Private foundation · EIN 30-0914351 · Fort Wayne, Indiana · Philanthropy & grantmaking

William J and Bonnie L Hefner Foundation Inc

Should you approach them?

Don't send a cold proposal. The foundation reports that it only gives to preselected organizations; an introduction through a current grantee or board member is the realistic route.

From the 2025 Form 990-PF: 22 grants paid, $1.5M total, median $20K. 95% of grants stayed in Indiana.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
22
$1.5M
Median grant
$20K
Stays in IN
95%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$21M

Grants paid in 2025

22 grants, all shown · from Form 990-PF Part XV

RecipientPurposeAmount
Junior AcheivementFort Wayne, INSupport$500K
American Red-Cross Fort WayneFort Wayne, INSupport$290K
YMCA of Dekalb CountyAuburn, INSupport$200K
Fw YWCAFort Wayne, INSupport$200K
Girl Scouts of Fort Wayne BFort Wayne, INSupport$52K
Boy Scouts of America BFort Wayne, INSupport$50K
Purdue Fort WayneFort Wayne, INSupport$28K
Dave Hefner International Student E BFort Wayne, INSupport$25K
Fort Wayne Philharmonic FriendsFort Wayne, INSupport$25K
Little River WetlandsFort Wayne, INSupport$25K
Community Harvest Food Bank CFort Wayne, INSupport$20K
WellspringFort Wayne, INSupport$20K
Mathew 25Fort Wayne, INSupport$10K
SupershotFort Wayne, INSupport$10K
Kate's Kart KFort Wayne, INSupport$7,500
International Allied MissionsFort Wayne, INSupport$5,000
Sheperd's HouseFort Wayne, INSupport$5,000
Stay Gold Foundation SFranklin, TNSupport$4,000
Turnstone Center TFort Wayne, INSupport$3,000
Van Buren Cemetary Asso VVan Buren, INSupport$2,500
Homebound MealsFort Wayne, INSupport$2,000
Homestead BandFort Wayne, INSupport$2,000

By state: Indiana 21 · Tennessee 1

About this foundation

William J and Bonnie L Hefner Foundation Inc is a private grantmaking foundation in Fort Wayne, Indiana, tax-exempt since 2016. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.

All filings on ProPublica

Does William J and Bonnie L Hefner Foundation Inc accept grant applications?

No. On its 2025 Form 990-PF the foundation checked that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations. Look for an introduction through a current grantee.

How much does William J and Bonnie L Hefner Foundation Inc give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $1.5M across 22 grants, a median of $20K.

Where does William J and Bonnie L Hefner Foundation Inc give?

Indiana (21 grants), Tennessee (1 grants), per its latest filing.

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