Best Wells County Grants for Nonprofits in Indiana

The English, Bonter, Mitchell Foundation Grant honors Dr. Calvin English, the first medical director of the Lincoln National Life Insurance Company. This private foundation primarily supports operating, programming, and multi-year capital campaigns in Northeast Indiana. The Distribution Committee convenes biannually to review proposals and allocate resources, ensuring impactful contributions to the community.

The PNC Foundation's Grow Up Great Grant is a significant initiative aimed at enhancing educational opportunities for children from birth to age 5. With a commitment of $500 million, this program focuses on improving school readiness through support in vocabulary development, social-emotional learning, and the arts. By partnering with community-based nonprofits, PNC aims to foster stronger, smarter, and healthier communities, ensuring a brighter future for the next generation.

Private nonprofits and local governments in Wells County, Indiana can seek funding for specialized transportation projects serving seniors and individuals with disabilities when regular public transit is insufficient. Focused on enhanced mobility in rural and small urban areas, the Indiana Department of Transportation prioritizes existing Section 5310 grantees for these public transportation and accessibility projects.

About The James Foundation

Mission Statement

The James Foundation believes that education is a lifelong journey and learning experiences should be made available to all. Through education, quality of life will be enriched; strengthening both families and community.

The James Foundation’s Mission

The James Foundation believes that education is a lifelong journey and learning experiences should be made available to all. Through education, quality of life will be enriched; strengthening both families and community.

Grant Giving Focus:

The James Foundation strives to create change, enhance quality of life, and provide opportunities to individuals to thrive by focusing on the following funding priorities:

• Educational Impact and Innovation
• Arts and Culture

The James Foundation is continually testing new ideas and pushing boundaries of the current concept of operations, searching for new grant opportunities to be funded that explore thought provoking and motivation projects with benevolent intent.

Established 501(c)(3) nonprofits providing human services, education, arts, or community and economic development in Wells County, Indiana can seek funding to strengthen local quality of life. With a mission to enhance the social, economic, and cultural fabric of communities, 1 St Source Foundation prefers proven organizations that reach broad segments of the population.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working in arts, education, community empowerment, conservation, or urban development in Wells County, Indiana may be eligible for support. Ardelle and Theresa Glaze Foundation provides funding within the Fort Wayne Metals home communities, so local groups improving education, strengthening communities, investing in the arts, or advocating for the environment may benefit.

Nonprofit organizations needing physical or cybersecurity upgrades in Wells County, Indiana can seek funding to improve facility and target hardening against terrorist or extremist attacks. Indiana Department of Homeland Security supports security and resilience projects through the Nonprofit Security Grant Program – State (NSGP-S), with awards up to US $4,700,000 for eligible organizations outside designated high-risk urban areas.

Nonprofits, groups, and endorsed individuals providing encouragement, education, or enlightenment for women and children in Wells County, Indiana can seek US $100 - US $3,000 for charitable projects. Wells County Foundation’s LiGHT Grants support programs that improve quality of life, including youth services, child welfare, and services for women and girls.

About Us

Near the sunset of a full career filled with hard work, perseverance, and many successes, Don Wood founded the 80/20 Foundation Trust in 2018, which was later renamed the Don Wood Foundation. Don built his life and career on a simple but powerful belief: opportunity should not be limited to one path. 

Don recognized the immense value of industrial trades, advanced manufacturing, innovation, having an entrepreneurial mindset, and leadership skills. He believed individuals should have access to the tools, credentials, and real-world training necessary to build meaningful careers and provide for their families and the community. He saw his Foundation as a vehicle to get there.

Opening Pathways

Young people thrive when they are given meaningful opportunities to do, lead, and imagine what’s possible. The Don Wood Foundation awards grants for programs that prioritize early and frequent opportunities for young people to:

• Explore STEAM through doing, not just observing
• Build foundational leadership skills and an entrepreneurial mindset alongside technical curiosity, building their capability for adaptability, problem-solving, creativity, and teamwork                                                                                     
• Explore and navigate career pathways, so more students can see themselves in high-skill, high-wage technical careers

When every student in northeast Indiana has access to hands-on STEAM experiences and can connect learning to real careers in their communities, they develop the leadership skills and entrepreneurial mindset needed to power Next-Gen Manufacturing—today and tomorrow.

Engaging Youth Grant Program

Through the Engaging Youth Grant Program, the Don Wood Foundation supports programs and initiatives that: 

• Engage youth in STEAM and career exploration experiences that help them imagine future possibilities
• Provide early, frequent, and hands-on learning experiences that engage students as active participants, not passive observers
• Build foundational skills and mindsets, including curiosity, confidence, creativity, collaboration, problem-solving, persistence, and a growth mindset
• Offer progressive experiences that deepen over time as youth grow
• Expand access to opportunity by reducing barriers to participation 

​We are particularly interested in programs that center student voice and agency, are developmentally appropriate, and are delivered in partnership with schools, educators, and community organizations.   

The Empowering Manufacturing Grant Program, initiated by the Don Wood Foundation, aims to enhance northeast Indiana's manufacturing ecosystem by engaging nonprofit-led initiatives that collaborate with manufacturers. This program focuses on enabling young people to explore STEAM fields, develop leadership skills, and navigate career pathways. By providing essential resources and fostering partnerships, the program seeks to create sustainable workforce systems and promote innovation in the manufacturing sector, ensuring a robust future for the industry.

The Developing Talent Grant Program, established by the Don Wood Foundation, aims to empower young individuals in northeast Indiana by enhancing access to high-quality STEAM education and career pathways. By fostering partnerships among schools, nonprofits, and industry, the program promotes experiential learning and essential skills like leadership and adaptability. This initiative not only equips students with the necessary tools for future success but also strengthens the local workforce, ensuring a sustainable impact on the community.

