Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
KENDALLVILLE — The Dekko Foundation, a private family foundation located in Kendallville with a mission of fostering economic freedom through education, awarded more than $680,000 in grants and pledges to 13 youth-serving organizations during its most recent round of grantmaking.
The town of Silver, city of Warsaw and the Kosciusko Community YMCA were three of the 13 recipients.
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 become self-sufficient and grow up to be economically free, according to a news release from the foundation.
Its grantmaking is concentrated within 13 counties in four states — Indiana, Iowa, Alabama and Minnesota — where Dekko had business or personal interests.
Local organizations receiving grants and pledges were:
• Kosciusko Community YMCA Inc., Warsaw, $25,000 to support the care of children in enriching and nurturing environments.
• City of Warsaw, $40,000 to support young people engaging in recreational activities that allow for positive youth development, social interaction and physical activity.
• Town of Silver Lake, $300,000 to support families and young people engaging with community members.
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.
