goal and meeting the eligibility requirements of the brand new HFL Challenge Grant.

2020

HFL welcomes four new Board Members!

With the retirement of some founding board members, new leaders were nominated to HFL’s board of directors.

Michele Magnuson, retired President & CEO of La Porte Savings Bank
Stephanie Oberlie, President, Harbour Trust Investment Management Company
Linda Satkoski, retired CEO of IU Health Starke Hospital and COO of IU Health La Porte Hospital
Scott Siefker, President, Showmen Supplies

2020

HFL Receives Indiana Parks and Recreation Award.

2020

HFL Leads Data Coordination and awards Emergency Grant Support During Covid-19

When COVID-19 hit, HFL quickly pivoted their online data center Ten2030.org to become a comprehensive resource for the community.

2021

Kathleen Lang, new HFL Board Chair

State of Indiana Senior Judge Kathleen Lang assumes the HFL chair leadership. Kathleen has been the chair of the Grant and Program Committee since 2016.

HFL also welcomes new Board Members:

Father Nate Edquist, Pastor, Holly Family Parish
Dale Parkison, CPA & Partner, Parkison & Hinton Inc.

2021

New Home for Healthcare Foundation and a gift to the community!

HFL’s second gift to the community was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting in June 2021. The Conference & Learning Center (C&LC), part of HFL’s new home on East Shore Parkway in La Porte, offers space for nonprofits, schools, and governmental entities to meet, learn, retreat, and plan together, at no charge. Featuring flexible spaces that can accommodate up to 200 people, the C&LC offers state-of-the-art audio and visual equipment and the highest-quality amenities.

2022

HFL elected new Board Chair & welcomed two new Board Members

Scott Siefker elected as new HFL Chair.

Welcomed new board members:

Helena Hamilton, Community Volunteer
Lou Volker, partner in the Indiana law firm Eichhorn & Eichhorn, LLP

2022

HFL Introduces the Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) Initiative

Designed to empower La Porte County residents to live healthy lives by improving healthy eating habits and physical activity habits.

2022

Partners for Healthier Babies Commemorates Infant Safe Sleep Month with Educational Campaign and News Conference

Over 50 local and state community members came together to learn about the importance of using consistent safe sleep for infants messaging to parents, grandparents, childcare providers, and caregivers. Learning about how to connect parents and caregivers in the county with resources like free sleep sacks, books, cribs, and more was a highlight of the event. The first Diapering Together To Raise Awareness Challenge was introduced as well. A short video from Dr. Kristina Box, FACOG, Indiana State Health Commissioner, was also shared as a congratulations to HFL and Partners for Healthier Babies Council for their efforts to bring solutions to La Porte County.

2022

HFL Partners for Healthier Babies Council Spearheads the Fetal Infant Mortality Review Process for La Porte County

La Porte County FIMR was created with full funding by HFL and managed by the La Porte County Health Department. The FIMR process is composed of a multidisciplinary team that meets monthly to review de-identified cases of fetal and infant deaths. FIMR aims to identify system gaps, not to assign blame, and offer findings and make recommendations to the Community Action Team (CAT), which is HFL’s Partners for Healthier Babies Council.

2022

HFL & the City of La Porte Kick-off Housing Initiative.

HFL commissioned a La Porte City housing study to SB Friedman Development Advisors.

This housing strategy articulates the housing-related challenges that different populations or housing market segments experience within the City of La Porte and defines housing production targets for beginning to address those challenges and unmet needs.

2022

HFL’s Capacity Building efforts initiates and funds Network for Good’s Jumpstart Program

The program offers effective capacity building support for La Porte County nonprofits, to create transformational change in their fundraising efforts. A cohort of 14 organizations received the donor database and one year of intense technical assistance underwritten by HFL.

2022

HFL’s Monthly Newsletter, Changemakers Chat launched

2023

HFL Announces New Board Member

Patricia Luck, community volunteer

2023

HFL’s Nonprofit Leadership Academy 2023-24

A third cohort of 19 nonprofit leaders from La Porte County participated in the Nonprofit Leadership Academy.

2023

HFL Hosts Inaugural Nonprofit Excellence Symposium

The Symposium, held at HFL’s Conference & Learning Center, welcomed more than 40 La Porte County nonprofit leaders to learn from experts and each other, network, share best practices, and grow as leaders. The theme for the Symposium, Leaders Learn comes from a quote by Israelmore Ayivor in his book Leaders’ Ladder: “Just as the bird needs wings to fly, a leader needs useful information to flow. Leaders learn.” Birds are a symbol for HFL’s focus on capacity building for nonprofits so they can soar, and the Symposium featured the bird motif throughout the day.

2023

HFL Hosts Fall 2023 When Seconds Count: AED Initiative

At the event, HFL awarded 27 AEDs, 21 cabinets, and signage to 15 grantees. The amount awarded totaled $57,491.10.

2023

HFL & the City of La Porte Host Notre Dame School of Architecture for Downtown Housing Charrette

A six-month in-depth housing study of the City of La Porte continues work with the University of Notre Dame School of Architecture’s Housing and Community Regeneration Initiative for a downtown housing and regeneration charrette. A charrette is an intensive planning session where architects, citizens, and others collaborate to develop a design or vision for a project.

2023

HFL presents Housing Initiative at IPA

Presenting the HFL Housing Initiative and study at the Indiana Philanthropy Alliance, 2023 Conference: Michele Magnuson (HFL Housing Chair), Maria Fruth HFL (CEO), Debby Kasemeyer (Impact Investing, Northern Trust) and Lance Dorne (SB Friedman).

