Foellinger Foundation

There's still time to register for our Evaluation Plan Training Workshop on Wednesday, June 24, to strengthen your grant proposal for the Early Childhood Development or Family Development community-based grant opportunities. Morning and afternoon sessions are available. You only need to attend one session.

Events | Join Our Community Events Today — Foellinger Foundation Discover upcoming community events, workshops, and forums hosted by the Foellinger Foundation to engage with local leadership and development...

We host in-person Q&A workshops before each round of grant proposals is due. Join us on Wednesday, July 8, for our next workshop on Early Childhood Development and Family Development community-based grant opportunities. The application deadline for both grants is August 3, 2026.

Q&A Workshop: Early Childhood Development & Family Development Grant — Foellinger Foundation Early Childhood Development & Family Development Grant Categories We host in-person Q&A workshops before each round of grant proposals is...

At the beginning of the year, Judy Roy stepped into new roles as Vice Chair and Secretary of Foellinger Foundation's Board of Directors, bringing both experience and a willingness to grow.

As Secretary, Judy helps ensure strong governance by keeping board processes organized and transparent. As Vice Chair, she’s taking on a broader leadership role, participating in all Executive Committee and board meetings, and stepping in for the board chair when needed.

"My comfort zone has always been chairing the Finance Committee—that’s the work I know best," Judy shared. "Stepping into the Vice Chair role challenges me to grow and contribute in new ways. I’ve served on several Foellinger Foundation committees, and it felt like the right time to prepare for the chair role. I appreciate that our structure allows me to work closely with [Board Chair] Sam Graves this year to ensure a smooth transition when my time comes."

Before joining the board, she served on the Investment and Finance Committee and saw firsthand how the Foundation's funding strengthens nonprofits—and the people they serve—across the community. "Serving individuals with the greatest economic need and the least opportunity aligns deeply with my personal charitable values. I’m especially drawn to the Foundation's vision of helping people move from dependence to independence. I want my giving to support those who truly need it, while also providing a leg up that helps them build stability and move forward."

We are proud to once again partner with the City of Fort Wayne Government Department of Neighborhoods to support this important neighborhood work through a Special Opportunity Grant.

Applications for our Early Childhood Development and Family Development community-based grants are now open!

Applications Open: June 8
Evaluation Workshop: June 24 (two sessions)
Q&A Workshop: July 8
Application Deadline: August 3

Apply here: https://www.foellinger.org/our-grants

We’re proud to share that Program Officer Lisa Pickerman has recently completed the Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP) Program Officer Peer Learning Cohort through its Learning Institute. Decades of research show that program officers play a crucial role in a funder’s ability to positively impact communities, issues, and fields.

This multi-month, peer-learning experience is designed to help program officers hone their knowledge and skill set, bringing together philanthropic professionals from across the country to deepen their knowledge, strengthen grantmaking practices, and build meaningful connections with others in the field.

Lisa’s participation reflects our commitment to professional development, enabling us to better support nonprofits and champion opportunity.

Our team had the opportunity to join regional leaders at the Greater Fort Wayne Inc. Annual Meeting on June 4—an inspiring evening celebrating the organizations, partnerships, and momentum shaping our community’s future.

We’re grateful to be part of a community that continues to invest in growth, innovation, and shared success—championing opportunity for all.

Foellinger Foundation's Board of Directors has approved grants totaling $1.5M to support 45 organizations that provide services throughout Allen County. Nonprofits funded through Community Interests grants provide opportunities for arts and culture and other activities that help create a vibrant community.
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For more than a decade, Mike Mushett has led Turnstone Center for Children and Adults with Disabilities with a vision rooted in innovation, humility, and sustainability—expanding access and transforming how our community embraces ability. As he recently announced his retirement, we recognize the lasting impact of his leadership, which has grown Turnstone’s reach, doubled the number of individuals served, and strengthened its role as a national leader in adaptive sports and services.

Read our "Legacy & Beyond" feature to hear Mike’s reflections on leadership, growth, and the future he envisions—one where disability is recognized as part of the human experience and every individual has the opportunity to thrive.

Legacy & Beyond: Turnstone — Foellinger Foundation Legacy & Beyond: Turnstone As part of our 2025 annual report , we challenged four nonprofit leaders to answer this question in a statement...

Don't miss our June newsletter! Stay up to date with Foundation news, grant opportunities, leadership opportunities, and more.

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