AWS Foundation Inc
AWS Foundation Inc. is a public charity based in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It supports nonprofit organizations working to improve the lives of children and adults with enduring intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities, with a stated focus on independence, community inclusion, and full participation.
AWS Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: AWS Foundation Inc gave $6.5M across 90 grants in 2025 (avg $72K), mostly in Indiana. 32% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $6,483,209
- -14.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 90
- +45.2% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $72,036
- -40.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $45,600
- Total assets
- $130,089,098
- +12.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 32% first-time grantees (29 of 90, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Indiana (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to AWS Foundation Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: 5323 West Jefferson Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN 46804
Phone: (260) 222-5005
Website: https://awsfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from AWS Foundation Inc
Mighty Money Mini Grants
AWS Foundation Inc
Amount
Up to US $5,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Specialty Grants- Gilmore Inclusive Arts Grant
AWS Foundation Inc
Amount
Up to US $25,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Traditional Grants
AWS Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who AWS Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Fort Wayne Park Foundation ($500K). Together the top 10 received $2.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
341 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 186 grants of 341 (55%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s 2023 filing describes its nonprofit support as serving Northeast Indiana. In 2025, all reported grant dollars went to recipients in Indiana.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 90 itemized grants.
Cities
Is AWS Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
32%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 29 of 90 grantees (32%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $39K; repeat grants $88K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $55K repeat.
- 41% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−6%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $3.8M (2020) to $7.5M (2024). In 2025 it made 90 grants totaling $6.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Wayne Park Foundation Fort Wayne, IN | Capital | $500,000 |
| Daniel's Place North Manchester, IN | Capital | $400,000 |
| Questa Education Foundation Fort Wayne, IN | Teacher shortages | $400,000 |
| Vincent Village Fort Wayne, IN | Capital | $320,391 |
| The League Fort Wayne, IN | Programming | $284,407 |
| Community Transportation Network Fort Wayne, IN | Operating | $227,500 |
| Arc of Lagrange County Howe, IN | Programming | $214,503 |
| University of Saint Francis Jesters Fort Wayne, IN | Programming | $183,000 |
| Easterseals Arc of Northeast Indiana Inc Fort Wayne, IN | Programming | $167,331 |
| Down Syndrome Association of Northeast Indiana Fort Wayne, IN | Operating | $157,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $130,089,098 | $17,533,778 | $9,794,968 | $6,483,209 | 90 | $4,049,607 |
| 2024 | $115,800,578 | $18,431,784 | $10,800,281 | $7,543,015 | 62 | $5,249,768 |
| 2023 | $104,031,712 | $11,905,004 | $9,337,080 | $6,029,813 | 66 | $2,792,711 |
| 2022 | $96,607,154 | $12,377,288 | $10,133,829 | $6,874,251 | 56 | $4,162,024 |
| 2021 | $105,944,055 | $11,444,563 | $6,919,015 | $3,891,645 | 67 | $1,277,998 |
| 2020 | $82,841,430 | $9,958,588 | $6,986,520 | $3,826,276 | 79 | $1,927,268 |
| 2019 | $84,510,007 | $10,606,183 | $7,505,630 | $4,553,393 | 61 | $2,928,205 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
AWS Foundation’s mission is to help children and adults with enduring intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities live as independently as possible, be included in the community, and function at their highest potential. It envisions a community where people with these disabilities are engaged fully and meaningfully in all aspects of community life.
Its filing describes support for nonprofit organizations in Northeast Indiana. Its grant programs describe funding for nonprofit organizations’ programs, capital needs, and operations. Among 2025 grantees, Daniel’s Place says it provides respite care and support services for people with physical and intellectual disabilities; the League for the Blind and Disabled says it provides individualized services and advocates for improvements in community conditions; and Community Transportation Network says it helps people maintain connections in the community by easing transportation burdens.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, AWS Foundation reported 90 grants totaling $6,483,209. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $500,000, with a median grant of $45,600.
The largest reported awards included $500,000 to Fort Wayne Park Foundation for capital; $400,000 to Daniel’s Place for capital; $400,000 to Questa Education Foundation for teacher shortages; $320,391 to Vincent Village for capital; and $284,407 to The League for programming. Other large awards included $227,500 to Community Transportation Network for operating costs and $214,503 to Arc of LaGrange County for programming.
