Crescent Cresline Wabash Plastics Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $707,525 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not available
• Decision Time: Not disclosed
• Grant Range: Not disclosed
• Geographic Focus: Evansville, Indiana region

Contact Details

600 Cross Pointe Blvd
Evansville, IN 47715
Phone: (812) 428-9300

Overview

Established in 1987, the Crescent Cresline Wabash Plastics Foundation Inc is a private corporate foundation with total assets of $19.2 million. The foundation distributed $707,525 in grants during 2023, making it a significant regional funder in the Evansville area. Connected to the Schroeder family's fourth-generation plastics manufacturing businesses (Crescent Plastics, Cresline Plastic Pipe, and Wabash Plastics), the foundation supports charitable organizations in areas that align with the family's philanthropic interests. The foundation operates with no paid staff and is managed by board members who receive no compensation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation makes grants to preselected organizations only. In 2023, they distributed $707,525 in total grants through what appears to be a single large grant or small number of grants.

Priority Areas

• Museums
• Performing arts organizations
• Education initiatives
• Youth development programs

What They Don't Fund

Not publicly disclosed, though they explicitly do not accept unsolicited applications from organizations.

Governance and Leadership

Board Members

• Belle Fahrer (Secretary)
• John C. Schroeder (Director) - President and CEO of Wabash Plastics and Crescent Plastics
• Richard A. Schroeder (Director) - President and CEO of Cresline

The foundation is managed by the Schroeder family, who have deep roots in Evansville dating back to 1866. The family started Crescent Plastics Inc. in 1949 and has grown the business into multiple successful plastics manufacturing companies.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the board to organizations they have already identified and chosen to support.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made to preselected organizations only.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. Organizations receive funding through pre-existing relationships with the foundation's board members or through connections to the Schroeder family businesses in the Evansville area. The foundation's giving appears to focus on established institutions in the Evansville region that align with their stated priority areas of museums, performing arts, education, and youth development.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Do not submit unsolicited grant applications - they will not be considered
• The foundation only funds preselected organizations chosen by the board
• Focus areas include museums, performing arts, education, and youth development
• Strong preference for organizations in the Evansville, Indiana region
• Funding decisions are made at board discretion with no public application process
• Connection to the Schroeder family businesses or board members appears essential for consideration
• Annual giving of approximately $700,000 suggests capacity for substantial grants to chosen organizations

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Crescent Cresline Wabash Plastics Foundation Inc (accessed February 6, 2026)
• Cause IQ - Crescent-Cresline-Wabash Plastics Foundation profile (accessed February 6, 2026)
• Evansville Living Magazine - "Prevailing Plastics" article on Schroeder family history (accessed February 6, 2026)
• Various nonprofit database listings including GuideStar, Charity Navigator, and Grantmakers.io (accessed February 6, 2026)