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A mini-grant program that supports programs engaging youth from preschool through high school in technology, engineering, and/or entrepreneurship. This includes STEM camps, robotics clubs, entrepreneurial pitch competitions, and STEM-related classroom programming. The program aims to develop noncognitive skills such as leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving.
8020 Foundation Trust is a private trust based in FORT WAYNE, IN. The foundation received its IRS ruling in 2018. It holds total assets of $240.6M. Annual income is reported at $35.1M. Total assets have grown from $12.2M in 2019 to $240.6M in 2024. The foundation is governed by 9 officers and trustees. Tax records are available from 2020 to 2024. Funding is distributed across 4 states, including Indiana, Ohio, Michigan. According to available records, 8020 Foundation Trust has made 85 grants totaling $12M, with a median grant of $50K. The foundation has distributed between $5.4M and $6.4M annually from 2021 to 2022. Individual grants have ranged from $1K to $1.5M, with an average award of $143K. The foundation has supported 63 unique organizations. Grants have been distributed to organizations in Indiana and Michigan. Contributions to this foundation are tax-deductible.
The Don Wood Foundation (formally the 80/20 Foundation Trust) was founded by Don Wood, the creator of 80/20 Inc., a Fort Wayne-based manufacturer of T-slot aluminum building systems. Wood's vision was to transform the industrial workforce by providing people the 'tools, training, and confidence to shape their own futures.' The foundation operates as a systems-level funder, connecting efforts across schools, employers, and nonprofits rather than funding isolated programs. Its core strategy is strengthening the manufacturing and technical workforce pipeline in the Midwest, partnering with vocational schools, community colleges, career academies, technical colleges, universities, and trade schools. The foundation offers four main funding mechanisms: Career and Technical Education grants (bringing school programs to industry standards), scholarships for students in manufacturing-related fields, capital expenditure grants for equipment and facilities, and program development grants for new workforce training initiatives. With $240 million in assets and nearly $9 million in annual giving (2024), the foundation has disbursed over $45 million since inception. Grant proposals are accepted on a rolling basis year-round, making it accessible compared to foundations with narrow application windows.
The Don Wood Foundation has shown dramatic growth in grantmaking activity, expanding from just 11 grants in 2019 to 88 grants totaling $8.9 million in 2024. This nearly 8x increase in grant volume over five years reflects a maturing foundation that is broadening its reach while staying true to its manufacturing workforce mission. Grant sizes range from $895 to $1.5 million, with a median around $44,600 and an average of approximately $147,000. The foundation operates two distinct grant tracks: a Rolling Grant Program for major investments (Q1 2024 alone saw $2.1 million across 8 organizations) and a Camps, Clubs, and Competitions Mini-Grant Program for smaller community initiatives ($72,000 across 13 organizations in Q1 2024). Geographic focus centers on Northeast Indiana — particularly Allen County and its 12 surrounding counties — with secondary giving in Ohio, Michigan, and occasionally Colorado. Key recurring grantee categories include Ivy Tech community college programs, Purdue University Fort Wayne, Trine University, public school districts (CTE programs), and workforce nonprofits like Questa Education Foundation and Easterseals Arc of Northeast Indiana. The foundation is also expanding into adjacent areas like small-scale real estate development training, reflecting a broader interpretation of economic empowerment.
The Don Wood Foundation occupies a distinctive niche as a manufacturing-workforce-focused funder in the Midwest. Here is how it compares to peer foundations in the region:
| Foundation | Assets | Annual Giving | Grants/Year | Geographic Focus | Primary Areas |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don Wood Foundation (8020 Trust) | $241M | $8.9M (2024) | 88 | NE Indiana, Midwest | Manufacturing Workforce, CTE, STEM |
| Lilly Endowment | $18B+ | $500M+ | 500+ | Indiana statewide | Education, Community Dev, Religion |
| Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne | $200M+ | $15M+ | 300+ | NE Indiana | Broad community needs |
| Dekko Foundation | $200M+ | $8M+ | 60+ | IN, IA, MN | Youth Development, Education |
| Foellinger Foundation | $160M+ | $8M+ | 100+ | Allen County, IN | Youth, Education, Social Services |
| English-Bonter-Mitchell Foundation | $80M+ | $3M+ | 50+ | NE Indiana | Education, Human Services |
The Don Wood Foundation is unique among these peers for its laser focus on manufacturing and technical workforce development. While the Lilly Endowment dwarfs all Indiana foundations, it operates at a statewide and national level. Among Fort Wayne-area funders, Don Wood's $241M asset base makes it one of the largest, and its specialized mission means it does not compete directly with broader community foundations. Its rapid growth trajectory (from 11 to 88 grants in five years) suggests it is still scaling up and may become even more influential in the region's workforce ecosystem.
