VALPARAISO, IND. —The Porter County Community Foundation (PCCF) received a $600,000 contribution from Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (NIPSCO) with support from the NiSource Charitable Foundation to support disaster relief and long-term recovery efforts across Porter County following the severe storm system and extended power outages that began on Aug. 11.
The contribution reflects NIPSCO’s commitment to helping northern Indiana communities rebuild and stabilize following major weather events. PCCF will steward and allocate the funds directly to 14 frontline organizations to provide immediate assistance to Porter County households.
Funding recipients include the following organizations: The Salvation Army of Porter County, Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, Hilltop Food Pantry, Portage Township Food Pantry, Family Promise of Porter County, Porter County Aging and Community Services and Meals on Wheels of Northwest Indiana.
“In the wake of devastation like we experienced on Aug. 11, our role as a community foundation goes beyond just raising dollars—it is about deploying resources with speed, fairness and deep local trust,” said Bill Higbie, PCCF President and CEO. “By putting critical funds directly into the hands of organizations on the ground, we aren’t just funding immediate relief; we are laying the groundwork for a stronger, more resilient long-term recovery.”
The grant allocation strengthens local recovery capacity across these essential areas:
- Food Distribution & Delivery: Funding local food partners to restock non-perishable goods and deliver meals directly to homebound seniors and residents impacted by extended power loss.
- Immediate Financial Aid: Distributing grocery and fuel gift cards through organizations to relieve emergency household costs.
- Insurance & FEMA Navigation: Supporting case management services to assist residents in completing insurance claims and applying for federal disaster assistance.
“At NIPSCO, we are committed to partnering with the communities we serve, especially in times of need,” said Rick Calinski, NIPSCO Director of Public Affairs and Economic Development. “Working with the Porter County Community Foundation allows us to support local recovery efforts and provide resources that will make a meaningful difference for impacted residents.”
Details regarding specific program availability and direct intake procedures will be announced in the coming days through the individual partner organizations.
About PCCF
The Porter County Community Foundation collaborates with community members to support their favorite causes by creating and managing permanent endowment funds that make it possible for generosity to last forever. Since 1996, PCCF has awarded over $55 million in grants and scholarships to organizations and students in our community. To learn more about how you can make a lasting difference for your favorite causes, contact PCCF at 219-465-0294 or visit the Foundation online at pccf.gives.
About the NiSource Charitable Foundation
The NiSource Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and serves as the charitable arm for NiSource Inc. and its companies operating under the NIPSCO and Columbia Gas brands. The Foundation’s mission is to create strong and sustainable communities where our employees and customers live and work. The Foundation lives up to its mission by providing charitable grants to nonprofit organizations and by encouraging employee volunteerism. Learn more at www.NiSource.com/Foundation.
About NIPSCO
Northern Indiana Public Service Company LLC (NIPSCO), with headquarters in Merrillville, Indiana, has proudly served the energy needs of northern Indiana for more than 100 years. As Indiana’s largest natural gas distribution company and the second-largest electric distribution company, NIPSCO serves approximately 859,000 natural gas and 486,000 electric customers across 32 counties. It is one of six regulated utility companies of NiSource (NYSE: NI), one of the largest fully regulated utility companies in the United States. NiSource employees are focused on our mission to deliver safe, reliable energy that drives value to our customers, and guided by our vision to be an innovative and trusted energy partner. More information about NIPSCO and NiSource, including its goal of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions from its operations by 2040, is available at NIPSCO.com and www.NiSource.com.
