English-Bonter-Mitchell Foundation

OVERVIEW: The English-Bonter-Mitchell Foundation supports youth, arts and culture, higher education, hospitals, churches, human services, health and community development in Indiana.

FUNDING AREAS: Youth, arts and culture, higher education, hospitals, churches, human services, health, community development

IP TAKE: Contact this foundation directly to inquire about specific grant application guidelines and deadlines for nonprofit activity in the Fort Wayne area of Indiana.

PROFILE: Established in 1972, the English-Bonter-Mitchell Foundation is a private foundation that is focused on Fort Wayne, Indiana. The foundation was created as a tribute to Dr. Calvin English, a Fort Wayne native who was the first medical director of the Lincoln National Life Insurance Company. Dr. English’s wife, Mary Tower English, his sister-in-law, Louise Bonter, and his daughter, Mary Elizabeth Mitchell, established the foundation to carry on his legacy for giving back to his community. PNC Bank serves as the foundation’s trustee and is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. There are no full-time paid staff members. It funds local efforts for youth, arts and culture, higher education, hospitals, churches, human services, health and community development.

The English-Bonter-Mitchell Foundation does not have a website to guide grantseekers. However, past tax records indicate that this foundation quietly gives millions of dollars to organizations through two yearly grant cycles. It is not uncommon for the foundation to award a million-dollar grant to a well-established organization. Grants have gone to youth mentoring programs, university music programs, art museums, cancer care services, churches, historical societies, schools and food services for the needy and elderly. The foundation typically makes grants for operating support, building maintenance, specific programs and other purposes each year.

Grants range between about $5,000 and $1 million. The foundation has awarded nearly $6 million annually in recent years. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records. Grantmaking focuses on Fort Wayne, Indiana and the surrounding areas. Past local grantees include Big Brothers Big Sisters of NE Indiana, Crime Victim Care of Allen County and the Embassy Theatre Foundation.

This foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits. The foundation usually awards grants in May and December. Direct general questions to the staff at 412-762-5157 or 412-762-0861.

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