Champions of Change Awards
Funding Amount
Not stated
Deadline
Expected ~February
Based on past cycles
Grant Type
Foundation
Deadline history & next window
- Cycle
- Annual
- Current deadline
- February 28, 2027
- Tracked since
- April 2026
Deadlines typically fall in: February
From the program guidelines: “Deadline: February 28th (annually)”
Overview
Annual awards presented by the Greater Fort Wayne Inc. Women's Network to honor extraordinary leaders and mentors in Allen County who mentor and empower women.
Geographic Scope: Allen County, Indiana
Award Categories: Two awards given annually—one to a female honoree and one to a male honoree
Eligibility Criteria: Nominees must:
- Demonstrate an unwavering passion and commitment to the community
- Be role models making a difference in the lives of others
- Have made significant contributions that have inspired women to succeed
- Have made Allen County a better place to live, work, and play
- Investors preferred but not required
Recognition: Winners are recognized at an annual luncheon (historically held in April). All nominees are recognized for their contributions to the community.
Contact Information:
- Phone: (260) 420-6945
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 200 E. Main Street Suite 800, Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Additional Information:
- Nominations submitted online via CommunityForce platform (gfwinc.communityforce.com)
- Reviewed and scored on a blind basis by a panel of chamber of commerce leaders from outside Allen County
- Program overseen by Brenda Gerber Vincent, VP of community and corporate impact
- Past winners: 2019 (Wendy Moyle and John Dortch), 2020 (Corinna Ladd and Marty Pastura)
How to Apply
Application Process
- Submit Nomination Online
- Visit: gfwinc.communityforce.com
- Complete nomination form
- Deadline: February 28th (annually)
- Nomination Details
- Any community member may submit nominations
- Nominees need not be GFW Inc. investors (but investors are preferred)
- No self-nominations (appears to require community submission)
- Review Process
- Nominations reviewed and scored on blind basis
- Reviewed by panel of chamber of commerce leaders from outside Allen County
- Winner Selection
- Two winners selected (one female, one male)
- Winners announced at annual luncheon event
- Recognition Event
- Annual luncheon held in April
- All nominees recognized
- Winners announced and honored
What Greater Fort Wayne Metro Chamber Alliance Inc actually gave
Source: IRS Form 990, 2023 — the most recent filing with itemized grants
- Grants in 2023
- 1
- Total given
- $102K
- Median grant
- $102K
- By dollars: Indiana 100%. Top recipient cities: Fort Wayne, IN.
Example grants
Fort Wayne-Allen County Economic Development Alliance Inc · Fort Wayne, IN
Grant for future eco
$102K
Focus Areas & Funding Uses
Fields of Work
- Women
Categories
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