The Do It Best Foundation concentrates its giving on Fort Wayne-area civic institutions, with a strong emphasis on expanding community health access alongside support for local cultural and zoological organizations. Most dollars go to a single large health provider, while the remainder funds prominent regional arts and zoo institutions, indicating a preference for visible, community-serving anchor organizations. Grants appear targeted to institutions that provide direct services and public benefit rather than small programs or national causes.
Concentrated, small portfolio: a few mid-to-large grants per cycle with the majority of funding directed to one flagship health grantee and the remainder to prominent local cultural/zoological institutions.
A $150,000 general-support grant to Neighborhood Health Clinics Inc set the tone for Do It Best Foundation Inc’s latest giving: this is a funder that backs local institutions delivering direct community benefit in Fort Wayne. The pattern continues with sizable support for Arts United of Greater Fort Wayne and Fort Wayne Zoological Society Inc, each awarded $50,000 in 2024. Those three grants show a clear preference for anchor organizations that serve residents through health access, arts participation, and family-oriented public spaces. The foundation’s recent grants also reach beyond a single sector. In the same period, it funded organizations connected to youth enrichment, social services, disability support, food assistance, and community safety, typically through general support. Grant recipients include neighborhood-based nonprofits and regionally recognized institutions, with most awards clustered in Fort Wayne and Allen County. The foundation’s giving profile points to practical operating support rather than restricted project funding, and to a focus on organizations already embedded in the local civic fabric.
Health access is a defining part of the foundation’s grantmaking. In 2024, it gave $150,000 to Neighborhood Health Clinics Inc for general support, signaling sustained attention to community-based care. Arts and culture are another recurring area: Arts United of Greater Fort Wayne received $50,000, also for general support, reflecting support for regional cultural infrastructure. The foundation also funds organizations serving children and families. Teenworks Inc received $15,000 for general support, and Blessings in a Backpack received $10,000 in 2024 and $5,000 in 2023. Support for disability services appears as well, including $12,985 to Turnstone Center for Children and Adults With Disabilities. Across these grants, the common thread is operating support for organizations that provide direct services in the community.
Typical gifts are modest to mid-sized: the 25th percentile and median are both $5,000, and the 75th percentile is $10,000. The recent record also shows larger anchor grants above that range, including one $150,000 award and several $50,000 awards. Grants are overwhelmingly general support rather than restricted project funding. The pattern is local and recurring. Several recipients appear in more than one year, including Turnstone Center for Children and Adults With Disabilities, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Fw, and Blessings in a Backpack. The foundation accepts unsolicited applications through its grant programs and reviews applications quarterly in partnership with the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne.
$700K
$2.8M
$1.7M
$1.2M
Most grants fall between $5K and $10K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$10K
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Notable grantees: Neighborhood Health Clinics Inc, Arts United of Greater Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne Zoological Society Inc
Giving is heavily concentrated in Indiana, with 81% of grants going to recipients in the foundation’s headquarters state. Fort Wayne is the main recipient city, appearing repeatedly across health, arts, youth, and social-service grants. Outside Indiana, the recent grants list includes Mesquite, Nevada; Kingman, Arizona; Waco, Texas; Chicago, Illinois; Portland, Oregon; and Sterling, Illinois. The distribution is entirely U.S.-based in the data provided.
The middle of the distribution is tightly grouped: the 25th percentile is $5,000, the median is $5,000, and the 75th percentile is $10,000. The recent record also includes larger awards, such as a $150,000 grant and multiple $50,000 grants.
Yes. Its active grant programs say applicants may submit unsolicited applications, and one program notes that the foundation and True Value Foundation review applications quarterly, with applicants notified within 30 days of the quarterly submission deadline.
The foundation funds nonprofit organizations, especially those working in community development, youth enrichment, health and wellness, and the arts. The recent grants also show support for disability services, food assistance, housing-related work, and public safety organizations.
Very local. Indiana recipients account for 81% of grants, and Fort Wayne appears repeatedly in the recent grants list. The grant program descriptions also describe geography as local, U.S.-based, or nationwide in partnership settings.
