Olive B Cole Foundation Inc
Fort Wayne, IN · EIN 35-6040491. Reported 196 grants totalling $5,087,162 to 112 organizations across tax years 2021-2024. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.
Does this foundation accept applications?
Yes -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation whether it makes grants only to organizations it selects itself. Of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered, 78% said yes -- and applying to those is wasted effort. Olive B Cole Foundation Inc did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.
How big are its grants?
The median grant is $13,250. Half of everything it gave fell between $5,000 and $26,000; the smallest was $100 and the largest $284,850. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.
Every organization it funded
This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which the organization received money -- more than one means a real relationship rather than a one-off.
| Organization | Location | Total received | Grants | Years funded | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scholarships Paid (see Attached List) | Fort Wayne, IN | $542,072 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Cole Center Family YMCA | Kendallville, IN | $475,000 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Scholarship Grants - See Attached List | Fort Wayne, IN | $265,550 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Purdue University Fort Wayne | Fort Wayne, IN | $205,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Trine University | Angola, IN | $170,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum | Auburn, IN | $160,000 | 4 | 3 | 2024 |
| Fort Wayne Children's Zoo | Fort Wayne, IN | $150,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana | Fort Wayne, IN | $132,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| The Nature Conservancy | Indianapolis, IN | $125,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Science Central | Fort Wayne, IN | $110,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Questa Foundation for Education | Fort Wayne, IN | $105,500 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Historic Downtown Kendallville | Kendallville, IN | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Impact Institute | Kendallville, IN | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Inspiration Ministries | Auburn, IN | $100,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Common Grace | Albion, IN | $85,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Ivy Tech Community College | Fort Wayne, IN | $85,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana | Fort Wayne, IN | $84,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| St Martin's Healthcare | Garrett, IN | $80,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Community Learning Center | Kendallville, IN | $69,300 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Black Pine Animal Park | Albion, IN | $66,500 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Jam Center | Garrett, IN | $65,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Soulmedic Media Group | Fort Wayne, IN | $65,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Mcmillen Center | Fort Wayne, IN | $61,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Questa Education Foundation | Fort Wayne, IN | $60,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Fort Wayne Philharmoic | Fort Wayne, IN | $60,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Humane Fort Wayne | Fort Wayne, IN | $60,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Fort Wayne Historical Railroad Society | Spencerville, IN | $55,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Kendallville Parks & Recreation | Kendallville, IN | $55,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| St Martins Healthcare Inc | Garrett, IN | $55,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Acres Land Trust | Huntertown, IN | $53,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Cameron Hospital Foundation | Angola, IN | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Garrett Keyser Butler School Corporation | Garrett, IN | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Scan | Fort Wayne, IN | $45,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Mid-America Windmill Museum | Kendallville, IN | $43,500 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Albion Lions Club | Albion, IN | $40,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Ivy Tech Foundation | Fort Wayne, IN | $34,418 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Hamilton Life Center | Hamilton, IN | $33,100 | 3 | 2 | 2024 |
| Audiences Unlimited | Fort Wayne, IN | $32,500 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Albion Community Center | Albion, IN | $30,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Early Childhood Alliance | Fort Wayne, IN | $30,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Freedom Academy | Kendallville, IN | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry | Garrett, IN | $30,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Kendallville Restorations | Kendallville, IN | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Oak Farm Montessori School | Avilla, IN | $30,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Riley Children's Foundation | Indianapolis, IN | $30,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Noble County Council on Aging | Kendallville, IN | $29,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Kate's Kart | Fort Wayne, IN | $28,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters | Fort Wayne, IN | $27,500 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Ducks Unlimited | Dexter, MI | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Judy a Morrill Recreation Center | Garrett, IN | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Mcmillen Health | Fort Wayne, IN | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Noble County Trails Inc | Rome City, IN | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Rolland Center for Lincoln Research | Fort Wayne, IN | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Excelsior Arts Academy & Youth Theater | Auburn, IN | $22,500 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Score | Fort Wayne, IN | $22,500 | 4 | 3 | 2024 |
| Alliance Industries Inc | Garrett, IN | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Elevate Ventures Inc | Indianapolis, IN | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Fort Wayne Philharmonic | Fort Wayne, IN | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Fortitude Fund | Fort Wayne, IN | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Lagrange County Parks & Rec | Wolcottville, IN | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Soul Medic Media Group | Fort Wayne, IN | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Be Noble Inc | Albion, IN | $16,666 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Acres Inc | Huntertown, IN | $16,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| City of Kendallville Fire Department | Kendallville, IN | $15,412 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Healthier Mom & Babies | Fort Wayne, IN | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| PBS Fort Wayne | Fort Wayne, IN | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Community Foundation of Dekalb County | Auburn, IN | $12,625 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| The History Center | Fort Wayne, IN | $12,500 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Blue Heron Ministries | Angola, IN | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Community Transportation Network | Fort Wayne, IN | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Elkhart Civil Township | Wawaka, IN | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Givehear | Fort Wayne, IN | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Healthier Moms and Babies | Fort Wayne, IN | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Image of Hope Ranch | Auburn, IN | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Kendallville Daycare Center | Kendallville, IN | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Kendallville Parks & Rec | Kendallville, IN | $10,000 | 2 | 1 | 2024 |
