The Northern Indiana Community Foundation (NICF) has been named the recipient of the 2025 MacQueen Excellence Award for District 3 of the Indiana Volunteer Firefighters Association (IVFA).
This award recognizes NICF for making a lasting difference in the communities it serves and for years of dedicated support to local fire departments and first responders. Through donor-advised funds and community fund grants, NICF has provided critical funding that helps ensure fire and emergency volunteers are well-equipped to protect residents across the region.
“We’re extremely grateful for this recognition and appreciate the strong community partnerships we have with our local firefighters and emergency responders,” states Starke County Director of Development Jacque Ryan. “It is reassuring to know that we can be a reliable resource for local organizations when they’re in need of financial support for vital vehicles, life-saving equipment, and other necessities such as gear and up-to-date training.”
The MacQueen Excellence Award, presented annually by the IVFA, honors organizations, businesses, and individuals who demonstrate exceptional dedication and contributions to the volunteer fire service. The IVFA, established in 1946, is the state’s largest volunteer firefighting organization, representing over 14,000 members and advocating for the needs of volunteer firefighters throughout Indiana.
To see a full list of grants awarded by the Starke County Community Foundation, including those that have supported fire departments and first responders, visit http://www.nicf.org/starke-county-projects.
