Foundation Supports Community During Pandemic

Foellinger Foundation continues to support nonprofit organizations in Allen County—and the residents they serve—during the global COVID-19 pandemic. 

Our steps so far include the following actions.

• Critical Response Grants. This $1.35M solution includes:

  o   $1.1M in immediate grants committed to community-based organizations already funded.

  o   $100,000 for Emergency Response Rapid Grants up to $5,000 each, and another $100,000
  for Innovative Rapid Grants of up to $25,000 each. 

  o   The opportunity for recipients of Limited Asset Improvement and Capacity Grants to m
  redirect those funds to operations. 

  o   A $50,000 grant to the United Way of Allen County’s Emergency Relief Fund. 
  

• Grant Requirement Extension. March, April and May grant requirement due dates are extended to August, to ease additional burdens.
  

• COVID-19 Legislation and Opportunities webinar. We joined AWS Foundation, Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne and St. Joseph Community Health Foundation to present What Not-for-Profits Need to Know about COVID-19 Legislation and Opportunities. This webinar, hosted on April 9th, covered the latest federal response acts and what they mean to nonprofits. Topics included SBA loan and payroll protection programs, tax implications and HR compliance. View the webinar now at: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_PxXUBL75o&feature=emb_title)

Our Innovative Rapid Grant opportunity invites organizations with a bold and creative idea to address issues surrounding the pandemic to apply for a grant of up to $25,000. 

So far, three organizations have received the grant:

Blue Jacket was granted $25,000 for their program to offer custom cleaning and disinfecting services to local nonprofit organizations—free of charge. This program provides Blue Jacket workers a chance to continue working in lieu of being laid off, while helping organizations that must stay open, such as halfway houses, shelters and food banks. Learn more.

Lifeline Youth & Family Services was granted $25,000 to provide no-cost mental health support and emotional wellness
check-ins to staff members of nonprofit organizations who provide health and human services to residents in Allen County.
AWS Foundation and Whitley County Community Foundation also each granted $25,000 to the organization to support the communities they serve—creating a total investment of $75,000, and a priceless, positive impact on our community.
Learn more. 

NeighborLink Fort Wayne was granted $25,000 to provide video production services at no cost to nonprofit organizations in Allen County, assisting them in producing and sharing communications that are vital to their clients and stakeholders in this uncertain time. Learn more. 

“Innovative ideas like this are precisely what we're seeking to support,” said Cheryl Taylor, President. “We will continue to embody trust-based philanthropy through our fluid and flexible approach to the pandemic.”

Foellinger Foundation will continue to invest in the future for each member of our community.