The Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne inspires enduring philanthropy by encouraging charitable giving, conducting meaningful grantmaking, and leading community initiatives.
A $1.07 million grant to Purdue University Fort Wayne stands out in the foundation’s recent record, alongside seven-figure support for Vanderbilt University and a steady flow of large awards to local nonprofits and public institutions. Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne Inc. uses charitable support to back education, arts and culture, health, community development, and youth-focused programs, while also administering scholarships and youth philanthropy programs. Its recent grants show a broad mix of universities, human services organizations, cultural institutions, and civic partners. The foundation’s giving also reaches established community anchors. Boys and Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne received grants in both 2023 and 2025, and Arts United of Greater Fort Wayne appears among the larger awards in 2024. Grants to Amani Family Services, Bridge of Grace Compassionate Ministries Center, Turnstone Center for Children and Adults With Disabilities Inc, and Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana Inc point to a pattern of support for local organizations serving families, food access, disability services, and community needs. Beyond institutional grants, the foundation runs youth-centered grantmaking through YEP and manages scholarship programs for Indiana students, including awards administered through a universal application. That combination of charitable support, scholarship funding, and youth-led philanthropy defines how the foundation works across Allen County and the broader region.
Education is a major lane in the foundation’s work. Purdue University Fort Wayne received $1,071,647 in 2025, and Vanderbilt University received $1,033,000 the same year, showing that higher education is a recurring part of its portfolio. The scholarship side is also formalized through CFGFW scholarships and the Universal Scholarship Program for Indiana students. Arts and culture is another visible area. Fort Wayne Museum of Art Inc received $170,281 in 2024, and the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Orchestra received $147,614 in 2024. The foundation also funded Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation with $137,450 in 2025, which sits alongside its broader community-development and civic support. In human services, the foundation gave $200,141 to Turnstone Center for Children and Adults With Disabilities Inc, $197,758 to Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana Inc, and $179,790 to The Rescue Mission, reflecting support for disability services, food access, and emergency assistance.
$9.8M
$245.4M
$33.8M
$15M
Most grants fall between $10K and $37K, with a median of $16K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$16K
75th Percentile
$37K
R BRADLEY LITTLE
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Typical grants cluster in the five-figure range, with a p25 of $10,000, a median of $15,970, and a p75 of $36,869. The recent-grants list also shows a handful of much larger charitable-support awards, including seven-figure gifts. The foundation is a mixed community foundation and also makes program-related investments. Its grantmaking is not limited to one-off awards: Boys and Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne, As Our Own, and City of Fort Wayne each appear more than once across the recent-grants list and grant-program descriptions. Some opportunities are openly solicited, including Agile Grants, Emergency Grants, YEP grants, scholarships, and Grant Opportunities, while Surprise Grants are not solicited.
Grantmaking is heavily concentrated in Indiana, with 82% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Fort Wayne is the main recipient city in the recent-grants list, joined by nearby Huntertown, Indianapolis, and Roanoke. Outside Indiana, the foundation has also granted to institutions in Nashville, Houston, Franklin, Atlanta, and others. By country, the recipient distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 803 grants going to U.S. recipients.
The distribution centers on mid-sized awards: p25 is $10,000, median grant size is $15,970, and p75 is $36,869. The recent-grants list also includes larger awards above $1 million, so the overall portfolio includes both routine grants and major charitable-support gifts.
Its listed focus areas include grantmaking, scholarships, community leadership and initiatives, nonprofit capacity building, arts and culture, education, health, community development, women and girls through the Women’s Fund, and youth philanthropy through YEP.
Yes. Active programs marked as accepting unsolicited applications include YEP Grants, Scholarships, the Universal Scholarship Program, Agile Grants, Emergency Grants, Foundation-Guided Grants, and Grant Opportunities.
The list includes universities, social-service organizations, arts institutions, civic agencies, and youth-serving nonprofits. Examples in the data include Purdue University Fort Wayne, Boys and Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne, Amani Family Services, Fort Wayne Museum of Art Inc, and City of Fort Wayne.
