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Dean & Barbara White Family Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$73.6M
Grant Range
$25K - $50.0M

Dean & Barbara White Family Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $73,595,878 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation-only)
  • Decision Time: Varies by project
  • Grant Range: $25,000 - $50,000,000+
  • Geographic Focus: Northwest Indiana and statewide Indiana
  • Application Process: No public application process - preselected organizations only

Contact Details

Address: 701 E 83rd Ave, Merrillville, IN 46410-9202

Phone: 219-680-8041

Email: info@dbwfamilyfoundation.org

Website: https://dbwfamilyfoundation.org/

Overview

The Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation was established in 1997 as a 501(c)(3) private family foundation to carry on the philanthropic legacy and values of Dean, Barbara, and the White family. Dean White (1923-2016) was a billionaire hotelier who built his fortune through billboard advertising and hotel development, selling his billboard company for $960 million and 100 hotels for $1.7 billion. Despite his wealth, he remained committed to Northwest Indiana throughout his life. The foundation has distributed $73.6 million in grants in 2023 alone and focuses on catalytic, self-sustaining projects that support quality of life in Northwest Indiana and across Indiana. Recent major commitments include a historic $150 million pledge to Catholic schools and transformative investments in community centers, healthcare facilities, and higher education.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation makes strategic investments rather than traditional grants, focusing on large-scale, transformative projects:

  • Major Capital Projects: $15,000,000 - $50,000,000 (community centers, healthcare facilities, educational buildings)
  • Institutional Partnerships: $20,000,000 - $50,000,000 (university programs, multi-year commitments)
  • Community Development: $1,000,000 - $15,000,000 (YMCA facilities, public safety infrastructure)
  • Minimum Grant Size: $25,000

Strategic Investment Pillars

The foundation focuses on three key investment strategies:

  1. Economic Development: Supporting new economic centers of excellence that generate tangible and intangible benefits sustaining quality of life, health, and wellness
  2. Self-Sustaining Projects: Investments demonstrating long-term community impact without requiring ongoing support
  3. Matching Gifts: Maximizing investments through partnerships with foundations, educational institutions, and nonprofits to serve as a multiplying force for good

Priority Areas

  • Higher Education: Major institutional partnerships, endowed programs, and facilities
  • K-12 Education: Catholic schools, values-based education initiatives
  • Community Development: Recreation centers, community gathering spaces, multi-purpose facilities
  • Health and Wellness: Cancer centers, hospital facilities, YMCA wellness centers
  • Public Safety: First responder training facilities, emergency services infrastructure

What They Don't Fund

  • Sponsorships
  • Sports teams
  • Political organizations or causes
  • Individual grants

Governance and Leadership

Key Leadership

Bill Hanna, Executive Director: Appointed as the foundation's first executive director after 10 years leading the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority. Hanna stated: "We know that access to high-quality, values-based education is as important as anything we can support."

Bruce White, Trustee: Son of Dean and Barbara White, founder and chairman of White Lodging, Purdue Board of Trustees member, and longtime university benefactor. Bruce White noted about Hanna: "Bill is known for cultivating legacy projects that support the health, wellness and economic sustainability of the Region."

The White Family: The foundation is governed by the White family trustees, who maintain Dean and Barbara's commitment to Northwest Indiana and values-driven philanthropy.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. The foundation proactively identifies and selects organizations based on strategic priorities and works directly with chosen partners on catalytic projects.

Grants are awarded through trustee discretion based on the foundation's strategic investment pillars and are typically the result of established relationships and alignment with the foundation's mission to transform communities in Northwest Indiana.

Recent Grant Recipients

Notable organizations that have received funding include:

  • Big Shoulders Fund: $150 million over 10 years (2024) - historic commitment to Catholic Diocese of Gary schools
  • Purdue University: $50 million (2023) for Bruce White Undergraduate Institute in the Daniels School of Business; $20.8 million for Dean V. White Real Estate Finance Program
  • Franciscan Health Foundation: $30 million for Dean and Barbara White Cancer Center at Crown Point hospital
  • Crossroads YMCA: $21 million for Dean and Barbara White Southlake YMCA expansion in Crown Point
  • City of Gary (Tolleston Opportunity Campus): $15 million total for multi-purpose community facility
  • Town of Merrillville: $10 million for Dean and Barbara White Community Center (95,000 sq ft, $24 million total project)
  • Aquinas Catholic Community School: $1.25 million for facility renovations
  • Multi-Agency Academic Cooperative (MAAC): Partnership for first responder training facility
  • Crown Point Community Foundation: Various community development initiatives
  • City of Hammond: Partnership for Hammond Destination YMCA ($70 million project)

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, success depends on strategic alignment and relationship factors:

Foundation's Investment Philosophy

The foundation describes each project as "an investment in the community" rather than a grant, emphasizing:

  • Catalytic Impact: Projects that transform communities and create lasting change
  • Self-Sustainability: Investments that demonstrate long-term impact without requiring ongoing foundation support
  • Regional Benefit: Projects accessible to broad populations across Northwest Indiana
  • Partnership Approach: Collaboration with high-performing organizations, educational institutions, and other foundations
  • Values Alignment: Commitment to health and wellness, quality education, public safety, and community development

Types of Projects Recently Funded

Recent investments reveal the foundation's preferences:

  • Large-Scale Capital Projects: Multi-million dollar community centers combining recreation, education, and wellness (DBW Community Center, Tolleston Opportunity Campus)
  • Healthcare Infrastructure: State-of-the-art medical facilities serving regional populations (cancer center, hospital partnerships)
  • Educational Institutions: Endowed programs at universities and transformative K-12 education initiatives
  • Multi-Use Facilities: Projects combining multiple community benefits in one location (gyms, classrooms, wellness centers, community gathering spaces)
  • Economic Development: Projects creating economic centers of excellence and supporting regional growth

Foundation's Language and Priorities

From Bill Hanna, Executive Director: "We know that access to high-quality, values-based education is as important as anything we can support." This reflects the foundation's emphasis on values-based initiatives and education as a priority area.

The foundation emphasizes "transforming communities," "legacy investments," and "quality of life" in its messaging, suggesting preference for projects with generational impact.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process exists - the foundation works only with preselected organizations through trustee-initiated relationships
  • Think multi-million dollar scale - recent grants range from $1.25 million to $150 million, with $25,000 minimum; small projects unlikely to align
  • Geographic focus is paramount - nearly all funding goes to Northwest Indiana (Lake County region) with some statewide Indiana projects
  • Self-sustainability is critical - the foundation seeks projects that won't require ongoing operational support
  • Partnership and matching opportunities increase appeal - the foundation values multiplying their investment through collaborations
  • Focus on catalytic, transformative projects - incremental improvements or operational funding don't align; think community-changing infrastructure
  • Values-based education is a current priority - the historic $150 million commitment to Catholic schools signals major interest in this area
  • The foundation honors Dean and Barbara White's legacy - understanding their story and commitment to Northwest Indiana provides context for the foundation's priorities

References

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