In December 2024, the Don Wood Foundation awarded a notable $260,000 grant to the Summit City Entrepreneur and Enterprise District (SEED) to fund a Small Scale Developer program, training aspiring developers in Fort Wayne's vacant lot repurposing and housing projects — representing an expansion beyond pure manufacturing into economic development. In Q1 2024, the foundation distributed $2.2 million across 21 organizations through both its Rolling Grant Program ($2.1M to 8 organizations including Trine University, Questa Education Foundation, and Easterseals Arc) and its Mini-Grant Program ($72K to 13 organizations for camps, clubs, and robotics competitions). In 2025, the foundation established the Learn More Earn More Leadership Council to guide regional workforce training efforts, partnering with three additional organizations to build a skilled talent pipeline. The foundation also continues its CTE Ecosystem Mapping initiative across a 13-county region and its 'Ignite Your Future' scholarship and guidance network. The foundation's total 2024 giving reached $8.9 million across 88 grants, continuing a sharp upward trajectory from $5.4 million (37 grants) in 2022 and indicating sustained commitment to scaling its impact in Northeast Indiana's manufacturing ecosystem.
The Don Wood Foundation accepts grant proposals on a rolling basis year-round, so there is no fixed deadline to worry about — but this also means you should not wait for a specific cycle. Before applying, carefully assess whether your organization's work directly connects to manufacturing workforce development, industrial technology, engineering, CTE, or related fields. The foundation explicitly states it 'must decline several worthy proposals each year because they do not fit in the foundation's mission' and will recommend alternative funding sources when appropriate — so alignment is critical. Key strategies for a strong proposal: (1) Frame your program in terms of workforce pipeline impact — the foundation thinks at a systems level, connecting schools, employers, and community organizations; (2) If you are a school or college, emphasize how your program brings training to current industry standards with employer partnerships; (3) Smaller organizations should consider the Camps, Clubs, and Competitions Mini-Grant Program, which funds initiatives in the $5,000-$10,000 range; (4) Demonstrate geographic connection to Northeast Indiana or the broader Midwest manufacturing corridor; (5) Organizations must be IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt; (6) Visit donwoodfoundation.org for the application form and current instructions; (7) The foundation values partnerships — proposals showing collaboration between educational institutions and employers tend to align well with their systems-level approach. Contact the foundation at (260) 212-1235 for pre-application guidance.
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The 80/20 foundation trust is committed to growing and strengthening the manufacturing sector in the midwest region. The foundation partners with vocational schools, community colleges, career academies, technical colleges, four-year universities, trade schools and related community organizations to strengthen the manfacturing sector. During 2021, 6,402,954 was disbursed to forty- nine charitable organizations for the scholarships, capital expenditures and program development. At 12.31.2021, 2,336,932 is pledged for future periods.
Expenses: $6.9M
Grants to CTE programs helping area schools bring training programs and equipment to industry standards in partnership with area employers.
Scholarships for students pursuing industrial technology, machine tool technology, engineering technology, sales, entrepreneurism, and leadership education.
Funding for equipment, facilities, and infrastructure upgrades at educational institutions supporting manufacturing workforce development.
Support for developing new workforce training programs and expanding existing ones at educational institutions across the Midwest.