Nonprofits, universities, government agencies, businesses, and individuals with projects improving the Great Lakes ecosystem can access funding through Great Lakes Protection Fund. Eligible teams in Wells County, Indiana may propose science-based, collaborative, action-oriented projects that deliver measurable, regionally significant ecological outcomes for the basin using market, social, or policy strategies.

About National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF)

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) works with partners to foster sustainable and impactful conservation solutions so that people and nature thrive together. Chartered by Congress in 1984, NFWF has grown to become the nation’s largest conservation foundation. Since its founding, NFWF has funded more than 23,900 projects that have generated a total conservation impact of more than $12 billion.About Sustain Our Great Lakes Program

Sustain Our Great Lakes is a public–private partnership designed to sustain, restore and protect fish, wildlife and habitat in the basin by leveraging funding, building conservation capacity, and focusing partners and resources toward key ecological issues. The program achieves this mission, in part, by awarding grants for on-the-ground habitat restoration and enhancement.Funding priorities for this program include:

• Habitat Restoration to Conserve Species and Improve Water Quality
• Expand and Maintain Nature-Based Solutions in Great Lakes Communities
• Invasive Species Control to Protect and Enhance Restored Habitat
• Activate Restored Habitats and Natural Areas

State natural resource agencies and designees implementing approved aquatic invasive species management plans in Great Lakes states can apply for US $100,000 - US $600,000 to support plan implementation. Grants from US Department of the Interior: Fish and Wildlife Service help Wells County, Indiana and other eligible Great Lakes areas advance invasive species control, fish conservation, and wildlife health efforts.

Member Lutheran congregations and schools in Wells County, Indiana and the surrounding northeast Indiana counties can apply for Lutheran Congregation Grants from Lutheran Foundation, with awards starting at more than US $1,500. Funding supports leadership development, vision and strategy work, and caring ministries serving congregations, schools, and the broader community; collaborative projects are welcomed.

The Lutheran School Grant, funded by the Lutheran Foundation, aims to support Lutheran schools in providing essential counseling services and mental health resources for students and their families. With over $193 million awarded since 1995, the foundation focuses on promoting mental wellness and advancing excellence in Lutheran education. Grants start at a minimum of $1,500 and are available to 18 eligible Lutheran schools associated with member congregations, ensuring a positive impact on community well-being.

The Lutheran School Support Grant is designed to empower Lutheran schools in northeast Indiana to enhance their endowments for long-term sustainability. Grants, starting at $1,500, aim to support various ministry needs, including leadership development and community care. The Lutheran Foundation prioritizes applications that foster collaboration among congregations and address challenges in a post-Christian culture, ensuring that resources effectively promote Gospel sharing and mental wellness.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and government entities in Wells County, Indiana can seek funding for workforce development, climate resiliency, and opportunity and inclusion programs. Focused on community development and environmental stewardship, the Duke Energy Foundation offers rolling grants up to US $20,000 for projects serving communities within its Piedmont Natural Gas and Duke Energy service areas.

Licensed public school special education teachers in Northeast Indiana, including Wells County, can apply for the AWS Foundation Scholarship Fund to pursue additional special education certifications. Administered by the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne, this scholarship supports part-time or full-time continuing education at accredited colleges or universities.

Nonprofit and charitable organizations serving Wells County, Indiana can seek funding for community programs and projects in areas like arts and culture, education, youth, environment, health, animal welfare, and human services. The Wells County Foundation prioritizes innovative efforts with strong local support, volunteer involvement, and clear plans for sustainability and additional funding.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Wells County, Indiana can seek funding for programs in financial literacy, education, or health and wellness. Grants from 3 Rivers Credit Union Foundation help Wells County nonprofits run mission-aligned programs with clear goals and measurable results, with awards up to US $7,500 where at least 80% of funds stay local.

Nonprofits and community organizations serving Wells County, Indiana with charitable community projects can apply for Huntington County Community Foundation’s Hometown Grant, which offers up to US $5,000 for local initiatives and events. Funding supports efforts that benefit residents of Warren, Markle, or Andrews, such as park upgrades, youth programs, historic main street projects, and downtown beautification.

The Gilmore Inclusive Arts Grant supports projects that engage individuals with disabilities in Northeast Indiana's arts communities. Annually, applications open in May and close in September, with funding up to $25,000. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) compliant, and priority is given to impactful projects. Collaboration is encouraged, ensuring diverse participation in the arts. This grant aims to foster inclusivity and enhance the cultural landscape by empowering individuals with disabilities.

The Share the Bounty Grant, offered by The Andersons Inc Charitable Foundation, aims to enhance the quality of life in communities through support for agriculture, social services, civic engagement, education, arts, and health initiatives. By investing in these key areas, The Andersons seeks to foster environments where individuals and families can thrive, ensuring a sustainable and vibrant future for all residents in the regions they serve.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations addressing basic needs, health care, education, or civic initiatives in Wells County, Indiana may be eligible for funding. Focused on community well-being, Valero Energy Foundation supports programs such as food and shelter services, health resources, educational initiatives, and local civic or environmental projects in areas where it has major operations.

The AWS Foundation offers Traditional Grants aimed at supporting organizations in Northeast Indiana that assist individuals with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities. These grants provide funding for various programs, capital needs, and operations that align with their mission of promoting independence and community inclusion. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) and serve specific counties to qualify. The foundation values innovative approaches that significantly impact the lives of beneficiaries.

Lutheran Foundation offers grants over US $5,000 to Wells County, Indiana 501(c)(3) nonprofits and community organizations advancing whole-person health. Funding supports mental health, preventative care, and access to services across a 10-county northeast Indiana region, prioritizing vulnerable, underserved, and underinsured residents while strengthening family resilience and community well-being.