The Wells County Foundation, INC.

The Wells County Foundation, Inc.  Board of Directors recently approved grants totaling $145,414.11 for the second grant cycle in 2025.  A total of 18 grants were awarded as follows:

 

Anthony Wayne Area Council Boy Scouts of America. - $5,000 – This grant will provide funding support for Wells County Scouting America programs and services.  Scouting is designed to develop youth into responsible independent young people.  The core values of Scouting are personal accountability, responsibility, leadership, and community service.  Scouting works to develop traits in young people that will serve them throughout their lives.  In Wells County, 137 youth in three Cub Scout Packs, two Troops, and one Venture Crew are served through the scouting program.  Grant made from the Virginia Gene Neuenschwander Youth Fund.

 

Bluffton NOW - $4,388.76 – This grant will provide funding for the purchase of four benches to be installed in downtown Bluffton.  These benches will replace four outdated public benches.  The new benches will be “Sterling Benches” that will align with the existing streetscape design.  Grant made from the Community Enhancement Endowment Fund.

 

Bluffton Parks & Recreation Department - $4,867 - This grant will provide funding for the purchase and installation of safety mats and changing tables at Lancaster Park.  Since its opening, Lancaster Park has quickly become a popular destination for families, with daily use by children, caregivers, and community members of all ages.  Commercial-grade rubber fall mats will replace mulch in the high-wear zones at the park, providing consistent, durable and compliant safety surfaces, reducing ongoing maintenance.  The changing table will be installed to both unisex restrooms, providing caregivers with the comfort and convenience of caring for their young children’s needs.  Grant made from the Unrestricted Fund.

 

Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana – $5,000 - This grant will provide funding support for client advocate and client services programming for residents of Wells County.  In 2024, Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana assisted 140 Wells County families who were touched by cancer.  Financial assistance, durable medical equipment and health care supply items, nutritional drinks, wigs, hats and scarves were among the types of assistance received by Wells County residents through Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana.  Grant made from the Unrestricted Endowment Fund.

 

Community Care of Northeast Indiana - $20,0000 – This grant will provide funding support for the several critical facility repairs at Hanna’s House.   Since 2018, Hannah’s House has opened its doors to women and women with children in Bluffton, providing safe, stable housing for those coming out of homelessness, personal crisis, or trauma.  The transitional and recovery programs offer more than a place to live; they provide a pathway to healing, restoration, and long-term stability for families to rebuild their lives.  Grant made from the Margaret Powers Unrestricted 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 140-150 households weekly at the Wells County distribution site, averaging approximately 435 individuals.  In 2024, 133,951 pounds of food was distributed in Wells County through The Farm Wagon Program.  The Farm Wagon makes weekly visits to Wells County, at Life Community Church on Tuesdays at 9 a.m.  Grant made from the Community Enhancement Endowment Fund.

 

Creative Arts Council of Wells County - $16,127.59 - This grant will provide funding for the rights and royalties for the productions of Anne of Green Gables (Ashby Non-Musical) (performed October 10-11); Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Original) (performed March 13-14, 2026); Disney’s High School Musical, Jr. (performed June 12-13, 2026); Disney’s Finding Nemo Kids (performed June 26-27, 2026); and Shakespeare on the Plaza (performed September, 2025).  Through the production of these musicals, community  actors build self-confidence and practice self-actualization.  Volunteers immerse themselves in community building.  The productions are attended by hundreds of community members, providing a source of local entertainment.  Grant made from the Unrestricted Fund, Elizabeth Patton unrestricted Endowment Fund, and Margaret Powers 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 28 residents (representing seven families) from Wells County through their bi-weekly support evening programs.  Additionally, 5 Wells County residents have also benefitted from phone support.  Erin’s House also provides services to local schools upon request.    Grant made from the Virginia Gene Neuenschwander Youth Fund.

 

Family Centered Services, Inc. - $10,000 - This grant will provide major 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.  Youth As Resources is an outlet for young people to be problem solvers, learning to become good citizens and giving back to their community.   Approximately 20 – 25 students participate in the Youth as Resources program annually.  Grant made from the Ellen A. Gerbers 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 Virginia Gene Neuenschwander Youth Fund.

 

Helping Hands Family Resource Center - $25,000 – This grant will provide funding for the capital campaign to build a new facility. Helping Hands offers 20+ free programs and services designed to empower and equip families, with a focus on intervening in intergenerational poverty, childhood adversity, and systemic challenges affecting rural communities.  The new facility will enable Helping hands to meet the demands of growing programs and client base.  Grant made from the Virginia Gene Neuenschwander Youth Fund.  

 

Hope Missionary Church - $7,500 – This grant will provide major funding for the Bridge of Hope Gala – 2026.  Bridge of Hope is a multi-faceted prom event that is designed specifically for individuals (ages 14 and older) who have disabilities.  Upon arrival, guests are greeted, and buddies are matched with guests.  Participants receive corsages/boutonnieres, crowns, photos, a walk on the red carpet, a formal dinner, dancing, crafts, games and more.  In April, 2025, 150 individuals with disabilities and 280 volunteers participated in The Bridge of Hope Gala.  Grant made from the Ellen Gerbers 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 2024, 38 individuals from Wells County stayed at Hope’s Harbor for a total of 81 nights.  Grant made from the Ellen Gerbers Unrestricted Endowment Fund.

 

Norwell Community Schools and Southern Wells Elementary School - $9,800 – This grant will provide full funding for the “Be Seen Be Heard” program to be presented to elementary students in all three Northern Wells Community schools and Southern Wells Community School, reaching 1,626 students.  This program creates a safe and engaging atmosphere where students can learn about the difference between safe and unsafe touching, what is sexual abuse, and empowers students to tell a trusted adult if they feel uncomfortable or safe.  The programs are presented by Mr. Victor Pacini.  Grant made from the Virginia Gene Neuenschwander Youth Fund

 

Wells County Trails - $1,485.76 – This grant will provide funding for the purchase of four new bicycle racks which will be installed in downtown Bluffton.  The racks will be positioned in high-visibility, high-traffic locations, offering secure and convenient bicycle parking for residents, visitors and tourists.  Grant made from the Community Enhancement Endowment Fund.

 

Wells County Women in Leadership - $2,000 – This grant will provide funding for the speaker’s fee for the 2025 EmpowerHer fall conference.  This conference is an all-day event, attracting 100 women on an annual basis.  This year’s event will be held on November 5, 2025 at the Wells County Chamber of Commerce.  Lindsay Boccardo, a nationally recognized speaker for the keynote address.  Grant made from the Ellen A. Gerbers Unrestricted Endowment Fund.

 

Wells County Youth Sports - $3,745 – This grant will provide funding for a new scoreboard for Roush Park.  In 2024, Bluffton Youth Sports had 195 participants across various divisions.  Replacing the outdated and unreliable scoreboard will restore consistent functionality, improve game-day operations and enhance the overall experience for athletes and attendees.  Grant made from the Unrestricted 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 2024, the YWA received 37 crisis calls from Wells County and 18 survivors of domestic violence and three survivors of sexual violence participated in one-on-one advocacy services.  Grant made from the Community Enhancement Endowment Fund.

 

 

 

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 third and final cycle this year are due to the Foundation office by October 15, 2025.