A New Kind of Foundation: Kelly Anoe’s Vision for Local, Lasting Change

In the heart of Lake County, Indiana, where revitalization often means more than new buildings or budgets, Kelly Anoe is leading a quiet but powerful revolution. As President and CEO of the Legacy Foundation, Kelly is not only guiding philanthropic investments—she’s also redefining how a community foundation partners with those it serves.

“Legacy Foundation is the community foundation for Lake County,” Kelly says. “As a place-based funder, our focus is on improving the quality of life for all residents here.”

The foundation does this in several ways: awarding grants to nonprofits that serve the community, offering scholarships to students pursuing higher education, and launching initiatives tailored to local needs. Programs like Community Heart & Soul take a hyper-local approach, working with residents in one neighborhood at a time to identify priorities and implement community-driven plans. Another initiative, the Legacy Learning Lab, strengthens nonprofit organizations through training, networking, and capacity-building grants.

“We really try to meet communities where they are,” Kelly says. “We’re not just funding programs, we’re helping shape them alongside the people who live and work in these communities.”

Kelly’s leadership is marked by deep experience in nonprofit work. Before joining Legacy Foundation, she spent years in roles spanning direct service, grant writing, administration, operations, and program development. Her academic background—a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a master’s degree in business administration, and certification as a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE)—makes her equally comfortable discussing data-driven impact and community-driven dreams.

“I think it really helped coming into this role with experience on the other side of the table,” Kelly says. “I’ve been in the shoes of nonprofits trying to secure funding, working with limited resources, and navigating complex challenges. That perspective helps me better understand the people we serve.”

Kelly joined the foundation 11 years ago as Director of Grants and Partnerships, overseeing grant applications and building community relationships. After a promotion to Vice President, she was named the successor in a planned leadership transition and stepped into the CEO role when the former president retired.

“It was a smooth transition,” Kelly says. “And I was fortunate to have a thoughtful succession plan in place. It gave me time to understand the nuances of the role and prepare for it in a meaningful way.”

Today, Kelly oversees a team she describes as “wonderful,” managing everything from strategic development to donor cultivation to community engagement. Her favorite part of the job?

“Getting to work with so many passionate people,” she says. “Whether it’s donors, nonprofit leaders, residents, or volunteers, there are so many amazing individuals in Lake County doing great work.”

That passion comes through most clearly in her support for grassroots organizations. While the foundation funds nonprofits across a wide range of sectors—from historic preservation to hunger relief—Kelly says she’s especially moved by the work of small, volunteer-led groups.

“There are so many incredible grassroots organizations that are doing a lot with a little,” Kelly says. “They may have one or two staff members or be entirely run by volunteers. A small grant from us can go a long way, and that’s really rewarding to see.”

Yet for all the inspiration, the work comes with hard choices. Kelly explained that the most challenging part of her role is dealing with unmet needs.

“There is so much need in the community, and we simply don’t have the resources to fund everything,” Kelly says. “It’s heartbreaking to have to say no to requests that are truly important—programs that provide vital services like food access or healthcare.”

That challenge has been compounded by recent political shifts and funding cuts at the government level.

“We’re hearing every day from nonprofits whose funding has been cut or frozen,” Kelly says. “And there are more reductions in the pipeline. These aren’t optional services. We’re talking about things like senior healthcare, libraries, and feeding hungry families.”

Amid these difficulties, Legacy Foundation continues to stand out—not just for its funding, but for its approach. Kelly emphasizes that the foundation operates less like a traditional grantmaker and more like a partner.

“We’ve taken an innovative approach to addressing community challenges,” Kelly says. “We don’t just write checks. We listen. We collaborate. We stay involved.”

Kelly notes that some of the foundation’s "competitors" are financial firms managing donor-advised funds—but she believes community foundations offer something fundamentally different.

“What sets us apart is our deep, on-the-ground knowledge,” Kelly says. “We work closely with both donors and nonprofits. We understand the community because we’re part of it.”

In Kelly’s eyes, that connection is what makes the difference between funding a project and fueling a movement.

“There’s so much power in bringing people together to solve problems,” she says. “And when you can be a part of that—from the planning table to the final celebration—it’s incredibly fulfilling.”