← Back to US Funders Directory

Dekko Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$10.0M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.6M
Decision Time
3mo

Dekko Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $10,000,000
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Approximately 90 days
  • Grant Range: $500 - $624,330
  • Average Grant: $10,000
  • Geographic Focus: 13 counties in Indiana, Iowa, Alabama, and Minnesota
  • Total Assets: $215,700,000

Contact Details

Address: PO Box 548, 401 E. Diamond St., Kendallville, IN 46755
Phone: 260-347-1278
Email: dekko@dekkofoundation.org
Website: https://www.dekkofoundation.org

Overview

The Dekko Foundation was established in 1981 by late businessman and philanthropist Chester E. "Chet" Dekko with a mission of fostering economic freedom through education. With total assets of approximately $215.7 million, the foundation has awarded more than $300 million in grants since its inception, distributing approximately $10 million annually. The foundation focuses exclusively on projects that support the healthy development of children and young people from birth through age 18, helping them build the skills, knowledge, and character necessary for economic freedom in the future. Grantmaking is geographically concentrated in 13 counties across four states where Mr. Dekko had business or personal interests. The foundation operates from the Community Learning Center in Kendallville, Indiana, where President Tom Leedy emphasizes learning from agencies that "support young people as they build the skills, knowledge, and character that are fundamental to them growing up to become self-sufficient adults and ultimately capable of achieving economic freedom."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Dekko Foundation operates with rolling applications and makes grants six times per year (January, March, May, July, September, and November). Grant amounts range from a few hundred dollars to several million, with an average grant size of $10,000. The foundation offers multiyear investments to mature and impactful organizations when financially feasible, providing essential stability for sustained program development.

Recent Grant Examples:

  • Graceland University (Lamoni, IA): $624,330 over three years for AmeriCorps Youth Launch program
  • Sacred Heart Catholic School, Warsaw: $250,000 for renovation and expansion
  • Town of Silver Lake: $300,000 to support families and young people engaging with community members
  • City of Mount Ayr, IA: $250,000 for new community pool construction
  • Fort Wayne Zoological Society: $279,882 over three years for Zoo Scientific Inquiry program
  • Indiana Alliance of YMCAs: $130,000 for Youth & Government program expansion in northeast Indiana
  • Clarke Community Schools (Osceola, IA): $120,000 to extend preschool from half day to full day
  • Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana: $80,000 for financial literacy skills development
  • Fort Wayne Philharmonic Orchestra: $65,000 for elementary student programs
  • Kosciusko Community YMCA Inc., Warsaw: $25,000 for children's enriching and nurturing environments
  • Lost Sparrows, Inc. (Winona Lake, IN): $20,000 for annual conference for youth workers and caregivers
  • Central Noble Community School Corporation (Albion, IN): $15,000 for after-school tutoring programs
  • Angola Performing Arts Academy: $8,000 for student-led community performances equipment

Priority Areas

The Dekko Foundation has established 14 core funding priorities aligned with their mission of fostering economic freedom through education:

  1. Intentionally Prepared Learning Environments: Supporting knowledge, skills, and character building
  2. Developmental Principles: Implementation in homes, schools, and youth-serving organizations
  3. Meaningful Relationships: Between children and caring adults
  4. Parent Education: Supporting parents as first teachers
  5. Active Parental Involvement: In education quality
  6. Family-Strengthening Activities: Programs and experiences that strengthen families
  7. Community Engagement: Recognizing youth as capable contributors
  8. Problem-Solving Opportunities: With real-world applications
  9. Self-Directed Learning Environments: For skill development
  10. Youth Responsibility: Steps toward economic independence
  11. Post-Secondary Awareness: Helping youth understand options beyond high school
  12. Youth Philanthropy: Practice in communities
  13. Civic Responsibility: Youth leadership development
  14. Financial Literacy: Skill-building programs

Key Program Areas:

  • Early Childhood Education (Birth-Age 5): Before 5 and bloom! initiatives, transforming parents "from overwhelmed to overjoyed" through workshops with teachable moment mentors
  • K-12 Education (Ages 6-18): Civic responsibility, vocational exploration, and youth philanthropy initiatives
  • Youth Philanthropy: 26-year-old program targeting high school students, partnering with schools and youth organizations to "increase the number of young people who experience the contagious feeling of doing good to help others"
  • Arts Programs: Expanding access to music, theater, and visual arts for elementary, middle, and high school students

What They Don't Fund

The Dekko Foundation does not publicly list formal exclusions. However, implicit restrictions include:

  • Geographic Restrictions: Only funds organizations serving specific counties: DeKalb, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, and Whitley counties in Indiana; Clarke, Decatur, Lucas, Ringgold, and Union counties in Iowa; Limestone County in Alabama; and Norman County in Minnesota
  • Age Restrictions: Only supports programs serving children and young people from birth through age 18
  • Organizational Requirements: Must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or have a fiscal sponsor relationship with one

