Between the pandemic and the cold weather, our community’s most vulnerable populations have a greater accessibility challenge than usual. But out of that challenge, a creative partnership was formed.

When they brought their services and resources together, The League for the Blind and Disabled (The League), Community Harvest Food Bank, Community Transportation Network (CTN), and Wellspring Interfaith Social Services were able to serve more individuals during a crucial time of year. These organizations leveraged separate funding sources that, together, helped protect the health and promote independence of Allen County citizens.

Foellinger Foundation launches its Thrive Initiative with a nearly $900,000 initial investment in Southeast Fort Wayne nonprofits. It's purpose is to invest in community-identified neighborhoods by investing in nonprofits that provide resources such as education, housing, jobs, childcare, and more. The initial phase will focus on supporting the Southeast Fort Wayne community. 

Foellinger Foundation established the David A. Bobilya Excellence in Nonprofit Leadership Award to recognize the importance of individual board members in nonprofit organizations. Each year, this award is given to an Allen County nonprofit board member who exemplifies four focus areas: governance, leadership, financial sustainability, and program impact. The award recipient’s nominating organization receives a $25,000 operating grant.

The Foellinger family’s sense of responsibility was intertwined in their personal and professional lives. As a family, they upheld the belief that they had a responsibility not only to themselves, but to the community as a whole.

The founding of Foellinger Foundation was an act of accountability by Helene and Esther, too. It ensured their legacy—that should anything ever happen to them on their travels, or after they passed away, their dollars would be stewarded in the way they had always intended them to be. That children and families in Allen County would be uplifted, especially those with the greatest economic need and least opportunity. The board of directors would—and still do to this day—make decisions that are true to our donor’s intent.

Foellinger Foundation’s grantmaking reflects our founders’ interest in encouraging a community of self-reliant citizens, with a commitment to their values and principles: integrity, accountability, responsibility, and results.

The Foellinger family was community-minded and hard-working—always acting with the greater good in mind. They carried this commitment to integrity throughout their personal lives, but it also showed up in their professions and extracurricular activities.

United Front is a groundbreaking initiative that seeks to cultivate healing and unity through organizational and community transformation, giving us a shared language to promote our common interests.

The Allen County Public Library (ACPL) Summer Learning program is designed to serve as a bridge between school years, encouraging educational skills for all young people, thus preventing the “summer slide.”

Great KIDS empowers youth-serving adults by providing education and training on the application of positive youth development frameworks and strength-based practices to ensure that our community’s children have the opportunities and relationships they need to grow into productive and healthy adults.