How to apply
Please visit www.thejamesfoundation.org to download and fill out the james foundation preliminary grant application. Contact: The James Foundation Inc, Po Box 606, Auburn, in, 2603330068 Deadlines: N/A Restrictions: Students graduating from a dekalb county, indiana, high school are invited to apply for one of the scholarships offered by the james foundation. Scholarship opportunities include one four-year and one two-year, renewable scholarship is available to each high school with a value of $5,000 per year ($2,500 per semester). Scholars must maintain a 3.2 on a 4.0 scale in the major course of study, and an overall gpa equivalent to 3.0 on a 4.0 scale by the end of each academic year. Scholars must submit grades and upcoming semester scheduled each semester.
Quoted from Part XV of the foundation's 2025 Form 990-PF; the full text is in the filing. Confirm on the foundation's website before you write.
Grants paid in 2025
Top 47 of 71 grants by amount · from Form 990-PF Part XV
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| National Parks FoundationWashington, DC | Unrestricted | $3.0M |
| Canterbury SchoolFort Wayne, IN | Fine arts campaign | $1.0M |
| Trine UniversityAngola, IN | College health professions | $1.0M |
| Vincent VillageFort Wayne, IN | Capital campaign support | $500K |
| Dekalb Central FoundationWaterloo, IN | Dekalb central early learning - preschool programming | $425K |
| Trine UniversityAngola, IN | Scholarships | $300K |
| Dekalb County CourthouseAuburn, IN | Courthouse barrier wall | $247K |
| Alzheimer's AssociationIndianapolis, IN | Operational support | $200K |
| Fort Wayne PhilharmonicFort Wayne, IN | Music is fundemental | $200K |
| Neighborhood HealthWashington, DC | Oxford street project | $200K |
| Growing Lives FoundationFort Wayne, IN | General operation | $125K |
| National Parks FoundationWashington, DC | Unrestricted | $125K |
| The Arc of Northeast Indiana (easterseals Rise)Fort Wayne, IN | Esports / trine collaboration | $120K |
| Questa FoundationFort Wayne, IN | Scholarship support | $110K |
| Arts UnitedFort Wayne, IN | Arts resiliency fund | $100K |
| Bridge of GraceFort Wayne, IN | Hope unleased capital campaign | $100K |
| Kendallville Restoration IncKendallville, IN | Programming / operations support | $100K |
| Make a Wish Foundation IndianaIndianapolis, IN | Wish support - indiana | $100K |
| The Brandon FoundationFort Wayne, IN | Capital campaign support | $100K |
| YWCA Northeast IndianaFort Wayne, IN | Domestic violence programming | $85K |
| Early Childhood AllianceFort Wayne, IN | Spark a future sponsorship | $78K |
| Summit Equestrian CenterFort Wayne, IN | Cavalry program for veterans | $75K |
| The Rescue MissionFort Wayne, IN | Operational and programming support for charis house | $75K |
| Bridge of GraceFort Wayne, IN | Early learning center operations | $50K |
| Community Harvest Food BankFort Wayne, IN | Program and operations support | $50K |
| ScanFort Wayne, IN | Programming support | $50K |
| Fort Wayne PhilharmonicFort Wayne, IN | Sponsorship support | $38K |
| Fort Wayne Children's ChoirFort Wayne, IN | Scholarship support for participants | $25K |
| Garrett Museum of ArtGarrett, IN | Special exhibit / traveling exhibit fund | $25K |
| Fellowship of Christian AthletesRoanoke, IN | Annual programming support | $20K |
| Kate's KartFort Wayne, IN | Book support | $15K |
| Community Foundation of DekalbAuburn, IN | Funding for transforming communities / lilly endowment match | $10K |
| Euell a Wilson CenterFort Wayne, IN | Programming support | $10K |
| Humane Fort WayneFort Wayne, IN | Capital campaign support | $10K |
| Mad Anthony Foundation Red JacketFort Wayne, IN | Operation support | $10K |
| Make a Wish Foundation IndianaIndianapolis, IN | Approved future grant | $10K |
| Mlk MontessoriFort Wayne, IN | Programming support | $10K |
| PBSFort Wayne, IN | Matching challenge | $10K |
| Trine UniversityAngola, IN | Golf outing | $8,500 |
| Dekalb County Community OrchestraAuburn, IN | Program support | $7,000 |
| Fort Wayne History CenterFort Wayne, IN | K-12 school admissions | $5,000 |
| Fort Wayne PhilharmonicFort Wayne, IN | General operations | $4,000 |
| Dekalb High School FoundationWaterloo, IN | Professional development | $2,000 |
| Auburn Community BandAuburn, IN | Expenses for music and venues for 2023 season | $1,000 |
| Auburn Fire Fighters AssociationAuburn, IN | Firefighter scholarship fund | $1,000 |
| Sexual Assault Treatment CenterFort Wayne, IN | Warm & cozy sponsorship | $1,000 |
| Tri KappaAuburn, IN | Triathalon | $500 |
By state: Indiana 64 · District of Columbia 3 · Michigan 2 · Pennsylvania 1 · Illinois 1
About this foundation
James Foundation Inc is a private grantmaking foundation in Auburn, Indiana, administered in care of Frank Staudinger, tax-exempt since 2014. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.
Does James Foundation Inc accept grant applications?
Yes. On its 2025 Form 990-PF the foundation indicates it accepts applications. Please visit www.thejamesfoundation.org to download and fill out the james foundation preliminary grant application. Deadlines: N/A.
How much does James Foundation Inc give each year?
In tax year 2025 it paid $8.9M across 71 grants, a median of $10K.
Where does James Foundation Inc give?
Indiana (64 grants), District of Columbia (3 grants), Michigan (2 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.
More foundations near Auburn that accept applications
All in Indiana| Foundation | Based in | Grants paid | Median grant | Accepts applications | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lilly Endowment Incsince 1938 | Indianapolis, IN | $3.9B2,285 grants · 2025 | $100K | Yes | $62B |
| Lumina Foundation for Education Incsince 1991 | Indianapolis, IN | $30M357 grants · 2024 | $13K | Yes | $1.4B |
| Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trsince 1998 | Indianapolis, IN | $23M328 grants · 2024 | $35K | Yes | $428M |
| Eugene and Marilyn Glick Foundation Corporationsince 1983 | Indianapolis, IN | $21M210 grants · 2024 | $2,500 | Yes | $379M |