At its heart, Noble Deeds is about giving local nonprofits the resources to turn small acts into lasting change. Each year, we’ve been honored to meet passionate changemakers around Nevada, and this year we expanded our search to extend nationwide so our impact could grow.
Choosing just one partner is incredibly difficult, which is why we’re very proud to announce our 2026 Noble Deeds recipient: Boys & Girls Clubs of Elkhart County. Their unwavering commitment to inspiring youth, serving over 7,000 children across 30 locations, and building “a family outside your home” reflects everything Noble Deeds stands for.
We were moved by their bold vision, their readiness to grow and their focus on creating safe spaces where kids can belong and become. We can’t wait to get started!
Empowering Youth in Northern Indiana
Since 1956, Boys & Girls Clubs of Elkhart County (BGCEC) has been a steady, uplifting presence for youth across Northern Indiana. Their mission is to inspire and empower all young people, especially those who need us the most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens. And they deliver on that mission every day, one caring mentor and one safe space at a time.
From first grade through age 18, members come to the Clubs to build confidence, get homework help, explore new interests and connect with positive role models. And with locations throughout the county, they’re able to serve more than 1500 students every day.
The results speak for themselves: 97% of Club teens expect to graduate high school, and more than half of their 12th-grade members are considering careers in STEM, which is nearly double the national average. In 2024 alone, they served over 196,000 snacks and meals.
But beyond the numbers, what sets BGCEC apart is how they think about youth development. What they’re offering goes far beyond just after-school care. They’re laying the groundwork for better futures.
Inviting More Voices Into the Story
From our first conversation with Boys & Girls Clubs of Elkhart County, it was clear that their team is ready to make a bigger impact. Their vision doesn’t stop at serving the kids who already walk through their doors. They’re focused on reaching the ones who don’t, especially the Spanish-speaking families who make up a growing part of their community.
In Goshen, Indiana, where 75% of the local high school graduating class is Hispanic, only about half of the local Club’s members come from Hispanic backgrounds. BGCEC saw that gap and asked for help, not just to translate a few flyers, but to build a message that truly resonates. They want every family to feel like the Clubs are for them.
They also came to the table prepared. With Spanish-speaking staff, a fully invested board and a pilot outreach program already approved, they’re ready to get the ball rolling. Their team’s openness, energy and willingness to try something new got our team fired up and ready to build this partnership.
Creating a Framework for the Future
Our work with Boys & Girls Clubs of Elkhart County will focus on welcoming the Hispanic community in a way that feels genuine and is long overdue.
While we’ll start our partnership with an in-depth discovery process to determine exactly where our services can do the most good, one possibility is assisting in the growth of the Saludos Program. This is a bilingual outreach initiative aimed at growing Hispanic membership and making the Clubs feel like home for every family in the region. The Clubs would benefit greatly from a brand new Spanish-language website designed from the ground up to reflect the culture and values of the community it serves. BGCEC is eager to create something beautiful, functional and culturally relevant.
Together, our goal is to help BGCEC grow from 5,200 members to 10,000 in the next three years. And beyond that, we’re building a model that other Boys & Girls Clubs across the country can learn from. We believe that thoughtfully building these programs and outreach can spark change far beyond Elkhart County, and we can’t wait to help make it happen.
Join Us for What’s to Come
As we look ahead to 2026, we’re excited to begin our discovery process with Boys & Girls Clubs of Elkhart County. Together, we’ll take the time to understand their unique challenges and opportunities so we can make the biggest possible impact.
We’re honored to partner with an organization so deeply rooted in its community and so eager to grow. The work ahead is exactly the kind of challenge that gets us fired up. One that’s built on shared values, bold ideas and a chance to do something that matters.
We hope you’ll follow along as this partnership comes to life.
