RECENT grants
The Wells County Foundation Announces Grants from Second 2022 Cycle
The Wells County Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors recently approved grants totaling $114,950 for the second grant cycle in 2022. A total of 14 grants were awarded as follows:
Alive & Well - $15,000 - This grant will provide partial 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, 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, and building self-esteem. Grant made from the Elizabeth Patton Unrestricted Fund
Brightpoint - $5,000 – This grant will provide funding for Covering Kids and Families – Increasing Access to Healthcare. The Covering Kids and Families program improves access to healthcare for Wells County residents by removing barriers individuals and families experience with enrolling in, utilizing, and maintaining public health insurance benefits. In 2021, Brightpoint served approximately 251 Wells County residents with enrolling in, using, and keeping their health insurance. They also assisted 89 residents to complete and submit applications for health coverage, of which, over 72% of those enrolled in 2019 remained enrolled in 2020. Grant made from the Elizabeth Patton Unrestricted Endowment Fund
Community Care of Northeast Indiana – $ 9,950 - This grant will provide funding for webpage rebrand and design update, new logs for facility buildings and to replace the sprinkle heads at Grace and Mercy. Community Care of Wells County recently changed its name to Community Care of Northeast Indiana. Additionally, Community Care has changed operational locations including the Thrift Store and Resource Center along with adding a new location for its corporate office. These name and location changes for Community Care will allow future growth and continue with the current reach of services. The provision for the costs for the sprinkler heads replacement will allow Grace and Mercy to continue to provide services to homeless, abused and/or drug addicted women and children. Grant made from the Margaret Powers Unrestricted 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 130 households weekly at the Wells County distribution site, averaging approximately 390 individuals. In 2021, 274,295 pounds of food was distributed in Wells County through The Farm Wagon Program. The Farm Wagon makes weekly visits to Wells County, at Roush Park. Grant made from the Margaret Powers Unrestricted Endowment Fund
Creative Arts Council of Wells County - $3,000 - 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 A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Parlor City Plaza on September 9, 10 and 11. 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 Ellen Gerbers 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 20 residents (representing six families) from Wells County through their bi-weekly support evening programs. Additional, Wells County residents have also benefitted from phone support. Erin’s House also provides services to local schools upon request. Grant made from the Elizabeth Patton Unrestricted Fund
Family Centered Services, Inc. - $15,000 – This grant will provide major funding support for the Teen Court program. Teen Court provides a diversion program that holds juveniles accountable for their actions while reducing the caseload of local courts and probation officers. Teen Court also provides education, training and “hands-on” participation for youth volunteers which compliments their formal education and promotes respect for the rule of law. In 2021, 102 youth and adult volunteers were active in this program. Teen Court has been successfully operating in Wells County for 22 years. Grant made from the Elizabeth V. Patton Unrestricted Endowment Fund
Family Centered Services, Inc. - $1,000 - This grant will provide funding support for the transportation assistance program. This program assists clients of Family Centered Services in meeting their individual goals such as employment education, getting to and from Family Centered Services for programming and/or medical needs. Grant made from the Unrestricted Fund
Historic Old Ossian Cemetery Restoration Committee - $16,000 – This grant will provide funding support for the restoration project of the Historic Old Ossian Cemetery. This project will complete a restoration of the Old Ossian Cemetery to historic standards. The Old Ossian Cemetery was established in 1847. Volunteers have accumulated over 135 hours of research to identify more than 160 individuals buried in the cemetery, including 13 Civil War veterans. Restoration will include removal of trees and brush in phase one, and repairs of the tombstones in phase two. Once the restoration is complete, the Board will photograph and document the gravestones in the cemetery. The completed work will be shared with local libraries and historical organizations. Grant made from the Unrestricted Fund
Hope Missionary Church - $7,500 – This grant will provide major funding for the Bridge of Hope Gala – 2023. 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, 2022, 168 individuals with disabilities and 291 volunteers participated in The Bridge of Hope Gala. Grant made from the Ellen Gerbers Unrestricted Endowment Fund
Mad Anthonys Children’s Hope House - $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. Wells County families historically represent a large portion of the guests who stay at the Hope House. Grant made from the Elizabeth Patton Unrestricted Endowment Fund.
Matthew 25 - $5,000 -– This grant will provide funding for free healthcare services for the uninsured and low-income Wells County residents. In 2021, Matthew 25 provided 72 visits for Wells County residents. Visits included medical, dental optical, medications, and supplies services. Grant made from the Elizabeth Patton Unrestricted Endowment Fund
Wells County Revitalization, Inc. - $10,000 - This grant will provide funding support for the development of master plans for the communities of Bluffton, Ossian, Poneto, Uniondale and Vera Cruz. The master plans will engage community residents in building consensus on each community’s character and values and create a vision for future municipal and community services. 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 2021, 17 individuals received support from advocates as they transitioned out of domestic violence situations, 10 women from the Wells County Jail participated in healthy relationships support groups. Seventy-seven students and 35 adults participated in domestic violence prevention education sessions. 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.
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.