Philanthropy in Allen County: One Grantor’s Perspective

“You have to know the past to understand the present.” Carl Sagan

This session will explore the historical growth of both nonprofit agencies and funders in Allen County, discussing how Allen County data compares to state and national trends. Once we understand our philanthropic past, we will examine the effects of the current economic climate as viewed through the eyes of the Community Foundation: What are donor expectations in times of crisis and how does the Community Foundation ensure fiduciary responsibility: potential funding shifts, additional due diligence, and increased levels of IRS scrutiny?

Christine Meeks Senior Program Officer Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne In her position at the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne, Christine oversees the operations of the Program area, including scholarships and grant making from unrestricted, donor advised, designated, agency endowment, and field of interest funds. She works extensively with grant seeking organizations and donors, provides grant evaluations and financial reviews, and assists in the management of the Community Foundation.