The 80/20 Foundation Trust was founded by the late Don Wood, successful entrepreneur who envisioned a charitable organization dedicated to the positive transformation of the industrial workforce in Northeast Indiana.
While the perception has been that success requires a four-year degree, Don's vision was to provide individuals whom are balancing a home, career, and education, the tools and skills necessary to succeed in industrial manufacturing fields.
The 80/20 Foundation Trust is committed to growing and strengthening the manufacturing sector in the Northeast Indiana region.
The 80/20 Foundation Trust is a private foundation that makes grants to charitable organizations that are recognized by the IRS 501(c)3 tax exempt status based in the United States.
Unfortunately, we must decline several worthy proposals each year because they do not fit in the foundation's mission or grant giving purposes. This is not a reflection on the grant proposal, project, or program. The foundation will try to help recommend suitable funding alternatives when applicable.
The foundation approaches the grant process in two stages:
- The Letter of Inquiry (LOI)
- The Full Grant Application
Strategic funding partners must first submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) to initiate the grant process. This will provide the foundation basic information about your organization's need and the project/program you are seeking a funding partner to complete. The LOI will be reviewed by foundation staff and our Board Officers. If the project/program fits the foundation's mission and gifting focus, your organization will be invited to submit a full grant application that will be reviewed by our entire Board of Trustees. Decisions about full grant applications are provided to grant seekers on a quarterly basis in March, June, September, or December. See our Grantmaking Schedule.
Current or prospective strategic funding partners are asked to adhere to the application process as delineated above. Attempts to bypass the process may affect the outcome of your request. Although the foundation is managed by a volunteer Board of Trustees and a professional staff, we ask that you please respect the privacy of these individuals.
Please note: The 80/20 Foundation Trust will only honor ONE Letter of Inquiry per organization, per grant cycle.
The foundation believes that it is important to measure how our strategic funding partners are meeting their goals of successful grant applications. Foundation representatives will both request to visit strategic funding partners, as well as ask successful proposals to submit final grant reports.
Please note: It is imperative that a final grant report from a previous grant award be submitted to the foundation before a strategic funding partner may approach the foundation for a new or renewing grant.
Below are examples of what you can expect to see with the LOI and application if your organization passes the eligibility quiz along with the acceptance of your LOI. To begin the process, please visit our application portal below.
Beginning a Letter of Inquiry, checking the status of your grant, or updating your organizational profile may all be done by going to our application portal.
The 80/20 Foundation Trust is available to answer your questions and concerns about the grant process such as: what defines a strategic funding partner, the Letter of Inquiry process, or full grant application needs, etc. as appropriate.
Please contact the 80/20 Foundation Trust staff at: info@8020foundationtrust.org or call 260.212.1235 during standard business hours.
80/20 Foundation Trust - P.O. Box 330
Columbia City, IN 46725
260-212-1235
info@8020foundationtrust.org
*By Appointment Only*