In December 2003, the Fort Wayne Community Foundation announced multi-year grants to nine different organizations in Allen County. Eight of these grants were to organizations that provide services relating to basic human needs - Food, medical care, shelter, and emergency cash assistance. The grant to the ninth organization is designed to enhance the organizational effectiveness of all nonprofits in Allen County.

The grants to the nine organizations that provide services relating to basic human needs will be made over a three-year period. The first year will provide a grant to be paid prior to December 31, 2003. Grants in the second and third year will be available as $1-for-$1 match for gifts received directly from individuals. Grant recipients will provide a summary report on spending of the grant in the previous year.

The organizations chosen to receive basic human needs grants are financially stable organizations that have a mission of serving residents in Allen County. Agencies selected to receive grants include Associated Churches and Community Harvest Food Bank (Food Distribution), Matthew 25 Health and Dental Clinic (Medical Care), Interfaith Hospitality Network and Vincent House (Emergency Shelter) and Catholic Charities, Lutheran Social Services and the Fort Wayne Jewish Federation (Emergency Cash Assistance).

Each organization will receive a grant ranging from $5,000 to $20,000. Grants in the second and third years are equal to one-half of the first year grant, and are awarded based on a $1-for-$1 match for gifts from individuals.

In addition, the Proactive Grant Making Initiative includes an award of $50,000 per year for three years to the Nonprofit Resource Center at the Allen County Public Library. This grant is intended to promote organizational effectiveness of all agencies in Allen County. Of this amount, $32,000 per year is to be used for operating expenses, and an additional $18,000 per year for materials, marketing and programming. The Nonprofit Resource Center was selected to serve because it is a central depository for a variety of resources and serves all of Allen County, and is staffed by qualified Allen County Public Library personnel.

Questions

Why Did the Fort Wayne Community Foundation Create this Proactive Grant Making Initiative?

The Proactive Grant Making Program, was designed to provide food, medical care, emergency shelter and emergency cash assistance to needy families in our community and strengthen the nonprofit community at large.

The Community Foundation has observed that current economic conditions have created significant stress on nonprofit organizations. Charitable gifts from individuals have fallen at the same time that demand for services has increased. The Proactive Grant Making Initiative is designed to help organizations during these difficult conditions.

Given the Difficult Economic Conditions, How Is the Community Foundation Able to Provide Additional Grants At This Time?

In 2002, the Fort Wayne Community Foundation successfully completed a challenge from Lilly Endowment in Indianapolis to raise $2 million in endowment gifts, which was then matched with $2 million. Thanks, in part, to the generosity of the Allen County community in helping us to achieve this match, the Community Foundation is able to provide these awards through our Proactive Grant Making Program.

How Can Other Charities Receive Grants Through This Program?

The Proactive Grant Making Initiative was designed to try to alleviate problems created by current economic conditions. Grants have been awarded to targeted agencies for a specific purpose. The Proactive Grant Making Initiative is not open to receiving unsolicited grant applications. Nonprofit organizations may continue to apply to the Community Foundation for grants using the procedures described on our website at www.fwcf.org.

Will There Be Other Proactive Grant Making Initiatives?

The Community Foundation will continue to monitor conditions in the charitable community in Allen County and may, at some point in the future, announce new initiatives.

Fort Wayne Community Foundation
701 South Clinton Street, Suite 210    Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802
Phone: 260-426-4083     Fax: 260-424-0114