1. How to apply for a grant…
- Meet the qualifications
- Submit a Concept Letter to the Foundation via email
- If you receive a favorable response, submit a full proposal with required attachments
2. Qualifications:
- Be a 501 (c) (3) organization for five years
- Located in and providing programs and services mainly within Fort Wayne and Allen County
- Organizations must wait one full year from the conclusion of their most recent funded grant year before submitting a new concept letter. An approved grant may, however, be paid out over multiple years.
- The foundation does not provide funding to private foundations, churches, state funded colleges and universities, or individuals (including scholarships). We also rarely fund schools of any level.
3. Purpose:
Grants are made for capital expenditures (not annual support) which benefit the greatest number of individuals over the longest period of time. The Wildcat Athletic Association is an exception. The Foundation annually supports Wildcats since Dale W. McMillen established the League.
Capital expenditures include:
- Land & Buildings (Capital Campaign)
- Building Renovation
- Equipment
- Items having normal life expectancy of 3 yrs or more.
2026 Grant Application Deadlines
April 15, 2026
June 15, 2026
October 1, 2026