Olive B Cole Foundation Inc
Fort Wayne, IN · EIN 35-6040491. Reported 243 grants totalling $6,329,224 to 130 recipients across tax years 2021-2025. 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 $15,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $5,000 and $30,000; 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. Recipients are grouped by name and state as they were written on the returns, so an organization entered under two different names appears twice. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which that name received money.
| Organization | Location | Total received | Grants | Years funded | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cole Center Family YMCA | Kendallville, IN | $545,000 | 6 | 5 | 2025 |
| Scholarships Paid (see Attached List) | Fort Wayne, IN | $542,072 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Scholarship Grants - See Attached List | Fort Wayne, IN | $265,550 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Purdue University Fort Wayne | Fort Wayne, IN | $255,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Trine University | Angola, IN | $230,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum | Auburn, IN | $210,000 | 5 | 4 | 2025 |
| Fort Wayne Children's Zoo | Fort Wayne, IN | $190,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Questa Foundation for Education | Fort Wayne, IN | $171,500 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana | Fort Wayne, IN | $168,300 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Inspiration Ministries | Auburn, IN | $150,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Science Central | Fort Wayne, IN | $135,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| The Nature Conservancy | Indianapolis, IN | $125,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Cameron Hospital Foundation | Angola, IN | $100,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Historic Downtown Kendallville | Kendallville, IN | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Impact Institute | Kendallville, IN | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| St Martin's Healthcare | Garrett, IN | $100,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| YMCA of Steuben County | Angola, IN | $98,650 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Jam Center | Garrett, IN | $90,000 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Mcmillen Center | Fort Wayne, IN | $86,000 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| Common Grace | Albion, IN | $85,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Ivy Tech Community College | Fort Wayne, IN | $85,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Ivy Tech Foundation | Fort Wayne, IN | $84,697 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana | Fort Wayne, IN | $84,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Noble County Council on Aging | Kendallville, IN | $79,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Community Learning Center | Kendallville, IN | $77,633 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Scan | Fort Wayne, IN | $70,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Black Pine Animal Park | Albion, IN | $66,500 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Soulmedic Media Group | Fort Wayne, IN | $65,000 | 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 |
| Black Pine Animal Sanctuary | Albion, IN | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Garrett Keyser Butler School Corporation | Garrett, IN | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Lagrange Communities Youth Center | Lagrange, IN | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Oak Farm Montessori School | Avilla, IN | $50,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| YMCA of Dekalb County | Auburn, IN | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Mid-America Windmill Museum | Kendallville, IN | $44,500 | 6 | 5 | 2025 |
| Albion Lions Club | Albion, IN | $40,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Fort Wayne Philharmonic | Fort Wayne, IN | $40,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Riley Children's Foundation | Indianapolis, IN | $37,500 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| Hamilton Life Center | Hamilton, IN | $33,100 | 3 | 2 | 2024 |
| Audiences Unlimited | Fort Wayne, IN | $32,500 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters | Fort Wayne, IN | $32,500 | 4 | 4 | 2025 |
| 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 |
| Kate's Kart | Fort Wayne, IN | $28,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Ducks Unlimited | Dexter, MI | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Judy a Morrill Recreation Center | Garrett, IN | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Lagrange County Council on Aging | Lagrange, IN | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Mcmillen Health | Fort Wayne, IN | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Noble County Trails Inc | Rome City, IN | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Northeastern Indiana CASA | Kendallville, IN | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Rolland Center for Lincoln Research | Fort Wayne, IN | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Cancer Services of Ne Indiana | Fort Wayne, IN | $24,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| 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 |
| Fortitude Fund | Fort Wayne, IN | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Givehear | Fort Wayne, IN | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Lagrange County Parks & Rec | Wolcottville, IN | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Lagrange County Parks & Recreationi | Wolcottville, IN | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Soul Medic Media Group | Fort Wayne, IN | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Soulmedic Media Company | Fort Wayne, IN | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Stillwater Hospice | Fort Wayne, IN | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| YWCA Northeast Indiana | Fort Wayne, IN | $20,000 | 3 | 3 | 2025 |
| 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 |
| Healthier Moms & Babies | Fort Wayne, IN | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Noble County Convention and Visitors Bureau | Kendallville, IN | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| PBS Fort Wayne | Fort Wayne, IN | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| The History Center | Fort Wayne, IN | $15,000 | 5 | 5 | 2025 |
| Embassy Theatre Foundation | Fort Wayne, IN | $13,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Community Foundation of Dekalb County | Auburn, IN | $12,625 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Fort Wayne Ballet | Fort Wayne, IN | $12,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Girl Scouts of Northern in | Fort Wayne, IN | $11,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| Blue Heron Ministries | Angola, IN | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Camp Red Cedar | Fort Wayne, IN | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Community Transportation Network | Fort Wayne, IN | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Elkhart Civil Township | Wawaka, IN | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| 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 |
| Youth for Christ | Fort Wayne, IN | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| World Baseball Academy | Fort Wayne, IN | $9,000 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| 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 |
| Central Noble Jrsr High School | Albion, IN | $5,100 | 2 | 2 | 2025 |
| 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 Indiana-Michiana | Fort Wayne, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Kendallville Public Library | Kendallville, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Lagrange County 4-H Fair Association | Lagrange, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Matthew 25 Health and Care | Fort Wayne, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Starling Shakespeare Company | Coldwater, MI | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Wayne Center District No 7 | Kendallville, IN | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Parkview Foundation | Fort Wayne, IN | $4,900 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| 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 |
| Historic Forks of the Wabash | Huntington, IN | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
| Noble House Ministries | Albion, IN | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2025 |
57 of 130 (44%) received money in more than one year over the 5 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 36%, across 4 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is less consistent than most. This measures how often it paid the same organizations again. It says nothing about whether it would consider a new one.
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 activity category the IRS assigns each recipient, for the 113 grants where we could match the recipient to a registered organization. The categories are the IRS's. The match, made from the name and address on the return, is ours.
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 |
| 2025 | 47 | $1,242,062 | $20,000 |
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
100% of its giving went to organizations in Indiana. If your organization is based elsewhere, look in the recipient list for grants to your area before writing.
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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 a sign of overlapping priorities and nothing more: they do not show that any of these funders would consider a new organization. Each page says what its filings show.
How to approach this foundation
- Check you are its size. The median grant is $15,000. A request many times that size asks for something it has rarely or never given.
- 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 5 returns (tax years 2021-2025). Grant figures are from its returns. Matching recipients to registered organizations, their IRS classifications, the retention rate and the funders that support the same organizations are our own calculations, described in how we build this.
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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