Northern Indiana United Ways to merge

NORTHWEST INDIANA (Inside INdiana Business) — Lake Area United Way and United Way of Porter County have agreed to merge into a single organization, United Way of Northwest Indiana. The process began in March after Lake Area United Way Chief Executive Officer Lisa Daugherty left her position to lead the Center for Workforce Innovations.

United Way of Porter County Board Chair and CEO of InHealth Ron Donahue says the organization is constantly evaluating how to better support the community. 

“Our organizations have always worked closely together to serve Northwest Indiana, but when the opportunity to explore combining forces became available, we knew we had to make it happen.”

The organizations say the goal is to offer more community support by expanding programming and a streamlined process for donors. 

“Pooling resources as a single organization will allow for the expansion of services across the Region which will help more people thrive,” said Michael J. Jasaitis, current board chairman of Lake Area United Way. 

The organizations say the plan is to monitor daily operations as the merger continues, with the goal to form the new organization by the end of the year.