INDIANA – Community members across Indiana came together to support local charitable organizations and community projects through Beacon Credit Union’s annual Project Spotlight program. Following a month of voting, Beacon Credit Union is excited to announce the first, second, and third-place winners from 16 participating counties.
Through Project Spotlight, community members have the opportunity to nominate and vote for organizations and projects making a difference in their local communities. This year, 48 organizations across 16 counties were selected to receive donations totaling $28,000.
The 2026 Project Spotlight winners are:
Allen County
First Place: Lost Dogs of Fort Wayne – $1,000
Second Place: Fort Wayne Youtheatre – $500
Third Place: Kainos Microschool – $250
Cass County
First Place: Lewis Cass Band Boosters – $1,000
Second Place: Civic Players of Logansport – $500
Third Place: Area Five Agency on Aging & Community Services – $250
DeKalb County
First Place: Alliance Industries – $1,000
Second Place: DeKalb Humane Society – $500
Third Place: DeKalb County Pink Out – $250
Fulton County
First Place: Fulton County Animal Center – $1,000
Second Place: Manitou Center – $500
Third Place: Fulton County Habitat for Humanity – $250
Grant County
First Place: The Hub of Grant County – $1,000
Second Place: Services for the Visually and Hearing Impaired – $500
Third Place: United Hearts Ministries – $250
Huntington County
First Place: Jamie’s Legacy – $1,000
Second Place: Helping Paws Pet Haven – $500
Third Place: McKenzie’s Hope – $250
Jackson County
First Place: Sweet Cheeks Diaper Pantry – $1,000
Second Place: Lakota Haven Wildlife Rehabilitation – $500
Third Place: Girls Inc. – $250
Kosciusko County
First Place: One Dog at a Time Rescue – $1,000
Second Place: Wheels on Fire Cancer Crusaders – $500
Third Place: Kosciusko Cares – $250
Lawrence County
First Place: Playground Project – $1,000
Second Place: Hoosier Uplands Head Start Bedford – $500
Third Place: Mitchell Girl Scout Troop #60420 – $250
Marshall County
First Place: Blessings in a Backpack – $1,000
Second Place: Operation Lend a Hand – $500
Third Place: Umatter2 – $250
Miami County
First Place: Scratching Post Cat Rescue – $1,000
Second Place: “Please and Thank You” Facebook Group – $500
Third Place: Miami County Girls Softball Association – $250
(all organizations in one photo)
North Manchester (Wabash County)
First Place: Laketon Lions Club – $1,000
Second Place: North Manchester Public Library – $500
Third Place: Manchester Alive – $250
Orange County
First Place: Robin’s Nest Initiative – $1,000
Second Place: Orleans Running Start – $500
Third Place: Safe Haven REC – $250
Rush County
First Place: Rushville Animal Shelter – $1,000
Second Place: Rushville Breakfast Optimist Club – $500
Third Place: M.o.R.E. for Kids – $250
Wabash County
First Place: Wabash County Animal Shelter – $1,000
Second Place: LaFontaine Park Project – $500
Third Place: Wabash County Habitat for Humanity – $250
Washington County
First Place: Special Olympics Washington County – $1,000
Second Place: Salem Community Schools/Grade 8 – Agriculture, Foods, and Natural Resources Class – Farm Day Experience – $500
Third Place: Salem Park and Rec Dept. – $250
The Project Spotlight program received 131 nominations and 18,302 votes across the participating communities during the month of July. Voting was available through Beacon Credit Union’s website.
The Project Spotlight program continues to provide an opportunity for Beacon Credit Union’s communities to come together and support organizations and projects that make a difference locally. The program gives community members a voice in determining which organizations receive funding while helping bring awareness to the many ways local organizations serve their communities.
Check presentations to the winning organizations will take place at Beacon Credit Union member centers throughout the participating communities.
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About Beacon Credit Union
Since 1931, Beacon Credit Union has provided quality financial services responsive to the needs of its member-owners. Serving 56 Indiana counties, Beacon consists of over 54,000 members and manages assets in excess of $1.7 Billion.