The Wells County Foundation, INC.

The Wells County Foundation, Inc.  Board of Directors recently approved grants totaling $158,999.46 for the second grant cycle in 2026.  A total of 14 grants were awarded as follows:

 

Bluffton Fire Protection Territory - $29,322 – This grant will provide funding for the purchase of Basic Life Support (BLS) medical equipment and supplies for all fire departments serving Wells County.  The Wells County fire departments have recently updated EMS protocols designed to reflect current best practices in prehospital patient care.  The changes represent a positive step for emergency medical services in Wells County.  The updated BLS equipment and supplies will ensure full compliance and effective implementation.    Grant made from the Anthony Wayne Services Foundation Fund.

 

Bluffton Parks & Recreation Department - $1,800 - This grant will provide funding support for invasive species removal on the River Greenway.  This project addresses a critical environmental and infrastructure need alongside one of Bluffton’s most heavily used recreational assets.  Invasive species are aggressive and difficult to manage crowding out native vegetation, reducing biodiversity and weakening soil structure through shallow root systems.  This project focuses on the stretch of the River Greenway from the Wabash River Pavilion to the Howard Rich Pavilion.  Invasive species will be removed, strengthening the native species ability to establish deep, resilient root systems that hold soil, filter runoff, and support wildlife habitat.  Grant made from the Edward and Henrietta Goetz Unrestricted Endowment 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 2025, Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana assisted 143 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.

  

City of Bluffton - $45,000 – This grant will provide funding support for the purchase of a modular StreetDeck parklet.  The parklet will include a level platform, protective fencing, commercial tables and chairs, umbrellas, weighted bases and self-watering planters.  It will create a safe and attractive place where residents, visitors, and downtown employees can sit, eat, talk, listen to music and spend more time downtown.  The parklet will be situated on West Market Street.  Grant made from the Unrestricted Endowment Fund.

 

Creative Arts Council of Wells County - $1,700 - This grant will provide funding for the purchase a Silent Disco Headset system.  Silent Discos offer a unique and surprisingly powerful way to bring people together.  Participants wear wireless headsets and can choose from different music channels, allowing each person to enjoy their own experience while still sharing laughter, movement, and connection with those around them.  Grant made from the Anthony Wayne Services Foundation Fund.

 

Creative Arts Council of Wells County - $5,000 - This grant will provide funding to support a relaunch of Jazz on the Patio.  This three-event summer series will create an opportunity to strengthen local cultural offerings while supporting community vibrancy and economic activity.  Each event will feature professional jazz musicians and ensembles, food trucks and local food vendors, outdoor seating and gathering spaces, opportunities for community engagement and arts promotion.  Grant made from the Howard and Beverly Rich Donor-Advised 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 21 residents (representing six families) from Wells County through their bi-weekly support evening programs.  Additionally, 10 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 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.  Approximately 60-70 youth volunteers participate as jurors, attorneys, bailiffs, and clerks.    Teen Court has been successfully operating in Wells County for 25 years.  Grant made from the Edwina Patton Unrestricted Endowment Fund

  

Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana-Michiana - $4,000 – 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.

 

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 2025, 32 individuals from Wells County stayed at Hope’s Harbor for a total of 99 nights.  Grant made from the Margaret Powers Unrestricted Endowment Fund.

 

Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program of Northeast Indiana - $5,000 – This grant will provide funding support for residents of long-term care facilities in Wells County.  The Long-Term Ombudsman Program provides support and independent advocacy for vulnerable seniors living in licensed long-term care facilities.  Services include assisting residents in understanding their rights, empowering them to advocate for themselves and their needs and ensuring they receive quality care to promote the best possible quality of life.  Grant made from the G. Robert and Emma Studabaker Senior Citizen Endowment Fund.

 

Norwell Community Schools and Southern Wells Elementary School - $7,177.46 – This grant will provide full funding for the “Be Seen Be Heard” program to be presented to students at Lancaster Elementary and Ossian Elementary schools and Southern Wells Community Elementary School, reaching 1,680 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.

 

Town of Ossian – up to $25,000 – This grant will provide $1 for $1 matching funds raised for a Fitness Court to be installed at the Archbold Wilson Park.  The fitness court will be designed to provide a comprehensive, full-body workout utilizing seven exercise zones.  Circuit training experiences support physical fitness, combat sedentary lifestyles, and help prevent chronic diseases.  Grant made from the Community Enhancement Endowment 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 2025, the YWCA received 38 crisis calls from Wells County and 17 survivors of domestic violence.  Given increased demand for services, the YWCA anticipates serving double the amount of individuals in 2026.  Grant made from the Unrestricted 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 next cycle are due to the Foundation office by October 15, 2026.