Legacy Foundation is excited to announce that the Town of Munster has been selected as the second Heart & Soul community in Indiana!
Community Heart & Soul is a resident-driven initiative that helps communities identify what matters most to the people who live there, and turn those shared values into meaningful action.
The town will be embarking on an exciting journey to engage residents in identifying what they love the most about their community, what future they want for it, and how to achieve it.
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ill receive training, technical assistance, and up to $90,000 in funding from Legacy Foundation to support implementation of the Community Heart & Soul process, as well as early projects that emerge from resident-led action planning.
“The Heart & Soul process creates powerful opportunities for neighbors to connect and be part of shaping what comes next,” said Legacy Foundation President and CEO Kelly Anoe. “We’re proud to support Munster as it engages residents in shaping a shared vision that strengthens connection, builds leadership, and informs meaningful action.”
Legacy Foundation is honored to continue its partnership with Community Heart & Soul and to work alongside Munster as the second Heart & Soul Community in the State of Indiana. Munster joins Cedar Lake, which launched its Heart & Soul programming in January 2025 as Indiana’s first Heart & Soul Community.
The Community Heart & Soul initiative in Munster will be implemented by the Munster Civic Foundation, in coordination with the Town of Munster. This two-year, resident-led effort is designed to strengthen community connections, elevate resident voices, develop future leaders, and result in a community action plan rooted in shared values.
This program represents a significant step forward in Munster’s efforts to foster active resident engagement. “We believe that a connected community is a thriving community,” said Munster Civic Foundation President, Chuck Gardiner. “By utilizing these funds to bridge gaps and amplify local voices, we are ensuring that Munster remains a premier destination to live, work, and play. We look forward to collaborating with our neighbors to build a more vibrant future.”
The Town of Munster Heart & Soul initiative will be managed by a project coordinator. This part-time position will provide project administration, work closely with the Heart & Soul Core Team to develop and implement phased work plans, coordinate volunteers, track progress, and help celebrate milestones throughout the process. The Munster Civic Foundation is currently accepting applications for this role. Interested Town of Munster residents can visit www.munster.org to apply by February 23.
About Legacy Foundation
Legacy Foundation is the community foundation for Lake County, Indiana. Our mission s to transform Lake County by providing strategic leadership and impactful philanthropic support to ensure equitable opportunity for all communities that we serve. Through the generosity of a wide base of donors, Legacy Foundation has awarded over $50 million in grants and scholarships to nonprofit organizations and individuals since its founding in 1992. The foundation manages $120 million in assets and is governed by a volunteer board of directors representing a diverse spectrum of business, education, and the nonprofit and public sectors. Learn more at www.legacyfdn.org.
About Munster Civic Foundation
The Munster Civic Foundation is a nonprofit organization made up of elected officials and residents working collaboratively to foster community spirit, build partnerships, and enhance the quality of life in the Town of Munster.
About Community Heart & Soul
Community Heart & Soul, a nonprofit organization, builds stronger, healthier, and more economically vibrant small cities and towns across the United States. In addition to promoting the Community Heart & Soul model, the organization trains and supports a nationwide network of Certified Community Heart & Soul Coaches who provide training and guidance to local communities.
What This Means for Munster
Through this initiative, Munster will receive:
- Training and technical assistance
- Up to $90,000 in funding
- Support for resident engagement and early community-led projects
“This process creates powerful opportunities for neighbors to connect and be part of shaping what comes next,” said Kelly Anoe, President & CEO of Legacy Foundation. “We’re proud to support Munster as residents work together to create a shared vision for their community.”
Led by the Community, for the Community
The initiative will be implemented by the Munster Civic Foundation, in coordination with the Town of Munster, as a two-year, resident-led effort focused on:
- Strengthening community connections
- Elevating resident voices
- Developing future leaders
- Creating a community action plan rooted in shared values
“We believe that a connected community is a thriving community,” said Chuck Gardiner, President of the Munster Civic Foundation. “This initiative will help ensure Munster remains a premier place to live, work, and play.”
Munster is Now Hiring: Project Coordinator
The Munster Civic Foundation is currently accepting applications for a part-time Project Coordinator to support the Heart & Soul initiative.
Apply by February 23
(Applicants must be Town of Munster residents.)