OVERVIEW: The Foellinger Foundation supports early childhood, youth and family development as well as community interests and capacity building in Allen County, Indiana.
IP TAKE: The Foellinger Foundation describes itself as an organization with “a foothold in the past, and eyes toward the future.” Its grantmaking is laser-focused on the children and families of of Allen County, Indiana, who are most in need, and the vast majority of foundation funding goes to nonprofits focused on serving this population. This is a transparent funder that links to its recent annual reports on its website. It provides clear direction about its application process and encourages grantseekers to reach out with questions or general inquiries at info@foellinger.org.
PROFILE: Established in 1958, the Foellinger Foundation is a private charitable foundation based in Fort Wayne, Indiana. This is the foundation of Helene R. Foellinger, who was the publisher of The News-Sentinel, and her mother, Esther A. Foellinger. One of the largest sources of funding in this part of Indiana, the foundation aims to “provide grants, leadership training, conferences, workshops and speakers to strengthen organizations that serve children and families – particularly those with the greatest economic need and the least opportunity.” Its funding areas include early childhood, youth and family development, as well as community interests and organizational capacity building.
Grants for Early Childhood Development and Community Development
The Foellinger Foundation supports “mission-driven, well-governed, and results-oriented” nonprofits in Allen County that serve the local population, especially those that are marginalized or economically disadvantaged. It prioritizes support for organizations “led by adaptive board and key staff members that promote self-reliance and build community.”
Types of grants include
Community-Based Grants – 80% of foundation grantmaking goes to area nonprofits focused on children and families with “the greatest economic need and the least opportunity.” Foellinger’s early childhood and family focus areas support early learning, healthy family outcomes and economic security. Youth grants help promote successful transitions to adulthood through positive academic, social and emotional development.
Community Interests Grants – 10% of the foundation’s grantmaking goes to Allen County-based nonprofits that focus on issues and activities within the community other than those covered by Community-Based grants.
Capacity Building – The foundation’s capacity building program works to develop “board-driven organizational effectiveness” at local nonprofits. Examples of this can include financial sustainability, board governance, and succession planning. To apply for this grant, reach out to the Chief Program Officer, at dawn@foellinger.org or 260 422-2900.
While these are the primary funding programs at the foundation, it does offer support in other areas, particularly in leadership development.
The Barbara Burt Innovative Leader Fund provides grants to board members of area nonprofits to attend conferences, workshops, webinars, or other events located outside of Allen County or online. Further guidelines are available here.
Other leadership development opportunities and programs include a leadership lab, fellowship, and web video series on leadership topics.
Important Grant Details
Grants range between about $5,000 and $200,000, but the most common amount is $10,000. In a recent year the foundation held over $207 million in assets and gave away more than $7 million in grants.
Grantmaking focuses on Allen County, Indiana and specifically on the city of Fort Wayne.
This foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits.
It provides online grant application portal access and various forms on its website to guide grantseekers.
Early childhood and family development proposals are due in August, youth development proposals in November and community interests in February.
The funder hosts grant application workshops prior to each of those deadlines.
Direct general questions to the staff at info@foellinger.org or 260-422-2900. The foundation’s mailing address is 520 East Berry Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802.
PEOPLE:
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