Sierra’s Fund

Matt and Hallie Grant are recognized as respected business leaders through their successful, international company, Sailrite; but first and foremost, they are parents. Like many families today, the Grant’s story is anything but traditional. The details as to how their family circle was made complete led

the couple to establish Sierra’s Fund through the Community Foundation of Whitley County. The fund, named for their daughter, is an endowment meant to assist Whitley County residents navigating the adoption process to build their own families, now and for generations to come. 

With raising Zach and Tanner, two energetic young sons and a thriving business to oversee, the Grants were anything but bored back in the mid-90’s, but after 4 years of unsuccessful attempts to have a third child they decided to explore adoption. Amid questionnaires and home studies, they soon realized that the process was not only emotionally daunting but also financially challenging. Then a call from Texas changed their lives forever. Their baby daughter was waiting for them to bring her home to Columbia City. The whirlwind trip put Sierra in their arms and so began a celebration of love. “The moment Sierra was placed in my arms can’t be explained. The tears came streaming down my face, I couldn’t believe she was our daughter. The adoption process is full of highs and lows but I am here to tell you it is so worth it. I can’t image our family without her, she is exactly where she was meant to be.” Now 15 years later the final piece of Sierra’s adoption story recently came via a generous gift from the Grants, who hope to help other local families share the joy of adoption. 

Open to Whitley County residents exploring both domestic and international adoption, distributions from the endowment can be used to off set costs including but not limited to home study costs, placement fees, post-placement supervision fees, and travel related expenses.