← Back to US Funders Directory

Welborn Baptist Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$4.5M
Grant Range
$0K - $0.5M
Decision Time
4mo

Welborn Baptist Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $4,514,971 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 4 months (January application to May decision)
  • Grant Range: $100 - $500,000+ (most common: $800; average: $17,167)
  • Geographic Focus: 14 counties in Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky Tri-State region
  • Total Impact: 1,875+ grants totaling $85 million over 25 years

Contact Details

Address: 20 NW 3rd St, Suite 1500, Evansville, IN 47708
Phone: (812) 437-8260
Email: info@welbornfdn.org
Website: www.welbornfdn.org

General Inquiries: Organizations seeking support or new to grant writing are encouraged to reach out directly for assistance.

Overview

Established in March 1999, the Welborn Baptist Foundation is a health legacy foundation created when Welborn Memorial Baptist Hospital was sold to St. Mary's Medical Center. On January 1, 2005, the Welborn Foundation and Welborn Baptist Foundation merged their assets and operations to create one entity. With assets of approximately $98.4 million, the foundation's mission is to "demonstrate Christ's love through cultivating stronger communities."

Since opening its first grant cycle in April 2000, the foundation has awarded over 1,875 grants totaling $85 million across 14 counties in the Tri-State region. The foundation operates on a strategic two-year staggered grant cycle approach, allowing it to focus on specific impact areas during each cycle. CEO Pat Creech, who joined in November 2018, brings a unique combination of business acumen and ministry experience to the role, emphasizing that "a person's opportunity for success long term is dependent primarily on their zip code."

In celebrating 25 years of service, the foundation has invested approximately $134 million into the community through grants and partnerships, demonstrating a commitment to both Christian principles and community health improvement.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates on a two-year staggered grant cycle for different focus areas, with applications typically accepted in January and awards announced in May.

Early Learning
Addresses kindergarten readiness and third-grade reading level benchmarks through family engagement, provider effectiveness, affordable high-quality enrollment, and academic supports. Recent recipients include Community Coordinated Child Care of Southern Indiana ($500,000+), St. Vincent Early Learning Center, Holy Redeemer Church and School, and various elementary school PTOs.

Healthy Eating & Active Living (HEAL)
Supports programs helping residents of all ages eat healthier and be more physically active to reduce weight-related chronic disease risks. Past grantees include Evansville Area Trails Coalition ($500,000+), St. Mary's Health, Evansville Parks Foundation, Southwestern Indiana Regional Council on Aging, Rivertown Pickleball of Southern Indiana, and Urban Seeds community garden project.

Christ-Centered Communities
Goes toward helping residents hear and embrace the word of Christ and transform communities through Christ-centered programs and collaborative efforts. This represents the foundation's largest funding area. The 2025 grant cycle awarded $2.87 million across 27 grants. Major recipients include Community One Crossroads Christian Church ($1 million+), Evansville Christian Life Center ($1 million+), Evansville Christian School, The Potters Wheel, Isaiah 117 Project, Borrowed Hearts Foundation, Encountering Hope Ministries, Weekday Christian Education, and United Methodist Youth Home.

Nonprofit Excellence
Awards grants to improve leadership skills and help nonprofit leaders be advocates in the community. This capacity-building focus area includes the Grow Training platform and Board Champions program. Youth First received a $412,000 matching grant to fund social workers in schools.

Grant Amounts: Grants typically range from $100 to $25,000, though some have exceeded $500,000. The most common grant amount is $800, with an average of $17,167. In 2022, the foundation invested $3.8 million across 29 organizations in Early Learning and HEAL spaces alone.

Priority Areas

  • Early childhood education with focus on kindergarten readiness and third-grade reading proficiency
  • Community health initiatives promoting healthy eating and active living
  • Faith-based programming that helps residents embrace Christ and transform communities
  • Collaborative, cross-sector partnerships addressing complex community challenges
  • Nonprofit capacity building through leadership development and organizational effectiveness

What They Don't Fund

The foundation will not fund:

  • Individuals (only organizations meeting eligibility requirements may apply)
  • Establishment of, or contributions to, foundations, endowments, trusts, or permanent interest-bearing accounts
  • Propaganda or attempts to influence specific legislation or public elections
  • Organizations not in compliance with local, state, and federal anti-discrimination laws
  • Government agencies reporting to elected or appointed officials (except for schools governed by citizen boards)

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Pat Creech, Executive Director/CEO
Joined November 2018 following a six-month search. Previously served as Strategic Outreach Pastor at Crossroads Christian Church (2003-2018) and in management roles at George Koch Sons LLC. Holds a B.S. from Purdue University. Creech emphasizes that his role represents "a merging of what I learned in the business world at George Koch Sons and in the ministry world at Crossroads," bringing strategic planning expertise and ministry experience to the foundation's work.

Andrea Hays, MPH, Chief Program and Impact Officer
Joined WBF in 2008 and advanced to CPIO, leading the Programs and Impact Team with a holistic view of the grantmaking portfolio. Previously served as Healthy Communities Program Officer. Named a 2013 White House Champion of Change for leadership with the CDC Community Transformation Grant and selected as one of 2020 Junior League of Evansville's 20 Women in Business. Holds master's degree in public health from Indiana University and serves as adjunct faculty at University of Southern Indiana's College of Nursing and Health Professions.

