Do It Best Foundation Inc
Do It Best Foundation Inc is a private grantmaking foundation based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, established in 2019 by Do it Best, a wholesale hardware and lumber distributor. The foundation operates as a single entity with the True Value Foundation, channeling resources from Do it Best and True Value's network into community impact initiatives. The foundation is guided by the philosophy of "Serving others as we would like to be served."
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.2M
+41.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$534K
+14.1% YoY
Grant Count
44
+46.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$12K
-22.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation focuses on four primary areas:
- Community Development – Developing strong connections and supporting what makes neighborhoods unique
- Youth Enrichment – Encouraging educational and developmental activities to prepare children for a successful future
- Health & Wellness – Ensuring adequate resources to support the growth of healthy children and their families
- The Arts – Supporting vibrant culture displayed through creativity and imagination
Grantmaking
The Do It Best Foundation makes grants to support not-for-profit community organizations and agencies. Recent grant activity includes:
Grant Types
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation serves designated communities across multiple states:
- Illinois: Dixon
- Indiana: Fort Wayne
- Missouri: Sikeston
- Nevada: Mesquite
- New York: Montgomery
- Ohio: Medina
- Oregon: Woodburn
- South Carolina: Lexington
- South Dakota: Milbank
- Texas: Waco
The foundation also funds organizations in additional cities including Bluffton, Chicago, and Indianapolis.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent (2024):
- Total Assets: $1,582,932
- Total Revenue: $1,208,758
- Total Expenses: $647,499
- Total Liabilities: $0
Revenue Breakdown (2024):
- Grants and contributions: $1,180,036
- Investment income and dividends: $28,722
Historical Growth:
- Total grants and contributions increased 104.3% from 2023 ($577,734) to 2024 ($1,180,036)
- Investment income increased 1089.8% from 2023 ($2,414) to 2024 ($28,722)
Tax Status: 501(c)(3) organization; tax-exempt since January 2020; EIN 84-2148850
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,242,399 | $1,582,932 | $1,024,338 |
| Revenue | $1,523,643 | $1,208,758 | $580,148 |
| Expenses | $864,176 | $647,499 | $329,336 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $534,046 | $467,923 | $168,215 |
| Net Investment Income | $55,620 | $28,722 | $2,414 |
| Distributable Amount | $97,222 | $63,374 | $47,392 |
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
136 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Do It Best Foundation Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Curtis Smith – Executive Director (appointed October 2024). Smith previously served as Chief Meteorologist for an ABC television affiliate for over two decades, Corporate Director of Community Engagement for Parkview Health, and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for Lasting Change Inc. He holds degrees in communications and meteorology, and a Master's degree in organizational leadership.
Doug Roth – Treasurer
Nick Talarico – President
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| NICK TALARICO | PRESIDENT | 2.5 | — |
| GARY FURST | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| DOUG ROTH | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| DANIEL STARR | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has announced multiple grant distributions in recent periods, including:
Woodlawn receives grant from Do It Best Foundation to support theater programs\More than $210,000 in grants approved
Do it Best Foundation approves more than $210,000 in grantsMore than $100,000 in grant distributions announced
Grants awarded to support theater programs and community organizations in Dixon, Illinois
Woodlawn receives grant from Do It Best Foundation to support theater programs\Partnerships with organizations such as Blessings in a Backpack and Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago
The foundation's "Fore the Cause" golf tournament brings hundreds of vendors annually to Fort Wayne and has raised several million dollars to support grantmaking capabilities.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Similar funders by location and focus area
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—
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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