Foellinger Foundation Announces Innovative Rapid Grants to 89.1 WBOI and PBS39

Foellinger Foundation announces that it has awarded Innovative Rapid Grants to Northeast Indiana Public Radio (89.1 WBOI and WBOI.org) and Fort Wayne Public Television (PBS39) for the amount of $25,000 each. The grants will support programming and reporting surrounding the nonprofit community’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Allen County.

Northeast Indiana Public Radio will use the funding to continue and expand 89.1 WBOI News reporting, with a focus on the contributions of nonprofits and other service organizations during the pandemic.

As part of this coverage, WBOI will grow its number of freelance journalists, including both recent college graduates and experienced journalists who are unemployed or underemployed. WBOI will also retain translators to ensure reporting is available in Spanish andvBurmese.

PBS39 will use its Innovative Rapid Grant to fund the production, promotion, broadcast and on-demand presentation of twelve studio-based programs as part of its Primetime series.

These programs will feature nonprofit organizations and their leaders, as they discuss how they’ll address significant financial and programmatic realities, governance and leadership transitions, advocacy and fundraising, and the reinvention of service delivery and engagement.

“The efforts and drive of nonprofit organizations in Allen County through this pandemic demonstrate the resiliency and creativity of our residents,” said Cheryl Taylor, President, Foellinger Foundation. “Sharing their stories more broadly will engage, inspire and motivate our entire community.”

Learn more about 89.1 WBOI and PBS39 at WBOI.org and PBSFortWayne.org.

Please see Foellinger Foundation's website for other Critical Response Grants opportunities (foellinger.org/covid19).