An Influence for Good
The Foellinger family immigrates to Fort Wayne, Indiana from Prussia in 1836. Through four generations, its members overcome tragedy to leave an irreplaceable and enduring legacy of opportunity for their community’s residents.
An Influence for Good tells the life story of Helene Foellinger and the three generations of Foellingers who preceded her.
About the Film
Beginning with the immigration of Jacob Foellinger, in 1836, the Foellinger family succeeds for four generations as business-men and -women, with a deep commitment to civic involvement. After the tragic passing of her father, Oscar, the ambitious and driven publisher of The News-Sentinel, Helene Foellinger—just 25 years old at the time—leads the newspaper to even greater levels of success.
She and her mother, Esther, form the Foellinger Foundation, formalizing their commitment to uplifting the lives of the residents of Allen County. When Helene passes away with no heirs, the Foundation receives her estate.
Today, the Foellinger Foundation continues the family’s visionary commitment to championing opportunity.
Documentary Films
Fort Wayne & Allen County History
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Philanthropy and Donor Intent
Genealogy & Family Legacy
Project Background
An Influence for Good features interviews with nearly 20 individuals, including those who worked with Helene Foellinger, and those who carry her vision forward.
It was filmed in many iconic locations of importance to the Foellinger family, including the Arts United Center, Brightpoint (formerly the offices of The News-Sentinel), Ernest E. Williams Theatre at Purdue University Fort Wayne, Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory, Foellinger Theatre, Fort Wayne Museum of Art, and more.
The Foundation engaged in extensive research to understand the family’s history, including consulting with the Genealogy Center and the Allen County-Fort Wayne Historical Society.
In addition, when Helene Foellinger passed away in 1987, she left not only her financial assets, but also her and her family’s personal belongings, to the Foellinger Foundation. These artifacts capture the family’s history—including their sense of duty to their community, and each other, as well as their adventurous spirit.
To preserve their legacy, the Foundation embarked on an initiative to digitize thousands of negatives, photos, and video reels, as well as protect the family’s personal belongings. Several of the family’s artifacts will remain on permanent display in the Foellinger Foundation office.
Thank you to all of our collaborators and partners.
About Our Founders
Foellinger Foundation was created in 1958 by Helene and Esther Foellinger to carry forward their family’s tradition of civic involvement and active concern for the well-being of their community. Our grantmaking continues to reflect the Foellinger family’s interest in encouraging a community of self-reliant citizens, with a commitment to the founders’ values and principles: integrity, accountability, responsibility, and results.
Contact
To learn more about An Influence for Good, or for information on hosting a screening, contact our team.