| Neighborhood Health | Fort Wayne, IN | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Noble County Community Foundation | Ligonier, IN | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Riley Children's Hospital | Indianapolis, IN | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Ruth Stulz Preschool | Ligonier, IN | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Stillwater Hospice | Fort Wayne, IN | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| YWCA Northeast Indiana | Fort Wayne, IN | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Youth for Christ | Fort Wayne, IN | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Hearcare Connection | Fort Wayne, IN | $7,900 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Performing Arts of Clc | Kendallville, IN | $7,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| YMCA of Northeast Indiana | Fort Wayne, IN | $7,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| YWCA of Northeast Indiana | Fort Wayne, IN | $7,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana | Fort Wayne, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| City of Kendallville | Kendallville, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| East Noble Band Boosters | Kendallville, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Fort Wayne Park Foundation | Fort Wayne, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Girl Scouts of Northern in | Fort Wayne, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana-Michiana | Fort Wayne, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Kendallville Public Library | Kendallville, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Matthew 25 Health and Care | Fort Wayne, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Wayne Center District No 7 | Kendallville, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Parkview Foundation | Fort Wayne, IN | $4,900 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| World Baseball Academy | Fort Wayne, IN | $4,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Kendallville Parks and Rec | Kendallville, IN | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Laotto Community Association | Laotto, IN | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| White's Family & Residential Services | Fort Wayne, IN | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Crew Youth Center | Kendallville, IN | $3,499 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Hamilton Community Schools | Hamilton, IN | $3,120 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Courthouse Square Preservation Society | Albion, IN | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Five Medals Living History | Nappanee, IN | $3,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Ne in Tri-State Regional Science Fair | Angola, IN | $3,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Fort Wayne Center for Learning | Fort Wayne, IN | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Give Hear | Fort Wayne, IN | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| The Book Start Fund | Fort Wayne, IN | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Central Noble Middle School | Albion, IN | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Hamilton Elementary School | Hamilton, IN | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Central Noble Jrsr High School | Albion, IN | $100 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
48 of 112 (43%) received money in more than one year over the 4 years we hold.
Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 38%, across 3 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is less consistent than most. A high number means its list is close to settled and a newcomer has to displace someone; a low one means it is still moving money around, which is where an opening is.
What the money was for
Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.
- Cole Center Family YMCA
Pool maintenance projects - Purdue University Fort Wayne
Buidling project, Hoziring League Strategic Initiatives fund, Parker Cole Crossing Bridge Grant - Historic Downtown Kendallville
Building purchase of 213 S Main Street - Impact Institute
Machine and welding programs - Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum
A Driving Force capital campaign - Questa Foundation for Education
Scholarships and 85th Anniversary Event
What kind of organizations it funds
By the recipient's own IRS classification, for the 81 grants where we could identify the organization. These are assigned categories, not our guesses.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants | Total | Median grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 50 | $1,323,546 | $13,250 |
| 2022 | 45 | $1,487,770 | $20,000 |
| 2023 | 39 | $1,246,795 | $15,412 |
| 2024 | 62 | $1,029,051 | $10,000 |
Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.
Where its money goes
Foundations concentrate geographically far more than their mission statements suggest. 100% of this one's giving went to organizations in Indiana. If you are outside its footprint, that matters more than how well your programme fits.
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Funders that support the same organizations
These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are the strongest available signal that two funders have overlapping priorities, and a funder already backing your peers is a far warmer prospect than one that merely lists your cause.
How to approach this foundation
- Check you are its size. The median grant is $13,250. Asking for ten times that is the most common way small organizations waste a submission.
- Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in Indiana.
- Read the recipient list above for organizations like yours. If nothing on it resembles your work, that is a real answer, and a cheap one to get.
- Look up the current filing before writing. The 990-PF names the foundation's officers and, where one exists, its application procedure. We link it below.
Where these numbers come from
Everything above is taken from Olive B Cole Foundation Inc's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 4 returns (tax years 2021-2024). Nothing here is scraped, inferred, or estimated.
Address of record on the latest return: 6207 Constitution Dr, Fort Wayne, IN, 46804. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS; many small foundations file through an accountant or a bank trust department, so it may not be where post to a programme officer should go.
EIN 35-6040491 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this
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