Foellinger Foundation has awarded four organizations project support totaling $120,165 for the Breakthrough Fund Refine Phase.

As a part of its 60th anniversary in 2018, Foellinger Foundation announced a new grant opportunity–The Breakthrough Fund.

The Breakthrough Fund is a half-million dollar initiative that supports people-focused ideas that create a significant impact on the residents of Allen County. Nonprofit organizations and their partners collaboratively proposed concepts that identify opportunity and creatively address a social challenge our community faces. These organizations receive support for Refine Phase development; one or more of these may be approved for additional support through the Realize Phase.

The Refine Phase provides resources for organizations to further develop their ideas. These funds can be used for research, training, retreats, external consulting and more.

An additional $400,000 is earmarked for the Realize Phase. Once the Refine Phase of the project is complete, each participant’s report serves as its application for the Realize Phase. The following organizations are grant recipients for the Breakthrough Fund Refine Phase:

ACRES Land Trust $39,050

ACRES Land Trust will create a nonprofit real estate development to benefit nonprofits requiring access to large natural areas.  By eliminating barriers of capital and expertise, nonprofits can own facilities adjacent to 300+ acres.  The land will include multi-use trails, outdoor classrooms, and other compatible amenities, fostering partnerships through shared resources.

For more information about this project, contact Jason Kissel at jkissel@acreslandtrust.org.

League for the Blind and Disabled $18,000

This project will improve on methods for helping students with disabilities transition to adult life.  Current efforts focus only on employment, and major goals, skills and resources critical to people with disabilities are not considered.  League for the Blind and Disabled’s innovative approach brings together public and private funding sources to develop a cohesive, holistic solution.

For more information about this project, contact David Nelson at davidn@the-league.org.

 Lutheran Social Services $21,115

Partnering with Catholic Charities, SCAN and Brightpoint, Lutheran Social Services will create a model that reinforces stability and empowers families toward greater self-sufficiency.  By integrating multi-agency programs, financial resources and staff to build service bridges and overcome organizational boundaries, families’ needs remain the primary focus.

For more information about this project, contact Angie Moellering at amoellering@lssin.org.

Northeast Indiana Innovation Center $42,000

The Connected Communities program enables underdeveloped, marginalized talent to participate in economic prosperity and social well-being through grassroots entrepreneurship. It will provide training, mentorship and tools, while clients orchestrate resources to achieve goals on their terms at places with people they trust.

For more information about this project, contact Karl LaPan at klapan@niic.net.