La Casa de Amistad's Growth Fueled by $3 Million in Grants

Photo byWSBT photo

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — La Casa de Amistad, a vital community organization in South Bend, has been thriving in 2024 thanks to a remarkable series of grants totaling $3 million. In March, La Casa received a transformative $2 million grant from MacKenzie Scott’s charity, Yield Giving, marking a pivotal moment for the nonprofit's future.

Juan Constantino, Executive Director of La Casa de Amistad, highlighted how the funding has allowed the organization to eliminate its debts and plan for future growth. “We had a $750,000 line of credit after purchasing a 40,000 sq. ft. building in 2021, but now, thanks to MacKenzie Scott’s gift, we are debt-free,” Constantino said. This financial relief has enabled La Casa to focus on community services instead of payments.

The move to the new facility from their original 8,000 sq. ft. space was necessary to support the organization’s expansion, but it also came with significant financial obligations. The unrestricted $2 million grant has provided the flexibility to plan long-term and invest in vital programs, such as expanding their legal clinic and hiring a full-time immigration attorney.

In addition to Scott's donation, La Casa de Amistad also received a $1 million grant from the Lilly Endowment. This funding will strengthen the organization’s youth programs and further its mission to support the local community. "We’re looking at an annual operating budget of nearly $2 million, which is a significant increase from where we were just a few years ago,” Constantino noted.

Looking forward, La Casa’s leadership is focused on building a sustainable future and ensuring the nonprofit’s impact for generations to come. Having just celebrated 50 years, they are planning for what the next 50 years will bring with new opportunities for growth and expansion in their community services.