A Look at the John W. Anderson Foundation’s Broad Support for Northwest Indiana

Just across the state line from Chicago and known for its sand dunes and steel mills, northwest Indiana is home to the John W. Anderson Foundation. Aside from some exceptions like the Foundations of East Chicago, few funders focus on this part of the country. The Anderson Foundation centers its giving on its home of Valparaiso and the surrounding areas.

Here are some facts about the John W. Anderson Foundation to guide nonprofit grantseekers in Northwest Indiana.

The founder

John W. Anderson was an inventor and businessman who started his own independent foundation in 1967. In 1918, he founded the Anderson Company, manufacturing automobile accessories in South Bend, Indiana. He co-founded the Automobile Council for War Production in Detroit during World War II and received the Freedom Foundation Award, the Jefferson Medal of the New Jersey Patent Law Association, and was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame for his contributions to the industry.

Anderson was also known throughout Northwest Indiana for his civic engagement and charitable giving. He sponsored Little League baseball teams, served as a national director for the Boys' Clubs of America and was a longtime supporter of Indiana University students.

Recent giving

The Anderson Foundation does not have a website. However, past tax records indicate that this foundation funds broadly across many causes throughout the region. Top grantmaking interests include medical and scientific research, higher education, the arts and humanities, youth, and community needs. The foundation's grants have also supported orphans, older adults and nonprofits' capital needs.

In a recent year, the foundation awarded nearly $15 million in grants. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Michigan City received a $4,320,000 operating support grant, while most other grants were in the $5,000 to $75,000 range. Other grantees include Caring Place in Valparaiso, Center for the Homeless in South Bend, and Cerebral Palsy of Northwest Indiana in Hobart.

Applying for a grant

Geographically, the Anderson Foundation centers most of its grantmaking on Lake and Porter counties in Northwest Indiana. It is an accessible funder that accepts unsolicited grant applications with no deadlines.

Grantseekers may submit application materials to the foundation's board of trustees via mail at any time. There are no required forms to complete, but organizations should include information about their organization and the proposed use of a grant, a list of officers, recent financial documents and proof of tax status. Send application materials to the attention of chairman and trustee William N. Vinovich.

You can learn more about this funder in IP’s profile of the John W. Anderson Foundation.

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