KENDALLVILLE — The Dekko Foundation, a private family foundation located in Kendallville with a mission of fostering economic freedom through education, awarded more than $350,000 in grants and pledges to 10 youth-serving organizations during its most recent round of grantmaking.
The foundation, started in 1981 by the late businessman and philanthropist Chester E. Dekko, invests in projects and programs that help build knowledge, skills, and character in children and young people from birth through age 18 so they can be self-sufficient and grow up to be economically free, according to a news release from The Dekko Foundation on Friday.
Its grantmaking is concentrated within 13 counties in four states — Indiana, Iowa, Alabama and Minnesota — where Mr. Dekko had business or personal interests.
Local organizations receiving grants and pledges were:
• Operation Read (Warsaw): $15,000 to support the organization’s literacy programs for young people and families in Kosciusko County and its financial sustainability.
• Whitko Community School Corporation (South Whitley): $7,450 to support middle school students using ukuleles to build skills and grow their appreciation and knowledge of music.
If you’d like to learn more about how investments such as these support children and young people so they can achieve economic freedom later in life, contact a Dekko Foundation program officer at 260-347-1278. Or visit dekkofoundation.org to explore the foundation’s mission and funding priorities, review its grantmaking process, or send a grant proposal.