Engaging Youth
Sparking Curiosity
Opening Pathways
Young people thrive when they are given meaningful opportunities to do, lead, and imagine what’s possible. The Don Wood Foundation awards grants for programs that prioritize early and frequent opportunities for young people to:
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Explore STEAM through doing, not just observing
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Build foundational leadership skills and an entrepreneurial mindset alongside technical curiosity, building their capability for adaptability, problem-solving, creativity, and teamwork
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Explore and navigate career pathways, so more students can see themselves in high-skill, high-wage technical careers
When every student in northeast Indiana has access to hands-on STEAM experiences and can connect learning to real careers in their communities, they develop the leadership skills and entrepreneurial mindset needed to power Next-Gen Manufacturing—today and tomorrow.
Grant Opportunities
Through the Camps, Clubs, & Competitions Mini-Grant, we support programs that engage young people from preschool through high school in activities such as (but not limited to):
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STEAM Camps or Clubs,
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Robotics Clubs and Competitions, and
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STEAM-related classroom tools and activities.
When Are Applications Accepted?
The Don Wood Foundation accepts Camps, Clubs, and Competitions grant applications at any time throughout the year. Grant award decisions are made monthly.
Helpful Links:
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Grant Guidelines: Please carefully review the Grant Guidelines to determine if your proposal aligns with the Don Wood Foundation’s grantmaking priorities. You can access the guidelines here.
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Apply Now: We welcome nonprofit organizations to submit an application for our Camps, Clubs, and Competitions grant programs via our online Grant Portal here.
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Competition: We invite teams that have qualified for regional, state, or national competitions to submit an application for assistance to attend the event here.
Outcomes Report:
If a grant is awarded, the grant partner will be asked to submit an Outcomes Report sharing the progress made during the grant period in attaining the outcomes. The Don Wood Foundation will consider renewing the grant for the program upon receipt of an acceptable Outcomes Report. Access our online Grant Portal to submit an Outcomes Report here.
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We're Currently Updating our Engaging Youth Grant Program.
The Don Wood Foundation has recently adopted a new strategic plan, and more details will be available in early 2026. We are working behind the scenes to align the Rolling Grant Program with our strategic direction while incorporating grantee feedback to streamline our application process.
Have an idea? Contact us!
We look forward to inviting our grant partners to submit proposals beginning in May 2026. In the meantime, we are pleased to meet with community partners to discuss the Don Wood Foundation’s strategic direction and explore potential support for future programs and projects.
We want to learn from what’s working and invest in what can expand access for students across the region. If you represent a youth-serving nonprofit or PK-12 school, please contact:
