More than $119,000 in grants have been appropriated to community organizations and projects by the Wells County Foundation Inc.’s board of directors.
There were 17 grants awarded which went to artistic, recreational, educational, and philanthropic programs throughout Bluffton and Wells County.
The foundation’s board of directors award three cycles of grants each year, in April, August, and December.
Five of the grants in this cycle were for more than $10,000. The largest single grant went to Community Care of Northeast Indiana, which received $18,000 for building maintenance and improvements to the Grace and Mercy Transitional Housing facility on Clark Avenue.
Prioritized maintenance improvements are to replace three heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units and to repair the brick and mortar tucking. Approximately 25 residents per year, women and children, reside at Grace & Mercy on an annual basis.
Funding for the grant came from the Community Enhancement Endowment Fund.
Other grants of more than $10,000 were as follows:
• Alive & Well, $15,000 — This grant will provide partial funding for “Alive and Well” programming which is presented to students attending Bethlehem Lutheran School, Bluffton-Harrison Middle School, Bluffton High School, Lancaster Elementary School, Norwell Middle School, Norwell High School, Ossian Elementary School, and Southern Wells Junior/Senior High School.
This programming meets numerous state and national standards for fifth through 12th grades. In addition to the abstinence programming, Alive and Well helps students in developing positive character traits, goal setting, wise decision making, conflict resolution, fostering healthy relationships, mental health education and building self-esteem.
Funding for the grant came from the Elizabeth Patton Unrestricted Endowment Fund.
• Bluffton Parks & Recreation Department, $12,500 — This grant will provide funding for a disc golf/foot golf course. Disc golf is played much like golf, but instead of a ball and clubs players use a flying disc or Frisbee. Foot golf is a combination of the popular sports of soccer and golf.
Funding for the grant came from the Community Enhancement Endowment Fund.
• First United Methodist Church, $12,000 — This grant will provide funding for the First We Care program which provides financial aid to qualifying families to assist with purchasing school supplies, clothing, shoes, coats and other items necessary for back to school. Families are referred to the program by school personnel and approved by members of the First We Care board of directors.
Funding for the grant came from the Margaret Powers Unrestricted Endowment Fund.
• YWCA Northeast Indiana, $10,000 — This grant will provide funding for domestic violence education and advocacy in Wells County.
The YWCA provides a variety of services to Wells County residents including educating adult professionals and community leaders to understand and respond to domestic violence situations, providing advocacy and intervention support to victims of domestic violence and presenting the “Eyes Wide Open …” relationship awareness — programing engaging students about understanding healthy and unhealthy relationships — to Wells County students. In 2022, 19 individuals in Wells County received support from YWCA Advocates as they transitioned out of domestic violence situations. Out of those 19 individuals, seven made use of YWCA’s emergency shelter and brought their children with them into the shelter. One hundred percent of the clients served identified themselves as low-income.
Funding for the grant came from the Elizabeth Powers Unrestricted Endowment Fund.
Other programs assisted during the current cycle of grant funding were:
• Wells County Child Protection Team, $8,050 — This grant will provide full funding for the Be Seen Be Heard program to be presented to elementary students in all three Nor well Community schools and Southern Wells Community Schools, reaching 1,679 students. This program creates a safe and engaging atmosphere where students can learn about the difference between safe and unsafe touching and what constitutes sexual abuse. The program also empowers students to tell a trusted adult if they feel uncomfortable or safe. The programs are presented by Victor Pacini. Funding for the grant came from the Virginia Gene Neuenschwander Youth Fund
• Community Harvest Food Bank, $7,500 — This grant will provide funding for the Wells County Farm Wagon Mobile Pantry program. The Farm Wagon mobile pantry program provides a source of fresh produce, dairy and sandwich bread to families in Wells County who are at risk of food insecurity. This program is currently serving an average of 140 to 150 households weekly at the Wells County distribution site, averaging approximately 435 individuals. In 2022, 219,600 pounds of food was distributed in Wells County through the Farm Wagon program.
The Farm Wagon makes weekly visits to Wells County at Roush Park.
Funding for the grant came from the Unrestricted Endowment Fund.
• Creative Arts Council of Wells County, $6,509 — This grant will provide funding for the rights and royalties for the productions of Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” and a fall show, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” “White Christmas” will be performed Dec. 8, 9 and 10 at Life Community Church. “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” will be performed Oct. 27 and 28 at Life Community Church. Through productions such as these, the Wells Community Theatre provides a constructive outlet for community members to exercise their creativity and a supportive group for people young and old with which to identify. In addition, it provides a great source of entertainment for Wells County residents to enjoy. Funding for the grant came from the Elizabeth Patton Unrestricted Endowment Fund and the Edward and Henrietta Goetz Unrestricted Endowment Fund.
• Brightpoint, $5,000 — This grant will provide funding for Covering Kids and Families – Increasing Access to Healthcare. The Covering Kids and Families program improves access to health care for Wells County residents by removing barriers individuals and families experience when they enroll in, use, and maintain public health insurance benefits.
In 2022, Brightpoint served approximately 166 Wells County residents. The agency also helped 166 residents to complete and submit applications for health coverage, of which 94.7 percent were approved. Funding for the grant came from the Charles F. and Hildreth L. Hissem Endowment Fund.
• Erin’s House for Grieving Children, $5,000 — This grant will provide funding for grief support services for Wells County youth and their families who have experienced the death of a loved one. Currently, Erin’s House is serving 10 residents (representing three families) from Wells County through their bi-weekly evening support programs. Additionally, 14 Wells County residents have also benefitted from phone support. Erin’s House also provides services to local schools upon request. Funding for the grant came from the Ellen Gerbers Unrestricted Endowment Fund.
• Hope’s Harbor, $5,000 — This grant will provide funding to offset the expenses of Wells County residents who use the services of Mad Anthonys Children’s Hope House, which has been renamed Hope’s Harbor, while their children are hospitalized in any Fort Wayne hospital. Hope’s Harbor provides shelter, meals and other services to the families it serves. In 2022, 15 individuals from Wells County stayed at Hope’s Harbor for 65 nights. Funding for the grant came from the Ellen Gerbers Unrestricted Endowment Fund.
• Matthew 25, $5,000 — This grant will provide funding for free health care services for Wells County residents who are uninsured and or have low incomes. In 2022, Matthew 25 provided 80 visits for Wells County residents. Visits included medical, dental optical, medications, and supplies services. Funding for the grant came from the Margaret Powers Unrestricted Endowment Fund.
• Creative Arts Council of Wells County, $3,532 — This grant will provide funding for the fees associated with sound equipment rental for the Shakespeare on the Plaza series. The Parlor City Shakespeare Company will perform “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the Parlor City Plaza Sept. 8, 9 and 10. Through productions such as these, the Wells Community Theatre provides a constructive outlet for community members to exercise their creativity and a supportive group for people young and old with which to identify. In addition, it provides a great source of entertainment for Wells County residents to enjoy. Funding for the grant came from the Community Enhancement Endowment Fund and the Edward and Henrietta Goetz Unrestricted Endowment Fund.
• Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana-Michiana, $2,500 — This grant will provide funding for Wells County girls in grades K-12 to participate in the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. This program provides fun, challenging, hands-on activities in an all girl environment that builds important skills in four areas: science, technology, engineering and math, life skills and entrepreneurship. Funding for the grant came from the Virginia Gene Neuenschwander Youth Fund.
• Wells County Revitalization, Inc., $2,000 — This grant will provide funding for scholarships to attend the Wells County Leadership Academy. The Wells County Leadership Academy develops, cultivates and enhances leadership skills within Wells County. Since its inception, 289 individuals have graduated from the program. Scholarships will enable individuals from non-profit organizations to participate in the program without causing hardship on their organizations’ budgets. Funding for the grant came from the Margaret Powers Unrestricted Endowment Fund.
• Wells County Council on Aging, $1,780 — This grant will provide funding for a hardware upgrade. Upgrades will include the purchase of network hardware and replacing a failing battery and backup units. Funding for the grant came from the G. Robert and Emma Studabaker Senior Citizens Fund.
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The foundation considers grant proposals three times annually for those agencies seeking funding through the competitive grant process. Funding for these grants comes from the unrestricted funds which are administered by the Foundation. Donors with broad philanthropic interests find that an unrestricted fund in the community foundation is a simple and flexible way to accomplish their charitable objectives. Contributing to an established unrestricted fund, or creating a new unrestricted fund is an excellent way to provide resources for grantmaking and help make a positive difference for the ever-changing needs in Wells County.
The Wells County Foundation Inc. is a nonprofit public charity established in 1957 to serve donors, award grants, and provide leadership to improve Wells County. Grant proposals to be considered for the next cycle are due to the Foundation office by Oct. 15.
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