Distributions & Grants

The Wells County Foundation, Inc.  Board of Directors recently approved grants totaling $40,000 for the second of three grant cycles of 2011.  A total of 7 grants were awarded as follows:

Adams-Wells Crisis Center - $3,000 – This grant will provide funding for the outreach coordinator serving Wells County and transportation expenses for the clients they assist.  The Adams-Wells Crisis Center provides temporary emergency shelter to women and their minor children who are seeking safe shelter to escape a domestic violence situation.  In addition to providing a safe and secure place for residential clients, they also provide support services to non-residential clients as well.  Services include rental deposits, safety planning and case management.  In 2010, 26 women and 23 children were served through the outreach program.  Grant made from the Community Enhancement Endowment Fund.

Bi-County Services, Inc. - $7,300 – This grant will provide partial funding for technology upgrades.  The mission of Bi-County Services, Inc. is to enable individuals with disabilities to make choices and to live, learn and participate meaningfully in their communities.  The technology upgrades will facilitate a more efficient delivery of individualized programming to the clients they serve.  In addition, the upgrades will produce cost savings through increased work efficiency and reduced repair time.  Grant made from the Unrestricted Endowment Fund.

Bluffton Parks & Recreation Department - $1,800 – This grant will provide funding for the purchase of two six-foot picnic tables made from high-quality recycled plastic lumber.  The picnic tables will be placed under the newly refurbished pavilion at the Rotary Park along the River Greenway.  Grant made from the Community Enhancement Endowment Fund.

Bluffton Parks & Recreation Department - $7,000 – This grant will provide funding for the purchase of an ADA compliant pool chair lift for the Wells Community Swimming Pool.  With the installation of this lift, patrons with disabilities will have the ability to enter and exit the pool independently.  Swimming provides a myriad of health benefits for all patrons, but is especially therapeutic for individuals with disabilities.  Grant made from the Community Enhancement Endowment Fund.

Community Action of Northeast Indiana (CANI) - $3,000 – This grant will provide emergency assistance to Wells County families through CANI’s Homeless Prevention Rapid Re-housing Program.  CANI also provides other financial support to individuals and families who are working toward economic self-sufficiency.   Grant made from the Margaret Powers Unrestricted Endowment Fund.

Family Centered Services, Inc.  - $7,000 – To provide administrative funding for the Youth As Resources program.  Youth As Resources, governed by a board of youth and adults, provides grants to young people to design and carry out service projects that address specific community needs.  The program connects youth to the community by giving them the responsibility of learning about and creatively responding to community concerns.   Grant made from the Elizabeth Patton Unrestricted Endowment Fund.

Northern Wells Community Schools - $10,900 – To provide funding for the purchase of an ADA compliant TAP-it SMARTBoard to be placed at Lancaster Central Elementary School.  This system is accessible to students with significant physical or learning disabilities and provides an optimal interface for teaching students with special education needs at their own pace.  Grant made from the Elizabeth Patton Unrestricted Endowment Fund and the Edwina Patton Unrestricted Endowment Fund.

The Foundation considers grant proposals three times annually for those agencies seeking funding through our 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.
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 17, 2011.