To participate in the enhancement of the quality of life within the Wells County community.
Wells County Foundation Inc channels grantmaking into place-based work in Wells County, with a clear emphasis on community revitalization, parks, and family support. Among the largest recent awards, it gave $267,000 to Bluffton Parks Department for various activities at local parks and $122,500 to Wells County Revitalization Inc for support revitalization of community. Those two grants sit alongside repeated support for local nonprofits serving children, families, and residents with specialized needs, including Bi-county Services Inc for programs for mentally handicapped and Wells Co Boys & Girls Club for support programs for kids in comm. The foundation also backs schools, libraries, arts groups, fire services, and churches, showing a broad civic profile rather than a single-cause strategy. Its active programs reinforce that local orientation: needs assessment grants target affordable housing, child care and early childhood education, substance use disorder, and workforce development, while the scholarship program supports graduating seniors and other college students from Wells County. The foundation’s stated purpose is to participate in the enhancement of the quality of life within the Wells County community.
Community development appears in both capital and program support. Wells County Foundation Inc gave $114,817 to Bluffton Parks Department for various activities at local parks and $50,640 in an earlier year for the same purpose, pointing to sustained investment in shared public spaces. In youth and family services, it awarded $49,778 to Wells Co Boys & Girls Club for support programs for kids in comm and $49,700 to Family Centered Services for various family programs, with additional grants in later years to both organizations. The foundation also supports cultural and civic infrastructure: Creative Arts-wells Co received $30,731 for provide art programs to community, and Wells County Public Library received $24,651 for various library programs. Services for people with disabilities are also present through Bi-county Services Inc, which received $62,850 for programs for mentally handicapped.
Typical awards are in the low five figures, with grant-size distribution at p25 of $7,875, a median of $12,000, and p75 of $18,200. The recent grant list shows repeat support to the same organizations across multiple years, including Bluffton Parks Department, Wells County Revitalization Inc, Wells Co Boys & Girls Club, Family Centered Services, Creative Arts-wells Co, and St Joseph Catholic Church. That pattern suggests ongoing local partnerships rather than one-time awards. Wells County Foundation Inc is a public charity, and its active programs include quarterly unrestricted grants plus targeted grant cycles and scholarships. Several programs accept unsolicited applications.
$785K
$39.9M
$4.3M
$1.9M
Most grants fall between $8K and $18K, with a median of $12K.
25th Percentile
$8K
Median
$12K
75th Percentile
$18K
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Giving is overwhelmingly local: 97% of grants go to recipients in Indiana, and the recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based. Bluffton is the main recipient city in the recent grants list, with additional grants landing in Ossian, Poneto, and other Wells County communities. The pattern fits a county foundation focused on nearby organizations and institutions rather than regional or national grantmaking.
Its active programs and focus areas point to affordable housing, child care and early childhood education, substance use disorder, workforce development, scholarships, and general community needs in Wells County. The recent grants also show support for parks, youth programs, family services, disability services, arts, libraries, fire services, and health and human services.
Yes. The active programs listed for the foundation, including Needs Assessment Grants, the Wells County Foundation Scholarship Program, LiGHT Grants, the Regular Grant Cycle, Teacher Creativity Grants, and AWSF Grants, all note that they accept unsolicited applications.
The foundation’s grant-size distribution centers on modest local awards: p25 is $7,875, the median is $12,000, and p75 is $18,200. The recent grant list also includes several larger, project-level awards for parks and community revitalization.
Yes. The foundation gives most often in Indiana, and 97% of grants go to recipients in its headquarters state. Recent grants are concentrated in Wells County communities such as Bluffton, Ossian, and Poneto.
Yes. The Wells County Foundation Scholarship Program administers 67 donor-funded scholarship funds and participates in the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program to provide financial awards to graduating seniors and other college students from Wells County.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Wells County Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Applications may be from individuals endorsed by an organization, groups, or organizations; grants should benefit women and/or children in Wells County; number of people affected is considered; no operating deficits, fundraising events, profit-making enterprises, or political organizations.
Deadline: September 4, 2026
Who can apply: Organizations operating without discrimination; no grants to individuals; generally no multi-year grants; no operating deficits, post-event or after-the-fact requests; no travel-related expenses; religious projects only if a general community need is met without promoting doctrine; no political organizations.
Deadline: February 13, June 15, and October 15, 2026
Who can apply: Organizations providing services in the identified critical areas; grants are not made to individuals; no multi-year grants; no operating deficits, post-event, or after-the-fact requests.
