LaPorte County committee votes to pursue independent foundation for animal shelter donations

The LaPorte County Animal Shelter Advisory Committee voted June 18 to proceed with development of an independent 501(c)(3) charitable foundation to hold and disburse donations for the shelter.

The move, advanced by Commissioner Joe Haney and seconded by another committee member, followed discussion about limits the committee has encountered when donations are routed through existing community partners. "We have some really good things going on here in LaPorte County," said Luanne Troxel, the committee president, but she and other members said monies donated through broad community foundations often return only a small percentage to the intended program. Committee members argued a dedicated shelter foundation would simplify requests tied to specific needs, such as equipment purchases or maintenance.

Shelter director Brooke outlined how the foundation could streamline funding for capital needs and day‑to‑day operations. Committee members described a recent conversation with the parks foundation to understand different governance and administrative approaches. The committee also said attorney D. Martino has drafted a framework of bylaws and other materials and volunteered time to help get the foundation established.

"One of the negatives is donations into a general foundation can be pooled and reinvested; we want an arrangement that makes funds available to us when needed," Troxel said. Committee members discussed options for a volunteer foundation board and whether any committee member could serve in a nonvoting ex‑officio role.

By motion, the committee authorized proceeding with foundation development and asked D. Martino to finalize the draft documents. Troxel said the attorney would be asked to circulate a final recommendation back to the advisory committee for review before anything goes to the County Commissioners. The committee did not adopt any governing documents at the meeting; the vote authorized further development and legal review.

Next steps: the committee will receive the attorney's finalized framework and circulate it to members before forwarding any formal recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners for approval.