The Ford Meter Box Foundation focuses almost exclusively on strengthening Wabash County institutions through capital and renovation grants that preserve civic assets and expand local service capacity. They favor a small number of repeat, place-based recipients — funding theaters, parks/golf facilities, arts organizations, and youth service providers — with particular emphasis on bricks-and-mortar projects and program launches that benefit children and families. Their giving pattern shows a clear preference for big, targeted investments that create lasting community infrastructure rather than many small operating grants.
Ford Meter Box Foundation Inc has built a clear pattern around place-based capital support in Wabash County, with large pledges for civic landmarks and community facilities that stay in local use. The biggest recent commitments include a five-year, $400,000 pledge to The Honeywell Foundation for the Eagles Theater and a separate $200,000 grant to the Community Foundation of Wabash County for Operation Change the Future. Those gifts sit alongside funding for renovation projects, new buildings, and service expansions that are rooted in Wabash and North Manchester. The foundation’s recent grants show a steady preference for institutions that serve children, families, and the broader public through lasting physical improvements or targeted program launch support. It has backed theaters, museums, recreation sites, housing-related nonprofits, and youth-serving organizations. Repeat support for the same local institutions appears in multiple years, including civic and cultural organizations that receive installment payments or follow-on grants for specific projects. A smaller set of gifts extends beyond its core county focus, but the overall pattern remains concentrated on local assets and community infrastructure.
In arts and cultural preservation, the foundation supported The Honeywell Foundation with $400,000 for the Eagles Theater renovation pledge and gave Wabash Valley Dance Theater $75,000 for building renovation. It also funded Wabash County Museum and Wabash County Historical Museum for timeline exhibit work, including a $50,000 grant in 2025 and a $25,000 grant in 2024. For recreation and civic amenities, the City of Wabash received $125,000 for the Honeywell Public Golf Course, and the Community Foundation of Wabash County received $75,000 for the Town of North Manchester pavilion. In youth and family services, the foundation awarded $100,000 to Josiah White's for Compass Rose Academy and $100,000 to Whites Residential & Family Services for Compass Rose. Housing-related support includes $10,000 to Advantage Housing for short-term housing assistance and $10,000 to Housing Action of Wabash County for counseling services for a housing crisis.
Typical grants are modest for this funder: the 25th percentile is $1,000, the median is $2,500, and the 75th percentile is $7,500. Even so, the recent list includes several much larger project grants and pledge payments, showing a mix of small awards and concentrated capital commitments. The same organizations recur across years, especially local civic, cultural, and service providers. The foundation also funds individuals and uses grantmaking rather than program-related investments. Its most visible pattern is installment-based support for defined projects, paired with one-time operating or program gifts.
$290K
$1.5M
$540K
$291K
Most grants fall between $1K and $8K, with a median of $3K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$3K
75th Percentile
$8K
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Concentrated, place-based giving: a small number of relatively large capital grants and repeat awards to local institutions and community foundation initiatives rather than many small, dispersed grants.
Notable grantees: The Honeywell Foundation, Community Foundation of Wabash County, Wabash County YMCA, Whites Residential & Family Services, Josiah White's
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly local and concentrated in Indiana. Ninety-four percent of grants go to recipients in the foundation’s headquarters state, and Indiana is also the top state by grant count. Wabash and North Manchester appear repeatedly in the recipient list, including Wabash County YMCA, Community Foundation of Wabash County, and multiple Wabash-based nonprofits. Outside Indiana, the recent list includes one grant to University of Alabama at Birmingham in Birmingham, Alabama for an endowed engineering scholarship.
The foundation most often funds capital and renovation work, including theater restoration, roof replacement, building renovation, and new construction. Recent examples include the Eagles Theater pledge, the Wabash County YMCA roof replacement, and a new building for Daniels Place Inc.
Typical awards are small, with a 25th percentile of $1,000, a median of $2,500, and a 75th percentile of $7,500. The recent grant list also shows larger project gifts and pledge installments, including several awards at $100,000 or more.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including The Honeywell Foundation, the Community Foundation of Wabash County, Wabash County YMCA, and Wabash County Historical Museum. The pattern includes follow-on grants and pledge payments tied to specific projects.
It gives primarily in Indiana, which is the top state by grant count and the location of 94% of its grants. Wabash and North Manchester account for many of the recent awards.
