News release from the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne:
Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne Receives $500,000 Grant from English-Bonter-Mitchell Foundation for Riverfront Development Project
(October 5, 2015) – The Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne is pleased to announce it has been awarded a grant of $500,000 from the English-Bonter-Mitchell Foundation to support the City of Fort Wayne’s riverfront development efforts. Under the terms of Lilly Endowment Inc.’s matching program (termed Giving Indiana Funds for Tomorrow (GIFT), Phase VI), the Endowment will provide a $250,000 match to the grant dollars, bringing the total monetary value to $750,000.
“The Community Foundation is extremely grateful for the support of the English-Bonter-Mitchell Foundation,” said David Bennett, executive director of the Community Foundation. “We believe Riverfront Fort Wayne is an excellent opportunity to respect the history and character of our city by creating and maintaining space that will bring residents back to the rivers. This generous gift will be a huge financial boost to the riverfront development efforts.”
Since announcing the GIFT VI Lilly Endowment matching program for riverfront development gifts earlier this year, the Community Foundation has taken a lead in raising private dollars for the project. Money raised at this stage will be used for riverfront clean-up and restoration, permitting, site preparation for future development, and the design and construction of a promenade.
“The English-Bonter-Mitchell Foundation was established to honor Dr. Calvin English and we are honored to continue his legacy of community enrichment for the city of Fort Wayne; a central goal of the riverfront development initiative. We are proud to have given this grant in support of a project that aims to enhance the community, improve quality of life, increase housing opportunities, and promote regional tourism,” said Doug Wood, regional president PNC Financial Services Group, Northern Indiana. PNC is trustee for the English-Bonter-Mitchell Foundation.
In the last three years, the City of Fort Wayne and its citizens have undergone a detailed study of the possible uses for our rivers. From the study, it was concluded that the riverfront holds much promise and possibility to enhance the community, attract new talent to the city, and boost downtown development efforts. The Community Foundation is committed to supporting these efforts.
About the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne
Established in 1922, the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne is a public, charitable foundation serving Allen County. The Community Foundation had assets of more than $143 million as of December 31, 2014, and awarded $4.9 million in charitable grants and scholarships in that year. The Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne exists to serve as a community leader to improve the quality of life by building permanent endowments, promoting effective grantmaking, fostering philanthropy, stimulating community dialogue, and helping donors achieve their charitable goals.
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