News Release
Big Shoulders Fund Northwest Indiana raised nearly $35,000 at its 2nd Annual “Fore the Region” Golf Classic, nearly doubling the amount raised last year. Funds raised at the event directly support the newly established Founder’s Advisory Council Scholarship, which provides critical tuition assistance to help Northwest Indiana families access a high-quality, values-based education at one of the 20 Diocese of Gary schools within the Big Shoulders Fund Northwest Indiana network.
“We’re very excited to be building this tradition in Indiana,” said Dan Kozlowski, executive director of Big Shoulders Fund Northwest Indiana. “The community has welcomed us with open arms, and it’s incredible to see how much Big Shoulders Fund Northwest Indiana has grown these last five years. We remain dedicated to furthering our mission here, and the funds raised at this event signify another step in that journey.”
In October 2019, Big Shoulders Fund Northwest Indiana was established thanks to a generous donation from Bruce and Beth White of White Lodging as well as the Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation. For the past five years, the mission of Big Shoulders Fund Northwest Indiana has been to enhance the capacity of schools and support students and families to strengthen whole communities, focusing on areas with the greatest need. In October 2023, Big Shoulders Fund Northwest Indiana hosted its first “Fore the Region” Golf Classic, marking a new annual tradition.
“We have had amazing success hosting our Chicago Golf Classic for many years now, and it’s extraordinary to see this being replicated in Northwest Indiana,” said Josh Hale, CEO of Big Shoulders Fund. “For five years, we have been working to build a strong foundation for Big Shoulders Fund Northwest Indiana. We are committed to extending the success we’ve had in Chicago to benefit as many students and families in the Region as we possibly can.”
The 2nd Annual Big Shoulders Fund Northwest Indiana “Fore the Region” Golf Classic was hosted at the Lost Marsh Golf Club, beginning with a breakfast and capping off with a dinner and awards for golfers. Attendees enjoyed a series of golf contests—such as longest drive and closest-to-the-pin competitions—lunch, a cocktail reception, and more.
Big Shoulders Fund schools serve as neighborhood and community pillars in both Chicago and Northwest Indiana. Collectively, Big Shoulders Fund supports nearly 25,000 students across 92 schools in Illinois and Indiana, building a better and stronger future for the students and their communities. Big Shoulders Fund believes every student deserves access to a high-quality, values-based education, and offers more than 80 different scholarships and enrichment programs that are essential to helping families and students access a better education and build a brighter future.