In celebration of its 65th anniversary, the Foellinger Foundation board of directors has approved a three-year, $1,000,000 grant to the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation department for capital support of the Foellinger Outdoor Theatre and Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory.

Annie Davis and her family were recruited from Louisiana to Fort Wayne more than 30 years ago. During her career, she has taught at Memorial Park, Bunche, and Southern Heights (Levon Scott) elementary schools until she switched to teaching middle school in 1999.

To strengthen her leadership skills, Annie participated in the 2022 Sonder Fellowship. The Sonder Fellowship is a leadership training program for BIPOC leaders, by BIPOC leaders, that are living, working, or serving in Southeast Fort Wayne.

The Barbara Burt Innovative Leader Fund (BBILF) provides grants to nonprofit board members for unique learning experiences. Board members may apply for funding to attend conferences, workshops, webinars, or other events—encouraging them to think innovatively, develop adaptive leadership skills, network with other nonprofit leaders, and explore leadership styles and best practices within nonprofit organizations.

Incorporated on March 2, 1960, ACRES is Indiana’s oldest and largest local land trust. The nonprofit organization protects more than 7,200 acres of land in northeast Indiana and portions of southern Michigan and northwest Ohio.

Foellinger Foundation announces a search for its next President and CEO. The Foundation will begin accepting applications June 16, 2023, and plans to announce its next President and CEO in fall 2023.

The Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo’s Zoo for All program was built from their vision that every family in our community should feel welcomed, regardless of their needs. Zoo for All encompasses all IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access) work, which includes community tickets, accessible facility improvements, employment initiatives, and more.

In December 2022, Blue Jacket, Inc. launched Tall Rabbit Cafe + Community, to provide employment opportunities to Blue Jacket clientele. The artisan espresso-based coffee shop experience provides meeting and gathering space in a vintage, rustic throwback décor. The cafe’s name is a subtle nod to Chief Blue Jacket—Shawnee war chief and namesake of Blue Jacket, Inc.—whose nickname was Tall Rabbit.

Foellinger Foundation announces the reopening of its building after a renovation. Meeting spaces are available for use by Allen County nonprofits at no cost.

On Thursday, December 15, the 2022 Sonder Fellowship participants gathered to celebrate their graduation. The Sonder Fellowship is a year-long program for leaders who serve Southeast Fort Wayne residents. It was developed in partnership with and facilitated by Danielle Shoots. Nineteen Southeast leaders graduated from the program in 2022.

‘An Influence for Good’ documentary is now available online. The film can be viewed at foellinger.org/documentary.

Foellinger Foundation will premiere a documentary film, ‘An Influence for Good,’ on March 16, 2023 at the Arts United Center.

The Power House Youth Center is one organization supporting students in Allen County, offering afterschool programs to 7th-12th graders in New Haven and Fort Wayne. Each day, students are bused from New Haven Junior and Senior High Schools to The Power House, where they have a safe place to spend the evening hours.

Greta McKinney has served as MLK Montessori School’s Director since 2012. Her professional experience is rich in social services, having worked with a variety of audiences, including those with developmental disabilities and aging populations.

Foellinger Foundation exists today because of the generosity of the Foellinger family. But how did the Foellinger family generate their wealth? Their family values of integrity, accountability, responsibility, and results—plus a commitment to civic involvement—led to successes for both the family, and all of Allen County.

Bloom Project, Inc.’s mission is to build youth into the next generation of leaders in their community, with a focus on mentorship and character development. Bloom Project’s Project King emphasizes group mentoring for young Black males ages 12-18. Participants are matched with a male mentor and go through a series of workshops focused on character development, professional development, emotional intelligence, civics, and more with a unique cultural lens.

Foellinger Foundation Board of Directors and staff extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Janae McCullough-Boyd.

Gail Doran, Board Chair of Super Shot, was recognized as the 2022 David A. Bobilya Excellence in Nonprofit Leadership Award recipient at an award ceremony on September 28, 2022. Congratulations, Gail!

Fort Wayne Dance Collective (FWDC) continually evolves to best serve our community as a nonprofit arts organization whose mission is to inspire people of all identities, abilities, and stages of life through movement arts. One way they accomplish this is through their unique model as a makerspace for movement.

Please join us in welcoming David Bennett as Foellinger Foundation’s interim President and CEO.

Kandace Kelly has worked to uplift our community’s citizens for more than 25 years at Positive Resource Connection. Kandace was drawn to working there because she is passionate about helping people, especially those who are often overlooked.