Olive B Cole Foundation Inc
Olive B Cole Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It supports efforts to improve quality of life in Northeast Indiana, with particular emphasis on DeKalb, LaGrange, Noble, and Steuben counties.
Olive B Cole Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Olive B Cole Foundation Inc gave $1.5M across 48 grants in 2026 (avg $31K), mostly in Indiana. 32% of 2026 grantees were new. Source: 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2026)
- $1,468,312
- +15.6% vs 2025
- Grants made (2026)
- 48
- -23.8% vs 2025
- Average grant
- $30,590
- +51.7% vs 2025
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $32,449,889
- +0.0% vs 2025
- New grantees (estimate)
- 32% first-time grantees (15 of 47, 2026)
- Primary geography
- Indiana (100% of itemized 2026 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2026 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2026; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Olive B Cole Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests through its preliminary proposal process. Organizations whose preliminary proposals are approved are invited to submit a full application.
- Review Cycle
- The 2025 filing lists no deadlines; applications are considered quarterly.
- Deadline
- The 2025 filing lists no deadlines; applications are considered quarterly.
- Contact
Application contact: Emily Pichon
Mailing address: 6207 Constitution Drive, Fort Wayne, IN 46804
Phone: (260) 436-2182
Website: https://obcole.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Olive B Cole Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2026
The largest 2026 recipient was Scholarships ($226K). Together the top 10 received $771K.
Grant Size Distribution
245 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 198 grants of 245 (81%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation focuses on residents of DeKalb, LaGrange, Noble, and Steuben counties in Northeast Indiana. It may consider organizations located outside those counties if they serve residents of the four-county area. In filing year 2026, all reported grant dollars went to recipients in Indiana.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2026 grant dollars across all 48 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Olive B Cole Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
32%
first-time grantees, 2026
In 2026, 15 of 47 grantees (32%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $27K; repeat grants $26K. How we count
Medians: $20K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 45% of 2026 grantees were also funded in 2025. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2023 to 2026 (−1%). Method
- In 2026 it paid out 97% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2026). 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 2020 to 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $1.2M (2024) to $1.5M (2023). In 2026 it made 48 grants totaling $1.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Scholarships Fort Wayne, IN | College scholarships | $226,250 |
| YMCA of Steuben County Angola, IN | Maintenance updates | $98,650 |
| Cole Center Family YMCA Kendallville, IN | Capital and maitenance | $70,000 |
| Questa Foundation for Education Fort Wayne, IN | County scholars | $66,000 |
| Trine University Angola, IN | Best Hall renovations | $60,000 |
| Ivy Tech Foundation Fort Wayne, IN | Scholarships | $50,279 |
| Purdue University Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, IN | Parker Cole Bridge | $50,000 |
| Inspiration Ministries Auburn, IN | Renovation of 112 S Main St | $50,000 |
| Noble County Council on Aging Kendallville, IN | Capital improvements | $50,000 |
| Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum Auburn, IN | Building repairs | $50,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Olive B Cole Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The foundation also reports administering a scholarship program for college students under a previously approved program. Its 2025 filing states that scholarship eligibility is limited to residents and/or graduates of secondary schools in Noble and LaGrange counties, Indiana.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $32,449,889 | $1,984,487 | $1,974,467 | $1,468,312 | 48 | $1,807,086 | $849,885 | $1,872,547 |
| 2025 | $32,439,869 | $1,528,596 | $1,747,061 | $1,270,301 | 63 | $1,581,497 | $1,042,920 | $1,784,133 |
| 2024 | $32,658,334 | $1,595,787 | $1,735,779 | $1,246,795 | 39 | $1,555,710 | $1,488,912 | $1,589,679 |
| 2023 | $32,798,326 | $2,843,905 | $1,977,582 | $1,487,770 | 45 | $1,786,225 | $2,715,291 | $1,558,747 |
| 2022 | $31,932,003 | $3,258,816 | $1,756,825 | $1,323,546 | 50 | $1,600,290 | $3,126,431 | $1,788,815 |
| 2021 | $30,430,012 | $2,439,590 | $1,764,475 | $1,339,715 | 46 | — | $2,322,936 | $1,584,432 |
| 2020 | $29,754,897 | $3,067,627 | $1,644,604 | $1,261,072 | 61 | — | $3,236,223 | $1,507,341 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Olive B Cole Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.9M for 2026 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to improve quality of life for residents of Northeast Indiana, with special emphasis on Noble, DeKalb, LaGrange, and Steuben counties. Its stated vision includes advancing education, economic development, community crisis assistance, recreational opportunities, and environmental conservation. The foundation identifies economic development and job creation as strategic priorities; its website also highlights job creation, entrepreneurism, scholarships, and education.
The foundation says it funds 501(c)(3) organizations and governmental entities located in the four counties, and may consider organizations based elsewhere if they serve residents of those counties. Its guidelines state that grant applications are considered only from organizations exempt under Section 501(c)(3) that also qualify as 509(a) public charities.
