Types of Funds

Operating Funds
Operational gifts constitute an important source of contributions for the Foundation’s administrative expenses.  These gifts allow the Foundation to focus permanent endowment funds on grants and programs.

• Operating Endowment Fund
• Operating Fund

Undesignated or Unrestricted Funds:  Donors with varied philanthropic interests find that a fund in the community foundation is a simple and flexible way to accomplish their charitable objectives.  An unrestricted gift to the Foundation is an excellent way to provide resources for grantmaking and help make a positive difference in the community.  Income from these funds is used for grants to nonprofit organizations serving Wells County.

• Harold L. Bowman Fund
• Community Enhancement Endowment Fund
• Ellen A. Gerbers Unrestricted Endowment Fund
• Charles F. and Hildreth L. Hissem Endowment Fund
• Edwina Patton Endowment Fund
• Elizabeth Patton Unrestricted Endowment Fund
• Margaret Powers Unrestricted Endowment Fund
• Unrestricted Endowment Fund
• Unrestricted Fund

Designated Funds: Designated funds can be tailored for donors who want to support one or more specific organizations today but recognize that the world may change.  If, in the future, an organization ceases to function or exist, the Foundation can then redirect income from the fund to organizations with a similar mission.

• Archbold-Wilson Memorial Park Improvement Fund
• Arts, Commerce and Visitor Centre Reserved Capital Improvements Fund
• Bi-County Services Designated Fund
• Bluffton-Harrison Elementary P.T.O. Outdoor Learning Lab Fund
• Bluffton-Wells County Animal Shelter Fund
• Downtown Bluffton Revitalization Maintenance Endowment Fund
• Christian Care Retirement Community Contingency Endowment Fund
• Robert E. Covault Endowment Fund
• Creative Arts Council of Wells County Operating Endowment Fund
• Claude and Helen Decker Emmanuels Cemetery Endowment Fund
• Decker Endowment Fund
• K. Robert Ehrman Endowment Fund
• Eugene and Marilyn Glick Endowment Fund for Kehoe Park Concerts
• Kehoe Park Rotary Stage Fund
• Kenneth and Beth Lampton Creative Arts School of Ballet Endowment Fund
• Limberlost Scouters of Anthony Wayne Area Council Endowment Fund
• Mossburg Cemetery Endowment Fund
• Deb Neuenschwander Memorial Endowment Fund
• Northern Wells Community Schools Educational Fund
• Parlor City Athletic Club Endowment Fund
• Psi Iota Xi Sorority (Alpha Eta Chapter) Creative Arts Endowment Fund
• Mary V. Reinhard Memorial Endowment Fund
• Resource Library/Seminar Fund
• Howard and Beverly Rich Endowment Fund
• George K. & Viella E. Robb Endowment Fund
• Doctor Tom Stogdill Community Service Award Endowment Fund
• United Way of Wells County Endowment Fund
• Wells  Community Swimming Pool Fund
• Wells County Community Center Endowment Fund
• Wells County Historical Society Endowment Fund
• Wells County Spay/Neuter Assistance Fund
• Wells County Senior Citizens Center Endowment Fund
• Wells To Riley Fund

Agency Endowment Funds:  Agency Endowment Funds are created for the benefit of charitable organizations or agencies that prefer to establish funds within the Foundation rather than create and manage their own funds.  They are a practical and administratively efficient way for nonprofit groups to ensure sustained, future funding.  Agency Endowment Funds allow a charitable organization to take advantage of the community foundation characteristics of permanence, of pooling funds for better investment return, and of reduced administrative costs.  The organization thus places its endowment within the community foundation and each year receives income from the fund.

• Acres, Inc. Endowment Fund
• Agape Respite Care, Inc. Endowment Fund
• Bluffton Rotarian’s Endowment Fund
• Family Centered Services, Inc. Endowment Fund
• Indiana Lions For Leader Dog, Inc. Endowment Fund
• Norwell Dollars for Scholars Fund
• Wells Community Boys and Girls Club Endowment Fund
• Wells County 4-H Program Endowment Fund
• Wells County Public Library Endowment Fund
• Youth Philanthropy Endowment Fund
• YWCA of Fort Wayne, Inc. Agency Endowment Fund

Donor-Advised Funds:   Offer the donor the opportunity to be actively involved in an advisory capacity for distributions from this fund. As income becomes available for distributions, the donor-advisor recommends to the Foundation’s Board grants that meet his/her charitable interests. Donor-advised funds offer an alternative to establishing a private foundation.

• Robert S. Apple Memorial Donor-Advised Fund
• Clarence and Geneva Croy Memorial Donor-Advised Fund
• Dr. Walter O. and Bette Erxleben Donor-Advised Endowment Fund
• Espich-Gabet Donor-Advised Endowment Fund
• Jaime M. Gentis Memorial Donor-Advised Fund
• Bruce and Willmina Hogg Donor-Advised Endowment Fund
• Quabache Fund
• Howard and Beverly Rich Donor-Advised Fund
• Sailsbery Family Donor-Advised Endowment Fund
• Wabash Endowment Fund
• Lewis and Eileen Ward Memorial Endowment Fund

Field of Interest Funds:  These types of funds are established by donors who wish to contribute to an area of concern (e.g., youth, family welfare, etc.) but do not want to designate a particular organization.  The Foundation makes grants that meet current needs in the chosen fields.

• Rob Apple Memorial Seminar Fund
• Burl and Edith Bryan Fund
• Ingeburg Clawson and Glenda Kaye Meyer Field of Interest Fund
• Indiana Lions for Leader Dog, Inc. Agency Pass-Through Fund
• Earl F. & Vera R. Rudy Youth Enhancement Endowment Fund
• G. Robert and Emma Studabaker Endowment Fund for the Physically and Mentally Challenged
• Wabash Field of Interest Fund
• John H. and Cecile D. Waid Fund
• Wells County Society for Crippled Children and Adults Field of Interest Fund

Pass-through Funds: Pass-through funds are established for specific community needs and over time the funds are expended when projects are completed.

• Animal Emergency Medical Care Fund*
• Angel of Hope Memorial Park Fund
• Vera Cruz Flood Relief Fund
• Wells Community Swim Team Fund
• Wells County Community Theatre Group Fund
• Wells County Leadership Academy Fund

Scholarship Funds:   May be established in memory of an individual, for graduates of a specific high school, field of study, or for those planning to attend specific colleges or universities.

Click here to go to the Scholarship page