Program Officers

  • Tyler Stock, MPA - Program Officer for Early Education, Grow Program Director, Learning & Data Lead
  • Amy Hanson - Program Officer for Christ Centered Community Engagement
  • Eric Cummings - Church Engagement Program Officer
  • Jeff Seymore - Communications Officer
  • Sam Voss - Marketing & Communications Specialist
  • Krista Will - Senior Accountant

Board of Directors

Tricia Henning - Board Chair (as of 2022)
Jeff Whiteside - Board Member (joined 2021)

The board consists of 22 members committed to the foundation's vision of "communities flourishing with the well-being, abundance and peace that God desires."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation uses a single-stage online application process. Applications are submitted through a link provided on the foundation's website during open grant cycles.

Application Window: First week of January through end of January (typically due at 5pm on the final deadline day)

Required Documents:

  • Board roster
  • Non-discrimination statement
  • Detailed project budget (using foundation's budget template)
  • Financial statements
  • M.O.U. agreements (if applying on behalf of a collaboration)

Eligibility:

  • Organizations must be nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) and further defined as public charities 509(a)(1), also known as 170(b)(1)(1A) groups
  • Faith-based nonprofit organizations and most churches are eligible
  • Organizations must have their main office located in the WBF service area OR serve the WBF service area counties
  • Service Area Counties: Indiana (Dubois, Gibson, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburgh, Warrick); Illinois (Gallatin, Saline, Wabash, Wayne, White); Kentucky (Henderson)

Fiscal Agent Option: An eligible nonprofit can apply for funding as a fiscal agent on behalf of collaborative partnerships, allowing organizations to work together even if not all participants have 501(c)(3) status.

Application Support: Organizations who are limited by technology or who are new to grant writing are strongly encouraged to reach out for additional support at info@welbornfdn.org or (812) 437-8260. The foundation offers virtual orientation sessions to provide guidance on specific grant cycles.

Decision Timeline

  • January (First Week): Applications open
  • January (Last Week): Applications due (typically 5pm deadline)
  • February-April: Internal review period with staff and board; additional information, meetings, and/or site visits may be requested
  • May: Board meeting makes final funding decisions
  • May (After Board Meeting): All applicants notified of award decisions by their Program Officer, regardless of outcome

Total Timeline: Approximately 4 months from submission to decision

Success Rates

The foundation made 251 awards in 2023, distributing $4,514,971. However, the total number of applications received is not publicly disclosed, so an exact acceptance rate cannot be calculated. The foundation notes that grants are awarded on a competitive basis and approved grant amounts may differ from the original request.

Reapplication Policy

Specific information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly disclosed. Organizations should contact the foundation directly at info@welbornfdn.org for guidance on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Foundation's Direct Guidance

Collaboration is Valued: The foundation explicitly encourages collaborative approaches to solving complex community issues and values cross-sector collaboration among organizations, funders, and other community partners. Applications demonstrating partnerships are viewed favorably.

Measurement Matters: Measurement of grant-funded activities and outcomes is a requirement. Organizations are strongly encouraged to include funding for evaluation needs in their budget requests.

Faith-Based Advantage: As the foundation's mission centers on demonstrating Christ's love, Christian organizations will have a natural advantage, particularly for Christ-Centered Communities grants. However, secular organizations aligned with Early Learning and HEAL priorities remain competitive.

Technology Support Available: Organizations should not be deterred by technical challenges. The foundation has an accessible application process and actively encourages grantseekers to reach out with questions.

CEO Pat Creech's Perspective: Creech emphasizes addressing zip code disparities, stating that "a person's opportunity for success long term is dependent primarily on their zip code." Applications demonstrating understanding of place-based challenges and opportunities resonate with the foundation's leadership.

Recent Funding Patterns

Large Investments in Faith-Based Work: The largest grants (over $1 million each) have gone to Community One Crossroads Christian Church and Evansville Christian Life Center, indicating significant support for established Christ-centered organizations.

Substantial Infrastructure Grants: Evansville Area Trails Coalition received over $500,000, showing willingness to fund major community infrastructure projects aligned with healthy living goals.

Youth Services Priority: Youth First's $412,000 matching grant for school-based social workers demonstrates support for prevention-focused youth development programs.

Diverse Grant Sizes: The most common grant amount is $800, showing the foundation supports both small, grassroots initiatives and major organizational programs.

Impact Strategy Alignment

Applications should demonstrate how they will:

  • Surface & Scale Model Programming: Identify and expand proven approaches
  • Foster Collaboration: Build partnerships across sectors
  • Build Capacity: Strengthen organizational effectiveness
  • Measure & Share Progress: Document and disseminate outcomes

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Align with the two-year cycle: The foundation operates on a staggered schedule, so confirm which focus area is open in the current cycle before investing application time. Some cycles (like 2025 Christ-Centered Communities) operate by invitation only.

  • Emphasize collaboration: Partnerships and collaborative approaches are explicitly valued. Consider fiscal agent arrangements to enable multi-organization projects, and be prepared to document MOUs and partnership roles.

  • Build in evaluation from the start: Measurement is required, not optional. Include evaluation costs in your budget and demonstrate how you'll track and report outcomes.

  • Leverage pre-application support: The foundation genuinely welcomes questions and offers orientation sessions. New applicants or those facing technology challenges should reach out to info@welbornfdn.org for guidance before the deadline.

  • Understand the faith-centered mission: While secular organizations can succeed in Early Learning and HEAL areas, the foundation's core identity is Christian. Demonstrate alignment with values of community flourishing, well-being, and abundance—even if not explicitly faith-based.

  • Think geographically: With CEO Creech's emphasis on zip code equity, demonstrate deep understanding of your specific community context within the 14-county service area and how your program addresses place-based disparities.

  • Budget realistically: With grants ranging from $800 to $500,000+ and averaging $17,167, be realistic about your request size relative to your organizational capacity and project scope. The foundation will adjust award amounts based on competitive review.

References

← Back to US Funders Directory