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.

The Power House Youth Center is one organization supporting students in Allen County, offering afterschool programs to 7th-12th graders in New Haven and Fort Wayne. Each day, students are bused from New Haven Junior and Senior High Schools to The Power House, where they have a safe place to spend the evening hours.

Greta McKinney has served as MLK Montessori School’s Director since 2012. Her professional experience is rich in social services, having worked with a variety of audiences, including those with developmental disabilities and aging populations.

Bloom Project, Inc.’s mission is to build youth into the next generation of leaders in their community, with a focus on mentorship and character development. Bloom Project’s Project King emphasizes group mentoring for young Black males ages 12-18. Participants are matched with a male mentor and go through a series of workshops focused on character development, professional development, emotional intelligence, civics, and more with a unique cultural lens.

Gail Doran, Board Chair of Super Shot, was recognized as the 2022 David A. Bobilya Excellence in Nonprofit Leadership Award recipient at an award ceremony on September 28, 2022. Congratulations, Gail!

Fort Wayne Dance Collective (FWDC) continually evolves to best serve our community as a nonprofit arts organization whose mission is to inspire people of all identities, abilities, and stages of life through movement arts. One way they accomplish this is through their unique model as a makerspace for movement.

Kandace Kelly has worked to uplift our community’s citizens for more than 25 years at Positive Resource Connection. Kandace was drawn to working there because she is passionate about helping people, especially those who are often overlooked.

Andrew served as the Executive Director of Mad Anthonys Children’s Hope House from 2013-2019, and in 2019 he assumed the role of CEO at Habitat for Humanity of Greater Fort Wayne.

The University of Saint Francis (USF) Jesters program uses multi-disciplinary performing arts to enhance quality of life for people with mild to severe intellectual/developmental disabilities. Individuals participate in arts education activities to help them develop self-expression, self-esteem, socialization, and other life skills.

Over the last 14 years, Amanda Shepard has played a pivotal role in advancing the Fort Wayne Museum of Art. Joining the Museum in 2008 as the Assistant for Adult Education, her leadership continued to grow—to Director of Adult and University Programs, then to Deputy Director of Administration and Programs, and now to Vice President & COO.

In 2021, Great KIDS make Great COMMUNITIES celebrated the retirement of Allen County Superior Court Judge Charles Pratt, who led the program since its inception in 1999.