The Wells County Foundation, INC.

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The Wells County Foundation, Inc.  Board of Directors recently approved grants totaling $158,589 for the second grant cycle in 2024.  A total of 18 grants were awarded as follows:

 

Alive & Well - $10,000 - This grant will provide funding for “Alive and Well” programming which is presented to students attending the following Wells County schools:  Bethlehem Lutheran, Bluffton-Harrison Middle School, Bluffton High School, Lancaster Elementary School, Norwell Middle School Norwell High School, Ossian Elementary School and Southern Wells Jr./Sr. High Schools.  This programming meets numerous state and national standards for fifth through twelfth grades.  In addition to the abstinence programming, Alive and Well helps students in developing positive character traits, goal setting, wise decision making, conflict resolution, fostering healthy relationships, mental health education and building self-esteem.  Grant made from the Elizabeth V. Patton Unrestricted Endowment Fund

 

Anthony Wayne Area Council Boy Scouts of America - $5,000 – This grant will provide local matching funds for a grant the Council received from Lilly Endowment.  The purpose of the grant is to fund a new Wabash Valley District Executive position.  Grant made from the Unrestricted Endowment Fund

 

Bluffton Parks & Recreation Department – $4,374 – This grant will provide funding for the purchase of two funbrellas.  Funbrellas provide relief from the sun at each splash pad and the Wells Community Swimming Pool.  Grant made from the Community Enhancement Endowment Fund

 

Bluffton-Harrison MSD - $5,000 – This grant will provide partial funding for equipment for the addition of a construction-themed room in the Tiger Cubs Experiential Preschool Programming.  This hands-on learning environment provides the opportunity for children to explore, build and learn through play.  Grant made from the Virginia Gene Neuenschwander Youth Fund

 

Community Care of Northeast Indiana – $25,000 - This grant will provide funding for building infrastructure upgrades at Grace & Mercy Transitional Housing.  Currently, prioritized upgrades include a parking lot expansion, replace HVAC units, a new air conditioning unit (Hannah’s House), purchase additional furniture and new flooring.  Grace & Mercy Transitional Housing and Hannah’s House have welcomed over 110 women and 114 children since December, 2018.  Grant made from the Community Enhancement Endowment Fund   

 

Community Harvest Food Bank - $7,500 – This grant will provide funding for the Wells County Farm Wagon Mobile Pantry program.  The Farm Wagon mobile pantry program provides a source of fresh produce, dairy and sandwich bread to families in Wells County who are at risk of food insecurity.  This program is currently serving an average of 140 households weekly at the Wells County distribution site, averaging approximately 80 families.  In 2023, 214,343 pounds of food was distributed through the Farm Wagon program in Wells County.  The Farm Wagon makes weekly visits to Wells County, at Roush Park.  Grant made from the Unrestricted Endowment Fund

 

Creative Arts Council of Wells County - $4,000 - This grant will provide funding for the fees associated with sound equipment rental for the Shakespeare on the Plaza series.  The Parlor City Shakespeare Company will perform Much Ado About Nothing at the Parlor City Plaza September 12 – September 15.  Through productions such as these, the Wells Community Theatre provides a constructive outlet for community members to exercise their creativity and a supportive group for people young and old with which to identify.  In addition, it provides a great source of entertainment for Wells County residents to enjoy.  Grant made from the Elizabeth V. Patton Unrestricted Endowment Fund

 

Creative Arts Council of Wells County - $4,690 - This grant will provide funding for the rights and royalties for the production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.  This production is scheduled to be performed March 6-8, 2025 at Life Community Church.  Through productions such as these, the Wells Community Theatre provides a constructive outlet for community members to exercise their creativity and a supportive group for people young and old with which to identify.  In addition, it provides a great source of entertainment for Wells County residents to enjoy.  Grant made from the Elizabeth V. Patton Unrestricted Endowment Fund.