The foundation’s grant-program information describes Traditional Grants for organizations in Northeast Indiana that assist people with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities. It also lists an Additional Licensing Grant scholarship of up to $2,500 per year for eligible special educators in Northeast Indiana public schools seeking additional special-education credentials or a master’s degree. No application process or deadline is specified in the available information.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Whitney Bandemer as chair and Dr. Tasha Williams as vice chair. Doug Burdick is listed as treasurer, and Joe Doust as secretary. Directors listed are Cassie Beer, Dr. Kim Barnett Johnson, Dr. Mark Zolman, Dr. Phil Downs, Dr. Tommy Smith, and Larry Adelman.
AWS Foundation Inc is led by Patricia Hays, CEO on every filing since 2019; 4 of 17 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Patricia Hays
CEO
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$198K (2019) → $214K (2025)
Whitney Bandemer
Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2022
Vice Chair → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Larry Adelman
Director
Chair → Director, 2021
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susan Trent
Director
Vice Chair → Chair, 2022
Chair → Director, 2025
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kim Barnett Johnson
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Zolman
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nancy Boyer
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Phil Downs
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tommy Smith
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cassie Beer
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Monte Lightner
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Todd Jacobs
CFO
Vice Chair → Chair & CFO, 2021
Chair & CFO → CFO, 2022
On filings since 2019
35 hrs/week
$62K (2022) → $123K (2025)
Joan Schmalzried
Chief Program Officer
Program Officer → Chief Program Officer, 2023
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$102K (2022) → $112K (2025)
Vickie Johnson
Vice President - Finder
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$101K (2023) → $111K (2025)
Joe Doust
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2021
On filings since 2019
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tasha Williams
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Doug Burdick
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (14)
- Former: Andy Brooks (2022–2024) — Treasurer
- Former: Tom O'Neill (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Heather Herron (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Nancy Jordan (2021–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Ben Eisbart (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Mike Cahill (2019–2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Rise' Taylor (2019–2021) — CFO
- Former: Robert Stone (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Philip Downs (2021) — Director
- Former: Chris Cathcart (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Dan Skekloff (2019–2020) — Director Thr
- Former: Sherri Miller (2019–2020) — Director Thr
- Former: Tim Dirig (2019–2020) — Treasurer Th
- Former: Tracie Martin (2019–2020) — Secretary
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $214K, to Patricia Hays (CEO). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about AWS Foundation Inc
How much does AWS Foundation Inc give each year?
AWS Foundation Inc gave $6.5M across 90 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $7.5M across 62 grants.
What is AWS Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
AWS Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $45,600, and its average grant was $72,036, across 90 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from AWS Foundation Inc that year got $39K on average.
Where does AWS Foundation Inc give grants?
AWS Foundation Inc gives mostly in Indiana: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Fort Wayne, IN (48 grants), Warsaw, IN (6 grants), Huntington, IN (3 grants) and Indianapolis, IN (3 grants).
Does AWS Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 12% of AWS Foundation Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (11 of 90) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Programming" (46 grants) and "Capital" (30 grants).
Who are AWS Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
AWS Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Fort Wayne Park Foundation ($500,000), Daniel's Place ($400,000) and Questa Education Foundation ($400,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 20% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is AWS Foundation Inc?
AWS Foundation Inc reported $130.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $17.5M.
What does AWS Foundation Inc fund?
AWS Foundation’s mission is to help children and adults with enduring intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities live as independently as possible, be included in the community, and function at their highest potential. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from AWS Foundation Inc?
AWS Foundation Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check awsfoundation.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is AWS Foundation Inc's EIN?
AWS Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-0142813. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 6, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 8, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 21, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 13, 2026)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS January 15, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS January 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 3, 2022)
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in AWS Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). AWS Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/aws-foundation-inc-morg_0603f37a19cf49ce8ad802ecdd03b7f7
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_260142813_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{AWS Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/aws-foundation-inc-morg_0603f37a19cf49ce8ad802ecdd03b7f7},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from AWS Foundation Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
AWS Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?