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Surack Family Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$24.0M
Grant Range
$100K - $25.0M

Surack Family Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $24 million (2024)
  • Total Assets: $47.5 million
  • Grant Range: $100,000 - $5,000,000+
  • Geographic Focus: Northeast Indiana (Fort Wayne region)
  • Founded: 2022
  • Application Method: No public application process

Contact Details

Address: 7100 W. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne, IN 46804

Phone: (260) 432-0370 x1005

Website: surackfamilyfoundation.com

Contact: Online contact form available on website

Overview

The Surack Family Foundation was established in July 2022 by Chuck and Lisa Surack with an initial contribution of $101.25 million. Chuck Surack is the founder of Sweetwater Sound, the largest online retailer of musical instruments and pro audio equipment in the United States. The foundation's mission is "to enrich humanity by inspiring, strengthening, and empowering individuals, children, and families in the communities we call home," with a specific focus on Northeast Indiana. In their first full year of operations, the foundation distributed $24 million in grants to organizations across the region. The Suracks regularly give to over 600 organizations annually, demonstrating a broad and active philanthropic approach. The foundation represents a continuation of the couple's longstanding commitment to Fort Wayne, where Chuck has been a business leader and philanthropist for decades.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation makes grants across multiple priority areas with significant variation in grant sizes:

Major Capital Gifts: $3 million - $25 million

  • Large-scale facility and program development grants
  • Examples include the $25 million Surack-Sweetwater Music Industry Building at Purdue Fort Wayne and $3 million pledges to Trine University Fort Wayne and other institutions

Institutional Support: $500,000 - $3 million

  • Support for university programs, healthcare education, and major facility renovations
  • Examples include $500,000 to Manchester University for Otho Winger Memorial Hall renovation

Community Grants: $100,000+

  • Multi-year commitments to community organizations
  • Example: $100,000 to Ten Point Coalition (part of a three-year commitment)

General Support: Size varies

  • The foundation supports over 600 organizations annually, suggesting many smaller grants

Priority Areas

  1. Mental Health: Advocating for and fighting mental illness in communities, with particular focus on preventing teenage suicide

  2. Child & Family Welfare: Addressing the most critical needs of children and families in the community

    • Support for organizations like Boys and Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne, Easter Seals Arc of Northeast Indiana
    • Youth development programs

  3. Music & the Arts: Enriching and expanding local music and arts programs

    • Music education facilities and programs
    • Arts organizations including Arts United and UPAF
    • Pearl Arts Music Academy

  4. Economic Development: Encouraging, developing, and investing in entrepreneurs

    • Entrepreneurship centers and programs
    • Business development initiatives
    • Support for organizations like Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana

  5. Education: Supporting educational institutions and programs

    • Higher education facilities and programs
    • Healthcare education
    • Music industry and technology programs

  6. Community Services: Supporting critical community infrastructure

    • The Rescue Mission
    • Fort Wayne UNITED
    • Ten Point Coalition (violence intervention)

What They Don't Fund

Information about specific exclusions is not publicly available. As a private family foundation focused on Northeast Indiana, they likely prioritize local organizations in their geographic region.

Governance and Leadership

Leadership Team:

Chuck Surack - President and Co-Founder

  • Founder of Sweetwater Sound, which he established in 1979 and grew into the nation's largest online music retailer
  • Former touring musician (saxophone and keyboards) for five years
  • Named 2019 Business Leader of the Year by Indiana Chamber of Commerce
  • Board Chair: Boys and Girls Club of Northeast Indiana
  • Board Chair: Love Fort Wayne
  • Past positions: Fort Wayne Philharmonic board president, Fort Wayne Children's Zoo chair

Lisa Surack - Secretary and Co-Founder

  • Active volunteer with Canterbury School and Fort Wayne Ice Skating Club
  • Co-leader of the family's philanthropic initiatives

John M. Hopkins - Treasurer

All officers serve without compensation.

Quotes from Leadership:

Chuck Surack on supporting education: "As a lifetime resident of and longtime business owner in this region, I'm proud to support Trine University in this effort to improve healthcare education and the overall quality of life for the Greater Fort Wayne region."

On supporting Taylor University: "Lisa and I invest in Taylor because we believe in the school; we believe in the students; and we believe in the mission of Taylor University."

On supporting the arts: "For my wife Lisa and me, supporting the arts is a way of paying forward all those blessings, and a great pleasure."

The couple's guiding principle: "Always do the right thing" in service to others.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Surack Family Foundation does not have a public application process. As a private family foundation, grants are made at the discretion of the trustees based on their philanthropic priorities and existing relationships within the Northeast Indiana community.

The foundation has made 125 grants in recent reporting periods, supporting over 600 organizations annually, indicating that while there is no formal application portal, they maintain active relationships with a broad range of community organizations.

Organizations interested in funding should contact the foundation directly via their contact form at surackfamilyfoundation.com/contact-us or by calling (260) 432-0370 x1005 to inquire about potential partnership opportunities.

Decision Timeline

Information about decision timelines is not publicly available. Given the foundation's structure as a private family foundation with trustee-directed grantmaking, timelines likely vary based on the nature and scope of the funding request.

Application Success Factors

While there is no public application process, organizations seeking to align with the Surack Family Foundation's interests should consider these factors based on their funding patterns:

Alignment with Priority Areas: The foundation has demonstrated clear commitment to mental health, music and arts, entrepreneurship, and child/family welfare. Successful grantees work in these areas within Northeast Indiana.

Community Impact: The foundation supports organizations addressing "critical community needs." Projects that demonstrate significant impact on the Fort Wayne region and Northeast Indiana are prioritized.

Educational Focus: A significant portion of major grants support educational institutions and programs, particularly in music technology, healthcare education, and entrepreneurship education.

Multi-Year Vision: Several major grants represent multi-year commitments or capital projects with long-term impact, suggesting the foundation values sustainable, transformative initiatives.

Music and Arts Connection: Given Chuck Surack's background in the music industry and as founder of Sweetwater Sound, music-related initiatives receive substantial support, particularly those involving music education, technology, and industry programs.

Established Organizations: Recent major grants have gone to established institutions (universities, coalitions, established nonprofits), though the foundation's support of 600+ organizations suggests openness to various organization sizes.

Geographic Focus: Strong preference for Northeast Indiana organizations, particularly those serving the Fort Wayne area where the Surack family has deep roots.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This is a trustee-directed private foundation; build relationships rather than submitting unsolicited proposals

  • Geographic Focus is Critical: The foundation is laser-focused on Northeast Indiana, particularly Fort Wayne; organizations outside this region are unlikely to receive funding

  • Major Gifts for Transformative Projects: The foundation makes substantial grants ($3-25 million) for capital projects and major initiatives that create lasting impact

  • Music & Arts Advantage: Organizations working in music education, music technology, or arts programs align with the founders' background and interests

  • Mental Health Priority: This is an explicitly stated priority area, particularly initiatives addressing teenage suicide prevention

  • Broad Community Engagement: Supporting 600+ organizations annually suggests openness to various causes within their priority areas, not just major institutional gifts

  • Values-Driven Philanthropy: The Suracks' principle of "always do the right thing" and their focus on enriching humanity suggests they value organizations with clear missions and ethical operations

References

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