Our Foundation:

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN FOUNDATION

VALPARAISO AFFILIATE

History:  In 1996, the Valparaiso Affiliate established a fund to encourage women’s education.  It is now a permanent fund within the Porter County Community Foundation.  Each year, affiliate fund-raisers and gifts add to the total invested.

Earnings may be used for scholarships, research and special projects, as determined by the affiliate.  As it is a “designated endowment fund” according to federal tax rules, monies deposited in this investment account cannot be withdrawn.  The Porter County Community Foundation invests, administers, and does the tax reporting for this account and provides valuable expertise.  The fund earns interest/dividends, and it is from this that monies can be withdrawn as determined periodically by a PCCF formula.

Generally, our Foundation Committee advertises a scholarship each year, reviews applications, interviews promising candidates, and awards scholarships and/or grants.  The Foundation Committee is made up of six affiliate members appointed by the affiliate board.

Since the Valparaiso Affiliate began granting scholarships in 2000, $99,700.00 has been awarded to Porter County women to financially assist them in pursuing their educational goals.  Many of the awards have been for college-level tuition and expenses; some have been given for graduate studies, and others for professional training or advanced qualification in the trades.

Contributions:   Members and friends may make gifts to the foundation by mailing their checks to the following address:

AAUW Foundation, Valparaiso

c/o Porter County Community Foundation

P.O. Box 302

Valparaiso, IN  46384

There should be a notation about the nature of the gift (“In honor of the birthday of ____,” “In memory of ____,” etc.).

For information about the foundation, contact Annette Kulmatycki, Foundation President

219-763-3793 or e-mail:  ajkeg@aol.com