The Don Wood Foundation has shown dramatic growth in grantmaking activity, expanding from just 11 grants in 2019 to 88 grants totaling $8.9 million in 2024. This nearly 8x increase in grant volume over five years reflects a maturing foundation that is broadening its reach while staying true to its manufacturing workforce mission. Grant sizes range from $895 to $1.5 million, with a median around $44,600 and an average of approximately $147,000. The foundation operates two distinct grant tracks: a.
8020 Foundation Trust has distributed a total of $12M across 85 grants. The median grant size is $50K, with an average of $143K. Individual grants have ranged from $1K to $1.5M.
The Don Wood Foundation (formally the 80/20 Foundation Trust) was founded by Don Wood, the creator of 80/20 Inc., a Fort Wayne-based manufacturer of T-slot aluminum building systems. Wood's vision was to transform the industrial workforce by providing people the 'tools, training, and confidence to shape their own futures.' The foundation operates as a systems-level funder, connecting efforts across schools, employers, and nonprofits rather than funding isolated programs. Its core strategy is str.
8020 Foundation Trust is headquartered in FORT WAYNE, IN. While based in IN, the foundation distributes grants to organizations across 2 states.
| Name | Title | Compensation | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laura Macknick | EXECUTIVE DI | $168K | $20K | $188K |
| Whitney Bandemer | CHAIR | $37K | $0 | $37K |
| Gary Gatman | TRUSTEE | $28K | $0 | $28K |
| Brian Emerick | SECRETARY | $28K | $0 | $28K |
| John Haifley | FINANCE CHAI | $28K | $0 | $28K |
| John Wood | FORMER CHAIR | $17K | $0 | $17K |
| Ashley Harman | TRUSTEE | $14K | $0 | $14K |
| Rodney Strack | TRUSTEE | $5K | $0 | $5K |
| Kristin Marcuccilli | TRUSTEE | $5K | $0 | $5K |
Total Giving
N/A
Total Assets
$240.6M
Fair Market Value
N/A
Net Worth
$236.8M
Grants Paid
N/A
Contributions
N/A
Net Investment Income
N/A
Distribution Amount
N/A
Total Grants
85
Total Giving
$12M
Average Grant
$143K
Median Grant
$50K
Unique Recipients
63
Most Common Grant
$25K
of 2022 grantees were first-time recipients
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dekalb County Eastern School DistriFAIRVIEW PROJECT | Butler, IN | $1.5M | 2022 |
| Indiana Institute Of Technology IncZOLLNER ENGINEERING CENTER RENOVATIO | Fort Wayne, IN | $907K | 2022 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs Of Fort WayneCAREER PATHWAY CENTER | Fort Wayne, IN | $743K | 2022 |
| Whitko School CorporationCAPITAL FUNDING FOR WHITKO CAREER AC | Larwill, IN | $487K | 2022 |
| Indiana Wesleyan UniversityIWU SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING EQUIPMENT | Marion, IN | $211K | 2022 |
| Questa Foundation For EducationMFG AND ENTREPRENEURIAL SCHOLARS PRO | Fort Wayne, IN | $165K | 2022 |
| Junior Achievement Of Northern InJA ENTREPRENEURSHIP PATHWAY | Fort Wayne, IN | $125K | 2022 |
| Northeast Indiana WorksMANUFACTURING AWARENESS CAMPAIGN | Fort Wayne, IN | $115K | 2022 |
| Lasting Change IncPIERCETON WOODS VOCATIONAL EDUCATION | Fort Wayne, IN | $115K | 2022 |
| Ymca Of Greater Fort WayneENTERPRISE ZONE - ARCHITECTURE AND C | Fort Wayne, IN | $100K | 2022 |
