Don Wood Foundation

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

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

The Don Wood Foundation funds programmes that strengthen northeast Indiana’s next-generation manufacturing workforce by aligning students, education and industry. It supports youth programmes offering hands-on STEAM learning, career exploration and navigation, and initiatives that prepare students and incumbent workers through technical expertise, credentials, leadership, entrepreneurship and real-world learning. It also backs coordinated work to help manufacturers adopt technology, connect with education and training partners, and develop workforce systems and lifelong learning. Its typical grant partners include career and technical education centres, colleges and universities, community foundations, economic development organisations, nonprofits, PK–12 schools, technical colleges, trade schools and vocational schools. Grants go to public charities, not individuals or for-profit companies. Its approach emphasises collaboration, accessible learning, student agency and measurable outcomes.

Themes

• Youth STEAM learning
• Education-to-career pathways
• Manufacturing technology adoption
• Workforce lifelong learning

Geographic Focus

Northeast Indiana: Adams, Allen, DeKalb and 9 more counties in Indiana.

What They Don't Fund

• General operating support, annual funds, or unrelated fundraising expenses
• Activities that are solely for the purpose of fundraising or marketing, including tickets or goodwill advertising
• Creation of entirely new, unproven approaches when the request is solely for experimentation rather than building on established best practices
• Endowments, endowed funds, or private foundations
• Expenses not directly related to the approved project or program, or incurred outside the grant period without written approval
• Grants to individuals or for-profit companies
• Organizations or programs that discriminate by age, race, national origin, ethnicity, color, creed, sexual orientation, gender, or disability
• Political activities, including advocacy, lobbying, or support for political campaigns or elections
• Professional development for employees of individual organizations or companies when not tied to the delivery of the approved program outcomes
• Religious organizations, except for nonsectarian activities
• Camps, Clubs, and Competitions Program only: Activities and expenses unrelated to the program; Activities and expenses outside of the grant period; Alcoholic beverages; Annual funds or operating funds; Cash reserves, endowment accounts, deficit reduction or elimination; Fundraising costs or activities that are solely for the purpose of fundraising (i.e., galas); Home office workspace; Items typically covered by federal or state funding (i.e., replacing the Carl D. Perkins grant award); Lobbying; Programs or projects that are delivered outside of the United States; Projects that enhance the property of religious institutions; Projects that promote political, denominational, religious, or sectarian ideas; Purchase of artwork or vehicles; Taxes and interest; Travel outside of the United States

Start online by completing an Eligibility Quiz and submitting an Ideas Form; a Program Officer then contacts the applicant to arrange a meeting about the request.

Deadlines:

• Engaging Youth applications have recurring deadlines of March 15 and September 15.
• Developing Talent applications have recurring deadlines of May 15 and November 15.
• Empowering Manufacturing applications have recurring deadlines of January 15 and July 15.
• Camps, Clubs, and Competitions applications are accepted throughout the year, with award decisions made monthly.

• Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 53% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
• Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 185 grants to organisations were $48,000 or less.

What the foundation says:

• It favours projects aligned with its priorities, with a clearly scoped proposal and strong, clear outcomes.
• Applicants are advised to demonstrate multiple funding sources, financial stability and the ability to secure resources and form partnerships.
• Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit an Ideas Form and connect with a Program Officer two to three months before the application deadline.
• For youth programmes, it particularly values student voice and agency, developmentally appropriate design, and delivery with schools, educators and community organisations.
• It places strong emphasis on SMART outcomes, clear purpose and measurable results.
• It particularly values strong partnerships among educators, employers and community organisations that reduce barriers to participation.