Deadline: October 15, 2026 (final cycle referenced on site)
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WELLS COUNTY REVITALIZATION INC | BLUFFTON, IN | $122,500 | 2025 | SUPPORT REVITALIZATION OF COMMUNITY |
| BLUFFTON PARKS DEPARTMENT | BLUFFTON, IN | $114,817 | 2025 | VARIOUS ACTIVITIES AT LOCAL PARKS |
| BI-COUNTY SERVICES INC | BLUFFTON, IN | $62,850 | 2025 | PROGRAMS FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED |
| WELLS CO BOYS & GIRLS CLUB | BLUFFTON, IN | $49,778 | 2025 | SUPPORT PROGRAMS FOR KIDS IN COMM |
| WELLS CO 4-H ASSOCIATION | BLUFFTON, IN | $34,251 | 2025 | FUNDING FOR FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS |
| CREATIVE ARTS-WELLS CO | BLUFFTON, IN | $30,731 | 2025 | PROVIDE ART PROGRAMS TO COMMUNITY |
| UNITED WAY OF WELLS CO | BLUFFTON, IN | $26,800 | 2025 | SUPPORT COMMUNITY PROGRAMS |
| COMMUNITY CARE OF WELLS CO | BLUFFTON, IN | $25,000 | 2025 | FUNDING FOR PROGRAMS & FACILITY |
| CITY OF BLUFFTON | BLUFFTON, IN | $25,000 | 2025 | MARKETING INITIATIVE |
| FAMILY CENTERED SERVICES | BLUFFTON, IN | $24,950 | 2025 | VARIOUS FAMILY PROGRAMS |
| ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH | BLUFFTON, IN | $21,000 | 2025 | CHURCH'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| BLUFFTON-HARRISON MSD | BLUFFTON, IN | $19,169 | 2025 | VARIOUS EDUC ITEMS & MATERIALS |
| FRIENDS OF FIVE POINTS SCHOOL | MONTPELIER, IN | $17,702 | 2025 | MAINTENANCE OF BUILDING |
| WELLS COUNTY EMS | BLUFFTON, IN | $16,750 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL EMS |
| ST VINCENT DE PAUL CATHOLIC | FORT WAYNE, IN | $14,000 | 2025 | CHURCH'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | BLUFFTON, IN | $11,000 | 2025 | FUND FIRST WE CARE PROGRAM |
| PLEASANT DALE CEMETERY ASSOC | DECATUR, IN | $10,300 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| THE LITERACY ALLIANCE | FORT WAYNE, IN | $10,000 | 2025 | PROJECT GRADUATE PROGRAM |
| ALIVE & WELL ABSTINENCE EDUC | BLUFFTON, IN | $10,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM FOR YOUTH |
| RILEY CHILDRENS FOUNDATION | INDIANAPOLIS, IN | $10,000 | 2025 | REPLENISH FUNDS WELLS CO KIDS |
| TOWN OF VERA CRUZ | BLUFFTON, IN | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT |
| YWCA NORTHEAST INDIANA | FORT WAYNE, IN | $10,000 | 2025 | DOMESTIC VIOLENCE EDUCATION |
| HEARTSPRING INC | WICHITA, KS | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS |
| IMAGINE EARLY | DECATUR, IN | $9,000 | 2025 | FUND CALMING CORNERS |
| WELLS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY | BLUFFTON, IN | $8,500 | 2025 | VARIOUS LIBRARY PROGRAMS |
| BLUFFTON FIRE DEPT | BLUFFTON, IN | $8,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT LOCAL FIRE DEPT |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF NORTHERN INDIANA | FORT WAYNE, IN | $8,000 | 2025 | JA PROGRAMS IN WELLS CO SCHOOLS |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS OF NE IN | FORT WAYNE, IN | $7,500 | 2025 | HOME FIRE RELIEF |
| COMM HARVEST FOOD BANK NE IN | FORT WAYNE, IN | $7,500 | 2025 | PROVIDE FOOD FOR COMMUNITY |
| TRI RECOVERY PURPOSE | BLUFFTON, IN | $7,500 | 2025 | RECOVERY-ENDURANCE SPORTS |
| PLEASANT DALE CHURCH | DECATUR, IN | $6,850 | 2025 | CHURCH'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| WELLS CO COUNCIL ON AGING | BLUFFTON, IN | $6,525 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR SENIOR CITIZENS |
| CANCER SERVICES OF NE INDIANA | FORT WAYNE, IN | $6,200 | 2025 | ASSIST WELLS CO CANCER PATIENTS |
| ANTHONY WAYNE AREA BOY SCOUTS | FORT WAYNE, IN | $6,100 | 2025 | FUND SCOUT PROGRAMS |
| MATTHEW 25 INC | FORT WAYNE, IN | $6,000 | 2025 | FREE HEALTHCARE SERVICE |
| NORTHERN WELLS COMM SCHOOLS | OSSIAN, IN | $5,500 | 2025 | VARIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
| SOUTHERN WELLS COMM SCHOOLS | PONETO, IN | $5,500 | 2025 | VARIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
| WELLS COUNTY REVITALIZATION INC | BLUFFTON, IN | $117,900 | 2024 | SUPPORT REVITALIZATION OF COMMUNITY |
| BLUFFTON PARKS DEPARTMENT | BLUFFTON, IN | $50,640 | 2024 | VARIOUS ACTIVITIES AT LOCAL PARKS |
