Legacy & Beyond: The History Center

As part of our 2025 annual report, we challenged four nonprofit leaders to answer this question in a statement that describes the impact they hope their organizations will have on the community through their leadership.

Legacy & Beyond: Alive Community Outreach

As part of our 2025 annual report, we challenged four nonprofit leaders to answer this question in a statement that describes the impact they hope their organizations will have on the community through their leadership.

Legacy & Beyond: Turnstone

As part of our 2025 annual report, we challenged four nonprofit leaders to answer this question in a statement that describes the impact they hope their organizations will have on the community through their leadership.

Legacy & Beyond: Lutheran Social Services of Indiana

As part of our 2025 annual report, we challenged four nonprofit leaders to answer this question in a statement that describes the impact they hope their organizations will have on the community through their leadership.

Nonprofit organizations play a vital role in strengthening the social fabric of a community. And even the most mission-driven organizations need strong internal systems, effective leadership, and reliable infrastructure to thrive. That’s where capacity building comes in.

Foellinger Foundation’s Capacity Building grants support Allen County nonprofits at critical moments in their organizational development. These grants help organizations improve governance, upgrade technology, develop staff, refine strategy, improve program impact, and ultimately, serve their communities more effectively and sustainably. Capacity Building grants provide the resources needed to turn thoughtful planning into meaningful, lasting improvements.

At Foellinger Foundation, our work is rooted in the passions and values of the Foellinger family. Oscar and Esther Foellinger instilled in their daughters, Helene and Loretta, a deep commitment to civic involvement and active concern for the well-being of their community. Together, Helene and Esther co-founded Foellinger Foundation in 1958 to ensure those values would live on.

Since 1972, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana (BBBS NEI) has been helping children reach their potential through professionally supported one-to-one relationships between adult volunteers, known as "Bigs," and young people, called "Littles," ranging in age from 6 to 22. Serving communities across 10 counties in northeast Indiana and two in southern Michigan, their programs foster positive relationships that have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of young people, particularly those from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds.

The Allen County Public Library (ACPL) Summer Learning Program celebrates science, play, arts, reading, and more by inviting youth, adults, and families from Allen County to compete in reading challenges and participate in activities to win prizes. This year’s program runs from June 1 to July 31, 2025.  

What skills does it take to build a thriving life? Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend (CCFWSB) sought to answer this question and enhance its programs, services, and operations as part of its strategic plan, “Building Roads to Hope.”

The first five years of a child’s life are so important to their development. That’s why the quality of early childhood care and education during this time is critical—it shapes how their brains grow and helps them develop life-long learning skills.

Brightpoint Head Start helps children prepare for the transition to kindergarten—and academic and social success beyond that—by providing the quality preschool experience children need. Every classroom follows a routine that includes meals, reading, playtime, and more.

Andrea Noble, Board Chair of MLK Montessori School, was recognized as the 2024 David A. Bobilya Excellence in Nonprofit Leadership Award recipient at an award ceremony on October 23, 2024!

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.