 

Erin’s House for Grieving Children - $5,000 – This grant will provide funding for grief support services for Wells County youth and their families who have experienced the death of a loved one.  Currently, Erin’s House is serving 13 residents (representing four families) from Wells County through their bi-weekly support evening programs.  Additionally, 4 Wells County residents have also benefitted from phone support.  Erin’s House also provides services to local schools upon request.    Grant made from the Edwina Patton Unrestricted Endowment Fund

 

Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana-Michiana - $3,000 – This grant will provide funding for Wells County girls in grades K-12 to participate in the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.  This program provides fun, challenging, hands-on activities in an all-girl environment that builds important skills in four areas:  science, technology, engineering and math, life skills and entrepreneurship.  Grant made from the Edwina Patton Unrestricted Endowment Fund

 

Hope’s Harbor - $5,000 – This grant will provide funding to offset the expenses of Wells County residents who utilize the services of Mad Anthonys Children’s Hope House while their children are hospitalized in any Fort Wayne hospital.  The Hope House provides shelter, meals and other services to the families it serves.  In 2023, 20 individuals from Wells County stayed at Hope’s Harbor for a total of 76 nights.  Grant made from the Unrestricted Endowment Fund

 

Hope Missionary Church - $5,000 – This grant will provide funding for the 2025 Bridge of Hope Gala.  This gala is a multi-faceted prom is designed specifically for individuals who have disabilities ages 14 and older.  The Gala is a formal celebration of diversity as uniqueness is not only valued but recognized and praised as a valuable asset to our community.  The Gala includes a dinner, karaoke, arts/crafts, games, dancing, limo rides and more.  In 2024, 150 individuals with disabilities and 278 volunteers participated in the Gala.  Grant made from the G. Robert and Emma Studabaker Endowment Fund for the Physically and/or Mentally Challenged

 

Matthew 25, Inc. - $6,000 -– This grant will provide funding for free healthcare services for the uninsured and low-income Wells County residents.  In 2023, Matthew 25 provided 30 visits for Wells County residents.  Visits included medical, dental, optical, medications, and supplies services.  Grant made from the Margaret Powers Unrestricted Endowment Fund

 

Tri Recovery, Inc. - $7,500 - This grant will provide start-up funding for Tri-Care Recovery, Inc.  Tri-Care Recovery provides support for individuals suffering from addictions by encouraging them to adopt healthy, active lifestyles.  The team will coordinate varying events, i.e. runs/walks, swims, etc. Individuals participating in the program will learn to redirect their energies and focus in positive, healthy directions.  Grant made from the Margaret Powers Unrestricted Fund

 

United Way of Wells County - $25,000 – This grant will provide funding for the Bright Beginnings Initiative which includes the following programs:  Kindergarten Countdown, Bookends Program and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.  These programs provide children in Wells County with the resources to learn, grow and thrive through these supportive interventions.  Grant made from the Virginia Gene Neuenschwander Youth Fund 

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Wells County 4-H Association - $20,000 – This grant will partial funding for the replacement of an HVAC unit for the Community Center.  The current HVAC units are 26 years old.  The Community Center hosts a wide array of events annually.  Grant made from the Virginia Gene Neuenschwander Youth Fund

 

Wells County Council on Aging - $6,525 – This grant will provide funding new vehicle auxiliary expenses.  The Wells County Council on Aging has acquired eight new vehicles to replace vehicles in the WOW fleet that are beyond their useful lives.  The new vehicles need lettered and be installed with GPS units and audio and video equipment.  Grant made from the G. Robert and Emma Studabaker Senior Citizen’s Fund

 

YWCA Northeast Indiana - $10,000 – This grant will provide funding for domestic violence education and advocacy in Wells County.  The YWCA provides a variety of services to Wells County residents including educating adult professionals and community leaders to understand and respond to domestic violence situations, providing advocacy and intervention support to victims of domestic violence and presenting the Eyes Wide Open . . . relationship awareness© (programing engaging students about what are healthy and unhealthy relationships) to Wells County students.  In 2023, the YWCA received 38 crisis calls from Wells County and provided the following services to Wells County residents:  accompanied four individuals to sexual assault exams, provided 39 units of legal advocacy and 191 units of case management.  Overall, 22 survivors of domestic violence received one-on-one services and advocates worked one-on-one with six survivors of sexual violence.  Grant made from the Margaret Powers Unrestricted Endowment Fund

               

The Foundation considers grant proposals three times annually for those agencies seeking funding through the competitive grant process.  Funding for these grants comes from the unrestricted funds which are administered by the Foundation.  Donors with broad philanthropic interests find that an unrestricted fund in the community foundation is a simple and flexible way to accomplish their charitable objectives.  Contributing to an established unrestricted fund, or creating a new unrestricted fund is an excellent way to provide resources for grantmaking and help make a positive difference for the ever-changing needs in Wells County.

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The Wells County Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit public charity established in 1957 to serve donors, award grants, and provide leadership to improve Wells County forever.  Grants proposals to be considered for the next cycle are due to the Foundation office by October 15.