Foellinger Foundation

Private foundation · EIN 35-6027059 · since 1960foellinger.org·Allen County·Updated 13 October 2026

At a glance

$6.9M

Annual giving, 2024 tax year

From the Form 990-PF filing

Open to applications

A mix of rolling and fixed deadlines · unsolicited applications welcome

Key takeaways

Its geographic focus is Allen County, so confirm your work serves that area before anything else.
It funds early childhood, youth and family development, community interests and nonprofit capacity building, but not new organisations or programmes less than three years old, individuals, endowments, deficits, sponsorships, annual or capital campaigns, or groups without 501(c)(3) status.
The filing gives no grant range, so ask foundation staff about typical request sizes before you set a figure; it paid out $6,865,550 in its latest reported year.
Applications go online, first-time applicants need an account set up by foundation staff, and proposals are reviewed in February, May and November after Q&A workshops held before each round's deadline.
Community-based applicants should understand the Independence Continuum, the framework behind its evaluation, so build that into your proposal.

Overview

Foellinger Foundation is a US private foundation based in Fort Wayne, IN.

What they fund

Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.

Priority Areas

Foellinger Foundation supports Allen County nonprofit organisations that are mission-driven, well-governed and results-oriented, especially those serving people with the greatest economic need and least opportunity. Its funding includes early childhood, youth and family development, community interests, and capacity building. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organisations serving Allen County: early-childhood, youth- and family-serving groups; organisations whose programmes benefit Allen County residents and demonstrate community impact; and nonprofits strengthening board-driven organisational effectiveness through financial sustainability, governance and succession planning. The foundation seeks organisations led by adaptive boards and key staff, promoting self-reliance and building community.

Themes

Early childhood development
Youth development
Family development
Community interests
Nonprofit capacity building

Geographic Focus

Allen County.

What They Don't Fund

New organizations and/or programs less than three years old
Individuals
Endowments
A religious organization for sectarian purposes
Program, operating, or capital campaign deficits
Programs normally supported by taxpayers
Sponsorships, camperships (including camp-related programs or activities), special events, advertising, or group trips
Annual campaigns or appeals
Capital campaigns
Organizations without 501(c)(3) status

How to apply

Applicants for Early Childhood Development, Family Development, Youth Development, Community Interests and Capacity Building grants submit online; first-time applicants need an account set up by foundation staff.

Deadlines: Grant proposals are reviewed in February, May and November, with Q&A workshops before each round is due.

Application success factors

What the foundation says:

The foundation particularly emphasises organisations serving individuals with the greatest economic need and least opportunity.
It seeks mission-driven, well-governed and results-oriented organisations led by adaptive boards and key staff who promote self-reliance and build community.
Community-based applicants are expected to understand the Independence Continuum, the framework underlying the evaluation system.

Officers and directors

Sarah Strimmenos — President & CEO
John Snider — Director
Michael Moellering — Director
Carrie Minnich — Director
John Meyer — Director
Judy Roy — Treasurer
Matthew Smith — Vice Chair & Secretary
Sam Graves — Board Chair

From the latest Form 990-PF filing

3 years of tax filings

Year	Total expenses	Grants paid	Assets	Filing document
2022 tax year	$10,173,771	$7,017,385	$207,656,725	Filing for 2022 tax year
2023 tax year	$10,524,660	$7,550,000	$234,746,601	Filing for 2023 tax year
2024 tax year	$9,960,317	$6,865,550	$252,344,709	Filing for 2024 tax year

Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.