ELKHART, Ind. -- Over $1.3 million in grants were approved for distribution to local nonprofits by the Community Foundation of Elkhart County's board of directors.

The approval occurred at the board's June meeting.  $1,311,976 in new grants will support the community foundation's priority areas of kids and families, career pathways, and placemaking as well as the Opportunity Fund.

"These grants show what's possible when organizations set aside turf and focus on what serves families best," said Guy Fisher, chief program officer of the Community Foundation of Elkhart County. "The merger uniting CAPS and Maple City Health Care Center, and the support for Ronald McDonald House's Rooftop Backyard Campaign, are both about making sure families going through hard seasons have somewhere steady to land."

Grant distribution breakdown:

Kids and Families:

• CAPS and Maple City Health Care Center, $500,000 for the merger of the two organizations
• Ronald McDonald House Charities of Indiana-Michiana, $200,000 challenge grant for the Rooftop Backyard Capital Campaign
• Sixteen additional grants of $25,000 or less totaling $154,452

Career Pathways:

• Eight grants of $25,000 or less were awarded

Placemaking:

• Eight grants of $25,000 were awarded

The Opportunity Fund provided $312,474 in grants. Foundation officials say the 35 awards support community sponsorships, memberships, and special opportunities that strengthen collaboration and civic engagement in Elkhart County.