| COMMUNITY CARE OF WELLS CO | BLUFFTON, IN | $44,000 | 2024 | FUNDING FOR PROGRAMS & FACILITY |
| WELLS CO BOYS & GIRLS CLUB | BLUFFTON, IN | $36,100 | 2024 | SUPPORT PROGRAMS FOR KIDS IN COMM |
| BI-COUNTY SERVICES INC | BLUFFTON, IN | $33,275 | 2024 | PROGRAMS FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED |
| FAMILY CENTERED SERVICES | BLUFFTON, IN | $26,790 | 2024 | VARIOUS FAMILY PROGRAMS |
| CREATIVE ARTS-WELLS CO | BLUFFTON, IN | $26,649 | 2024 | PROVIDE ART PROGRAMS TO COMMUNITY |
| WELLS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY | BLUFFTON, IN | $24,651 | 2024 | VARIOUS LIBRARY PROGRAMS |
| UNITED WAY OF WELLS CO | BLUFFTON, IN | $18,400 | 2024 | SUPPORT COMMUNITY PROGRAMS |
| ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH | BLUFFTON, IN | $18,000 | 2024 | CHURCH'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| SOUTHERN WELLS COMM SCHOOLS | PONETO, IN | $17,749 | 2024 | VARIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
| RUN HARD REST WELL | ALBION, IN | $15,678 | 2024 | WORKPLACE WELLNESS SUPPORT |
| PONETO VOL FIRE DEPT | PONETO, IN | $15,592 | 2024 | SUPPORT LOCAL FIRE DEPT |
WELLS COUNTY REVITALIZATION INC
$122,500SUPPORT REVITALIZATION OF COMMUNITY
BLUFFTON PARKS DEPARTMENT
$114,817VARIOUS ACTIVITIES AT LOCAL PARKS
BI-COUNTY SERVICES INC
$62,850PROGRAMS FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED
WELLS CO BOYS & GIRLS CLUB
$49,778SUPPORT PROGRAMS FOR KIDS IN COMM
WELLS CO 4-H ASSOCIATION
$34,251FUNDING FOR FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS
CREATIVE ARTS-WELLS CO
$30,731PROVIDE ART PROGRAMS TO COMMUNITY
UNITED WAY OF WELLS CO
$26,800SUPPORT COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
COMMUNITY CARE OF WELLS CO
$25,000FUNDING FOR PROGRAMS & FACILITY
CITY OF BLUFFTON
$25,000MARKETING INITIATIVE
ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH
$21,000CHURCH'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES
BLUFFTON-HARRISON MSD
$19,169VARIOUS EDUC ITEMS & MATERIALS
FRIENDS OF FIVE POINTS SCHOOL
$17,702MAINTENANCE OF BUILDING
WELLS COUNTY EMS
$16,750SUPPORT FOR LOCAL EMS
ST VINCENT DE PAUL CATHOLIC
$14,000CHURCH'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
$11,000FUND FIRST WE CARE PROGRAM
PLEASANT DALE CEMETERY ASSOC
$10,300SUPPORT OF CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
THE LITERACY ALLIANCE
$10,000PROJECT GRADUATE PROGRAM
ALIVE & WELL ABSTINENCE EDUC
$10,000EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM FOR YOUTH
TOWN OF VERA CRUZ
$10,000SUPPORT FOR PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT
HEARTSPRING INC
$10,000SUPPORT CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
IMAGINE EARLY
$9,000FUND CALMING CORNERS
WELLS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
$8,500VARIOUS LIBRARY PROGRAMS
BLUFFTON FIRE DEPT
$8,000SUPPORT LOCAL FIRE DEPT
TRI RECOVERY PURPOSE
$7,500RECOVERY-ENDURANCE SPORTS
PLEASANT DALE CHURCH
$6,850CHURCH'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES
WELLS CO COUNCIL ON AGING
$6,525SUPPORT FOR SENIOR CITIZENS
CANCER SERVICES OF NE INDIANA
$6,200ASSIST WELLS CO CANCER PATIENTS
NORTHERN WELLS COMM SCHOOLS
$5,500VARIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAMS
SOUTHERN WELLS COMM SCHOOLS
$5,500VARIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAMS
WELLS COUNTY REVITALIZATION INC
$117,900SUPPORT REVITALIZATION OF COMMUNITY
BLUFFTON PARKS DEPARTMENT
$50,640VARIOUS ACTIVITIES AT LOCAL PARKS
COMMUNITY CARE OF WELLS CO
$44,000FUNDING FOR PROGRAMS & FACILITY
WELLS CO BOYS & GIRLS CLUB
$36,100SUPPORT PROGRAMS FOR KIDS IN COMM
BI-COUNTY SERVICES INC
$33,275PROGRAMS FOR MENTALLY HANDICAPPED
CREATIVE ARTS-WELLS CO
$26,649PROVIDE ART PROGRAMS TO COMMUNITY
WELLS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
$24,651VARIOUS LIBRARY PROGRAMS
UNITED WAY OF WELLS CO
$18,400SUPPORT COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH
$18,000CHURCH'S CHARITABLE PURPOSES
SOUTHERN WELLS COMM SCHOOLS
$17,749VARIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAMS
RUN HARD REST WELL
$15,678WORKPLACE WELLNESS SUPPORT
PONETO VOL FIRE DEPT
$15,592SUPPORT LOCAL FIRE DEPT