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

  • C. E. Dekko - Chairman
  • Erica Dekko - Director & Secretary (also affiliated with Dekko Investment Services, Oak Farm Montessori School, and Freedom Academy)
  • Phil Salsbery - Vice-Chairman (related to the Dekko family through marriage to Lorene Dekko Salsbery, daughter of founder Chester E. Dekko)

Staff Leadership

  • Tom Leedy - President (Compensated: $203,558 annually)
  • Jenna Ott - Vice President of Programs
  • Robin McCormick - Controller
  • Abby Lindsey - Program Officer
  • Sarah Larkin - Program Officer
  • Payton Hunley - Grants and Program Associate
  • Greg Matney - Construction Consultant

Leadership Philosophy

Tom Leedy has emphasized the foundation's commitment to "working alongside agencies at the CLC that are striving to remove barriers to economic freedom will make us a stronger foundation." He notes the importance of creating "incredible opportunity" to be "a catalyst for lifelong learning, building skills, expressing creativity, and improving well-being through its multigenerational offerings."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Dekko Foundation accepts applications on a rolling basis through their online portal at https://www.dekkofoundation.org/apply-now.

Application Requirements:

  • Must be submitted at least 90 days before desired board decision date
  • Organizations must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or have a fiscal sponsor relationship with one
  • Online application can be saved and completed over time
  • Supporting documents can be uploaded in PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or image formats
  • Applicants receive immediate email confirmation upon submission

Application Process:

  1. Submit online proposal application
  2. Receive confirmation email
  3. A Dekko Foundation program officer contacts applicant to discuss the proposal (in person, by phone, or virtually)
  4. May be asked to provide additional information
  5. Grant Review Committee makes recommendations to Board of Directors
  6. Board determines whether to invest in the proposal
  7. Applicants receive award letter or declination letter by mail

Decision Timeline

  • Total Timeline: Approximately 90 days from submission to decision
  • Board Meetings: Six times per year (January, March, May, July, September, and November)
  • Notification: Award or declination letters sent by mail

Success Rates

The foundation does not publicly disclose specific success rate percentages. However, recent data shows:

  • 2021: 135 awards made
  • 2020: 141 awards made
  • 2019: 178 awards made

The foundation is described as "accessible" for schools and organizations working in its specific areas of interest.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation does not publicly document a specific reapplication policy or waiting periods for declined applications. Applicants with questions about reapplying should contact program staff at 260-347-1278 or dekko@dekkofoundation.org.

Application Success Factors

What the Foundation Looks For

The Dekko Foundation emphasizes that during proposal discussions, they want to understand:

  1. The Problem: What challenge you're working to solve
  2. The Solution: Your proposed approach
  3. The Results: What outcomes you'll be tracking

Foundation's Advice to Applicants

Don't Worry About Perfection: The foundation explicitly states, "Don't worry if you can't tell them everything on the grant application - at their foundation, they ask for details later." They acknowledge that the application process "can create anxiety for grantseekers" but encourage applicants not to worry, as they're there to "work alongside you and provide assistance."

Focus on Alignment: When considering proposals in each grantmaking area, they look for specific results that will most directly help accomplish their mission of fostering economic freedom through education.

Mature and Impactful Organizations: The foundation typically makes multiyear investments in organizations and projects that are "mature and impactful," suggesting they value proven track records and demonstrated effectiveness.

Geographic Fit: Ensure your organization serves one of the 13 counties in their funding area - this is a non-negotiable requirement.

Age-Appropriate Focus: Projects must clearly serve children and young people from birth through age 18.

Recent Funding Patterns

Recent grants demonstrate the foundation's commitment to:

  • Infrastructure improvements (pools, school renovations, equipment)
  • Early childhood education expansion (full-day preschool)
  • Arts and cultural programming for youth
  • Civic engagement and leadership development
  • Financial literacy education
  • After-school and summer programming
  • Community-based youth development initiatives

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Apply Early: Submit applications at least 90 days before you need a decision, giving yourself plenty of runway for the review process
  • Geographic Alignment is Critical: Ensure your organization serves one of the 13 counties in Indiana, Iowa, Alabama, or Minnesota where the foundation focuses - this is non-negotiable
  • Emphasize Economic Freedom: Frame your proposal around how it helps children build skills, knowledge, and character necessary for economic self-sufficiency and economic freedom
  • Don't Stress Perfection: The foundation explicitly tells applicants not to worry about providing every detail upfront - they'll ask for more information as needed through program officer discussions
  • Be Prepared for Conversation: Expect a program officer to contact you for discussion; this is a relationship-oriented funder that wants to understand your work personally
  • Consider Multiyear Requests: Mature organizations with proven impact should consider requesting multiyear funding for greater stability
  • Average Grant is Modest: While large grants exist, the average is $10,000 - calibrate expectations accordingly, though don't hesitate to request appropriate amounts based on project scope
  • Show Clear Results: Be ready to articulate the problem, your solution, and how you'll measure outcomes - they emphasize results-focused grantmaking

References

← Back to US Funders Directory