The Eric A. Baade and Mary C. Baade Charitable Purposes Trust was established in 1958 by Eric A. Baade, a longtime resident and philanthropist in Fort Wayne, Indiana, along with his wife Mary. The trust was designed to support a wide range of charitable initiatives with a strong emphasis on serving the Allen County, Indiana area. Although the trust does not impose strict geographic limitations, its grantmaking historically favors organizations based in or serving this community.

The trust supports various program areas including arts, culture, and humanities; education; environmental and animal-related causes; health; human services; and religious initiatives. Eligible applicants must be classified as tax-exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. This foundational requirement ensures that applicants operate as recognized nonprofit entities.

Grants are typically awarded annually, and applications must be submitted by May 1 to be considered at the annual grant meeting held in June. Although applications are accepted year-round, only those submitted by the deadline will be reviewed for that grant cycle. Applicants are notified of submission via automated email, and funding decisions are usually communicated in July.

The average grant size ranges from $5,000 to $10,000, with about 10 grants awarded each year, and the total average giving is approximately $90,000 annually. The trust may require periodic progress updates and final reports from recipients to monitor the impact and ensure compliance with the terms of the grant.

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., serves as the trustee and administrator of the Eric A. Baade and Mary C. Baade Charitable Purposes Trust. Interested organizations can apply online through the Wells Fargo Trust Philanthropic Services platform. Additional information about Wells Fargo’s philanthropic work and scholarship opportunities can be found on their Community Giving and csascholars.org pages respectively. For further assistance, applicants are encouraged to reach out directly via the contact details provided on the foundation's application platform.