Lifelong Learning Network (LLN), a non-profit committed to providing affordable and accessible educational experiences in Marshall County, was recently awarded a $22,500 grant from the Marshall County Community Foundation. LLN was one of 13 recipients of a grant award, selected through a competitive review process. The grant will support the organization’s continued partnership with enFocus, a local nonprofit that assisted LLN with the development of its first strategic business plan in 2021-2022. “We are excited to continue our partnership with LLN and advance their strategic priorities through this grant support,” said Rosannah Mack of enFocus.
The award will enable the support of an enFocus Fellow to assist in the successful implementation of strategic business plan initiatives including launching priority programs, supporting the development of the new Marshall County Career Innovation Center, and developing systems and structures for program success and sustainability.
“We are focused on implementing programs to reach new populations, focusing on our 4 pillars: early childhood education, career and technical education for youth, adult education, and workforce development,” said Allie Shook, LLN Executive Director. “Our overarching goal is to build a pipeline of lifelong learners in Marshall County that bring thriving careers to the area and fulfill local employment opportunities.”
Of the award to LLN, Linda Yoder of the Marshall County Community Foundation noted “We believe a focus on lifelong education is an excellent investment in the future of our communities and that LLN’s efforts will have a lasting and direct impact on the quality of life for those who live and work in Marshall County.”
About LLN
Marshall County Lifelong Learning Network (LLN) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to create a lifelong continuum of engaging educational experiences that are affordable, accessible, and relevant for those who live and work in Marshall County. In the Spring of 2021, LLN decided to broaden its scope to become a clearinghouse for educational information and programs in Marshall County. LLN aims to offer a variety of educational activities to fulfill the vision of inspiring learning that prepares everyone for their greatest potential in our thriving hometowns. Please visit https://www.marshallcountylln.org/ for more information.
About MCCF
The Marshall County Community Foundation is a public charity with local roots that helps great ideas take flight through endowment philanthropy. Since 1991, donors to the Marshall County Community Foundation have built the community’s assets currently valued at more than $36 million, and have returned over $25.1 million to Marshall County communities in grants and scholarships, $4.3 million from Community Funds. For more information about the Foundation, call 574.935.9159, or visit www.marshallcountycf.org.
About enFocus
enFocus is a nonprofit organization that empowers talent to transform communities in the South Bend-Elkhart region. We recruit recent graduates into a two-year Fellowship program and develop them into the next generation of community and business leaders. enFocus Fellows work alongside experienced mentors in the corporate, nonprofit, education, and public sectors to discover, design, and implement innovative solutions to benefit the community. We partner with local organizations to provide value on sponsor projects, and we give Fellows the tools to launch entrepreneurial businesses or social ventures.
Since its inception, enFocus has engaged over 1300 young professionals (150+ Fellows and 1200+ Interns) to work on over 450 business, technology, and entrepreneurial projects across Northern Indiana sponsor organizations. These collaborations not only deliver innovative solutions for local organizations but also inspire young professionals to stay in our region. To date, enFocus has retained over 70% of Fellows in the South Bend–Elkhart region.