Recent grantees illustrate the range of organizations supported. YMCA of Steuben County describes its work as building healthy spirit, mind, and body through programs, while Cole Center Family YMCA says it offers affordable community programs and services. Ivy Tech Foundation supports an individual recipient Community College; Noble County Council on Aging describes services and transportation for older adults; and Science Central describes hands-on science education for people of all ages. These are grantees’ own descriptions of their work.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2026, the foundation reported 48 grants totaling $1,468,312. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $226,250, with a median of $20,000. Examples include $226,250 for college scholarships; $98,650 to YMCA of Steuben County for maintenance updates; $70,000 to Cole Center Family YMCA for capital and maintenance; $66,000 to Questa Foundation for Education for county scholars; and $60,000 to Trine University for Best Hall renovations.
The foundation’s website describes a preliminary proposal process: organizations submit a letter of proposal, and after preliminary approval the foundation provides a link to an application. It says applications are considered quarterly and that a foundation representative may request additional information. The website also says applicants are generally expected to contribute to the project, ongoing projects should have a plan for self-sufficiency, and projects are generally favored when they have broad support. The foundation normally does not make grants to religious organizations, endowments, or national fund drives, and does not encourage requests to fund an entire project. Loans or cash grants to private individuals are not available. The foundation’s 2025 filing states that application forms are available on request, lists no deadlines, and says it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2026 filing lists Maclyn T Parker as chairman; Emily Pichon as president; Gwen Tipton as scholarship director; Kristi Parker Celico as secretary/treasurer; and John Riemke, J Tracy Tipton, Michael Barranda, and Larry Clemens as directors.
Olive B Cole Foundation Inc is led by Emily E Pichon, President since 2021 (on filings since 2020); all 8 officers listed in 2026 are compensated.
Officers on the 2026 filing
Emily E Pichon
President
Secretary & Treasurer → President, 2021
On filings since 2020
30 hrs/week
$35K (2021) → $72K (2026)
Maclyn T Parker
Chairman
President → Chairman of the Board, 2021
Chairman of the Board → Chairman, 2025
On filings since 2020
30 hrs/week
$50K (2021) → $52K (2026)
Gwen I Tipton
Scholarship Director
On filings since 2020
12 hrs/week
$13K (2021) → $17K (2026)
J Tracy Tipton
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$6K (2021) → $11K (2026)
John Riemke
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$6K (2021) → $11K (2026)
Michael Barranda
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$6K (2021) → $9K (2026)
Larry Clemens
Director
On filings since 2025
5 hrs/week
$9K (2025) → $12K (2026)
Kristi Parker Celico
Secretary & Treasurer
Director → Secretary & Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2020
18 hrs/week
$25K (2021) → $40K (2026)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Jack Hunter (2020–2025) — Director
- Former: John N Pichon Jr. (2020–2022) — Emeritis Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2026. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2026 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2026 filing was $72K, to Emily Pichon (President). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Olive B Cole Foundation Inc
How much does Olive B Cole Foundation Inc give each year?
Olive B Cole Foundation Inc gave $1.5M across 48 grants in 2026, according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2025 it gave $1.3M across 63 grants.
What is Olive B Cole Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Olive B Cole Foundation Inc's median grant in 2026 was $20,000, and its average grant was $30,590, across 48 grants on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Olive B Cole Foundation Inc that year got $27K on average.
Where does Olive B Cole Foundation Inc give grants?
Olive B Cole Foundation Inc gives mostly in Indiana: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Fort Wayne, IN (23 grants), Kendallville, IN (6 grants), Angola, IN (3 grants) and Auburn, IN (3 grants).
Does Olive B Cole Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Occasionally: 4% of Olive B Cole Foundation Inc's 2026 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 48) were for general or operating support, per its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Olive B Cole Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Olive B Cole Foundation Inc's largest 2026 grantees include Scholarships ($226,250), YMCA of Steuben County ($98,650) and Cole Center Family YMCA ($70,000), according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 27% of its itemized 2026 grant dollars.
How large is Olive B Cole Foundation Inc?
Olive B Cole Foundation Inc reported $32.4M in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.9M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Olive B Cole Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s mission is to improve quality of life for residents of Northeast Indiana, with special emphasis on Noble, DeKalb, LaGrange, and Steuben counties. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Olive B Cole Foundation Inc?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests through its preliminary proposal process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Olive B Cole Foundation Inc's EIN?
Olive B Cole Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 35-6040491. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2026.
Does Olive B Cole Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2026 (received by the IRS August 10, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Olive B Cole Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/olive-b-cole-foundation-inc-morg_163bdf74e1584aa9888a633dcee7119b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_356040491_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Olive B Cole Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/olive-b-cole-foundation-inc-morg_163bdf74e1584aa9888a633dcee7119b},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. 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 Olive B Cole 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.
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