Recent Needs Assessment Grants
*Updated with every new cycle - Recent cycle 2026
The Wells County Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors recently approved grants totaling $409,680 for the first needs assessment grant cycle in 2026. The Foundation embarked on conducting a Comprehensive Community Needs Assessment in 2022. Based on extensive community discussions, four critical areas were identified: Affordable Housing, Child Care and Early Childhood Education, Substance Abuse Disorder and Workforce Development. Believing that these areas remain relevant, the Board of Directors is continuing to offer grant opportunities to organizations who are providing services in these areas. A total of eight grants were awarded as follows:
Caylor-Nickel YMCA Early Learning Center - Up to $90,000.00 - This grant will provide $1 for $1 matching funding for funds raised in support of the Early Learning Center. Recent changes to Indiana’s CCDF and On My Way Pre-K programs have created assistance waitlists, preventing otherwise eligible families from receiving support. This grant will assist the Early Learning Center to avoid risking reduced capacity, increasing waitlists, or raising fees – options that would place significant burdens on working families and weakening early learning access in Wells County. Grant made from the Virginia Gene Neuenschwander Youth Fund.
Community Care of Northeast Indiana - $25,000.00 - This grant will provide funding for the for the establishment of Lydia’s Place. Lydia’s Place, a women’s residential transitional program will open in 2026. Lydia’s House will serve 10-12 women at a time and function as a critical bridge between crisis and long-term independence. This program will support women experiencing homelessness, survivors of domestic abuse, women in recovery, and those simply needing a safe, structured environment to rebuild their lives. Grant made from the Lilly Endowment GIFT IX Fund.
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Community Care of Northeast Indiana - $85,000.00 - This grant will provide funding support to reduce the mortgage debt for Hannah’s House. Hannah’s House is a residential recovery program designed to provide safe, structured housing for women working to rebuild their lives after substance abuse, incarceration, domestic violence, or unstable living conditions. The program serves women ages 18 – 65 who are committed to pursuing recovery, personal growth, and long-term stability. Grant made from the Lilly Endowment GIFT IX Fund.
Family Centered Services, Inc. - $25,000.00 - This grant will provide funding to support for PROMISE, a program aimed at preventing substance abuse disorder in youth at heightened risk. As many as 1 in 4 children in the United States live with parental substance abuse disorder, amounting to nearly 2,000 children in Wells County. These children begin using substances earlier and increase their rates of use faster, and are at risk for other emotional, social, and behavioral problems as well as academic challenges. The PROMISE program aims to break the cycle early by providing additional social work and counseling in schools and provide ongoing support to children impacted by parental substance abuse. Youth will be guided in positive coping and problem-solving skills, developing strong friendships with peers, creating positive school experiences, increasing attendance, reaching self-directed goals and planning for the future. Grant made from the Lilly Endowment GIFT IX Fund.
Humanity of Greater Fort Wayne - $25,000.00 - This grant will provide funding for the Critical Housing and Repair Program for Wells County. The Critical Repair Program is designed to preserve existing homes and prevent avoidable displacement by addressing urgent repair needs. Phase one will focus on repairs that directly affect habitability, safety, and independence, including roof replacement, heating and HVAC systems, and accessibility modifications. Habitat for Humanity expects this program to improve living conditions for vulnerable homeowners, reduce health and safety hazards, and enable residents to remain safely housed in their communities. Grant made from the Lilly Endowment GIFT IX Fund.
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The Resilient House, Inc - $100.000.00 - This grant will provide funding for mortgage debt relief. Resilient House operates a 9-month, four-phase living program for adult men with a minimum of 30 days of sobriety at the time of entry. The home accommodates up to 10 residents at a time and provides a structured environment emphasizing accountability, personal responsibility, and life transformation. Residents engage in recovery support, mentoring, life-skills development, employment readiness, and community reintegration. Grant made from the Lilly Endowment GIFT IX Fund.
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United Way of Wells County - $59,680.00 - This grant will provide funding for the Bright Beginnings program. The Bright Beginnings program supports early child care and early childhood education be strengthening early literacy, family engagement, and kindergarten readiness supports for Wells County children through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, Kindergarten Jumpstart, Bookends Summer Expansion, and Bedtime in a Duffle. Grant made from the Lilly Endowment GIFT IX Fund.
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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 for the final cycle of Needs Assessment proposals to be considered this year are due to the Foundation office by October 15, 2026.