Yes, but the pattern is still local overall. The recipient distribution is 100% U.S.-based, and 82% of grants go to recipients in Indiana. Recent grants also went to organizations in Tennessee, Texas, and Georgia.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Open to organizations serving the relevant pillar area; the grant cycle includes five windows aligned with the pillars. Operates as an operational funding program.
Deadline: Connected Community: March 1; Everyone's Economy: May 1; Lifelong Learning: July 1; Inspiring Places: September 1; Healthy Mind & Body: November 1
Who can apply: Organizations may apply for new or existing programs. If the organization received a Rising Together grant this year, an Agile Grant application is only considered for a new program or a significant enhancement to an existing program.
Deadline: March through October
Who can apply: For organizations that are new to the Community Foundation and have never received a grant before.
Deadline: March through October
Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations serving Allen County and Northeast Indiana. The foundation states the competitive grant cycle is open to organizations of all sizes and backgrounds; nonprofits are eligible to apply in the competitive grant cycle once per year (with concept/quarterly stages referenced).
Deadline: Multiple windows / cycles (Rising Together described as having five windows; other streams follow the competitive cycle windows). Specific upcoming deadlines not listed in scraped content.
Who can apply: Nonprofits serving Allen County may apply to receive grant dollars or volunteer time from YEP cohorts; eligibility and application details provided on the YEP grants page.
Who can apply: Open to organizations of all sizes and individuals from all backgrounds, with grant opportunities spanning multiple funding programs and foundation-guided funds.
Deadline: Varies by program; see subprogram dates. Applications for the main grant portal are available for multiple windows across the year.
Who can apply: Supports nonprofits with emergency expenses affecting mission delivery; may also support relief after disasters such as tornadoes or floods.
Deadline: Year-round
Who can apply: Organizations working in the Healthy Mind & Body pillar focus area. The grant program is exclusively for operational funding.
Deadline: Application opens October 1; deadline November 1.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PURDUE UNIVERSITY FORT WAYNE | FORT WAYNE, IN | $1,071,647 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY | NASHVILLE, TN | $1,033,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF FORT WAYNE | FORT WAYNE, IN | $250,180 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| FOR OTHERS COLLECTIVE | FRANKLIN, TN | $200,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| NEW STORY INC | ATLANTA, GA | $150,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| VERA BRADLEY FOUNDATION FOR BREAST CANCER | ROANOKE, IN | $148,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| FORT WAYNE PARKS AND RECREATION | FORT WAYNE, IN | $137,450 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| ERIN'S HOUSE FOR GRIEVING CHILDREN | FORT WAYNE, IN | $122,106 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| CITY OF FORT WAYNE | FORT WAYNE, IN | $117,722 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| PARKVIEW HEALTH FOUNDATION | FORT WAYNE, IN | $117,600 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| UNITED WAY OF ALLEN COUNTY | FORT WAYNE, IN | $116,757 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| ARTS UNITED OF GREATER FORT WAYNE | FORT WAYNE, IN | $114,898 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| MATTHEW 25 INC | FORT WAYNE, IN | $114,535 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| FORT WAYNE CIVIC THEATRE INC | FORT WAYNE, IN | $111,221 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF SAINT FRANCIS | FORT WAYNE, IN | $106,082 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| INDIANA UNIVERSITY INDIANAPOLIS LILLY FAMILY SCHOOL OF PHILANTHROPY | INDIANAPOLIS, IN | $102,307 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| FARMINGTON CENTRAL ACADEMIC FDN | FARMINGTON, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| AS OUR OWN | HOUSTON, TX | $100,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES | KANSAS CITY, MO | $100,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| YMCA OF GREATER FORT WAYNE | FORT WAYNE, IN | $91,601 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| BLACKHAWK BAPTIST CHURCH | FORT WAYNE, IN | $86,800 