FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Contact: Matt Gotsch

April 20, 2026                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         (574) 302-1658

Porter County, Ind. — The LaSalle Council, Scouting America, is grateful to receive a $5,000 Community Fund Grant from the Porter County Community Foundation (PCCF), supporting the mission to serve youth and families throughout Northwest Indiana.

Expanding access to Scouting programs, this funding will help Porter County youth ages 5–17 build leadership skills, self-reliance, and experience outdoor adventures. Scouting experiences reinforce teamwork, goal setting, problem-solving, and personal responsibility.

“We are grateful to the Porter County Community Foundation for its support of Scouting,” said James Hulgan, CEO of the LaSalle Council, Scouting America. “This initiative will greatly assist the LaSalle Council’s effort to strengthen youth development, increase retention, and maintain unit growth in Porter County.”

The LaSalle Council currently supports 18 chartered Scouting units serving more than 560 youth in Porter County – working with volunteers and community partners to make Scouting accessible to families from all backgrounds.

“The generosity of community members over the past thirty years makes grants like this possible,” said Bill Higbie, PCCF President and CEO. “We are pleased to support expanded access to Scouting for Porter County youth.”

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.

The LaSalle Council of Scouting America provides character-building and leadership development programs for approximately 3,000 youth across eight counties in Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan. Through Scouting programs, the council helps young people develop strong values, practical life skills, and a commitment to service. For more information, visit https://lasallecouncil.org/