It funds individuals as well as organizations. The foundation data indicates that it funds individuals, and its grant list also includes institutional awards such as scholarships and endowed scholarship support.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF WABASH COUNTY WABASH COUNTY YMCA ENDOWMENT | NORTH MANCHESTER, IN | $100,000 | 2026 | WABASH COUNTY YMCA |
| LEARN MORE CENTER | WABASH, IN | $50,000 | 2026 | WABASH LOCATION FURNITURE & TECH EQUIPMENT |
| JOSIAH WHITES | WABASH, IN | $35,000 | 2026 | MUSIC THERAPY PROGRAM |
| WABASH COUNTY MUSEUM | WABASH, IN | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| LIVING WELL IN WABASH COUNTY COA INC | WABASH, IN | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| WABASH COUNTY YMCA | WABASH, IN | $10,000 | 2026 | FIELD OF DREAMS & ANNUAL CAMPAIGN |
| YOUTH FOR CHRIST OF NORTHERN INDIANA | FORT WAYNE, IN | $6,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT SERVING GREATER WABASH | WABASH, IN | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| MANCHESTER SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | NORTH MANCHESTER, IN | $5,000 | 2026 | 3RD PAYMENT OF 3 YEAR PLEDGE |
| THE DAVID KUNKEL FOUNDATION INC | WABASH, IN | $4,000 | 2026 | KUNKEL CRUISE-IN |
| DESTINATION WABASH COUNTY INC | WABASH, IN | $3,000 | 2026 | BLOCK GRANT FOR EVENTS |
| JEFFERSON STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION INC | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $2,500 | 2026 | FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN |
| SCIENCE CENTRAL | FORT WAYNE, IN | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| WABASH COUNTY FAIR ASSOCIATION INC | WABASH, IN | $2,500 | 2026 | SOUND SYSTEM |
| LIGHTHOUSE MISSION | WABASH, IN | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| NORTH MANCHESTER HISTORICAL SOCIETY | NORTH MANCHESTER, IN | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| WABASH VALLEY DANCE THEATER | WABASH, IN | $2,000 | 2026 | CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL |
| DOWNTOWN WABASH | WABASH, IN | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| BABE OF WABASH COUNTY | WABASH, IN | $2,000 | 2026 | BUILDING REPAIRS |
| HOUSING ACTION OF WABASH COUNTY INC | NORTH MANCHESTER, IN | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| NEW BEGINNINGS MINISTRIES OF WABASH COUNTY | WABASH, IN | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK | MUNCIE, IN | $2,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| WABASH COUNTY UNITED FUND | WABASH, IN | $2,000 | 2026 | SNAP ASSISTANCE |
| HOOSIERS FEEDING THE HUNGRY | GARRETT, IN | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| WABASH COUNTY UNITED FUND | WABASH, IN | $1,000 | 2026 | THRIVE 85 |
| WABASH STREET LEVEL MINISTRIES | WABASH, IN | $1,000 | 2026 | WABASH COUNTY TOBACCO FREE COALITION |
| LIFE CENTER | WABASH, IN | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| THE WOMANS CLUBHOUSE ASSOCIATION | Wabash, IN | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| TRINE UNIVERSITY | ANGOLA, IN | $1,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP GALA |
| WABASH RECOVERY SERVICES INC | WABASH, IN | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| WABASH WEEKEND FOOD INSECURITIES CORP | WABASH, IN | $1,000 | 2026 | BASH BAGS |
| EMMANUEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | WABASH, IN | $900 | 2026 | ACADEMIC AWARDS |
| JAPANESE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF INDIANA | FORT WAYNE, IN | $750 | 2026 | CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF WABASH COUNTY | NORTH MANCHESTER, IN | $600 | 2026 | WABASH COUNTY DIVERSITY COALITION |
| WABASH COUNTY SCHOLARSHIP PAGEANT | WABASH, IN | $500 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| DANIELS PLACE | NORTH MANCHESTER, IN | $300 | 2026 | INTERACTIVE PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT |
| HUNTINTON COUNTY CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER INC | HUNTINGTON, IN | $250 | 2026 | MCKENZIES HOPE |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF WABASH COUNTY | North Manchester, IN | $100,000 | 2025 | NORTH MANCHESTER EEL RIVER COMMONS PROJECT |