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| FORT WAYNE ZOO | FORT WAYNE, IN | $86,175 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| CANCER SERVICES OF NORTHEAST IN | FORT WAYNE, IN | $84,362 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| FORT WAYNE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA | FORT WAYNE, IN | $83,950 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| TRI-CREEK EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC | LOWELL, IN | $80,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| VINCENT VILLAGE INC | FORT WAYNE, IN | $77,547 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| VISIT FORT WAYNE | FORT WAYNE, IN | $76,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| POSITIVE RESOURCE CONNECTION | FORT WAYNE, IN | $73,972 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| YWCA NORTHEAST INDIANA | FORT WAYNE, IN | $73,850 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| FORT WAYNE SISTER CITIES INTERNAT | FORT WAYNE, IN | $73,846 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| THE RESCUE MISSION | FORT WAYNE, IN | $72,050 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| FORT WAYNE MUSEUM OF ART INC | FORT WAYNE, IN | $67,926 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF INDIANA | FORT WAYNE, IN | $67,590 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| EASTER SEALS ARC OF NORTHEAST IN | FORT WAYNE, IN | $66,863 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| NEIGHBORLINK FORT WAYNE | FORT WAYNE, IN | $64,250 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| FORT WAYNE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS | FORT WAYNE, IN | $60,933 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| DAVE HEFNER INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE FUND INC | FORT WAYNE, IN | $60,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| LOVE FORT WAYNE | FORT WAYNE, IN | $60,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| CROSSWINDS INC | FORT WAYNE, IN | $60,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| TURNSTONE CENTER FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES INC | FORT WAYNE, IN | $54,421 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF NORTHERN IN | FORT WAYNE, IN | $52,750 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| HUMANE FORT WAYNE | FORT WAYNE, IN | $51,250 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY TRANSPORTATION NETWORK | FORT WAYNE, IN | $50,721 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| ASSOCIATED CHURCHES OF FORT WAYNE AND ALLEN COUNTY INC | FORT WAYNE, IN | $47,885 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| BLUE JACKET INC | FORT WAYNE, IN | $46,821 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| IRIS FAMILY SUPPORT CENTER (FORMERLY SCAN) | FORT WAYNE, IN | $46,814 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY HARVEST FOOD BANK OF NORTHEAST INDIANA INC | FORT WAYNE, IN | $45,854 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER | ROCHESTER, MN | $45,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| STILLWATER HOSPICE | FORT WAYNE, IN | $44,089 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
| WELLSPRING INTERFAITH SOCIAL SVCS | FORT WAYNE, IN | $43,803 | 2025 | CHARITABLE SUPPORT |
PURDUE UNIVERSITY FORT WAYNE
$1,071,647CHARITABLE SUPPORT
CHARITABLE SUPPORT
FORT WAYNE PARKS AND RECREATION
$137,450CHARITABLE SUPPORT
CITY OF FORT WAYNE
$117,722CHARITABLE SUPPORT
PARKVIEW HEALTH FOUNDATION
$117,600CHARITABLE SUPPORT
INDIANA UNIVERSITY INDIANAPOLIS LILLY FAMILY SCHOOL OF PHILANTHROPY
$102,307CHARITABLE SUPPORT
FARMINGTON CENTRAL ACADEMIC FDN
$100,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT
YMCA OF GREATER FORT WAYNE
$91,601CHARITABLE SUPPORT
BLACKHAWK BAPTIST CHURCH
$86,800CHARITABLE SUPPORT
CANCER SERVICES OF NORTHEAST IN
$84,362CHARITABLE SUPPORT
TRI-CREEK EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC
$80,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT
VISIT FORT WAYNE
$76,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT
FORT WAYNE SISTER CITIES INTERNAT
$73,846CHARITABLE SUPPORT
EASTER SEALS ARC OF NORTHEAST IN
$66,863CHARITABLE SUPPORT
FORT WAYNE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
$60,933CHARITABLE SUPPORT
DAVE HEFNER INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE FUND INC
$60,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT
LOVE FORT WAYNE
$60,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT
CROSSWINDS INC
$60,000CHARITABLE SUPPORT
CHARITABLE SUPPORT
ASSOCIATED CHURCHES OF FORT WAYNE AND ALLEN COUNTY INC
$47,885CHARITABLE SUPPORT