| The Community Learning Center IncEQUIPMENT FOR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT | Kendallville, IN | $100K | 2022 |
| 16 TechCO-DESIGNING PROSPERITY & MANUFACTUR | Indianapolis, IN | $100K | 2022 |
| Whitley County Community FoundationMANUFACTURING YOUR FUTURE SCHOLARSHI | Columbia City, IN | $100K | 2022 |
| Career AcademyCREATING AN EQUITABLE WELDING LEARNI | Fort Wayne, IN | $81K | 2022 |
| Ivy Tech FoundationMUNCIE-HENRY COUNTY WORKMATTERS PILO | Muncie, IN | $79K | 2022 |
| Easterseals Arc Of Northeast IndianDREAM TEENS 2022 | Fort Wayne, IN | $50K | 2022 |
| Ivy Tech Foundation IncADVANCED MANUFACTURING EDUCATION LAB | Fort Wayne, IN | $50K | 2022 |
| Troy SchoolTROW WORKS PHASES 2&3 | Columbia City, IN | $45K | 2022 |
| White'S Residential & Family ServicTHE GROWING TEENS VIRTUAL STORE | Wabash, IN | $44K | 2022 |
| Northeast Indiana FundINDIANA OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE ELECTRIF | Fort Wayne, IN | $38K | 2022 |
| Steuben County Economic DevelopmentPRE-MANUFACTURING ACADEMY | Angola, IN | $36K | 2022 |
| The Stem ConnectionSTEM EDUCATION FOR NE INDIANA STUDEN | Indianapolis, IN | $28K | 2022 |
| Pattern IncSTITCH WORKS:BUILDING A PIPLINE FOR | Carmel, IN | $25K | 2022 |
| Historic Downtown KendallvilleBUSINESS INCUBATOR SPACE | Kendallville, IN | $25K | 2022 |
| Kate'S KartPROGRAM BUDGET FOR STEM BOOK GIFTING | Fort Wayne, IN | $25K | 2022 |
| Kosciusko Development IncKEDCO MEDTECH ACCELERATOR STUDIO | Warsaw, IN | $25K | 2022 |
| Indiana University FoundationIU FORT WAYNE DENTAL TECHNOLOGY CAD/ | Bloomington, IN | $25K | 2022 |
| Inspire SuccessCTE DATA VISUALIZATION PROJECT | Zionsville, IN | $25K | 2022 |
| Teenworks2022 SUMMER PROGRAM - CATAPULT INDIA | Indianapolis, IN | $23K | 2022 |
| Girl Scouts Of Northern Indiana-MicCAMP MCMILLEN STEM MAKERSPACE - PROG | Fort Wayne, IN | $20K | 2022 |
| Fort Wayne - Allen County EconomicALLEN COUNTY TOGETHER: NEXT STEPS | Fort Wayne, IN | $15K | 2022 |
| Turnstone Center For Children And ATURNSTONE CORPORATE SERVICES - INCLU | Fort Wayne, IN | $14K | 2022 |
| Greater Fort Wayne IncESO COLLABORATIVE RETREAT AND STRATE | Fort Wayne, IN | $2K | 2022 |
| Freedom Academy IncTRAINING EQUIPMENT | Kendallville, IN | N/A | 2022 |
| Bluffton Harrison MsdMANUFACTURING EQUIPMENT | Bluffton, IN | $1M | 2021 |
| Community Foundation Of Wabash CtyCAPITAL BUILDING | North Manchester, IN | $500K | 2021 |
| Purdue University Fort WayneAUTOMATION EQUIPMENT | Fort Wayne, IN | $498K | 2021 |
| Whitko Community SchoolsMANUFACTURING EQUIPMENT | Larwill, IN | $487K | 2021 |
| Trine UniversityAUTOMATION EQUIPMENT | Angola, IN | $393K | 2021 |
| Huntington County Community SchoolsMANUFACTURING EQUIPMENT | Warren, IN | $203K | 2021 |
| East Allen County SchoolsMANUFACTURING EQUIPMENT | New Haven, IN | $194K | 2021 |
| Junior Achievement Of MichiganENTREPRENUER SPACE | Grand Rapids, MI | $167K | 2021 |
| Questa Education FoundationMANUFACTURING SCHOLARSHIPS | Fort Wayne, IN | $165K | 2021 |
| Grace SchoolsAUTOMATION EQUIPMENT | Winona Lake, IN | $150K | 2021 |
| Garrett-Keyser Butler EducationMANUFACTURING EQUIPMENT | Garrett, IN | $149K | 2021 |
INDIANAPOLIS, IN
INDIANAPOLIS, IN
MERRILLVILLE, IN