2023

Partners for Healthier Babies Council and La Porte County Fetal Infant Mortality Review Team Commemorate Infant Safe Sleep Month

HFL Partners for Healthier Babies Council welcomed La Porte County partners working to reduce infant mortality for an October Safe Sleep Celebration and Commemoration. The event was designed to celebrate accomplishments in improving the infant mortality rate in La Porte County, including the one-year anniversary of the La Porte County Fetal Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) team, and connect local partners working to continue to improve services throughout the county.

2023

HFL Invited to Speak at the YES! Summit, Youth Emerging Stronger

As a result of the success with Partners in Prevention, HFL joined the Indiana Department of Education, Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation, and North Central Health Services, Inc., to bring together 300+ Indiana school leaders, education stakeholders, healthcare providers, funders, and state and community partners for the first Youth Emerging Stronger (YES!) Summit. The YES! Summit provided a framework for expanding evidence-based prevention and mental health support within K-12 schools.

2023

Partners in Prevention, Year 3 Evaluation Report

When Healthcare Foundation of La Porte initiated Partners in Prevention in 2019 to influence our younger generation to live healthier lives and make better choices for the rest of their lives, they had no idea the impact would be almost immediate.

View the full infographic here

Partners in Prevention (PIP) Year 3 Evaluation

Something Incredible is Happening in Schools Throughout La Porte County Thanks to the Healthcare Foundation of La Porte

2023

Ten2030 Workshop

Ten2030.org is the central hub of information for La Porte County, Indiana. Participants learned about how to maximize TEN2030 for data, promising practices, and HFL strategic priorities and indicators when applying for grant. Also, pro-tips to prepare the best HFL grant application including how to build a custom dashboard with the most up-to-date data, dashboards, promising practices, and local resource library were included to aid grant applicants.

2023

We are now the Health Foundation of La Porte!

By evolving into Health Foundation of La Porte, the organization aims to clarify its role in the community and emphasize its dedication to fostering a thriving La Porte County for all residents. Health has always been the essence behind HFL’s mission of empowering La Porte County residents to live healthy and well. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), health is defined as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being. The new name reflects that health is influenced by many factors, including housing, income, education, access to healthcare and the quality of care, and relationships.

2023

Maria Fruth announces her 2024 retirement as CEO

HFL activates its Succession Plan and created a CEO search committee to develop a timetable, select a professional search firm, interview top candidates, and offer a candidate recommendation to the board.

2024

Through partnerships with government entities and nonprofit organizations, thoughtful planning, and strategic investments, HFL has played a pivotal role in revitalizing public spaces and creating opportunities for community members to engage in healthy activities. The video features Fox Park, Red Mill County Park, Kesling Park, Friendship Botanic Gardens, and the mountain bike trails in Soldier’s Memorial Park. The impact of these projects is evident in the revitalization of local parks, where families gather to enjoy nature, children play on state-of-the-art playgrounds, and individuals of all ages enjoy walking and jogging on paved and accessible scenic trails. The video captures the smiles of community members and the sense of camaraderie that has blossomed in these spaces, emphasizing the HFL’s role in fostering social connections and improving overall well-being.

2024

2^nd Annual HFL Symposium Making a Mark

HFL welcomed more than 50 La Porte County nonprofit leaders to reflect on the shared journey to a healthier community. Fruth began the event with the day’s theme, Making a Mark, inspired by cairns, human-made stacks of stones often raised as a marker. The word cairn comes from the Scottish Gaelic word carn, meaning “heap of stones.” Today, cairns are often used as landmarks or markers on trails, as an indication to a traveler that they are on the right path. Each participant received a stone to celebrate their mark and the impact their organization has on the collective trail to a healthier community.

2024

HFL Hosts 2024 When Seconds Count: AED Initiative Grant Celebration

At the event, HFL awarded 41 AEDs, 37 cabinets, and signage to 17 grantees. In total, since 2018, HFL has awarded AEDs and funded CPR classes through the La Porte City Fire Department for a total of $97,117 invested.

2024

City of La Porte becomes the first city in Indiana to receive the HEARTSafe Community designation!

Continued Growth

The HFL staff grows over time, and in 2024 includes a Senior Program Officer, a Special Projects Manager, a Communications & Education Manager, an Office Manager, and a Conference & Learning Center Operations Associate.

2024

Maria Fruth bids farewell as HFL President & CEO

On April 15, 2024, Maria officially retires as the inaugural HFL CEO.

Working in tandem with an engaged board, a dedicated staff, and numerous community partners and grantees, Maria built the foundation’s governance structure, solidified the strategic direction, launched its grantmaking program, and oversaw capacity-building initiatives with the nonprofit community. Additionally, significant impact investments and projects include building the HFL Conference & Learning Center, Partners for Healthier Babies, Partners in Prevention, When Seconds Count (AED & CPR), implementation of the Nonprofit Leadership Academy and the Jumpstart program, and the creation of the City of La Porte Housing Initiative and the HeartSafe Community designation awarded to the City of La Porte. HFL’s impact has been impressive: in its first eight years, HFL invested more than $41 million in La Porte County through its grantmaking and creation of the Conference & Learning Center.

April 2024

HFL welcomes new CEO Eric DeWald, who brings more than 20 years of leadership experience within foundations committed to community health and well-being.