English-Bonter-Mitchell Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $6,547,500 (2023)
Number of Grants: 107 grants (2023)
Decision Time: 2-3 months
Grant Range: $5,000 - $1,000,000
Geographic Focus: Fort Wayne, Indiana and surrounding areas
Application Deadlines: April 15 and September 15

Contact Details

Mailing Address:
The Tower at PNC Plaza
300 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Phone: 412-762-5157
Email: charitabletrusts@pnc.com

Pre-Application Contact:
Kathy Meyers
Phone: (260) 461-6218
Email: kathryn.meyers@pnc.com

Overview

Established in 1972, the English-Bonter-Mitchell Foundation was created as a tribute to Dr. Calvin English, a Fort Wayne native who served as the first medical director of the Lincoln National Life Insurance Company. The foundation perpetuates the philanthropic legacy intended by Mary Tower English (Dr. English's wife), Louise Bonter (his sister-in-law), and Mary Elizabeth Mitchell (his daughter). With annual giving of approximately $6.5 million distributed through over 100 grants, the foundation focuses exclusively on improving the Fort Wayne, Indiana area. PNC Bank serves as the foundation's trustee and administers the grantmaking process from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The foundation distributes grants twice yearly, in May and December, supporting organizations with at least three years of documented operational history and measurable impact.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a single grant program supporting organizations in Northeast Indiana, with grants awarded twice per year in May and December. Applications are accepted on a fixed deadline basis (April 15 and September 15), with funding available for operating expenses, programming, and multi-year capital campaigns.

Grant Range: $5,000 to $1,000,000, with most grants falling between $50,000 and $300,000.

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on six main areas in the Fort Wayne region:

Youth Programs - Supporting youth development and services
Arts and Culture - Cultural institutions and programs
Higher Education - Universities, colleges, and educational institutions
Healthcare - Hospitals and health services
Churches and Religious Organizations - Faith-based institutions
Social Services - Human services and community development

Funding Distribution by Category (Historical):

Social & Human Services: 28%
Education: 22%
Community Development: 11%
Other areas: 39%

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly documented, the foundation's focus on Fort Wayne, Indiana means:

Organizations outside the Fort Wayne area and Northeast Indiana are not eligible
Organizations with less than 3 years of operational history
Organizations without documented measurable impact

Governance and Leadership

Trustee: PNC Bank serves as the sole trustee of the English-Bonter-Mitchell Foundation, operating from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Key Personnel:
Kathy Meyers serves as the primary contact for grant inquiries and application guidance. She can be reached at kathryn.meyers@pnc.com or (260) 461-6218.

Structure: The foundation operates without a traditional board of directors, instead functioning under PNC Bank's trusteeship. A Distribution Committee meets twice yearly to review applications and make funding decisions.

The foundation has no full-time staff dedicated exclusively to this foundation, relying on PNC Bank's charitable trusts division for administration.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation uses a structured application process managed through PNC Bank's charitable trusts portal:

Pre-Application Contact: Before applying, prospective applicants must contact Kathy Meyers at (260) 461-6218 or kathryn.meyers@pnc.com to verify eligibility and discuss their project.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Organizations must serve the Fort Wayne, Indiana area
- Must have at least 3 years of documented operational history
- Must demonstrate measurable impact
- Complete an eligibility quiz through the PNC Charitable Trusts portal
Application Submission: Complete an online application through the foundation's portal (details provided during initial contact with Kathy Meyers).
Application Deadlines:
- Spring cycle: April 15
- Fall cycle: September 15

Decision Timeline

Application Deadlines: April 15 and September 15
Distribution Committee Meetings: Twice per year (following each deadline)
Grant Distribution: May and December
Typical Timeline: 2-3 months from application deadline to funding decision
Notification: Grant decisions are communicated via email following committee meetings

Success Rates

With 107 grants awarded in 2023 totaling $6.5 million, the foundation maintains an active grantmaking program. However, specific application volume and success rate data are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations may reapply in subsequent grant cycles. The foundation has demonstrated multi-year support for certain organizations, as evidenced by repeat grants to institutions like Trine University, the Salvation Army, and other Fort Wayne-area nonprofits. There is no documented waiting period for unsuccessful applicants to reapply.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's grantmaking patterns and priorities, successful applications demonstrate:

Strong Fort Wayne Connection: The foundation exclusively funds organizations serving Fort Wayne and Northeast Indiana. Applications must clearly demonstrate local impact and benefit to the community.
Operational Track Record: With the requirement for at least 3 years of operation and documented measurable impact, the foundation prioritizes established organizations with proven results. Include specific metrics and outcomes from previous programs.
Alignment with Priority Areas: The foundation's historical giving shows strongest support for social/human services (28%), education (22%), and community development (11%). Frame your proposal to align with these demonstrated priorities.
Capital Campaign Support: The foundation explicitly supports "multi-year capital campaigns," as evidenced by major gifts like the $1 million grant to Trine University for its Fort Wayne campus project. Organizations with capital needs should highlight the long-term community benefit.
Legacy of Dr. Calvin English: The foundation honors the legacy of a physician who was instrumental in Lincoln Life's success. Applications that demonstrate healthcare connections, support for medical/health initiatives, or alignment with improving quality of life in Fort Wayne may resonate with the foundation's origins.
Relationship Building: The requirement to contact Kathy Meyers before applying suggests the foundation values personal connection and dialogue. Use the pre-application conversation to understand priorities and tailor your proposal accordingly.

Recent Successful Projects Include:

Bridge of Grace Inc.: $300,000 for Hope Unleashed Campaign
Trine University: $200,000-$1,000,000 for College of Health and Fort Wayne campus
Community Transportation Network: $235,000 for specialized transportation
Fort Wayne Park Foundation: $220,000 for Conservatory and Riverfront projects
Easterseals Arc of Northeast Indiana: $75,000 for care management software

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Geographic exclusivity is absolute: Only organizations serving Fort Wayne and Northeast Indiana will be considered. Your application must clearly demonstrate local impact.
Pre-application contact is mandatory: Contact Kathy Meyers before applying to verify eligibility and discuss your project. This conversation is a critical opportunity to understand current priorities.
Plan for the timeline: With only two funding cycles per year and decisions taking 2-3 months, apply early and plan your project timeline accordingly. Submit by April 15 for May funding or September 15 for December funding.
Emphasize measurable impact: The foundation requires documented measurable impact. Include specific metrics, outcomes, and data from previous work.
Large grants are possible: The foundation has awarded grants up to $1 million for capital campaigns. Don't shy away from significant asks if you can demonstrate substantial community benefit.
Multi-year support is available: The foundation supports multi-year capital campaigns and has demonstrated willingness to fund organizations repeatedly. Consider framing major projects as multi-year initiatives.
Demonstrate operational stability: With a minimum 3-year operational history requirement, newer organizations are not eligible. Highlight your organization's track record and financial stability.

References

Information accessed December 2025