| Daniels Place Inc | North Manchester, IN | $100,000 | 2025 | NEW BUILDING |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF WABASH COUNTY | North Manchester, IN | $100,000 | 2025 | 3RD PLEDGE PAYMENT OPERATION CHANGE THE FUTURE |
| WABASH COUNTY YMCA | Wabash, IN | $75,000 | 2025 | ROOF REPLACEMENT |
| JOSIAH WHITES | Wabash, IN | $65,000 | 2025 | MUSIC THERAPY PROGRAM |
| WABASH COUNTY MUSEUM | Wabash, IN | $50,000 | 2025 | TIMELINE EXHIBIT |
| WABASH COUNTY UNITED FUND | Wabash, IN | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM | Birmingham, AL | $25,000 | 2025 | FORD METER BOX ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP IN ENGINEERING |
| WABASH COUNTY YMCA | Wabash, IN | $10,000 | 2025 | FIELD OF DREAMS & ANNUAL CAMPAIGN |
| THE ARC OF WABASH COUNTY | Wabash, IN | $7,000 | 2025 | 70 FOR 70 CAMPAIGN |
| YOUTH FOR CHRIST OF NORTHERN INDIANA | Fort Wayne, IN | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| ADVANTAGE HOUSING | Wabash, IN | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF WABASH COUNTY | North Manchester, IN | $5,000 | 2025 | WARVEL PARK PICKLEBALL PROJECT |
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF WABASH COUNTY WABASH COUNTY YMCA ENDOWMENT
$100,000WABASH COUNTY YMCA
LEARN MORE CENTER
$50,000WABASH LOCATION FURNITURE & TECH EQUIPMENT
JOSIAH WHITES
$35,000MUSIC THERAPY PROGRAM
WABASH COUNTY MUSEUM
$25,000GENERAL FUND
LIVING WELL IN WABASH COUNTY COA INC
$10,000GENERAL FUND
WABASH COUNTY YMCA
$10,000FIELD OF DREAMS & ANNUAL CAMPAIGN
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT SERVING GREATER WABASH
$5,000GENERAL FUND
MANCHESTER SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$5,0003RD PAYMENT OF 3 YEAR PLEDGE
THE DAVID KUNKEL FOUNDATION INC
$4,000KUNKEL CRUISE-IN
DESTINATION WABASH COUNTY INC
$3,000BLOCK GRANT FOR EVENTS
JEFFERSON STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION INC
$2,500FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN
SCIENCE CENTRAL
$2,500GENERAL FUND
WABASH COUNTY FAIR ASSOCIATION INC
$2,500SOUND SYSTEM
LIGHTHOUSE MISSION
$2,000GENERAL FUND
NORTH MANCHESTER HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$2,000GENERAL FUND
WABASH VALLEY DANCE THEATER
$2,000CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL
DOWNTOWN WABASH
$2,000GENERAL FUND
BABE OF WABASH COUNTY
$2,000BUILDING REPAIRS
HOUSING ACTION OF WABASH COUNTY INC
$2,000GENERAL FUND
NEW BEGINNINGS MINISTRIES OF WABASH COUNTY
$2,000GENERAL FUND
SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK
$2,000GENERAL FUND
WABASH COUNTY UNITED FUND
$2,000SNAP ASSISTANCE
HOOSIERS FEEDING THE HUNGRY
$1,000GENERAL FUND
WABASH COUNTY UNITED FUND
$1,000THRIVE 85
WABASH STREET LEVEL MINISTRIES
$1,000WABASH COUNTY TOBACCO FREE COALITION
LIFE CENTER
$1,000GENERAL FUND
THE WOMANS CLUBHOUSE ASSOCIATION
$1,000GENERAL FUND
TRINE UNIVERSITY
$1,000SCHOLARSHIP GALA
WABASH RECOVERY SERVICES INC
$1,000GENERAL FUND
WABASH WEEKEND FOOD INSECURITIES CORP
$1,000BASH BAGS
EMMANUEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
$900ACADEMIC AWARDS
JAPANESE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF INDIANA
$750CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL
WABASH COUNTY SCHOLARSHIP PAGEANT
$500GENERAL FUND
DANIELS PLACE
$300INTERACTIVE PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT
HUNTINTON COUNTY CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER INC
$250MCKENZIES HOPE
NORTH MANCHESTER EEL RIVER COMMONS PROJECT
Daniels Place Inc
$100,000NEW BUILDING
3RD PLEDGE PAYMENT OPERATION CHANGE THE FUTURE
WABASH COUNTY YMCA
$75,000ROOF REPLACEMENT
JOSIAH WHITES
$65,000MUSIC THERAPY PROGRAM
WABASH COUNTY MUSEUM
$50,000TIMELINE EXHIBIT
WABASH COUNTY UNITED FUND
$40,000GENERAL FUND
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
$25,000FORD METER BOX ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP IN ENGINEERING
WABASH COUNTY YMCA
$10,000FIELD OF DREAMS & ANNUAL CAMPAIGN
THE ARC OF WABASH COUNTY
$7,00070 FOR 70 CAMPAIGN
ADVANTAGE HOUSING
$5,000GENERAL FUND