The Well Foundation Grant Program

The Well Foundation Fund is administered by the Community Foundation of Elkhart County and originates from the former Goshen Hospital and Health Care Foundation, which was established in 1969. The foundation was created to support Goshen General Hospital and to ensure access to quality healthcare services within the region. Over several decades, it distributed more than six million dollars to address health needs in the community. In 2017, the foundation’s assets were transferred to the Community Foundation of Elkhart County, where its legacy continues through an advisory committee composed of original and continuing local volunteers who guide funding decisions. The primary purpose of the Well Foundation Fund is to support programs and initiatives that promote health and wellness throughout Goshen and the broader Elkhart County area. Each year, approximately two hundred thousand dollars is distributed through a competitive grant cycle. Funded projects must align with the foundation’s priority areas of health and wellness and demonstrate a clear and direct benefit to residents within the defined geographic service area. Funding requests must be at least one thousand dollars, and applicants are expected to propose programs or services that contribute meaningfully to community health outcomes. While specific allowable cost categories are not explicitly itemized, the program emphasizes direct programmatic impact rather than covering deficits, prior expenses, or unrelated capital improvements. Certain uses are explicitly excluded, including funding for individuals, debt reduction, political or lobbying activities, and sectarian purposes. Religious organizations may apply only for nonsectarian programs, and exceptions to facility-related restrictions may be made for childcare-related ministries. Eligibility is limited to organizations that meet defined criteria. These include nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status as well as public entities such as schools, municipalities, government units, and chambers of commerce. The program is geographically restricted to projects that serve residents of Elkhart County, ensuring that funding remains locally focused. Applicants must demonstrate that their project aligns with the fund’s mission and serves the identified population. The application process begins with a required initial contact with the program officer, which serves as a preliminary step before submission. Applicants must then complete an online application through the foundation’s grant portal, which requires account registration. Submissions are reviewed first by Community Foundation staff and then forwarded to the Well Foundation Fund Committee for evaluation and recommendation. The process is competitive, and funding is not guaranteed. The grant cycle operates annually, with the application period opening on August 15 and closing on September 30. Following submission, applications undergo an approximately eight week review period, with funding decisions communicated by mid November. Award recipients are required to submit a final report and may be subject to site visits, with reporting deadlines and requirements specified in award documentation. Applicants may contact Program Officer Vonnie Trumble via email or phone for guidance and questions throughout the process.