Chaffee Family Foundation Inc is a private 501(c)(3) foundation based in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The foundation was established in 2014 and operates as a grantmaking organization focused on supporting charitable initiatives that address poverty and promote learning and growth within communities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$361K
+15.3% YoY
Grant Count
24
+14.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$15K
+0.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to support educational initiatives of charitable organizations to enrich lives through learning opportunities. The foundation primarily funds programs that assist families, individuals, and communities in reducing or removing causes and conditions of poverty.
Primary funding focus areas include:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
- Food security and hunger relief
- Beekeeping and scouting organizations
The foundation uses the concept of "teaching people to fish" as a guiding principle in selecting initiatives to support.
Grantmaking
The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Grants are awarded by invitation only, with funding determinations made annually in June.
Grant Range
$500–$50,000
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with Chaffee Family Foundation Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports organizations and initiatives in:
- Indiana
- Tennessee
- California
- Ohio (educational initiatives exclusively within the state)
The foundation exclusively supports Ohio organizations for educational programs and initiatives within Ohio.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Giving (2024):
- Total assets: $4,903,211
- Total giving: $361,000
- Total revenues: $266,970
- Total expenses: $437,672
Assets & Giving (2023):
- Total assets: $5,070,000
- Total giving: $313,000–$321,000
- Total revenues: $519,000
- Total expenses: $378,000
Giving Rate: Approximately 6.2% of assets
Staffing: The foundation operates with zero employees.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
121 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Erins House ($50,000), Vincent Village ($50,000), Community Harvest Food Bank-wc ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALZHEIMERS ASSOCIATION FORT WAYNE, IN | PREVENTS AND ALLEVIATES HUMAN SUFFERING IN THE FACE OF EMERGENCIES. | $2,000 |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF FORT WAYNE FORT WAYNE, IN | INSPIRE YOUNG PEOPLE TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL AS PRODUCTIVE, CARING, RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS. | $1,000 |
| CAMP WHITLEY COLUMBIA CITY, IN | PROVIDES WEEK LONG SUMMER EXPERIENCES TO YOUTH AGES 7-14. | $1,000 |
| CARRIAGE HOUSE FORT WAYNE, IN | ASSIST ADULTS WITH SERIOUS MENTAL ISSUES IN THEIR RECOVERY. REDISCOVERING SKILLS TO RETURN TO WORK OR SCHOOL. | $2,000 |
| COMMUNITY HARVEST FOOD BANK-WC BLUFFTON, IN | MEETING THE NEEDS OF WELLS COUNTY RESIDENTS WITH FOOD AND CLOTHING. | $25,000 |
| COMMUNITY HARVEST FOOD BANK-AC FORT WAYNE, IN | DISTRIBUTES MILLIONS OF POUNDS OF FOOD TO PUBLIC. INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN NEED. | $25,000 |
| ERINS HOUSE FORT WAYNE, IN | SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN, TEENS, AND THEIR FAMILIES WHO HAVE SUFFERED THE DEATH OF A LOVED ONE. | $50,000 |
| FORT WAYNE ANIMAL CONTROL FORT WAYNE, IN | TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY IN A HUMANE, PUBLIC SAFETY CAPACITY WHIEL WORKING TO KEEP PETS WITH LOVING FAMILIES WHILE PROVIDING EDUCATION AND RESOURCES. | $1,000 |
| HARTFORD CITY COMMUNITY AND FAMILY SERVICES HARTFORD CITY, IN | PROVIDE FOOD AND HEALTH SERVICES FOR THOSE IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE. | $25,000 |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF NORTHER INDIANA FORT WAYNE, IN | MENTORING PROGRAMS TO GUIDE YOUTH TO THEIR OWN ECONOMIC SUCCESS. | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is led by family members serving in the following roles:
- Karen J Chaffee – President
- Troy A Chaffee – Vice President
- Bradley C Chaffee – Vice President
- Scott W Chaffee – Secretary
- Todd V Chaffee – Treasurer
- Charles V Chaffee – Director
All board members serve one hour per week with no compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAREN J CHAFFEE | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| TROY A CHAFFEE | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| BRADLEY C CHAFFEE | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| SCOTT W CHAFFEE | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| TODD V CHAFFEE | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| CHARLES V CHAFFEE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Chaffee Family Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation's mission is to support educational initiatives of charitable organizations to enrich lives through learning opportunities. The foundation primarily funds programs that assist families, individuals, and communities in reducing or removing causes and conditions of poverty. Primary funding focus areas include: • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services • Food security and hunger relief • Beekeeping and scouting organizations The foundation uses the conce…
How do I apply for a grant from Chaffee Family Foundation Inc?
**Grant Activity:** • Annual giving: Approximately $313,000–$361,000 • Number of grants: 20–21 grants annually • Typical grant range: $500–$50,000 • Median grant size: $10,000 • Grant range: $1,000–$50,000 **Recent Grant Recipients (2024):** • Erin's House for Grieving Children: $50,000 (support for children, teens, and families who have suffered the death of a loved one) • Vincent Village: $50,000 (services for families experiencing homelessness with goal of permanent housing) • West Noble Foo…
Where does Chaffee Family Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation supports organizations and initiatives in: • Indiana • Tennessee • California • Ohio (educational initiatives exclusively within the state) The foundation exclusively supports Ohio organizations for educational programs and initiatives within Ohio.
What size grants does Chaffee Family Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Chaffee Family Foundation Inc awarded 24 grants totaling $361K — an average of about $15K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Chaffee Family Foundation Inc's EIN?
Chaffee Family Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-4835368. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Chaffee Family Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Boren Foundation Inc
UPLAND, IN
Assets
$19.1M
Grants
70
Total Given
$1.3M
Lupke Foundation Inc Agency
FORT WAYNE, IN
Assets
$1.4M
Grants
22
Total Given
$76K
Harold Ellison Tuw for Jones Cemetery 002189
MUNCIE, IN
Assets
$442K
Grants
1
Total Given
$9K
John Carroll Club of South Bend Inc
SOUTH BEND, IN
Assets
—
Grants
1
Total Given
$220K
Buchanan-clements Foundation Inc
COLUMBUS, IN
Assets
$261K
Grants
3
Total Given
$16K
Harold Ellison Scholarship Fund 002188
MUNCIE, IN
Assets
$1.1M
Grants
1
Total Given
$62K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Chaffee Family Foundation Inc on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Chaffee Family Foundation Inc to a real strategy.