KENDALLVILLE, IN — The Dekko Foundation, a private family foundation located in Kendallville, Indiana,  awarded more than $443,000 in grants and pledges to nine youth-serving organizations during its most recent round of grantmaking in December, including those in Limestone County.

The foundation — started in 1981 by the late businessman and philanthropist Chester E. Dekko — invests in projects and programs that help build knowledge, skills and character in children and young people from birth through the age 18 so they can be self-sufficient and grow up to be economically free.

The foundation’s grantmaking is concentrated within 13 counties in four states — Indiana, Iowa, Alabama and Minnesota — where Dekko had business or personal interests throughout his life.

Limestone County Schools received $8,423 to support opportunities for outdoor learning for students at Creekside Primary School, to further their understanding of science.

The Elkmont High School Foundation also received $150,000 to support the installation of a playground at the new Elkmont Elementary School so young people can be physically active and build positive relationships with peers.

Other programs and organizations receiving grants and pledges were:

— Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful, Inc. (Athens, AL): $11,323 to support the organization’s use of a mobile planetarium to help young people expand critical-thinking skills and their understanding of the natural world.

— Believe in a Dream, Inc. (Fort Wayne, IN): $10,000 to support high school students in Kosciusko County in building problem-solving and entrepreneurial skills by creating their own product or service to sell.

— Cole Center Family YMCA (Kendallville, IN): $175,000 over two years to support the organization’s sustainability and programs that encourage the healthy development of young people.

— Kosciusko Community YMCA, Inc. (Warsaw, IN): $2,225 to support preschool children as they build knowledge and skills in the outdoors through teamwork, creativity, and imaginative exploration.

— Kosciusko County Community Foundation, Inc. (Warsaw, IN): $32,000 to support renovations and upgrades to the organization’s building so it can be used to host more meetings and events that contribute to a stronger community.

— LaGrange Communities Youth Centers, Inc. (LaGrange, IN): $50,000 to support construction of recreational amenities so that young people have more opportunities to play, be physically active, and build relationships.

— RespectTeam (Huntertown, IN): $4,510 to support a pilot program for training youth workers and educators so they can better assist young people who are in emotional or mental distress.

To learn more about investments such as these that support children and young people so they can achieve economic freedom later in life, please contact a Dekko Foundation program officer at 260-347-1278. Or visit dekkofoundation.org to explore the foundation’s mission and funding priorities, review its grantmaking process, or send a grant proposal.