Foellinger Foundation is hiring an Events & Communications Coordinator. This is a new position responsible for providing general support for all Foundation-sponsored programs and events, as well as assisting with the development and execution of the Foundation’s overall marketing and communications strategy.

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Fort Wayne’s homeownership program empowers Allen County residents to increase their strength, stability, and self-reliance by helping hard-working, low- to middle-income families build and purchase their own homes. In 2023, Habitat served 20 families—and in 2024, they will serve a record 26 families, thanks to new and innovative collaborations.

Foellinger Foundation welcomed Samuel R. Graves as Board Chair as of January 1, 2024. Sam joined the Foellinger Foundation Board of Directors in 2020 and served as the Vice Chair and Secretary in 2023. Sam’s involvement with the Foundation began in 2016, and includes service on the following committees: Community Interests Grant Review Advisory, Limited Asset Improvement, Audit, Investment and Finance, Board Development, Search, Leadership, and Thrive.

Foellinger Foundation has announced a $125,000 five-year program grant to Courageous Healing in honor of late Foellinger Foundation board member, Janae McCullough-Boyd. The grant will support counseling and/or coaching for African American women in Allen County.

Afterschool programs provide safe environments for youth to continue to learn and grow. School-age children and youth spend 80% of their waking hours outside of school, so how they spend that time can be formative for continuing not only their academic development—but also their social and emotional development.

Amanda Jamison joined the Foellinger Foundation staff on November 13, 2023 as the Senior Program Officer.

Amanda relocated to Fort Wayne from Elkhart, Indiana, where she was the Senior Program Officer at the Community Foundation of Elkhart County (CFEC). At CFEC, Amanda was responsible for advancing the foundation’s grantmaking and scholarship efforts. She served on task forces and community committees to address significant community issues. Amanda also coached individuals and nonprofit organizations that sought to bolster opportunities for others at CFEC. She worked across all departments to achieve the charitable intent as established by donors.

Afterschool programs provide safe environments for youth to continue to learn and grow. School-age children and youth spend 80% of their waking hours outside of school, so how they spend that time can be formative for continuing not only their academic development—but also their social and emotional development.

We are pleased to share with you that the Foellinger Foundation has announced Sarah Strimmenos as its next President and CEO.

Linda Jackson, Board Chair of Erin’s House, was recognized as the 2023 David A. Bobilya Excellence in Nonprofit Leadership Award recipient at a ceremony on September 27, 2023. Congratulations, Linda!

In celebration of its 65th anniversary, the Foellinger Foundation board of directors has approved a three-year, $1,000,000 grant to the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation department for capital support of the Foellinger Outdoor Theatre and Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory.

Annie Davis and her family were recruited from Louisiana to Fort Wayne more than 30 years ago. During her career, she has taught at Memorial Park, Bunche, and Southern Heights (Levon Scott) elementary schools until she switched to teaching middle school in 1999.

To strengthen her leadership skills, Annie participated in the 2022 Sonder Fellowship. The Sonder Fellowship is a leadership training program for BIPOC leaders, by BIPOC leaders, that are living, working, or serving in Southeast Fort Wayne.

The Barbara Burt Innovative Leader Fund (BBILF) provides grants to nonprofit board members for unique learning experiences. Board members may apply for funding to attend conferences, workshops, webinars, or other events—encouraging them to think innovatively, develop adaptive leadership skills, network with other nonprofit leaders, and explore leadership styles and best practices within nonprofit organizations.

Incorporated on March 2, 1960, ACRES is Indiana’s oldest and largest local land trust. The nonprofit organization protects more than 7,200 acres of land in northeast Indiana and portions of southern Michigan and northwest Ohio.

Foellinger Foundation announces a search for its next President and CEO. The Foundation will begin accepting applications June 16, 2023, and plans to announce its next President and CEO in fall 2023.

The Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo’s Zoo for All program was built from their vision that every family in our community should feel welcomed, regardless of their needs. Zoo for All encompasses all IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access) work, which includes community tickets, accessible facility improvements, employment initiatives, and more.

In December 2022, Blue Jacket, Inc. launched Tall Rabbit Cafe + Community, to provide employment opportunities to Blue Jacket clientele. The artisan espresso-based coffee shop experience provides meeting and gathering space in a vintage, rustic throwback décor. The cafe’s name is a subtle nod to Chief Blue Jacket—Shawnee war chief and namesake of Blue Jacket, Inc.—whose nickname was Tall Rabbit.

Foellinger Foundation announces the reopening of its building after a renovation. Meeting spaces are available for use by Allen County nonprofits at no cost.

On Thursday, December 15, the 2022 Sonder Fellowship participants gathered to celebrate their graduation. The Sonder Fellowship is a year-long program for leaders who serve Southeast Fort Wayne residents. It was developed in partnership with and facilitated by Danielle Shoots. Nineteen Southeast leaders graduated from the program in 2022.

‘An Influence for Good’ documentary is now available online. The film can be viewed at foellinger.org/documentary.

Foellinger Foundation will premiere a documentary film, ‘An Influence for Good,’ on March 16, 2023 at the Arts United Center.