Yes. Several recipients appear in more than one year, including Turnstone Center for Children and Adults With Disabilities, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Fw, and Blessings in a Backpack. The recent grants list shows repeated general-support awards rather than one-off-only relationships.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF NEIN | FORT WAYNE, IN | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ARTS UNITED OF GREATER FORT WAYNE | FORT WAYNE, IN | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| RISLEY AGRICULTURAL CENTER | LITCHFIELD, OH | $29,418 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SCHOOL CARE TEAM | FORT WAYNE, IN | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| IT ONLY TAKES A SPARK | MILBANK, SD | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TEENWORKS INC | INDIANAPOLIS, IN | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BLESSINGS IN A BACKPACK | FORT WAYNE, IN | $18,075 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION | PAULDING, OH | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| A KID AGAIN | TWINSBURG, OH | $13,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FORT WAYNE MUSUEM OF ART INC | FORT WAYNE, IN | $12,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SHEPHERD'S HEART | WACO, TX | $11,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| YOUTH FOR CHRIST OF NORTHERN IN | FORT WAYNE, IN | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WELLSPRING INTERFAITH SOCIAL SVCS | FORT WAYNE, IN | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HOPE AND HEALING SURVIVOR RESOURCE CENTER | AKRON, OH | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FORT WAYNE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA | FORT WAYNE, IN | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY TRANSPORTATION NETWORK | FORT WAYNE, IN | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WACO FAMILY MEDICINE | WACO, TX | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE | GRABILL, IN | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GROW ALLEN | FORT WAYNE, IN | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE LEAGUE | FORT WAYNE, IN | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY OUTREACH HOUSING | WHITNEY, TX | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CAMP RED CEDAR | FORT WAYNE, IN | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MESQUITE WORKS STEAM CENTER | MESQUITE, NV | $9,064 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LODI FAMILY CENTER | LODI, OH | $8,985 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| KATE'S KART | FORT WAYNE, IN | $8,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FAMILY BUILDING BLOCKS | SALEM, OR | $7,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ACCESS THE ARTS | WADSWORTH, OH | $7,365 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MOHAVE COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE SEARCH AND RESCUE | MESQUITE, NV | $7,260 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SAMARITAN'S PURSE | BOONE, NC | $7,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BE STRONG GO ON | LODI, OH | $6,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CAMP WATCHA WANNA DO | FORT WAYNE, IN | $6,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FORT WAYNE YOUTHEATRE | FORT WAYNE, IN | $6,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SUPER SHOT INC | FORT WAYNE, IN | $6,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST MATTHIAS EPISCOPAL CHURCH | ATHENS, TX | $5,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MATTHEW 25 INC | FORT WAYNE, IN | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SIKESTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION | SIKESTON, MO | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF MEDINA COUNTY | MEDINA, OH | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| YWCA NORTHEAST INDIANA | FORT WAYNE, IN | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| APRIL HOUSE CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER | MORRISON, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HOPE CANCER WELLNESS | DIXON, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNITED WAY OF ADAMS COUNTY | DECATUR, IN | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| QUEST FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATION | FORT WAYNE, IN | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HOMEBOUND MEALS INC | FORT WAYNE, IN | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DIXON FAMILY YMCA | DIXON, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MARTIN LUTHER KING MONTESSORI SCHOOL | FORT WAYNE, IN | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| INSPIRE REAL CHANGE | LEESVILLE, SC | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TEEN TURF | AMBOY, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MUSIC GEAR FOR KIDS | NACHUSA, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HOPE MEANS NEVADA | LAS VEGAS, NV | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF NEIN
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
RISLEY AGRICULTURAL CENTER
$29,418GENERAL SUPPORT
SCHOOL CARE TEAM
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
IT ONLY TAKES A SPARK
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GENERAL SUPPORT
AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FORT WAYNE MUSUEM OF ART INC
$12,500GENERAL SUPPORT
SHEPHERD'S HEART
$11,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HOPE AND HEALING SURVIVOR RESOURCE CENTER
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WACO FAMILY MEDICINE
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY HEALTH CARE
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GROW ALLEN
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
COMMUNITY OUTREACH HOUSING
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CAMP RED CEDAR
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MESQUITE WORKS STEAM CENTER
$9,064GENERAL SUPPORT
LODI FAMILY CENTER
$8,985GENERAL SUPPORT
KATE'S KART
$8,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ACCESS THE ARTS
$7,365GENERAL SUPPORT
MOHAVE COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE SEARCH AND RESCUE
$7,260GENERAL SUPPORT
BE STRONG GO ON
$6,500GENERAL SUPPORT
CAMP WATCHA WANNA DO
$6,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FORT WAYNE YOUTHEATRE
$6,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ST MATTHIAS EPISCOPAL CHURCH
$5,500GENERAL SUPPORT
SIKESTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF MEDINA COUNTY
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
APRIL HOUSE CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HOPE CANCER WELLNESS
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
UNITED WAY OF ADAMS COUNTY
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
QUEST FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATION
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HOMEBOUND MEALS INC
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
DIXON FAMILY YMCA
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MARTIN LUTHER KING MONTESSORI SCHOOL
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
INSPIRE REAL CHANGE
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
TEEN TURF
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MUSIC GEAR FOR KIDS
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HOPE MEANS NEVADA
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
Current and upcoming funding from Do It Best Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations whose programs align with the foundation's focus areas.
Deadline: Quarterly submission deadlines (applications reviewed quarterly); applicants notified within 30 days of the quarterly submission deadline.
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