Foellinger Foundation: Community Interests Grant

The Foellinger Foundation's Community Interests Grant focuses on enhancing the quality of life for residents in Fort Wayne and Allen County. By providing financial support, leadership training, and resources to nonprofits, this grant targets organizations that address broader community issues. Approximately 20% of the Foundation's funding is allocated to nonprofits that, while not directly serving children and families, contribute to vital community needs. This initiative aims to empower mission-driven organizations to create lasting impacts.

We provide grants, leadership training, conferences, workshops, and thought-leading speakers to strengthen organizations that serve children and families—particularly those with the greatest economic need and the least opportunity.
Programs and projects that address broader community issues that benefit Fort Wayne and Allen County residents are important to us.
The Foellinger Foundation awards approximately 20% of its grant dollars to Allen County-based nonprofit organizations that address other community issues, activities, and/or needs but do not directly serve children and families with the greatest economic need and least opportunity. The Foundation does this by identifying and funding mission-driven, well-governed, results-oriented organizations.

Eligibility

The Foundation primarily awards grants to Allen County-based nonprofit organizations that serve Allen County residents, are exempt from paying federal taxes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and that are not private foundations. In addition, only organizations in the following subcategories may be considered for grants:509(a)1 - 509(a)3 Type I, Type II, or
509(a)2 - Type III (Functionally Integrated)Occasionally, the Foundation awards grants to governmental entities for programs or projects that enhance the community’s quality of life, so long as those enhancements would occur only with private contributions. Organizations may request:Operating or program support
One-year support
If their organizations are at least three years old (based on IRS ruling date)Community Interests grant applicants may request one-year funding.Organizations may only submit one application for operating or program support per calendar year.

Ineligibility

The Foundation will not accept grant applications to support the general operations of public, including charter, or private schools (Pre-K through Postsecondary).Organizations may not request:Capital support Multi-year fundingSupport for new organizations less than three years old (based on IRS ruling date)Support for new programs less than three years oldThe Foundation does not award grants:To individuals, including scholarships, travel assistance or conference fees.For endowments.To support religious organizations for sectarian purposes.To fund project, program, operating or capital campaign deficits.For programs or projects that taxpayers normally support.For sponsorships, camperships (including camp-related programs or programming), special events, advertising or group trips.For annual campaigns or appeals.