M E Raker Foundation Inc
M E Raker Foundation Inc is a private, non-operating foundation established in 1984 and based in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The foundation was created following the death of M. E. "Gene" Raker, a pioneer in the mobile home industry who owned Peerless Manufacturing Corporation. The foundation was incorporated to benefit the people of Fort Wayne and Allen County, with the mission of honoring Gene Raker's legacy through philanthropic giving.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$10.7M
+0.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$480K
+0.8% YoY
Grant Count
64
+3.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$8K
-2.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The M E Raker Foundation primarily funds organizations serving residents of Fort Wayne and Allen County, Indiana. The foundation's areas of interest include:
- Education Support Services (K-12)
- Health Support Services
- Historic Preservation
- Parks and Public Recreation
- Services for the Disabled
- Youth Development
The foundation prioritizes applicants who operate from a diverse funding base, encourage volunteerism, collaborate with like-minded organizations to better serve the community, and whose programs are unique to their demographic and geographic areas.
Recent grant activity demonstrates support for accessibility initiatives, educational programming, and inclusive recreation. The foundation has invested in projects such as accessible facilities at the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo, Taylor's Dream (Indiana's first boundless playground designed for children with disabilities), the History Center's Heritage Education Fund, and the Nature Center at Fox Island Park.
Grantmaking
Grant applications are considered on a quarterly basis and must be submitted electronically through the foundation's website using the application form and project budget template. Application deadlines are the last Fridays in January, April, July, and October.
Grant Range
$1,000–$30,000
Review Cycle
are the last Fridays in January, April, July, and October.
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation concentrates its giving in Indiana, with 97% of all grants awarded within the state. Within Indiana, funding is heavily concentrated in Fort Wayne (94% of grants), with smaller allocations to Garrett (2%) and New Haven (1%). The foundation demonstrates a commitment to deep community impact in its primary service area of Fort Wayne and Allen County.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets and Giving:
- Total assets: $10,740,187 (as of 2025)
- Total giving: $480,436 (most recent year)
- Annual giving rate: approximately 4.3% of assets
- Total revenues: $659,630 (2025)
- Total expenses: $644,842 (2025)
Historical Giving:
- Total grants awarded (all years): $1,291,440 across 174 grants
- Funding trajectory: 27% growth over two years, indicating stable and gradually increasing funding capacity
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $10,740,187 | $10,725,399 | $10,827,941 |
| Revenue | $659,630 | $502,517 | $108,177 |
| Expenses | $644,842 | $622,621 | $671,806 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $559,528 | $550,323 | $574,467 |
| Net Investment Income | $582,328 | $397,417 | $247,338 |
| Distributable Amount | $596,349 | $561,417 | $546,887 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stephen J Williams | President | 12 | $31,500 |
| Jennifer J Pickard | Secretary | 20 | $31,500 |
| Emily Pichon | Treasurer | 10 | $18,900 |
Recent Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Recent grants made by the foundation include:
Merakey Foundation Announces Recipients of the IDD Impact GrantsTurnstone Center for Children and Adults with Disabilities: $15,000 (Operating Support)
Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society: $15,000 (Restoration of Pleasant Lake Station)
Community Transportation Network: $10,000 (Medical Transportation Program)
The foundation maintains a balanced approach to grantmaking, with 38% of recent grants awarded to new applicants while maintaining loyal partnerships with established organizations.
Merakey Foundation Announces Recipients of the IDD Impact GrantsRelated Funders
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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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